‘Unleash your greatness’
DEANS gala honours award winners in region’s industry
Record-setting tourism numbers this past year gave those in the industry plenty of reason to celebrate Thursday.
Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores hosted its annual Gala Awards Dinner with chairman Wes Surrett telling those in attendance that tourism was up three per cent in the Northumberland shore last year and 14 per cent in the eastern shore.
“This accounts for 3,000 jobs and generated $25 million in tax revenue in the DEANS region alone,” he said, adding that tourism was a $2.7 billion industry in Nova Scotia last year.
The gala evening focused on the theme “Unleash your Greatness” with guest speaker Buhle Dlamini, a global keynote speaker, author, entrepreneur and facilitator who now lives in Pictou with his family.
“If you want to unleash greatness, know your values. Know what you stand for and make sure every single day you don’t take shortcuts around those things,” he said. “Those are the things people always remember.”
He told the crowd to accept change, have a positive attitude and be better than “good enough” every day.
“Attitude determines how you show up, how you work, it determines everything,” he said. “Business is not always great. Not always clear sailing. There are times when you look at the numbers and you think, why did you do this? It is going be your attitude to keep going. Your winning attitude is going to help you move forward.”
Keeping within the theme of the evening, DEANS honoured nominees and award winners throughout the evening in six categories that proved tourism is unique and strong in rural Nova Scotia.
Nova Scotia Spirit Company was the recipient of the marketing award, given to a company that has made an impact on local tourism.
Nova Scotia Spirit Company’s award-winning products have earned a reputation for quality and uniqueness throughout the province and internationally. The company started in Hillside, but is expanding to Stellarton where they will open a restaurant, brewery, tasting room and retail space. It is savvy with its use of social media, always providing updates on new products and offering contests with opportunities to win products, merchandise and experiences.
Other nominees in the category were Gabrieau’s Bistro and Northumberland Ferries Limited.
The Mike Broomfield Rising Start Award went to Norse Cove Camping, Café. This award is given to a new tourism sector business or attraction that demonstrates a strong potential for tourism development in the DEANS region. Norse Cove owners Kimberly
Putina and Werner Venter offer their guests a magical and memorable campground experience. It accommodates tents, pop-ups, campers, RVs and trailers. There is also a Café and Supply on site that features homemade snacks and light meals along with convenience items. Other nominees in this category were Sober Island Brewing Co. and Seaside Treasure Trove.
Lost Shores Gran Fondo of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough was the recipient of the Chief Experience Opportunity Award, presented to a tourism sector individual, person
or business that has been stalwart on the regional tourism and cultural scene, leading the way as an example of excellence. Lost Shores draws cyclists to the area in September for navigated non-competitive rides of 50, 90 and 130 km and has grown in just two years to 400 cycling participants. It has also added a 35-km loop and 30-km mountain bike rail trail loop. Many locals are out cheering the riders on as they pass through 20 fishing communities and the event ends with craft beer, food and live music.
Other nominees in this category include Steinhart Distillery,
Media Ladder Digital Marketing and A For Adventure.
Tall Ships Pictou was the recipient of the Festival and Events Award presented in honour of the late Carlton Munroe. The Tall Ships visit to Pictou this past summer saw people travelling from all over to see the ships and meet crew. Pictou experienced the highest visitor count for the Tall Ships outside of Halifax and saw nearly $500,000 in visitor spending in the community with restaurants, accommodations, retail, museums and many other businesses.
Other nominees in this category were New Glasgow’s Art at Night, Pictou Lobster Carnival, Antigonish Art Fair and Coldwater Seafood Festival.
Tony’s Meats Ltd/Mr. Donair won the Flavour Award, presented to a food and beverage establishment having an impact on creating an experience for the visitor.
Mr. Donair was first created in the 1970s and in 2005 it was acquired by Tony’s Meats in Antigonish. They are in over 1000 stores coast to coast and celebrated Canada’s 150th anniversary by taking part in events across the country.
Other nominees in this category included The Townhouse Brewpub and Eatery and The Dock.
Alain Bossé, otherwise known as The Kilted Chef, was the recipient of The Fleur Mainville Ambassador Award, presented to a person who demonstrates community pride and presents themselves as an ambassador to the region and is involved in community development.
Bossé is president of Alain Bossé Consulting Ltd, food editor for Saltscapes Magazine, past president of Taste Nova Scotia and culinary champion for Atlantic Canada. He has represented the Atlantic provinces in numerous initiatives to help promote local commodities such as lobster, mussels, apples, potatoes and wild blueberries. The promotions have take him to Europe, South America, United States and throughout Canada.
Other nominees in this category were Mary MacLellan and Nancy O’Reagan.