– Celebrating Canada’s over $7.4 billion sport tourism industry –

Ottawa, May 17, 2023 — Sport Tourism Canada (STC) proudly announces the finalists of the 2023 PRESTIGE Awards which recognize exceptional sport tourism initiatives, multisport games, and events. The PRESTIGE Awards also shine a spotlight on the people and places behind these initiatives, multisport games and events that make the Canadian sport tourism industry so dynamic and diverse.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be hosting the first PRESTIGE Awards ceremony since 2021!” said Sheena McCrate, STC Interim Chair. “The Awards have always been about celebrating the success stories of sport hosting.  COVID-19 had a devastating impact on our industry, with many events being postponed or cancelled.  But sport led the post-pandemic recovery, and what better way to showcase the vibrancy and resiliency of our sector than the PRESTIGE Awards!  Join us as we honour the many outstanding people, corporations and events that make up our great industry!”

2023 PRESTIGE AWARDS FINALISTS (in alphabetical order)

STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year  presented by Destination Markham

Canadian Sport Event of the Year Group A : budget over $1 Million

  • 2022 Grey Cup Festival & 109th Grey Cup Game
  • 2020 Tim Horton’s Brier
  • Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games

 
Canadian Sport Event of the Year Group B : budget under $1 Million 

  • Canadian Ringette Championship
  • Okanagan Granfondo
  • Speed Skating Canada Cup Junior Final

STC International Sport Event of the Year presented by Richmond Olympic Oval High Performance
 
International Sport Event of the Year Group A : budget over $2 Million

  • Calgary Curling Bubble
  • Canoe ’22 – 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint Senior World Championships
  • Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal
  • World Triathlon Groupe Copley 2022

International Sport Event of the Year Group B : budget under $2 Million 

  • 2020 International Wheelchair Rugby Federation Paralympic Qualification Tournament
  • 2021/2022 Snow Rodeo FIS Snowboard Slopestyle World Cup
  • 2022 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships

STC Canadian Sport Event Sponsorship Initiative of the Year presented by Tourism Richmond 

  • Calgary National Bank Challenger
  • The Style Experience FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup

STC Sport Event Volunteer of the Year presented by Explore Edmonton

  • Cindy Law – Wild Rose Figure Skating Invitational
  • Clive Morgan – 2022 Athletics Ontario Cross Country Running Championships
  • Laura Takaskai – West Coast Classic 2020

STC Sport Event Legacy of the Year  presented by Tourism Winnipeg 

  • Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games
  • The Style Experience FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup

STC Sport Tourism Rising Star of the Year presented by Tourism Kingston 

  • Jill Lynch
  • Tanya Colborne
  • Reid Bilben

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This 15th edition of the STC PRESTIGE Awards will be presented at the awards gala event on June 8, 2023, in Richmond, B.C. at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel. The awards gala takes place in conjunction with STC’s annual Sport Event Congress (June 6-8, 2023), which is Canada’s largest annual gathering of sport and tourism professionals, event managers and industry suppliers that attracts approximately 400 delegates each year.

Tickets

Tickets to the PRESTIGE Awards luncheon are included with delegates’ fees for those who are registered delegates at Sport Events Congress.  Tickets are also available for purchase on a stand-alone basis, subject to availability.  The cost is $100 + tax per person and includes attendance at the awards show and lunch. A reservation of a table is available; the table can accommodate 10 seats.  For more information about the Sport Events Congress, the PRESTIGE luncheon or to purchase tickets or register for the Congress, visit the STC website at: sporttourismcanada.com

About Sport Tourism Canada 

Sport Tourism Canada is an organization founded in the year 2000 through a partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission with the mission to increase Canada’s capacity to attract and host sport tourism events, and grow the sector.  The STC has over 350 members, which include 200+ municipalities, 250+ national and provincial sporting organizations, and 20+ educational institutions that support the industry.

For more information contact:
[email protected]