President’s Award
In photo above from left to right: The Honourable John Yakabuski (Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry), Hugh Carlson, Hilary Chambers (NOTO President), MPP Ross Romano.
Preferred Supplier of the Year Award
In photo above from left to right: Bob Garson, NOTO Past President and Margaret Palmer, Gougeon Insurance Brokers.
Environmental Stewardship Awards
In photo above from left to right: Gerry Dignard – Canadian Shield Consultants Agency Inc., Hilary Chambers – Pine Grove Resort Cottages, and Laurie Marcil – NOTO Executive Director.
Congratulations to all of our 2018 award winners!!
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Our 2018 Award Winners
This award is presented to an individual for their significant contribution to the tourism environment through individual effort and dedication. Hugh Carlson was presented this award for his passion for both tourism and NOTO.
Hugh has been heavily involved with NOTO throughout the years. He also served as NOTO President from 1998-1999.
Over his tourism career, Hugh has sat on several outdoor tourism committees such as the Local Citizen’s Committee, District Managers Advisory Committee in the MNRF’s Red Lake District, the Provincial Forestry Policy Committee, the Ontario Moose and Bear Allocation Advisory Committee (OMBAAC), the Regional Directors Advisory Committee for the MNRF’s Northwest Region, and the Ministers Mining Act Advisory Committee to name a few.
President Hilary Chambers had this to say about the recipient, “We say that Northern Ontario is big in every way, and this year’s award winner personifies all of the qualities of the North. Big in person and in presence, his strong personality and no nonsense approach is well known throughout the industry. His family has been in the tourism business since 1947, and our winner was the owner/operator of Viking Outpost Cabins and Viking Island Lodge in Red Lake. His passion for his community in Red Lake and tourism is well known. I understand he even served as the Mayor of Red Lake.
His dedication to this industry and NOTO is definitely something to be celebrated. It is my distinct pleasure to give this years NOTO Presidents Award to my larger than life tourism colleague Hugh Carlson.”
This award is given to an individual for their dedication, support and participation in furthering the goals and objectives of NOTO. Margaret Palmer of Gougeron Insurance Brokers was presented this award for her Lifejacket aWEARness Campaign.
The goal of this campaign is to reduce the 160 drowning deaths that occur each year in Ontario. Since it’s launch in June 2018, 56 resorts across Ontario transformed their waterfront into a Lifejacket WEAR Zone.
For more information on this program and how to get involved, click here!
Bob Garson, NOTO Past President had this to say about Margarets accomplishments, “This program is an effective way to save lives in our industry. The need for a program like this was brought to the fore front when, unfortunately, an employee at a lodge drowned this past summer. The boat was found with the lifejacket sitting beside where he was operating the boat. The lesson is to always wear lifejackets to prevent unnecessary drownings.
Operators can promote this program by making all staff and guests aware. Everyone should always wear their lifejacket, you never know when you will unintentionally wind up in the water.
A big thank you to Margaret Palmer for creating this initiative to save lives.”
The Environmental Stewardship Award is a new award sponsored by Canadian Shield Consultants Agency to recognize the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. First place was awarded to Pine Grove Resort Cottages. An honourable mention was awarded to Hawk Lake Lodge to acknowledge their efforts as well.
To read about their conservation and sustainable practices, please click on the links below!
Hilary Chambers
Ted Putnam
In photo above: Laurie Marcil, NOTO Executive Director and Ted Putnam, Hawk Lake Lodge.
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