Ottawa Valley Tourist Association announces ’25 tourism awards finalists
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The finalists in the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association’s (OVTA) 2025 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards have been announced.
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In the Tourism Champion category, the finalists are Jill McLellan, co-founder of Watch My 6 and owner of End of the Leash; Councillor Dan Lynch; and Meghan James, general manager of Somewhere Inn Calabogie.
In the running for Business/Organization of the Year are The Portal; Airborne Petawawa; Ottawa Valley Air Paddle; and Splash Valley Waterpark and Resort.
Renfrew’s Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival; Holiday Tailgate Market at the Petawawa Container Market; Beachburg Fair; Downtown Pembroke Buskerfest; Arnprior Cultural Night Market; Hell or High Water; Water and Dirt Festival; Ottawa Valley Air Paddle PaddleFest; Rio Tap and Grill Wednesday Night Summer Music Series; and Union 108 Yoga in the Park are the finalists in the Event of the Year category.
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New Tourism Product finalists are Whitewater O’Brien Winery; Wilderness Tours Bike Park; and Wilderness Tours Lazy River Tubing.
Finalists for Tourism Marketing category are Mount Molson Dairy Bar; Laurel Cook of Bonnechere Valley Inspired; Airborne Petawawa; and the City of Pembroke.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit a nomination,” said Joel Kowalski, Tourism Awards chairperson. “These awards shine a spotlight on how valuable the tourism industry is to our local economy — and give us a chance to celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make the Ottawa Valley so special.”
Established in 2014, the Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards are awarded to individuals, organizations and events that recognize the importance of working together for the growth of the local tourism industry, as well as offering exceptional visitor experiences.
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Nomination were received from across the Ottawa Valley for the categories of Tourism Champion; Business/Organization of the Year; Event of the Year; Sustainability Champion Award; New Tourism Product Award; and the Tourism Marketing Award. A judging panel comprised of County Council and OVTA Board of Directors representatives, including Warden Peter Emon and Councillors Rob Weir and James Brose, were tasked with the challenge of selecting a winner for each category.
The winners, including the Sustainability Champion, will be announced at the OVTA’s Annual General Meeting and Tourism Awards celebration taking place on April 29th at the Neat Coffee Shop in Burnstown. The event is open to all OVTA members.
About the OVTA
The OVTA is the destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and represents more than 300 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and outfitters, accommodation, food, beverage and retail establishments, artists and galleries, municipalities and community organizations, as well as media and industry suppliers. The OVTA is supported by the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County municipalities and the City of Pembroke.
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