Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards celebrate industry excellence

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The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) recognized the region’s top tourist events, businesses and supporters at its 2025 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards.

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This year’s celebration followed the OVTA’s Annual General Meeting, held on April 29 at the Neat Coffee Shop in Burnstown, where local community partners and industry champions gathered in support of the region’s growing visitor economy.

The Awards honour the individuals, businesses, and events that are helping to shape the region into a must-visit destination through creativity, leadership, and a deep commitment to the community.

“It’s always amazing to see the passion and hard work that goes into making the Ottawa Valley a great place to visit,” said Joel Kowalski, chairperson of the Tourism Awards Committee. “This year’s winners truly go above and beyond, and we’re proud to celebrate everything they bring to our communities.”

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Representing the very best of what the Valley has to offer, the 2025 award recipients are as follows:

Tourism Champion Award

Presented in honour of Marilyn Alexander, a passionate advocate for collaboration in tourism, this award recognizes an OVTA member who leads by example and continually champions the Ottawa Valley. This year’s recipient, Meghan James, general manager of Somewhere Inn Calabogie, exemplifies that spirit. A dedicated OVTA board member and vice chairperson, James plays an instrumental role in key initiatives, including the Tourism Awards and Ontario’s Highlands Travel Trade Program. Her leadership, energy, and passion for the region have made a lasting impact.

Business / Organization of the Year Award

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This award recognizes a tourism business or organization that demonstrates exceptional innovation, service, and contribution to the local tourism sector. Ottawa Valley Air Paddle (OVAP) is the 2025 recipient for its approach to outdoor adventure tourism. Based in Arnprior, OVAP offers guided tours, rentals, and events like PaddleFest and Light at Night Kayaking, drawing hundreds of visitors. Their Demo Centre offers a unique entry point for new paddlers and contributes to a thriving year-round tourism economy.

Event of the Year Award

Awarded to a festival or event that demonstrates best practices and serves as a model of excellence, this year’s honour goes to Hell or High Water in Petawawa. This volunteer-driven whitewater festival celebrates river culture by bringing paddlers of all kinds together. Beyond competitions, the event has raised nearly $50,000 for local causes while nurturing a strong sense of community and environmental stewardship.

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Sustainability Champion Award

This award honours a member that demonstrates leadership in responsible tourism and sustainability. Dog House Brewing stood out in 2025 for its thoughtful approach to environmental responsibility–from sourcing local ingredients to implementing innovative water recycling systems. The brewery’s commitment extends beyond its product, serving as a welcoming space for both visitors and locals.

New Tourism Product Award

Awarded to a new business or organization offering an innovative tourism experience, this year’s recipient is Whitewater O’Brien Winery. Fusing a passion for winemaking with strong community connections, the winery has grown into a destination in its own right. With 11 unique wines, tasting experiences, and a focus on local partnerships, it offers guests an authentic taste of the Valley’s emerging wine culture.

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Tourism Marketing Award

Recognizing excellence in promotional strategy and execution, the City of Pembroke earned this year’s award for its refreshed Visit Pembroke brand. In 2024, the launch of a new tourism website, visitpembroke.ca, helped drive page views from 2,500 to over 37,000. Combined with targeted digital campaigns and updated print materials, the city significantly elevated its profile as a tourism destination.

In a press release, the OVTA extended its thanks to everyone who submitted nominations and helped shine a light on the individuals and organizations shaping the future of tourism in the Ottawa Valley.

About the OVTA

The OVTA is the destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents over 250 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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