The Pictou County Tourist Association

Gala Awards Dinner 2008

The 11th Annual Gala Awards Dinner, April 10th, 6:30pm at the Museum of Industry, Stellarton. A Sold Out Event!

Above: Special Thanks to Piper Tyler Cameron, North Nova Education Centre Jazz Ensemble Band, and our RCMP in red serge!

Our Illustrious Emcee, Mr. Bill McCulloch

Thanks Bill for an Awesome Job! Well Done!

Guest Speaker: This year featured guest speaker, Nigel Bennett - actor, director, author and Gemini Award winner. Mr. Bennett appeared on the British stage for fifteen years before moving to Canada in 1986. From 1992-1996, Mr Bennett starred as the powerful and seductive Lucien LaCroix in the Gemini nominated television series "Forever Knight." In 1995, he received the prestigious Gemini Award for his role in the series, and it was on this show where he made his directorial debut. Mr Bennett's feature film work includes co-starring with Gene Hackman in "Narrow Margin," "The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick," "Legends of the Fall" with Brad Pitt, "Murder at 1600" starring Wesley Snipes and much more. His complete bio, photo and more can be found at www.blackhatstation.com

Awards:

Seven awards for outstanding achievement were presented.

Rising Star:  Presented to a new tourism sector individual, business, attraction or event (less than 5 years), which has demonstrated the greatest potential for tourism development in Pictou County. This year's sponsor is Northern Opportunities for Business Limited (NOBL)

Nominees: Pictou County Bikeways, East River Valley Community Development Association - Kiosk Project, One Night in January, Beach Lane Lavender Farm, Pictou County Military Museum

Award Recipient: Beach Lane Lavender Farm

Shining Star: Presented to a tourism sector business, attraction or event which has made a marketing impact on the local tourist scene, bringing high profile to Pictou County. This year's sponsor is Nova Scotia Community College - Pictou Campus

Nominees: The Riverfront Jubilee, Whigmaleeries, Pictou Accommodations Group, Museum of Industry

Award Recipient: Pictou Accommodations Group

North Star: Presented to a tourist sector individual, business or attraction, which has been stalwart on the Pictou County tourist scene, leading the way as an example of excellence. This year's sponsor is Pictou Regional Development Commission (PRDC)

Nominees: CKEC East Coast FM 94.1, Westville Canada Days, Northumberland Fisheries Museum, Consulate Inn, deCoste Centre

Award Recipient: CKEC East Coast FM 94.1

Star of the Festivals: Presented to the festival, which has made an outstanding impact in attracting visitors to Pictou County and the growth of the local tourism industry. The year's sponsor is Comfort Inn.

Nominees: Pictou Lobster Carnival, The Riverfront Jubilee, Festival of the Tartans, Bluegrass Festival, Trenton FunFest

Award Recipient: It's a Tie!  Festival of the Tartans & Pictou Lobster Carnival

Ambassador Award: Presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated community pride and is involved with community development, and served as an ambassador for Pictou County. This year's sponsor is Pictou County Tourist Association.

Nominees: Frances Buchan - Whigmaleeries, NSCC Pictou Campus, River John Action Society/Pictou Antigonish Regional Library, Pictou County Minor Hockey, Sobeys Slam Curling Event (Bluenose Curling Club)

Award Recipient: Pictou County Minor Hockey

Rock Star Award: Presented to an individual or group who has demonstrated community pride and has made an impact on/represented Pictou County through their musical endeavours. This year's sponsor is Fibbersmusic.ca.

Nominees: Wintersleep, Beyond Ash, Fleur Mainville, Alert the Medic

Award Recipient: Alert the Medic

**Award of Excellence**: Presented to Frances Buchan of Whigmaleeries for her work on the Pictou County Tartan.  Thank you Frances for this wonderful legacy to the community!

Congratulations to all of the Nominees!

It was a tough job for the judges as all of the nominees demonstrated a standard of excellence. Pictou County you should be proud!

Congratulations to all of the Star Award Recipients!

The Annual Gala Awards Dinner could not happen without the generosity of our Sponsors.   We would like to extend an extra special Thank You! to the following:

Platinum Sponsors:

CKEC East Coast FM 94.1 & The News

Gold Sponsor:

Museum of Industry

Silver Sponsors:

Comfort Inn (By Choice Hotels), Eastern Sign-Print Ltd, fibbersmusic.ca, Northern Opportunities for Business Limited (NOBL), Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), Pictou Regional Development Commission (PRDC)

Bronze Sponsors:

JOST Vineyards, Neenah Paper, Town of New Glasgow

Plan to attend in 2009!

It's sure to be another hit you won't want to miss!