Recognizing and Honouring Ottawa Valley Tourism Champions

Pembroke, Ontario – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association has launched the 2026 Tourism Awards which recognize and honour tourism champions across the Ottawa Valley. The Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) to individuals, businesses, and events that recognize the importance of working together for the growth of the local tourism industry, as well as offering exceptional visitor experiences.

Award nominations are now being accepted in the following 7 categories:

• Tourism Champion
• Business/Organization of the Year
• Event of the Year
• Sustainability Champion
• Tourism Marketing
• New Tourism Product
• New Tourism Experience

Joel Kowalski, Chair of the Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards says, “The 2026 awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the people and businesses who make tourism in the Ottawa Valley so special. We look forward to recognizing their achievements and celebrating the incredible work happening across our region.”

Members of the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association can self-nominate or nominate other member businesses and individuals for the awards. The winners will be announced at the OVTA’s Annual General Meeting & Tourism Awards event on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Festival Hall in Pembroke. 

Nominations can be completed online at https://www.ottawavalley.travel/industry/. Last year’s winners, all award descriptions and eligibility criteria are listed there as well.

The OVTA is the official destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents over 300 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and events, accommodations, dining and retail establishments, food producers, rafting companies and outfitters, artists and galleries, as well as media and industry suppliers. The OVTA is proudly supported by the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County municipalities and the City of Pembroke.

For more information, contact:

Joel Kowalski                                                                                    

Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards Chair                                                          

joel@wildernesstours.com 

Erin Norris                                                                             

Tourism Industry Relations & Digital Marketing Coordinator

Ottawa Valley Tourist Association                                                    

enorris@countyofrenfrew.on.ca 

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards. The 2025 winners are as follows: (back from left) Elijah McKeown, City of Pembroke, Tourism Marketing Award; Jill McLellan, Hell or High Water, Event of the Year Award; Jason O'Brien, Whitewater O'Brien Winery, Tourism Product Award; Rick McNish, Dog House Brewery, Sustainability Champion Award and (back from left) Lana Cole & Scott Fawcett, Ottawa Valley Air Paddle, Business of the Year Award; Lioutsia O'Brien, Whitewater O'Brien Winery, Tourism Product Award; and Meghan James, Somewhere Inn Calabogie, Tourism Champion Award.