Oxford stood out at the Ontario Tourism Summit

The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario's annual Tourism Summit was October 24th-25th in Mississauga. Congratulations to all the nominees and award winners of the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence! See details below about the winners in our region!

Indigo Lounge Wellness + Eatery

At Indigo Lounge Wellness + Eatery, Kelly Spencer - owner, celebrates diversity and inclusivity with Indigenous workshops, supporting Oxford County Pride, and hosting collaborative dinners celebrating Punjabi, Carribean and Nigerian cuisine. They are active in the community supporting numerous local charities including the “Kids Empowerment Camp” where they encourage youth to give back to the community. They are a leader in environmental consciousness, energy conservation, local sourcing and low impact activities.

Kelly Spencer is a strong, creative, and welcoming individual within the community.  In 2022 she was awarded the 2022 Oxford Tourism Award  for Responsible Tourism. We are thrilled to announce recognition has continued on the provincial stage at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence with Kelly receiving the 2022 Ontario Culinary Tourism Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Award

Kelly has accomplished all of this through determination, and looking for inclusive ways to run her business. Please join us in congratulating Kelly on her Ontario Tourism Award of Excellence!

Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life

Cheryl Haskett has completed a lot in a short time frame with her Oxford County tourism business, Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life. Since opening in 2021, she has received the:

• 2022 Oxford Tourism Award, Best New Tourism Product
• Ontario's Southwest Award, 2021 Innovator of the Year
• Ontario's Southwest Signature Experience Certification
• Community Futures Award, 2021 Oxford Entrepreneur of the Year
• 3 Ontario Tourism Resiliency Awards in 2022 (Attraction - Sustainability, Attraction - Innovation, Independent Business - Collaboration)
• 2023 Oxford Tourism Awards, Special Event of the Year & Tourism Partnership

She is finishing 2023 with 3 nominations at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence. Cheryl Haskett is the recipient of 2 awards including:  

• 2022 Ontario Culinary Tourism Experience Award
• 2022 Ontario Culinary Tourism Leadership Award.

Cheryl has accomplished all of this through collaboration, and innovative ways to engage visitors. Please join us in congratulating Cheryl on her two Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence! They are well deserved.

In Ontario's Southwest

Life Time Achievement Award

Please join us in congratulating the Life Time Achievement Award recipient. Gordon Orr, the CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island Destination Management Organization since September 2011. Before that he worked as Managing Director for the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County & Pelee Island, and for the City of Windsor in Communications. With over 20 years in the industry, Gordon has played an instrumental and longstanding role in the Ontario visitor economy, and as a border destination, his teams have made incredible strides for visitation to Ontario from the US markets coming to and through Windsor.

Other Award Winners

• Tourism Innovator of the Year, Paddles of the Grand, Haldimand County
• Tourism Digital Marketing Campaign, My Happy Place, Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island