Fredericton (NB): edVentures Fredericton , developed by Fredericton
Tourism, won the Innovator of the Year award at the National Tourism
Excellence Awards hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada
(TIAC) this week in Saint John .
The Innovator of the Year award recognizes a new tourism business,
market, product or process initiative, or an unconventional approach to an
existing market, product or process.
“When we set out to develop edVentures Fredericton , Fredericton
Tourism had the goal of creating a national class program. This recognition
from our peers in the national tourism industry is validation of our
efforts and proof that we’ve created something truly innovative and
unique” says David Seabrook, manager of Fredericton Tourism.
edVentures Fredericton is an innovative approach to the fast-developing
experiential tourism trend. This program of weekend and week-long learning
vacations in craft and culture, launched the summer of 2008, is the largest
in Atlantic Canada and second largest in Canada .
This summer’s program included more than 120 workshops taught by some
of New Brunswick ’s finest and most engaging artists and artisans.
“edVentures Fredericton is a partnership between Fredericton Tourism
and the cultural sector of Fredericton . It leverages the tremendous
resources we have in our community and, as a result, is telling a story of
Fredericton as a culturally dynamic space for the world to experience”
said Stacey Russell, Travel Media – Fredericton Tourism.
edVentures Fredericton ’s principle partner is the New Brunswick
College of Craft & Design (NBCCD) and also includes partnerships with the
Beaverbrook Art Gallery , UNB College of Extended Learning, and Kings
Landing Historical Settlement.
“The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design is thrilled that
edVentures Fredericton has received national recognition! edVentures
Fredericton ’s success reinforces the stature of Fredericton as one of
Canada ‘s leading cultural capitals, and supports the College’s vision to
become a centre of excellence in post-secondary visual arts education, and
a key resource within the provincial culture sector” states NBCCD
Principal, Michael Maynard.
“This national award will get the attention of tourism operators and
travel media across North America and allows us to kick start
conversations, hopefully resulting in increased visitations to our city”
adds Seabrook.
Nominations were evaluated by a panel of experts, selected from among the
tourism industry. This marks the second time this year edVentures
Fredericton was recognized by the tourism industry. In May, edVentures
Fredericton won the Tourism Excellence and Innovation awards for both
Tourism Partnerships and Product Development from the Tourism Industry
Association of New Brunswick, the first time a single tourism operator has
won more than one Tourism Excellence and Innovation award in a single year.