Sport Tourism Canada (STC) proudly announces the finalists for the 2025 PRESTIGE Awards which recognize exceptional sport tourism initiatives, multisport games, and events. The PRESTIGE Awards also shine a spotlight on the people and places behind these initiatives, multisport games and events that make the Canadian sport tourism industry so dynamic and diverse.
“Once again this year our nominations represent the strong and vibrant sport tourism industry in Canada,” said Sheena McCrate, CEO, Sport Tourism Canada. “We have consistently ranked as one of the top nations in the world for hosting events, and with 53 entries received, the calibre of this year’s nominees reflects the capability and expertise we have right across this country. In addition to our traditional Canadian and International Events of the Year, Volunteer, Rising Star and Legacy award categories, this year we are thrilled to be adding three new categories – Marquee Event, Partnership and Industry Champion. We thank everyone who took the time to submit nominations, and wish all finalists the best of luck. We look forward to celebrating your achievements in Calgary.”
2025 SPORT TOURISM CANADA PRESTIGE AWARDS FINALISTS
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $1M to $10M) presented by Marriott International
2024 Canadian Finals Rodeo – Edmonton, AB
JACKALOPE MISSISSAUGA – Mississauga, ON
Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 – Calgary, AB
STC Canadian Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $1M) presented by Marriott International
2024 Canadian Little League Championships – Kingston, ON
2024 Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada – Greater Victoria, BC
2024 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships – Grande Prairie, AB
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group A (Budget of $2M to $10M) presented by Tourisme Montreal
2024 Para Biathlon World Championships & Nordic World Cup Finals – Prince George, BC
CPKC Women’s Open – Calgary, AB
ROCKWOOL Canada Sail Grand Prix – Halifax, NS
STC International Sport Event of the Year: Group B (Budget less than $2M) presented by Tourisme Montreal
FIBA 3×3 World Tour & Women’s Series – Edmonton, AB
ISU World Speed Skating Championships – Calgary, AB
The Nova Scotia Stampede, Truro, NS
STC Sport Event Legacy of the Year
50th Anniversary Little Native Hockey League Tournament – Markham, ON
2024 WNBA Canada Game – Edmonton, AB
Special Olympics Canada Winter Games Calgary 2024 – Calgary, AB
STC Sport Tourism Volunteer of the Year presented by Explore Edmonton
Bonnie Zufelt – North Bay, ON
Brenda Chinn – Vancouver, BC
Julie Laframboise – Ottawa, ON
STC Sport Event Partnership of the Year presented by City of Leduc
2024 Bell Track & Field Trials – Montreal, QC
RBC Canadian Open – Hamilton, ON
YXE Urban Games – Saskatoon, SK
STC Sport Tourism Rising Star of the Year
Jeremy Hick – Tourism London
Ruida Lu – Destination Markham
Tim Kasper – Explore Edmonton
STC Sport Tourism Industry Champion
Katie Biberdorf – City of Grande Prairie
Suzanne Fougere – Events East Group
Wayne Long – City of Charlottetown
STC Marquee Sport Event of the Year – Budget over $10M presented by Events Regina
111th Grey Cup & 2024 Grey Cup Festival – Vancouver, BC
2025 IIHF World Junior Championship – Ottawa, ON
RBC Canadian Open – Hamilton, ON
This 17th edition of the STC PRESTIGE Awards will be presented at the awards ceremony and brunch on March 20th, 2025, in Calgary, AB at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park. The awards show and brunch takes place in conjunction with STC’s annual Sport Events Congress (March 18-20, 2025), which is Canada’s largest annual gathering of sport and tourism professionals, event managers and industry suppliers that attracts approximately 300 delegates each year.
Tickets
Tickets to the PRESTIGE Awards are included with delegates’ fees for those who are registered delegates at Sport Events Congress. Tickets are also available for purchase on a stand-alone basis, subject to availability. The cost is $150 + tax per person and includes attendance at the awards show and brunch. For more information about Sport Events Congress, the PRESTIGE Awards or Sport Tourism Canada, please visit our website.
About Sport Tourism Canada
Sport Tourism Canada is an organization founded in the year 2000 through a partnership with the Canadian Tourism Commission with the mission to increase Canada’s capacity to attract and host sport tourism events, and grow the sector. STC has over 270 members, which include municipalities, national, provincial/territorial and multi-sport organizations, educational institutions and other suppliers that support the sport tourism industry.
For more information contact:
communications@sporttourismcanada.com
