Ottawa Tourism and partners win again at provincial marketing summit
OttawaStart
Ottawa Tourism and the National Capital Commission were victorious in two categories at the Ontario Tourism Awards gala held at the Hamilton Convention Centre on October 4. Ottawa Tourism accepted the award for Best Tourism Advertising and the National Capital Commission accepted the Tourism Innovator of the Year Award for their popular Mosaika Sound and Light Show.
“It is extremely gratifying to have the work of our Ottawa Tourism team and that of our agency of record, Mediaplus Advertising, recognized by the province in front of our peers,” says Noel Buckley, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “Similarly, the accolades for Mosaika—a spectacular summer attraction in Canada’s capital that we heavily promote—are well-deserved.”
This is not the first success for Ottawa Tourism with these awards. In 2008 and 2010, they took home the gold award in the Best Tourism Advertising category, and silver in the same category in both 2006 and 2007. In 2009, they were a finalist for Best Interactive Marketing. In 2010, Savour Ottawa won the Culinary Tourism Leadership Award, and was a finalist in 2009, the category’s inaugural year.
Read more on the OttawaStart website: Ottawa Tourism and partners win again at provincial marketing summit
Tourism Innovator of the Year
Canada’s Capital Region shines with 11 awards
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that it has won Tourism Innovator of the Year for the sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people. The award was handed out last night at the 2011 Ontario Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence in Hamilton, Ontario.
The announcement comes on the heels of the NCC being recognized with 10 international awards at the 56th annual International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) Convention & Expo.
“Canadians can be proud that their Capital offers state-of-the-art ways to celebrate, commemorate and learn about our culture,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing at the NCC. “The NCC is thrilled to see its productions, programs and events recognized for their excellence by these Canadian and international industry leaders.”
Capital culture
Taking a closer look at local artists in the Capital Region
Sarah Brown
Tour the world’s great capitals, and it becomes apparent that they share two key traits. First, their residents are unselfconsciously proud of their culture. Second, these capitals are bold in showcasing art and ideas, in supporting artists who celebrate their nation and in allowing them the stage when they wish to question the “sacred tenets” of what that nationhood means. Great capitals engage their artists and citizens, celebrating the diversity of their creations.
In the past 20 years, the population of Canada’s capital has reached a critical mass that makes it possible for cultural entrepreneurs to develop world-class blues, jazz and chamber music festivals; the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization can count on crowd support for blockbuster international exhibitions; the National Arts Centre has outdone itself with its ongoing “Scene” series of regional artistic exhibitions; and our key cultural buildings are architectural showpieces. Yet, in 2011, our capital city still lacks a certain zing.
Read more on the Canadian Geographic website: Capital culture
Capital culture
Taking a closer look at local artists in the Capital Region
Sarah Brown, The Canadian Geographic
Tour the world’s great capitals, and it becomes apparent that they share two key traits. First, their residents are unselfconsciously proud of their culture. Second, these capitals are bold in showcasing art and ideas, in supporting artists who celebrate their nation and in allowing them the stage when they wish to question the “sacred tenets” of what that nationhood means. Great capitals engage their artists and citizens, celebrating the diversity of their creations.
In the past 20 years, the population of Canada’s capital has reached a critical mass that makes it possible for cultural entrepreneurs to develop world-class blues, jazz and chamber music festivals; the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilization can count on crowd support for blockbuster international exhibitions; the National Arts Centre has outdone itself with its ongoing “Scene” series of regional artistic exhibitions; and our key cultural buildings are architectural showpieces. Yet, in 2011, our capital city still lacks a certain zing.
Since its creation in 1959, the National Capital Commission (NCC) has worked with other federal agencies as well as municipal, provincial and other counterparts to handle signature events in a solidly proficient way. I think of this as the “macro” level of our capital’s culture. Remembrance Day is sombre and moving; February’s winter festival Winterlude is a blast of fun in an otherwise miserable month; and Canada Day gathers everyone on Parliament Hill to celebrate together. “Christmas Lights Across Canada” showcases the city’s beauty, and the “Mosaika” sound and light show on the Hill provides visitors with a visually stunning Coles Notes version of our history.
Read more on the Canadian Geographic website: Capital culture
NCC’s Multimedia Experiences Recognized with Two International Awards
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region The National Capital Commission (NCC) is pleased to announce that it has won two first place awards in the 2011 National Association for Interpretation Media Competition. The prestigious awards recognize both the quality and creativity of NCC interpretation programs and materials.
The awards are:
- 1st Place: Web/Multimedia category for Decoding Art
The pilot project Decoding Art offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history and the artists who created national monuments in Canada’s Capital Region, through multimedia clips available on smart phones using the QR code technology.
- 1st Place: Long Video category for the sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people
This brings to six the number of awards that Mosaika, the sound and light show on Parliament Hill has won since its launch in July 2010.
Last Week to Experience Mosaika
NCC’s sound and light show welcomes post-secondary students to the Capital
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Manulife Financial, wishes to inform the public that, as of Thursday, September 1, 2011, Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people, will be presented half an hour earlier, at 9 pm. The current season of the award-winning sound and light show on Parliament Hill draws to a close one week later, on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Special evening for students
The NCC would like to welcome university, college and CÉGEP students to Canada’s Capital Region. On September 6, students are invited to attend a special presentation of Mosaika to celebrate back to school week. Entertaining and enlightening, with rich educational content, the 30-minute bilingual show explores Canada’s physical landscapes, history, achievements, and values. Mosaika is a must-see attraction and a perfect free evening activity for the Capital’s new or returning post-secondary students.
NCC Launches 2nd Season of Mosaika With New Eye-Catching “Cubes”
Award-winning sound and light show begins tomorrow night on Parliament Hill at 10 pm
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region ¾ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in collaboration with Manulife Financial, today unveiled the first of four large eye-catching “cubes” to promote Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people. The second summer season of this award-winning show begins on Parliament Hill July 6th at 10 pm.
The new illuminated marketing tool can be seen on the outdoor plaza of the Capital Infocentre at 90 Wellington Street, with others to follow shortly on the Sparks Street Mall, in the ByWard Market, and at the Ottawa International Airport, all high pedestrian traffic locations.
Today’s unveiling was also the opportunity for the NCC to welcome Manulife Financial as the new exclusive sponsor for Mosaika.
“After a successful first season, the NCC is adding a new dimension to the multiple outreach platforms for Mosaika,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer of the NCC. “We are very pleased with this collaboration with Manulife. We expect to reach more residents of and visitors to Canada’s Capital Region, and encourage them to see this award-winning show.”
The NCC Invites the Public to Discover Parliament Hill this Summer
[Source: NCC press release]
Canada’s Capital Region – Every visit to Canada’s Capital Region must include a stop on Parliament Hill. The National Capital Commission (NCC) is offering this year the award-winning sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people and the popular Discover the Hill outdoor interpretation program. The program allows residents and visitors to the Capital to explore the grounds of Parliament Hill during the summer.
INFO-TENT
Until September 5 (daily) – 9 am to 5 pm
Located on Parliament Hill to the right of the Centre Block and behind the East Block.
The Info-Tent should be the first stop for visitors to Parliament Hill. NCC staff of this seasonal visitor service facility will inform visitors of the full menu of summer activities that are available. At this location, visitors can obtain same-day tickets for the free Centre Block, East Block (starting July 2) and outdoor guided tours (starting June 25).
DISCOVER THE HILL
During the hours of operation of the Info-Tent
NCC Discover the Hill interpreters will be on site to invite visitors to explore the buildings, monuments and landscapes that surround Canada’s Parliament. Visitors will have the opportunity to further their discovery of Parliament Hill by chatting with the friendly, knowledgeable staff.
The different facets of Parliament Hill can also be discovered through a free 45-minute outdoor guided walking tour entitled “In the Footsteps of Great Canadians” (starting June 25).
NCC Wins Two Ottawa Tourism Awards
Canada’s Capital Region The National Capital Commission (NCC) has won two awards at the annual Ottawa Tourism Awards. Winners were announced tonight at the Ottawa Convention Centre. The prestigious awards recognize outstanding examples of quality and creativity in events, celebrations and innovations in the Capital region.
The awards are:
- Innovation of the Year 2010
for the sound and light show Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people
- Partnership of the Year 2010*
for the Winterlude Opening at Canadian Museum of Civilization
*Note: the NCC and the Canadian Museum of Civilization are honoured to share the Partnership of the Year 2010 title with the Ottawa Chinatown Gateway Project
This brings to five the number of awards that Mosaika, the sound and light show on Parliament Hill has won since it’s launch in July 2010.
“The NCC is thrilled to see its productions, programs and events recognized by Canadian tourism industry leaders,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing of the NCC. “Projects, such as Mosaika and Winterlude, allow Canadians to better understand the importance of their Capital. They also enrich the cultural and social fabric of Canada through public activities and events that foster pride in Canadians.”
The following NCC productions, programs and events were also nominated for awards:
Mosaika: Canada through the eyes of its people – Event of the Year 2010
Canada Day – Event of the Year 2010
Capital Pathway Network on Google Maps – Partnership of the Year 2010
For more information about the NCC, members of the public may contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867, 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1 866 661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.
Ottawa’s festival industry members honoured by Festivals & Events Ontario
OTTAWA — Each year as winter draws to a close, the festival community across the province eagerly awaits the announcement of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario list compiled by Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) at their annual Awards Gala. This year five Ottawa area festivals were honoured — The Rideau Canal Festival, Canadian Tulip Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival and Winterlude. The Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario designation is presented to a select few of more than 2,000 events that occur annually within the province.
Mark Monahan, Founder and Executive Director of the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame, an annual award which has been created to recognize and honour leaders in the Ontario festivals and events industry.
“This is a well-deserved honour,” says Barbara Stacey, Exectutive Director of Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization that represents festivals, special events and fairs that take place in Canada’s Capital Region, “Besides the incredible growth and success Mark has seen at Bluesfest, he is also a community champion and has been involved in a number of initiatives on behalf of the industry and the tourism sector, as well as programs such as Blues in the Schools and the She’s the One Emerging Female Artist Competition.”
Mosaika, the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill that is presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC) was singled out in the category for Best Poster and Best Promotional Campaign in FEO’s Achievement Awards which acknowledge individual festival and event excellence and best practices.
“We are very proud of the calibre of festivals and events presented in Canada’s Capital Region,” says Stacey, who was in attendance at the FEO Conference, “Ottawa is being recognized by more and more people as, Canada’s Festival Capital. It is because we are home to a number of world-class events such as the ones honoured by FEO; and having hundreds of festivals and events taking place through the year, there always seems to be something happening.”
