FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 2006                                                            

TO: All Media Outlets
FROM: Yukon Convention Bureau

YUKON CONVENTION BUREAU PRESENTS 2006 BRAVO AWARDS!

Whitehorse, Yukon.  The Yukon Convention Bureau (YCB) together with Northwestel will be hosting their annual Bravo awards celebration on Monday December 11, 2006.

The Bravo Awards, recognize organizations who have championed hosting a meeting/ event in the Yukon, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the success of a meeting/ event or who have assisted in securing a meeting/ event for Yukon.

Ten Bravo Awards will be presented on Monday December 11, 2006 at La Gourmandise Restaurant. Recipients include; Northern Safety Network Yukon / YCSA, Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, CWG Figure Skating Test Event Organizing Committee, Yukon Historical & Museums Association , Consumer & Safety Services, Yukon Government, Department of Environment, Environmental Programs Branch, Energy Mines and Resources, Yukon Government, NatureServe Yukon, Yukon Department of Environment, Yukon Badminton Association, and the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club

“The Yukon Convention Bureau encourages Yukoners to raise their hand in offering to bring a meeting home to the Yukon.  We want to recognize the efforts of organizations which have done so and thank them with a Bravo Award,” said Jenn Houtby, CMP Managing Director of the Yukon Convention Bureau.

“Every year Yukon plays host to more and more events – 2007 will be a great year starting with the Canada Winter Games, however YCB are projecting 2008 will be even better.” added Houtby.  “Whether a meeting or sporting event, each one garners significant economic impact within the Territory.”

“These efforts to draw visitors to the Yukon through meetings and events have many benefits for us all,” said Paul Flaherty, President and CEO of Northwestel. “Northwestel is very pleased to help promote the successes of the Yukon organizations here tonight by sponsoring the Yukon Convention Bureau Bravo Awards.”

The Bravo Awards program was launched in the fall of 2004 in partnership with Northwestel.  Northwestel continues to be an active partner in the program and an excellent YCB partner.

“The Bravo Awards would not have been possible without the generous support of Northwestel,” said Paul Choquette, Yukon Convention Bureau President.  “.   “Northwestel is great community supporter within Yukon and the Yukon Convention Bureau is very pleased to partner with Northwestel on this exciting program,” he added.

The Yukon Convention Bureau positions the Yukon as a favorable destination for meetings and events.  With over 25 events already confirmed for 2007, YCB is currently booking 2007 though 2013.

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2006 Bravo Award Winner

1.
Presented to: Northern Safety Network Yukon / YCSA
In Recognition of: Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations Conference   
Date: June 1-3, 2006
In attendance: Karen Fernets, Paul Douglas

• Association meeting
• 48 delegates total

2.
Presented to: Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce hosted the
In Recognition of: Canadian Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting
Date: June 20-22, 2006.
In attendance: Rick Karp, Andre Roothman

• Association meeting
• 100 delegates total

3.
Presented to: CWG Test Event Organizing Committee
In Recognition of: CWG Figure Skating Test Event
Date: September 22-24, 2006
In attendance: Carenn Kormos, Leslie Baer, Sheri Blaker, Daryl Kormos, Peggy Hanulik

• Sport event
• 83 participants in total

4.
Presented to: Yukon Historical & Museums Association
In Recognition of: Discovering Northern Gold: A Historical Research Symposium
Date: October 13-15, 2006
In attendance: Rebecca Jansen, Ian Burnett and Lesley Buchan or Casey McLaughlin

• Cultural event
• Total of 81 delegates

5.
Presented to:
Consumer & Safety Services, Yukon Government
In Recognition of: Canadian Advisory Council on Plumbing
Date: August 22-24, 2006.
In attendance: Pat Scott, Connie Scott, Patrick Scott Jr., Stan Dueck, Ruth Dueck

• Association meeting.
• Total of 100+ delegates

6.
Presented to: Department of Environment, Environmental Programs Branch
In Recognition of: Environmental Planning and Protection Committee Annual Meeting
Date: July 8-10, 2006.
In attendance: Shelagh Frotten

• Government meeting
• Total of 20 delegates

7.
Presented to: Energy Mines and Resources, Yukon Government
In Recognition of: Energy Mines Ministers Conference
Date: August 27-30, 2006.
In attendance: Judy Shannon, Mark Stephens, Tammi Sembsmoen, Shirley Abercrombie

• Government conference
• Total of 300 delegates

8.
Presented to: NatureServe Yukon, Yukon Department of Environment
In Recognition of: Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada: Arthropod Subcommittee
Date: July 10-13, 2006.
In attendance: Syd Cannings

• Government meeting
• Total of 13 delegates

9.
Presented to: Yukon Badminton Association
In Recognition of: 2006 Yonex Nationals Canadian Badminton Championships
Date: January 30 - February 4, 2006
In attendance: Jean-Francois Roldan, Paul Gowdie

• Sport Event
• Total of 60 delegates

10.
Presented to: Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club
In Recognition of: 2006 NorthwesTel Western Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships
Date: March 18-21, 2006.
In attendance: Joan Stanton and Claude Chabot

• Sport event
• Total of 280 delegates

11.
Presented to: Canadian Bar Association Yukon
In Recognition of: Trial Advocacy Essentials
Date: February 3-5, 2006
In attendance: Kelly McGill, Jim Tucker

• Association meeting
• Total of 20 delegates