WHITBY, ON – Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Roger Anderson today announced Durham Tourism’s inaugural Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards (DACTA), to be held on Nov. 25.
Creative leaders from all facets of Durham Region’s economy gathered for a Garden Party at the historic Parkwood Estate in Oshawa for the announcement of the Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards. The day-long event will be held at the Durham College/ UOIT Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at 2000 Simcoe St. N. in Oshawa.
“The Durham Tourism Summit and Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards will engage our tourism industry while also inviting the public to get involved, and discover all Durham has to offer,” said Anderson. “This unique celebration of Durham Region’s creative economy will showcase our rich history, dynamic attractions, and innovative business community.”
The Durham Tourism Summit will showcase Durham Region’s vibrant and creative tourism industry. Up to 80 exhibitors will represent Durham’s three top tourism industry sectors: sport; agri-business; and arts, culture and heritage. The marketplace floor will be free for members of the public to attend. Visitors will discover all Durham has to offer through tradeshow booths, culinary samplings, arts, culture and heritage displays, and more! In addition, guest speakers, panel discussions and a networking breakfast will also be offered throughout the day to tourism industry stakeholders.
To find out more information about exhibitor opportunities and how to get involved with the Durham Tourism Summit, please call Durham Tourism at 1-800-413-0017 or email Sita Gardner.
The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards is the follow-up initiative to the Art of Transition symposium held on Nov. 12, 2009. The symposium—in which keynote speaker Dr. Richard Florida explored how Durham Region can achieve long-term economic prosperity by embracing and engaging the creative class—has inspired public engagement in the community, including social media buzz, the creation of Transitions ‘zine (a quarterly publication about Durham Region’s creative economy), and now, the Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards.
The awards ceremony will take place following the Durham Tourism Summit. Nominations are set to open in mid-July and are open to all members of the community.
“The Durham Art of Transition Creative Awards are a new expression of corporate and civil citizenship in Durham Region, designed to engage creativity, innovation and collaboration in Durham Region’s business community,” says Kerri King, Manager of Tourism. “By building on the momentum from the 2009 Art of Transition Symposium, the awards will continue to grow Durham Region’s economy—including large corporations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, and government—by celebrating and promoting creativity and innovation.”
The five award categories are:
- Best collaboration among business, the arts and the community.
- Best story about Durham Region in ANY medium.
- Best entertainment in ANY medium.
- Best integration of art and culture in the workplace.
- Best use of art and artists to advance social and environmental sustainability.
To find out more about the awards, including sponsorship, nomination and judging information, please call Durham Tourism at 1-800-413-0017 or email Sita Gardner.
Media Inquiries:
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM
Melissa Bies – Communications Co-ordinator
905-668-7711 ext. 2607
