ExploreSask Photo Contest launches during Saskatchewan Tourism Week

Tourism Saskatchewan’s annual ExploreSask Photo Contest is officially underway. The contest launch is a part of Saskatchewan Tourism Week, celebrated throughout the province from May 27 to June 1.

Enter photographs of your favourite Saskatchewan adventures for a chance to win great prizes. Amateur and professional photographers are encouraged to submit their most striking images that capture the natural wonders of Saskatchewan and tell stories about its people and communities. The contest runs until September 16, 2019.

The six contest categories are:

• People (#ExploreSaskPeople) – Portraits of Saskatchewan people from all walks of life enjoying indoor or outdoor activities.
• Places (#ExploreSaskPlaces) – Photos that portray the community spirit and liveliness of Saskatchewan cities and towns, including events and festivals, cityscapes, local attractions, dining and urban life.
• Prairie (#ExploreSaskPrairie) – Scenic photos from prairie regions; hidden treasures such as valleys, hills and badlands; other natural features displaying the province’s diverse geography in any season.
• Water (#ExploreSaskWater) – Photography that features Saskatchewan’s abundant lakes and rivers.
• Wildlife (#ExploreSaskWildlife) – Images that showcase Saskatchewan’s beautiful wild animals, birds and insects.
• Woods (#ExploreSaskWoods) – Photos that highlight Saskatchewan’s diverse forests and trees, from lodgepole pine and aspen groves in the south to the boreal forests of the north.

The prize-winning photographer, in each category, will receive a $500 Visa gift card. The Grand Prize winner, selected from the six category winners, will receive an additional $500 gift card. There will also be up to five honourable mention prizes in each category.

Photographers may also submit entries through Instagram and Twitter by using the #ExploreSask category hashtags. Submissions will be displayed in an online gallery open for comments or to share with friends.

For complete contest rules and to submit your entry, visit TourismSaskatchewan.com/PhotoContest or call Tourism Saskatchewan toll-free at 1-877-237-2273. The deadline for entries is September 16, 2019.

Reminder: Register today for the Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference: June 12, Saskatoon

The 4th annual Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference will take place on June 12 in Saskatoon at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown. The conference theme is Explore, Learn and Grow Your Career in Tourism.

The conference offers practical, progressive human resource strategies to strengthen business and enhance Saskatchewan’s tourism sector. Click here to view the full conference agenda. Conference highlights include:

• An inspiring keynote address – Ignite the Leader Within, delivered by Rachelle Brockman, Principal of Eureka Experience.
• A panel discussion that will feature three Saskatchewan tourism professionals represented in the Canadian Traveller Top 40 Under 40 list for 2018. Panelists Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon; Kirk Morrison, Krugo Travel; and Jesse Tiefenbach, d3h Hotels, will share insights on tourism careers and the “secrets of success”.
• A workshop titled A Culture of Mentorship, led by Rachelle Brockman. In this “Eureka Experience”, Brockman will coach delegates on understanding and developing a mentorship culture and maximizing the benefits.
• An Educators Forum that will explore the opportunities and challenges of guiding youth into long-term, rewarding careers in tourism. This interactive session will examine the resources available to educators, students and institutions. 

The 26th annual Tourism Professional Recognition Dinner will be held in conjunction with the conference. The dinner honours new nationally certified tourism professionals and journeypersons, Employers of Choice and the Tourism Ambassador Award recipient.

To register for the Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference, contact Nancy Hubenig at 306-787-9844, nancy.hubenig@tourismsask.com. The cost is $125 (plus GST) and includes one ticket to the Tourism Professional Recognition Dinner.

Future Skills Framework Focus Group for Tourism Managers and Supervisors, June 13 – 14

Tourism HR Canada and the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council are conducting a two-day focus group session on June 13-14 in Saskatoon to share information and explore industry ideas toward building the Future Skills Framework, a library of competencies for the Canadian tourism industry.

This meeting gives hospitality industry leaders, managers and supervisors the opportunity to shape the future of tourism work and examine critical labour issues that have an impact on competitiveness. It is an opportunity for employers to identify and build the key competencies that embody leadership in the tourism industry.

Participants are invited from across Saskatchewan. As experts in the industry, participants will use their significant experience in operations, research and training to inform the content of the framework competencies.

Participants are not required to prepare for this focus group and do not need to bring any material or supplies. Refreshments, snacks and catered lunches will be provided. Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by Tourism HR Canada.

Click here to see the complete agenda.

The registration deadline is June 5. Contact Brenda Robertson, Workforce Development Consultant, 306-933-7466, brenda.robertson@tourismsask.com to register.

Order your free copies of the 2019 Saskatchewan Travel Guide

Stock up for summer with copies of the 2019 Saskatchewan Travel Guide to display and share with visitors. Order your FREE bulk quantities of the guide by submitting the Bulk Order Form to patti.peesker@tourismsask.com. The 2018-2019 Official Saskatchewan Road Map is also available to order.

With engaging copy and stunning photography, the 2019 Saskatchewan Travel Guide features top travel in the south, central and north tourism areas of the province, as well as holiday highlights in Regina and Saskatoon. Each section has event information, winter content and feature articles that put the spotlight on the area’s key experiences – from hidden gems and family fun in Saskatchewan parks to game day festivities and top-notch dining.

To improve the utility of the guide for consumers, larger conceptual maps in each section include all of the regional, provincial and national parks, as well as major attractions throughout the area. An extensive index provides travellers with contact information for the businesses, attractions and events mentioned throughout the publication.