You’re Invited to the Big Applause Awards 2026
A morning celebrating the people and ideas driving tourism forward.
Exceptional visitor experiences are created by people who make this place better.
The Big Applause Awards recognize tourism professionals across the Explorers’ Edge region who show up through the challenges of fall and winter with patience, professionalism, leadership, and genuine care — helping make visitor experiences across our region truly memorable.
On behalf of Explorers’ Edge, congratulations and thank you to all of this year’s nominees and nominators. The submissions were thoughtful, inspiring, and a strong reminder of the incredible people helping shape tourism and hospitality across the great Canadian wilderness just north of Toronto.
We are pleased to share that the top finalists have now been selected:
- Norah Fountain, recognized for long-standing tourism leadership, visitor support, destination marketing, chamber growth, and strengthening Muskoka Lakes as a year-round destination.
- Michael Dorbyk, recognized for welcoming hospitality, inclusive community space, live event programming, local business support, and memorable guest experiences.
- Stefan Ottenbrite, recognized for regional tourism promotion, shoulder-season events, the Bala Cranberry Festival, event amplification, and tourism advocacy.
- Jacki MacPherson, recognized for resilience, entrepreneurship, community generosity, local collaboration, and visitor experiences rooted in Muskoka’s stories and history.
- April Denman, recognized for initiative, community-building, downtown leadership, impactful events, and local pride.
- Emily Brown, recognized for visitor services, Muskoka Oktoberfest, shoulder-season programming, event promotion, social media, and tailored visitor recommendations.
The top honouree will be announced live at our Big Applause Awards breakfast on May 13 at Grandview, where we will gather to celebrate the nominees, finalists, and winners.
Following the awards celebration, we are pleased to welcome two timely presentations, Navigating Change in Tourism Discovery: A Strategic Update from Destination Ontario & Cell for Success: Geofencing to Grow Your Destination.
Attendees are asked to bring their cell phones and be prepared to participate throughout the morning by providing input and feedback as part of the session.
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Grandview Golf Club – 245 Grandview Drive North, Huntsville, ON
Tickets: $10 per person
Continental breakfast provided
Agenda
- 9.15am Welcome and Big Applause Awards Presentation
- 10.00am Navigating Change in Tourism Discovery: A Strategic Update from Destination Ontario
- 10.30am Break
- 10.45am Cell for Success: Geofencing to Grow Your Destination
- 11.30 Adjourn and Update and Closing Remarks Explorers’ Edge
Featured Presentation
Navigating Change in Tourism Discovery: A Strategic Update from Destination Ontario
How is generative AI changing the way travelers find their next destination? In this timely session, Lauchlan Rogers draws on Destination Ontario’s own data and broader industry trends to explore how AI-powered search is reshaping traveler discovery, compressing the path from curiosity to booking and redefining what it means to be visible online. A must-hear for anyone working in tourism today.
Lauchlan Rogers, Chief Marketing Officer, Destination Ontario
Cell for Success: Geofencing to Grow Your Destination
Demystify the technological voodoo that allows you to know everything about the people visiting your town. Tom, our very own research guru, will walk you through the inner workings of geofencing and help you understand how you can use it to grow visitation in your community.
Tom Guerquin, Research & Development Manager, Central Counties Tourism
