Kootenay Rockies Tourism Award winners announced

Kootenay Rockies Tourism held their annual AGM and conference at the Regent Hotel in Revelstoke.

by Keith Powell — October 09, 2015

Tom Tischik (left), new chair of Kootenay Rockies Tourism and Kathy Cooper (right), Chief Executive Officer of Kootenay Rockies Tourism present owner Darrin DeRosa and Chef Corey Fraser of the Cedar House Chalets in Golden with the Tourism Business of the Year award. — Photo courtesy Kootenay Rockies Tourism

On Monday and Tuesday, regional destination marketing organization, Kootenay Rockies Tourism held their annual AGM and conference at the Regent Hotel in Revelstoke. Part of the conference featured handing out a number of awards.

Here is a list of the awards:

Business of the Year

A business that is a recognized leader in the industry and the community.
A business that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operation.
A business that is regarded as an industry leader with a strong reputation for their business success.

Cedar House Chalets

Located 5 minutes south of Golden on a 10 acre mountainside property, sits the Cedar House Chalets which has been welcoming guests and providing an authentic and refined Rocky Mountain experience for several years. Darrin DeRosa, the owner/operator was captivated by the majestic mountains of British Columbia over 20 years ago. His strong passion for adventure matched with his natural hospitality is the foundation of this unique resort. Darrin has had a ‘hands on’ approach from the beginning, designing, building and furnishing all of the gorgeous chalets personally. Together with a strong team of passionate and professional individuals, he has forged a successful tourism business well tied in its community.

6 private luxurious chalets featuring a full kitchen, private hot tub, fireplace, and BBQ and 1 private suite.

have earned their place in the "Top 20 Weekend Getaways in Canada" by Air Canada’s enRoute Magazine.
are honoured to hold the title of #1 Specialty Lodging in all of BC on TripAdvisor.com.
Voted ‘Best Place to Stay in Golden’ By the Kicking Horse Chamber of Commerce 2012 & 2013.
Awaiting sustainability certification from Green Tourism Canada

Cedar House Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant offering fresh and locally sourced ingredients and BC’s finest wines, in a warm, cozy dining room.

Awarded 3 diamonds by CAA/AA
awarded one of the “Top 50 Places To Eat in Canada” for 12 consecutive years by the National Restaurant Guide.
#1 ranking for "Restaurants in Golden, BC." on TripAdvisor.com.

Business Person of the Year

A business person who has made an outstanding contribution to the regional tourism industry.
A business person who displays outstanding leadership and vision in the business community.
A person who contributes to social, cultural and economic well-being of their staff and to their community.

Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson serves in a number of tourism related roles in the Kootenays including Marketing Director for Tourism Radium/Radium Chamber of Commerce, member of the Columbia Valley Marketing and Branding Steering Committee and as the Venue Director for SKAL Canadian Rockies. He’s also the President of True Key Hotels & Resorts, the management company at Bighorn Meadows Resort in Radium Hot Springs and a successful and growing resort management company that operates 7 luxury resorts across British Columbia. In 2014 he won the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Leader of the year award and other accolades from the local and regional communities for his service. He’s an outspoken advocate for collaborative marketing and tourism in Kootenays and across British Columbia. Michael moved his base of operations from Calgary to Radium Hot Springs and since doing so has grown True Key Hotels & Resorts from 3 resorts to 7 and gone from employing 60 people to over 200 in peak season. He encourages the teams at True Key Hotels & Resorts managed properties to visit the area and learn about our beautiful valley and enjoy the activities that are available.

Tom Tischik (left), new chair of Kootenay Rockies and Kathy Cooper (right), Chief Executive Officer of Kootenay Rockies Tourism present Michael Anderson of the True Key Hotels and Resorts in Radium Hot Springs with the Business Person of the Year award.

About True Key Hotels & Resorts Ltd:

Established in 2010, True Key Hotels & Resorts has grown fast and its developed the resources and expertise to strategically market resorts and manage daily operations. It has a strong team that shares the company’s commitment to operating results and service while developing solid working relationships with guests, suppliers, owners and employees. Looking to the future, it intends to build on this success and is actively seeking to add new resort properties to their portfolio.

True Key views resort management as a team sport. Its team displays diverse talents, skills and experiences. The services these team members provide include senior management, accounting, sales & marketing, administration, facilities management, front line services and management consulting. Because of its dedication to performance it has enjoyed 5 years of continual growth at all of its properties of 15 – 40% per year.

Hospitality & Tourism Award

A business that goes above and beyond providing extraordinary customer service and recognizes the importance of hospitality.
A business with a commitment to service excellence for their visitors, employees, suppliers and to other stakeholders.
A business that captures the essence of the Kootenay Rockies experience.

Columbia Wetlands Adventures

Columbia Wetlands Adventures is a family-owned and operated company based in Parson. It offers river tours, boat rentals, interpretive walks and geo-caching, but also self-guided adventures in the world-famous Columbia Wetlands.
The company’s goal is to engage, enchant and educate visitors about the unique wetland ecosystem. The staff are universally dedicated to environmental stewardship. They offer a unique and authentic experience that is a "must do" eco tour for visitors to the Columbia River Wetlands. The dynamic and thought-provoking interpretive programs have been created with the assistance of local people with historic knowledge and local professionals that share their passion and love for the area and the Columbia River
The Teasdales and their team have provided wetland experiences to people from all around the world and from all walks of life. Without exception, their guests marvel at the solitude and beauty of the river, wetlands, and the mountains.
This past year they have hosted birders, artists, local teachers, home school and elementary school groups, small tour companies, yoga retreats, television production companies and numerous Canadian and international tourism groups, providing a stunning venue for education, exercise and fun.

Mark Teasdale also built the “World’s Largest Paddle, which was recognised by the Guinness Book of World’s Records in 2014.