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FEO AWARDS PROGRAM
FEO recognizes the finest and exemplary festival and event organizations in Ontario. The Award Ceremonies are conducted during the FEO Conference annually.
FEO AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
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FEO Award Winners
Top 100 FEO Awards Videos
FEO 2024 Top 100 Awards (1)
Niagara Falls, Ontario (February 28, 2024) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce the 2024 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. These Top 100 recipients represent festival...
FEO 2024 Top 100 Awards (2)
Niagara Falls, Ontario (February 28, 2024) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce the 2024 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. These Top 100 recipients represent festival...
FEO 2024 Top 100 Awards (3)
Niagara Falls, Ontario (February 28, 2024) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce the 2024 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. These Top 100 recipients represent festival...
FEO 2024 Top 100 Awards (4)
Niagara Falls, Ontario (February 28, 2023) Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) is proud to announce the 2024 Top 100 Festivals & Events in Ontario. These Top 100 recipients represent festival...
feo hall of fame
Rosemarie Garrity-O'Brien - Town of Collingwood
Inducted in 2024
From the Town of Collingwood….welcome Rosemarie to the Festivals and Events Ontario Hall of Fame.
Rosemarie was a key figure in the creation and operation of the annual Collingwood ...
Dave Miller - Sound of Music Festival Burlington
Inducted in 2024
From the Burlington Sound of Music Festival…welcome Dave Miller to the Festivals and Events Ontario Hall of Fame
Dave Miller went from being a seasoned professional with two decades...
Ann Barker - Ticketpro Canada Inc.
Inducted in 2024
From Ticketpro….welcome Ann Barker to the Festivals and Events Ontario Hall of Fame.
A seasoned Director of Operations and Business Development, with over 30 years in the festival a...
Joanne Robbins - Port Elgin Pumpkinfest
Inducted in 2023
Welcome Joanne Robbins from Port Elgin Pumpkinfest to the Festivals and events Ontario Hall of Fame.
Joanne has played a key role in the festival industry for over 30 years and has ...
Christine Morgan - City of Richmond Hill
Inducted in 2022
Christine started her career in Richmond Hill in the early 90’s as the Wave Pool Supervisor. Later she transitioned into an Event Supervisor role before becoming the Manager of Even...
Raya Shadursky - Toronto Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival
Inducted in 2022
The festival celebrated its 25th Anniversary in September 2021 and Raya has been a staple of this Festival since inception.
Raya was the very first Executive Director of this Festiv...
Lori Albanese - City of Niagara Fals
Inducted in 2022
With the many high-profile events and programs that Lori had to manage each year, volunteers were a key component to her success. Typically, Lori would have to recruit and manage ro...
Kathleen Thomas - Multicultural Council and Carrousel of the Nations
Inducted in 2022
Through her role as Executive Director for the past 30 years, she has been the key planner and organizer of Carrousel of the Nations for three decades. Prior to her position with the...
Delores MacAdam - City of Ottawa
Inducted in 2020
There would be an absolute void in the Festivals and Events industry if Delores pursued a different career. Having 30 years’ experience in community planning and development at the m...
Deb Dalziel - Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Inducted in 2020
Deb is an outstanding mentor, leader and coach. She leads by example in the community of Centre Wellington and has a visible track record of success. Deb is well-respected in the tou...
Guy Laflamme - Ottawa 2017
Inducted in 2019
Guy Laflamme was the Director of the Ottawa 2017 year-long calendar of extraordinary events, which served as the centerpiece of Canada’s 150th sesquicentennial year celebration and l...
Stephen Hollingshead - North Ontario Regional Tourism Association
Inducted in 2018
Since his first industry experience over 30 years ago he has striven for and achieved excellence, while leaving a lasting impression on which ever festival, event, or community he ha...
Maria Fortunato - Hamilton Halton Brant Tourism Association (RTO 3)
Inducted in 2018
Maria has held numerous positions in both the not for profit and governmental sectors where her leadership, commitment, passion and support have resulted in highly successful festiva...
Mike Mueller - City of Burlington
Inducted in 2018
Mike Mueller was an employee at the City of Burlington for nearly 40 years. Mike worked in various roles at the City. When Mike retired, as the Coordinator, Festivals & Events he...
Guy Lamarche - City of Timmins
Inducted in 2018
Guy started his career in the tourism industry in 1979. He boasts over 39 years of progressive and proactive leadership in tourism, recreation, leisure and cultural sectors.
As Mana...
Shane Sargant - Township of Clearview
Inducted in 2017
Shane Sargant possessed a post graduate diploma in Special Events and a diploma in Tourism Management. Along with his education, Shane worked over 25 years in the field of Tourism, C...
Michael Langford - Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport
Inducted in 2017
Michael began his career working in publicity for a performing arts company in Toronto after graduating with honours in Fine Art and History from York University.
As the Executive D...
Ian McMillan - Tourism Sault Ste. Marie
Inducted in 2017
Ian McMillan was appointed the first Executive Director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie in Sept. 2001 offering now close to 35 years of tourism marketing experience. He spent 18 years as...
Judi McIntyre - Markham and York Region
Inducted in 2016
Judi has worked and volunteered throughout Markham and York Region extensively over the last 30+ years, organizing and chairing dozens of events and festivals including the Markham J...
Darren Winger - Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport
Inducted in 2015
Darren Winger's long history of involvement with FEO and with countless community events across Southwestern Ontario spans almost two decades. His commitment, his vision and his tire...
Sarah Wood - Niagara Parks Commission
Inducted in 2015
Sarah Wood is the Senior Manager of Events, Programming and Sponsorship Development at The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC). Wood who has been a part of NPC for nearly 20 years has ha...
Patrick Taylor - TD Toronto Jazz Festival
Inducted in 2014
Responsible for the TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Patrick Taylor serves as Executive Producer and CEO of Toronto Downtown Jazz. Since co-founding the Festival in 1987, Taylor has been To...
Gerry Ginsberg - Canada Blooms
Inducted in 2014
Gerry’s career has included employment in senior management positions in Ontario’s Festivals and Events industry with extensive experience in Not for Profit Organizations, Municipal ...
John Thorpe - Canada’s Largest Ribfest
Inducted in 2013
John Thorpe was born in Vancouver and grew up in Oakville, Ontario. He went to McMaster University and studied Physical Education, majoring in Kinesiology. A family oriented man; h...
Walt Metulynsky - City of Windsor Parks & Recreation
Inducted in 2012
Employed by the City of Windsor Department of Parks and Recreation for over 35 years, Walt Metulynsky has been a leader in community special events and festivals for nearly 30 years....
Chuck Jackson - Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival
Inducted in 2012
Chuck Jackson is the Founder and Artistic Director of the annual Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazz Festival which has become a major event on the North American festival c...
Lloyd Grinham - Hillside Festival
Inducted in 2012
Lloyd Grinham has been a volunteer with the Hillside Festival since 1999. Lloyd joined the Board of Directors in 2000 and served on the Board for 8 years sitting on many committees....
Mark Monahan - Ottawa Bluesfest
Inducted in 2011
Mark Monahan is the founder of the Ottawa Bluesfest. Mark fills the role of executive director and—along with a volunteer board of directors—provides leadership for the organization....
Lloyd Turner - Hamilton Folk Arts Heritage Council
Inducted in 2011
As Program Director of the HFAHC, Lloyd is responsible for for the organization of “It’s Your Festival”, as well as other initiatives of the Hamilton Folk Arts Heritage Council. Ove...
WILLIAM M. DURON, Chair, Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Inducted in 2011
William M. Duron has over 30 years of management experience in the media and tourism industries. He is Director of the Greenbelt Fund which promotes Ontario produced foods in public ...
Rae MacCulloch - Glengarry Highland Games
Inducted in 2010
Rae dedicated her life as a volunteer for more than 50 years. Rae, with the help of her husband, was Chairperson of the Highland Dance Competitions for many years. Following his dea...
Gino Latini - 3L Productions
Inducted in 2009
Gino Latini has over thirty years of experience in event production, stage management, sound reinforcement, lighting and custom staging. Gino mastered the art of performance and ente...
Shelley Merlo - Niagara College
Inducted in 2009
Shelley’s event industry experiences span over 20 years. Her position as the Events Coordinator & Events Supervisor with the City of Hamilton included working with event organize...
Peter Booker - Royal Botanical Gardens
Inducted in 2009
Peter started working for the City of Hamilton in 1974. His positions included gardener, foreman, general foreman, special events liaison officer and manager of Parks. Over these y...
David Veres - Niagara College
Inducted in 2008
David is currently the Dean of the Hospitality & Tourism Division at Niagara College. Prior to this Position, David held the positions of Chair of Hospitality & Tourism, Co-o...
Larry Blundell - Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest
Inducted in 2008
Larry is the Executive Director of the Kitchener- Waterloo Oktoberfest. He has held this position since 1996 and he is responsible for the overall administrative operation of the fes...
Donna Gregg - Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Bon Soo Winter Carnival
Inducted in 2007
Donna began her career in the festivals and events industry in 1985 when she joined the Board of Directors of the Ontario Bon Soo Winter Carnival. She was involved with the festival...
Tom Johnston - SouthWestern Ontario Festivals & Events Magazine
Inducted in 2006
Mr. Johnston, owner of Tom Johnston marketing in London, Ontario was a lifelong resident of Southwestern Ontario whose efforts in the corporate world and subsequently with his entrep...
Anna Bradford - Hamilton Civic Museums
Inducted in 2006
Anna was involved with the Association's growth and development in the 90's. During her involvement as a Board of Director then Vice President and President, the association experien...
Cathy Seguin - City of North Bay
Inducted in 2005
Cathy Seguin is currently the Manager of Arenas and Facilities with the City of North Bay. Previously the Recreation Coordinator for the City of North Bay, she managed the North Bay...
Jan Bonhomme - Alliance Advantage
Inducted in 2005
Jan, the owner of Alliance Advantage, an event management company was the Coordinator of the successful International Plowing Match staged in Leeds-Grenville in 2007. She has also wo...
Doug Little - Canadian Tulip Festival
Inducted in 2004
Doug Little spent many years as the Marketing Manager for the Canadian Tulip Festival in Ottawa and was one of the founding members of Festivals Ontario, now known as Festivals &...
Greg Bailey - Winter Festival of Lights
Inducted in 2003
Greg Bailey who retired in 2002, was the Manager of the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls.
2003 Festival Chairman George Hostick said “Bailey helped bring it (Winter Festiv...
Dick Farrow - Town of New Liskeard
Inducted in 2003
Mr. Farrow is best known in the festivals and events Industry, as the Recreation Director for the Town of New Liskeard. He is recognized for his unique ability to network with peopl...
Thérèse St-Onge - National Capital Commission
Inducted in 2003
Thérèse St-Onge (CFEE) recently retired from the National Capital Commission, as the Senior Program Manager of Events and Celebrations. She has occupied several assignments at the Na...
Dana MacFarlane - Complete Rent-Alls
Inducted in 2002
Dana has worked and contributed his personal time to the festivals and events industry for 30 years. He has been instrumental in organizing events of all sizes – from non-profit and...
James Thomson - Dynamic Displays - Windsor
Inducted in 2002
Jim Thomson started his business out of his home and grew it to an international supplier of inflatable balloons for the largest events across North America.
In Las Vegas, NV 2000...
Yvette Ward - Welland Rose Festival
Inducted in 2002
Yvette Ward has dedicated much of her life to making Welland a better place to live. She founded the Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre in 1976, was a charter member ...
2025 FEO CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
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