Harvesting Hope at Austin recently beat out six other nominees to win Tourism Westman's Event of the Year at the Tribute to Tourism Awards Gala held at the International Peace Garden.

The Event of the Year Tribute recognizes a hallmark festival or event that creates substantial economic impact within the local community, attracts visitors from outside the region/province/country, generates regional/national media attention and positively promotes Southwest Manitoba.

"We were thrilled to be named event of the year" says Harvest Hope's co-chair Elliot Sims.

This event was conceived in 2014 as a marketing and fundraising partnership between the Manitoba Agricultural Museum and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.  As a result of the organizing committee’s efforts and the generosity of Manitoba individuals and businesses, 7,871 visitors attended the one day event, with a net profit of $134,000 raised.

In July of 2016, this  event held the world’s largest pioneer harvest near Austin in conjunction with the 62nd Manitoba Threshermen’s Reunion and Stampede; breaking a Guiness World Record for the largest number of threshing machines operating simultaneously.

Event proceeds were used to help small-scale farm families in Africa learn to grow more and better food and to help preserve Manitoba’s agricultural heritage through restoration and interpretation projects.

"We had 148 teams that came all the way from Edmonton to Iowa to participate," says Sims, "We also had 1,500 volunteers helping to make it a success."

However, that wasn't the only award handed out at a gala event. Portage Regional Economic Development Executive Director Vern May was also honoured with the Award for Marketing Excellence.

"Which takes a look at tourism campaigns across the Westman region," he says, "It was in relation to a social media campaign that we launched last year, while I was with Minnedosa, where we made use of some local voices and attractions as part of a video series that generated 100,views for the Discover Minnedosa Facebook page."

May won the same award in 2015, where he was up against organizations like Brandon's Provincial Exhibition. He calls it exciting and validating.

Vern May with his award (photo courtesy Vern May)