The Honourable Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism, presented three special Longstanding Service Awards at the annual Ontario Travel Information Centres staff conference at Ottawa’s Brookstreet Resort in late October.

Ruth Parkes (center) was honoured for more than 40 years OPS service by Minister Smith (right) and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation president and CEO Robin Garrett. Ruth, who currently oversees 12 Ontario Travel Centres in the Central/North/East regions of the province, first joined the Ministry of Tourism in 1974 as the supervisor of the Barrie Ontario Travel Centre. Over the years she has had leadership roles in a host of OTIC and Ministry-wide initiatives and innovations, particularly in travel councillor training and education.

Kelly Garneau (centre), honoured for 25 years service with the Huron Windsor Travel Centre Team, has also been recognized by the Windsor/Essex County Visitor & Convention Bureau with the “Hospitality Hero Award” for demonstrating “exceptional customer satisfaction through exceptional customer service.” 

Jackie Phillip (second from right), OTIC regional manager for the Niagara/South Western Ontario Regions, was also honoured for 25 years service. Jackie, who started with the Ministry in 1984 as a Travel Counsellor in Niagara Falls, was joined at the presentation by one of her two sons, Dalton, who is currently studying at Carlton University.