The Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association celebrated tourism excellence at their annual general meeting on Wednesday, June 17 at The Royal Ambassador Event Centre in Caledon.

Seven Headwaters businesses and individuals were selected based on their contribution to the local tourism industry, excellence in branding and marketing, as well as service, professionalism, and leadership in their respective sector.

The recipients of the Hills of Headwaters 2009 Tourism Awards include:

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Ambassador of the Year - Jocelyn Klemm and Ric Kitowski of The Wine Coaches. This team has committed hours of personal time to promote Hills of Headwaters' initiatives. Jocelyn is a past chair of the Association and Ric is a vital member of the Association's SummerFeast/WinterFeast committee.

• Restaurant of the Year - Mrs. Mitchell's in Violet Hill. After 29 years in business, Mrs. Mitchell's is a well-known destination for hot, wholesome food with substantial portions. The owner works closely with other local businesses and attractions as well as tour operators.

• Retailer of the Year - BookLore, Orangeville. This bookstore plays a key role in the development of the region's cultural scene by fostering partnerships with community groups as well as hosting events. Staff are well-informed about the business and local happenings.

• Accommodation of the Year - The Millcroft Inn & Spa, Alton. Recognized by Ontario's Finest Inns, the Millcroft proudly promotes the surrounding region at trade shows and consistently directs its guests to local businesses.

• Attraction/Event of the Year - SummerFeast/WinterFeast. In its third year, the "Feast" program raised an estimated $1 million of revenue for the region's participating fine dining restaurants. Page views at the "Feast" websites have increased tenfold since 2006.

• Artisan of the Year - Susan Powell. Susan has provided her time and talents as an artist, coordinator, juror and counsellor to the region's art community including the Headwaters Arts Festival and Erin Studio Tour.

• Professional Service of the Year - In the Hills Magazine. The magazine is a sponsor for many local festivals and attractions and is a member of the national, peer-reviewed organization, Magazines Canada.

Tourism injects more than $50 million annually into the local economies of Orangeville, Shelburne, Caledon, Dufferin, Erin and Mono. Tourism development fosters the conservation of a community's natural, cultural and historic resources, and encourages community beautification and revitalization.