CHDA Winners - Tourism Saskatchewan 2017 Awards of Excellence

The Historic Reesor Ranch in the category of Business of the Year (Under 20 Employees) and Ghostown Blues Bed and Breakfast (Service Excellence) were winners in their respective categories at the 2017 Tourism Saskatchewan 29th Annual Awards of Excellence, celebrated at a gala held April 12th at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Regina.

Other finalists in their award categories included Prairie River Cruises Ltd. Saskatoon, and Waskesiu Marina Adventure Centre, Waskesiu Lake for Business of the Year, and Black Fox Farm and Distillery, Saskatoon and Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford, for Service Excellence.

For Ghostown Blues B&B of Maple Creek’s owner Greg Hisey the award was less about his business and more about the people who work at Ghostown Blues and make them a success every day, and really enjoy the eclectic interesting and amazing people from all over the world that make their way to this corner of the province.

“It’s a fun business to be in at an exciting time,” says Hisey. “When, the business’ collaborate and support one another it expands the guest experience and our capacity to sell what the entire area has to offer. We don’t have to be a great restaurant because we have great restaurants in Maple Creek, we don’t do horseback experiences because we have friends in the Reesor Ranch that do it so well, as well as others who support the area as well.

My staff are at the center of the Ghostown Bues experience and this award is a direct result of what they have brought to our business. Caralee Hansen has become such a key part of everything we do, for the last 3 years, and last summer Brandi Bandy brought her energy, business sense and humor, to support Caralee and we had an amazing year. And 2018 is shaping up to look even better.”

A similar sentiment was shared by Scott and Theresa Reesor, who accepted their award in classic Reesor Ranch style - with cowboy poetry delivered by Scott Reesor from the awards podium, to the gathered attendees overwhelming enjoyment.

“We are overwhelmed by the support of our tourism industry peers, friends, family and the public,” says Theresa Reesor following the awards. “We are thankful to Tourism Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills Destination Area, Destination Canada, our families and our employees for their commitment and support over the years.”