WEYBURN - Community Futures (CF) Sunrise’s contribution to community economic development in Saskatchewan was recognized at the provincial summit, held at Dakota Dunes Resort on Sept. 27 and 28.
CF Sunrise’s Destination Business Program received the 2022-23 Award for Excellence in Innovation.
CF Sunrise says the win showcases its ongoing support of community economic development initiatives, business development assistance and its focus on promoting economic diversification in the region.
“This award is great recognition for the efforts put forth by so many stakeholders in southeast Saskatchewan. I’m proud of the team that helped to make this program happen. It’s amazing to realize that more than 100 businesses in the southeast Saskatchewan area have learned how to become destinations and are now working together to promote the region as a tourism hub,” said Christina Birch, regional economic development co-ordinator for CF Sunrise.
Over the past year that CF Sunrise has offered the course, businesses have taken the program and benefited from what Sunrise called its “innovative teachings, networking opportunities and focused business promotional campaigns.”
“The program has received excellent reviews from its participants. The course itself helps our businesses uncover their uniqueness, concentrate on what makes them distinctive, and market their one-of-a-kind features to gain new customers. This benefits their business, their communities and the entire region,” said Birch.
CF Sunrise said business owners are big fans of this award-winning program, noting the benefits of being connected to ongoing learning, support and new collaborations.
“I loved being a part of the Destination Creation course. I gained knowledge of trends, unique aspects of my business that seemed simply common to me, and the power of collaboration and making connections with some amazing entrepreneurs. I would recommend this course to any business owner looking for practical, inexpensive ways to design your business to become a destination,” said Deb Andrew of Living Skies Lodge in Carlyle.
This award-winning program is now open for new registrations, with the next course starting on Nov. 3. The registration fee is only $50 and space is limited, so interested business owners are encouraged to contact the CF Sunrise office or visit their registration website to reserve a seat: www.cfsunrise.eventbrite.com.
