Steve Hollingshead named to Hall of Fame

Steve Hollingshead, the former manager of special events and sports tourism for Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, has been named to the Festivals and Events Ontario Hall of Fame.

Hollingshead recently served as North Bay's tourism director, resigning last month after just over a year on the job.

Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) says in a news release it recognizes festival industry volunteers and leaders and announced the new inductees to the FEO Hall of Fame.

"FEO believes it is important to recognize significant contributions of these individuals to the festival and event industry – without their passion and dedication, this industry could not survive," continues the release. 

The Hall of Fame Awards were handed out on Friday, March 2 during FEO’s Annual Conference Create the Experience in Hamilton. 

Since 2000, FEO has now inducted 42 people into its Hall of Fame representing festivals, municipalities, organizations and events from across the province.

"Each individual named to the FEO Hall of Fame is someone who has dedicated their career to the festival and event industry and who has made a lasting contribution to their community, festival, event or organization."
 
The 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees:

• Stephen Hollingshead, director – Tourism North Bay 
• Guy Lamarche, manager Tourism and Events - City of Timmins
• Maria Fortunato, executive director - Hamilton Halton Brant 
• Mike Mueller, retired Coordinator Festivals and Events - City of Burlington (Burlington)