Woo hoo! Steve Hollingshead!

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

*************************** Local tourism specialist earns international certification

SAULT STE. MARIE - When it comes to knowing how to plan and organize top-notch events like festivals and sports tournaments, understanding the sector - along with the trends and best practices found within - is crucial.

On this front, a local events specialist recently earned a prestigious international certification.

Steve Hollingshead, from Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Economic Development Corporation, can now place the letters CFEE after his name.

He received professional designation as a certified festival and event executive from the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA).

The division’s coordinator of special projects and sport tourism joins just a handful of Canadians who lay claim to the unique certification.

The designation program recognizes professionals in the festivals and events industry who have attained the highest level of competency in the field. 

Put simply, it’s a “mark of distinction,” said Steven Wood Schmader, IFEA president and CEO. “These individuals have proven their commitment to continuous learning and professional growth, which in turn translates into the continued growth and success of their own festivals and events, as well as our industry as a whole.”

Hollingshead was instrumental in bringing a number of past and future events to the community, including the 2010 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, 2010 Finn Grand Fest, 2011 OCAA Men’s Basketball Championships, 2011 Hap Ki Do Canadian Open, 2012 CARHA Hockey World Cup and 2013 Telus Cup National Midget AAA Championships.

These events have brought - or will bring - thousands of visitors and millions of dollars of new wealth to Sault Ste. Marie.

For his work in the tourism sector, Hollingshead was nominated for a 2010 Premier’s Award from the Office of the Premiere of Ontario.

His knowledge of the industry also led to him giving various keynote speeches at sport tourism workshops across the country.

“Steve’s experience in bidding on, supporting and organizing events has been hugely beneficial for the local tourism sector,” said Ian McMillan, executive director of Tourism Sault Ste. Marie. “We’re really happy to have him on our team. With the additional knowledge and experience he gained while completing his international certification, the sector will continue to reap the benefits of his service.”

With its headquarters in Boise, Idaho, the IFEA is a non-profit organization with members spanning 40 countries in five continents.

For more information, please visit www.ifea.com.

Also online: www.sault-canada.com and www.saulttourism.com

*************************** Pictured: Steve Hollingshead (right), Sault North Stars General Manager George Parsons (left) and Sault Major Hockey President Adam Caughill are all-smiles following a successful bid presentation to the Northern Ontario Hockey Association in North Bay for the hosting rights for the 2012 All-Ontario Midget AAA Championships.