Attractions Ontario 2026 Annual General Meeting Award Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                        June 5, 2026

Attractions Ontario 2026 Annual General Meeting Award Winners

Toronto, Ontario – On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Attractions Ontario hosted its 43rd Annual General Meeting at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto. The event provided an opportunity to recognize industry leaders during a presentation of Tourism Awards. We would like to extend our congratulations and present the winners.

Tourism Champion of the Year Award: Attractions Ontario presents this award to individuals who provide significant organizational assistance, commitment, enthusiasm, and specific expertise to the nominating business.

Cheryl Nichols, Royal Ontario Museum

L-R: Kate March, Director of Communications, Attractions Ontario, Cheryl Nichols, Royal Ontario Museum, Troy Young, CEO, Attractions Ontario

 Cheryl Nichols has dedicated over 20 years to the tourism industry, bringing passion, collaboration, and leadership to every role she takes on. She is currently the Senior Manager, Tourism, Promotions & Group Sales at the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s most visited museum.

A strong advocate for Ontario’s visitor economy, Cheryl has been on several tourism boards & organizations, including the Toronto Attractions Council, where she championed initiatives that promote Toronto as a world-class destination.

Known for her collaborative spirit, Cheryl believes tourism succeeds when communities, attractions & industry partners work together as one team. Her deep commitment contributes to the success of both Toronto & Ontario as vibrant, welcoming destinations, & she continues to inspire others through her industry dedication.

Brenda Branch

L-R: Kate March, Director of Communications, Attractions Ontario, Brenda Branch, Troy Young, CEO, Attractions Ontario

Brenda Branch has dedicated her career to growing Ontario’s tourism and attractions sector, building a legacy that spans regional travel associations, iconic cultural institutions, and proviencial tourism leadership.

Brenda began her career in tourism with the Niagara and Mid-Western Ontario Travel Association before moving into the cultural attractions space as Sales and Marketing Manager at the Royal Botanical Gardens. She later joined the City of Hamilton’s Tourism and Culture Division as a Marketing and Promotions Officer, where she championed Hamilton Civic Museums and helped connect communities with the region’s rich heritage.

Throughout her career, Brenda has been a consistent and generous contributor to the broader provincial tourism community. She served on the Board of Directors of Attractions Ontario, including a term as Board Chair, lending her marketing expertise, strategic perspective, and deep industry relationships to an association she helped shape during a critical period of growth. She also served as Chair of the Sector Advisory Committee for the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing Ontario tourism at every level.

2026 Ontario’s Choice Awards Ceremony: The 2026 AGM honoured the winners of last year’s Ontario’s Choice Awards. From July to September of each year, the public is called upon to vote for their favourite Ontario attraction, and they choose the winners of these awards. There are eight categories.

This year, Attractions Ontario honoured:

“We are immensely proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this year’s award winners,” said Troy Young, CEO of Attractions Ontario. “Their dedication, innovation, and passion for excellence have made a remarkable contribution to the vibrancy and growth of Ontario’s tourism industry.”

Attractions Ontario is a non-profit association dedicated to optimizing attendance for its member attractions. As the only province-wide trade association dedicated to the attractions sector of the tourism industry, Attractions Ontario members encompass over 500 public and owned attractions in numerous categories, such as amusement parks, historical sites, cultural activities, arts and entertainment, and adventure tourism.

For more information, contact:

Kate March,
Director of Communications

Attractions Ontario

kate@attractionsontario.ca, www.attractionsontario.ca

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