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15 | Friday, October 18, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com This photo of the annual Canada Day celebration fireworks in Bronte Village, and others from the Oakville Beaver's photo archives, grace the many pages of Visit Oakville, an online tourism site that resulted in the Oakville Tourism Partnership (OTP) picking up first place in the 2013 Marketing Canada Awards. Tourism website takes first place by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff | Oakville Beaver file photo Shhhh... Oakville's Best Kept Secret. The Oakville Tourism Partnership (OTP) has won first place in the 2013 Marketing Canada Awards for its website www.visitoakville. com. The contest, held by the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC), considered 122 submissions from across the country and was judged on criteria that included purpose, effectiveness, challenges and changes, target audiences, sustainability efforts, electronic strategy and effect on the community. "The Visit Oakville site was, and continues to be, an important undertaking for OTP in promoting Oakville as a premier destination in the GTA," said Satish Palasseri, OTP chair and general manager of the Quality Suites Oakville. "On behalf of the Oakville Tourism Partnership's Board of Directors, I thank EDAC for the Marketing Canada Award. It is wonderful recognition of a job well done." The purpose of the Visit Oakville site is to provide visitors and residents with an online hub for tourism-related information and to showcase some of the many reasons to visit the town. "Prior to its launch, this type of information was in many different places," said Palasseri. "Our goal was to consolidate and make it easier for both visitors and residents to find what they need to enjoy Oakville to the maximum." Led by a working committee of local industry partners, the site was designed and built by Oakville's Hybrid Digital (www.hybriddigital. ca). Content and architecture were based on data collected by Service Oakville at the Visitor Information Centre at Town Hall, and most of the photography came from the Oakville Beaver's archives. "The Oakville Beaver has a vast archive of photographs that we have taken through the years while on assignment," said Reg Vertolli, director of photography for the newspaper. "We are happy to share them with Visit Oakville and participate as a community partner." Oakville Tourism Partnership Executive Director Rebecca Edgar said the website has been well received with more than 23,000 unique visitors having viewed it since its launch in late May. Edgar said feedback from users is essential as it will assist with the website's continued development. For more information, visit www.visitoakville. com or email info@visitoakville.com. Round Brilliant Cut Diamond 1.76 ct., SI1, G Colour, Excellent cut. GIA Certified Diamond - Value $35,150 You can have this one only, for $17,900* The Highest Quality,The Lowest Price. Guaranteed. 309 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville 905.339.7604 · www.omnijewelcrafters.com *Subject to prior sale and may be terminated at any time. Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is Complicated. Now accepting applications for September 2014 AT HSC, LEARNING HAPPENS NATURALLY. The ability to develop at your own pace, and through your own interest and passion, is crucial in learning." - Dianne de Freitas, Montessori School Principal Hillfield Strathallan College is an independent day school for Montessori Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten students to Grade 12. Visit us at www.hsc.on.ca. We are accessible and affordable. Call Scott Barton 905-389-1367 Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation. At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. Call 905.334.3583 www.fitzbydesign.ca shona@fitzbydesign.ca