CTA Named Employer of the Year at the 2025 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence
The Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) is thrilled to share that we’ve been named Employer of the Year at the 2025 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO).
This recognition means a great deal to our entire team. It celebrates not only what we do, but how we do it, through collaboration, care, and an unwavering commitment to creating a workplace where people can thrive.
Culture at the Heart of Our Work
At the Culinary Tourism Alliance, we know that strong organizational culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built intentionally through transparency, compassion, and trust.
We’re proud to foster a workplace where people feel supported, seen, and empowered to contribute their best ideas. Whether we’re developing destination strategies, helping businesses strengthen local food systems, or connecting communities through culinary storytelling, our work is rooted in collaboration both within our team and across the tourism industry.
As our VP of Operations & Partnerships, Nicole Brown, shared:
“Every single member of our team cares deeply about making sure everyone feels supported, seen, and trusted, and I’m so proud of the everyday effort it takes to nurture that culture. The honest conversations, the check-ins, the hard decisions made with heart—it’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.”
Leadership That Leads with Heart
Culture starts at the top, and CTA’s President and CEO, Rebecca Mackenzie, has long championed a people-first approach to leadership. Her example of compassionate, transparent leadership has helped shape the values that guide the organization today.
Our entire team takes great care to make those values tangible, ensuring they’re felt in every project, meeting, and interaction. We’ve built an incredible culture by showing up with empathy, celebrating individuality and giving people the space and trust to do great work.
Why This Matters
We spend a huge part of our lives at work, and we believe workplaces should be environments that fuel creativity, connection, and purpose. As an organization dedicated to strengthening the links between food, place, and community, this award reaffirms that when people feel cared for and inspired, they create extraordinary results, not just for the organization, but for the industry as a whole.
We’re deeply grateful to TIAO for recognizing our commitment to our people, and to our entire team for helping shape the CTA into what it is today.
This win belongs to everyone who’s helped us build a culture grounded in respect, curiosity, and collaboration. Together, we’ll keep raising the bar for what it means to lead with heart in the tourism industry.
