Tourism Winnipeg

Winnipeg Tourism Volunteer of the Year Award of Distinction

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Presented to a volunteer in the hospitality industry who demonstrated service excellence by going above and beyond in order to provide outstanding service that enhanced a visitor’s experience for increased customer satisfaction.

Winner: Gary Day, The Manitoba Museum

Category Finalists

• Gary Day, The Manitoba Museum
  Gary Day doesn’t just talk and walk the part, he dresses the part. As a volunteer host and on-the-spot history teacher aboard The Manitoba Museum’s Nonsuch, the retired teacher wears his own hand-made period costume to provide visitors with an even more authentic experience. A twice-weekly volunteer for the past decade, Gary was also onboard the Nonsuch when popstar Justin Bieber and his girlfriend Selena Gomez visited. This loyal and passionate volunteer entertained the couple with a quick history lesson before their private dinner. At after-hours conferences and special events, Gary entertains local, national and international visitors with his “sea tales,” acting as a shining ambassador not only for the museum but for the city and province too.
• George Einarson, Tourisme Riel
  For 30 years and counting George Einarson has embraced and embodied the joie de vivre of Festival du Voyageur and passed on that same enthusiasm to countless festival goers. As head of the hosting committee for the last 20 years, George has made it his mission to give the 120 visiting dignitaries from international festivals the time of their lives. He is the host with the most, arranging their itineraries, all meals and accommodations, special tours and shopping trips and satisfying any requests, big or small. George’s passion for volunteerism doesn’t stop with the Festival. He is also a long-time volunteer with Shriner’s, Juvenile Diabetes, the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, sporting events like the Pan Am Games and two World Curling Championships and the United Way, among many other organizations.
• Annette Eibner, Manitoba Marathon
  Six years ago Manitoba Marathon runner Annette Eibner hung up her running shoes and refocused her race-weekend energies to becoming one of the organization’s most dedicated and indefatigable volunteers. Every year, she signs up for volunteer duty six months in advance. During race weekend, she comes early, stays late and is never without a smile on her face and a kind word for staff, other volunteers and the runners themselves. She is a one-woman welcome wagon, problem solver, team player and spirit booster. As her nominator says, “It is the beautiful spirit and character of people like Annette Eibner that enhance our lives, our event, our world, reminding us that kindness, hospitality and generosity do exist.”