Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc (WAA) was awarded first place in the category of Special Events by Airports Council International (ACI) 2009 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest.

"We are honoured to win first place in this category and be recognized for the annual North Pole Express,” said Barry Rempel, President and CEO of Winnipeg Airports Authority. “We share this honour with those who made it possible to journey to the North Pole with children from our community for six consecutive years and especially grateful to Skyservice Airlines for continuing to provide the aircraft and crew.”

In 2009, the flight was made possible due to the generosity of Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc. and its Goldwing Ambassadors, Signature Vacations and Skyservice Airlines pilots and crew, 220 Squadron Cadets, International Airline Services, Dryden Airservice, NavCanada, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), HOT103, Fehr Way Tours & Beaver Bus Lines Ltd., Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, Pizza Hotline, HMS Host, Dairyland, Assiniboine Park Zoo, and Coca-Cola.

“ACI-NA congratulates the winners of the 2009 Excellence in Marketing and Communications Contest,” said ACI-NA President Greg Principato. “These award-winning entries help promote a positive view of airports throughout their communities and North America. The contest allows airports to showcase their best marketing and communications efforts that serve their stakeholders, including the flying public, airline partners, tenants, and employees.”

This year, 62 airports and airport authorities submitted almost 250 entries in the contest, which encompasses categories that recognize work in marketing and public relations, and provides airports the opportunity to be honoured for the quality of their work. Awards are distributed in 20 categories ranging from brochures, advertising, marketing and public relations campaigns, newsletters, special events, video and film productions, to websites. Over a nine-day period, 31 communications and marketing professionals from the Washington, D.C.-area served as judges to review the entries submitted.

Winnipeg Airports Authority is a non-share capital corporation responsible for the management and operation ofWinnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport and affiliate businesses. All surplus revenue over expenses is reinvested by WAA back into the community, primarily through airport development projects. WAA is self sufficient with taxpayers not directly involved in financing airport site redevelopment which is being paid through Airport Improvement Fees (AIF).

Winnipeg Airports Authority serves our region by providing value to our customers and community. A source of pride for our community, we strive to be a leader in its growth and development.

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FURTHER INFORMATION:
Christine Alongi
Director, Communications & Public Affairs
Winnipeg Airports Authority Inc
24 Hour Media Line: 204.992.2791

For highlights of 2009’s North Pole Flight, visit http://www.waa.ca/santaflight.