Photo of 2024 Calgary Expo Special guest dawning Calgary White Hats / Photo by Keith Driver
Tourism Calgary hosted its annual Calgary White Hat Awards on May 14, 2025, with well over 1,800 attendees at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
The Calgary White Hat Awards first started back in 1962 to recognize community members’ enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication to the city of Calgary.
The White Hat Awards have become one of Calgary’s highest honors that recognize outstanding employees within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Nominations are submitted by co-workers, managers, and supervisors in the industry, with 2024 seeing 999 nominations. Among the 19 categories, this year’s awards include three Indigenous women who received awards for:
- Exceptional Leader: Destiny Whitney of Tsuut’ina First Nation, Seven Chiefs’ Sportsplex
- Exceptional Service: Tourism Volunteer: Debbie Smith of Siksika First Nation, Calgary Stampede
- Exceptional Server: Administration: Vanessa Stiffarm of Kainai First Nation, Calgary Stampede
The president and CEO of Tourism Calgary, Alisha Reynolds, expresses her gratitude by stating that they just don’t do their jobs; they go above and beyond to ensure their clients feel safe and supported. She adds, “Their commitment to excellence ensures visitors feel Calgary’s warmth and vibrancy from the moment they arrive.”
Every winner receives a coveted white Smithbilt hat as a symbol of their hard work and dedication to the tourism and hospitality industry within the city of Calgary.
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