Ottawa's companies were honoured Thursday night for helping to promote tourism in the National Capital Region to a variety of people, from runners to wine aficionados, chamber music fans and ballet enthusiasts.

Ottawa Tourism handed out the hardware during the 2007 edition of its Ottawa Tourism Awards Thursday evening at the Ottawa Congress Centre.

Winning the new company of the year award was East Communications, which was founded in 2005 to provide marketing and consulting services for exchanges between China, Asia Pacific and Canada.

Founder Rosita Wong says the win sends a very good message out to the tourism community about Ottawa's readiness to serve the China market.

"It's just the beginning," says Ms. Wong. "We're going to continue our efforts to raise the profile of the National Capital Region, and we want to build cultural connections and attract the Chinese market to look at the investment opportunities and what Ottawa has to offer."

Ms. Wong says the interest generated by Ottawa's tourism industry in China can act as a launchpad for other industries, especially high-tech and education.

"It's about economic development, it's about cultural exchange, it's about people-to-people relationships," she adds. "We're very honoured, and it's just the beginning for the City of Ottawa to go after the Chinese market in every sector."

Jim Robinson, general manager of Ottawa Race Weekend, which won the event of the year award, says the win is a nice recognition for the work the organization has done in taking the message about the Ottawa Marathon across North America in the past three or four years.

"We've put a lot of our own budget into promoting Ottawa as a destination for runners, and it's nice to be recognized," says Mr. Robinson. "Most event managers like to think that they've done an outstanding job bringing tourists into the area with their events, and we're no exception... we've been saying that this is our marathon and our city."

Other winners include the Ottawa Chamber Music Society for large company of the year; wine and culinary entertainment company Groovy Grapes for small company of the year; and the National Arts Centre and Kirov Ballet's presentation of Swan Lake for the tourism partnership of the year award.

George Chaiban, general manager of the Quality Hotel Ottawa, won the award for tourism volunteer of the year for his involvement with Ottawa Tourism's Stars of the City Conference and Trade Show and various charitable initiatives around the city.

"The people we're honouring tonight are people who have helped enhance the tourism experience," said Ottawa Tourism chief executive Jacques Burelle. "With them, our jobs at Ottawa Tourism are just that much easier. New and exciting companies, both large and small; well-run events and festivals, great partners, and driven volunteers have all added energy and colour to our industry."