Rosebud Theatre receives tourism award for track record of outstanding accomplishments, innovation and leadership in rural tourism.

Camrose & Rosebud, Alberta –- And the winner is … Rosebud Theatre! More than 200 delegates
responded with a standing ovation as the first Rural Tourism Champion award was announced at the
Growing Rural Tourism Conference held at the Camrose Regional Exhibition March 31. Conference
Co-chairs Wynn McLean and Colleen Reed, along with Travel Alberta In-Province Director Jim Vincent
made the presentation to Rosebud Theatre’s Executive Director Bob Davis.

The Rural Tourism Champion is a new award, designed to honor outstanding accomplishments,
innovation and leadership in rural tourism. After carefully reviewing the seven finalists, McLean
remarked that “This first recipient of this inaugural award sets the benchmark for future award winners
and tourism operators in Alberta. We are honored to have selected Rosebud Theatre.”

Rosebud’s Bob Davis was taken by surprise. “It is an honor to have been selected as the first
Rural Tourism Champion,” explains Davis. “It is inspiring to know that other people in Alberta
tourism look to Rosebud to set an example for excellence. At the same time, we are inspired by
our peers. There were many very worthy finalists who we look up to as leaders in this industry.
It is a very special award that needs to be shared with all those dedicated employees, actors and
families that make the Rosebud ‘Experience’ special every day.”

Artistic Director Morris Ertman adds, “We really are the sum total of a lot of loyal patrons whose
word-of-mouth support through 25 years of building plays has kept us alive and thriving. This award
is pretty amazing, coming at the beginning of our Anniversary Season, which is all about big
stories in little places. At the end of the day, it’s all about delivering something personal to the
people who come to Rosebud. Our stories are personal, and when people connect to people in a
meaningful way, things just grow. People want to be a part of it.”

According to Davis, Rosebud’s road to recognition has been a long time in the making. “This award
is a great way to kick off our 25th Anniversary Season and our theme of ‘Big stories in little places’.
When our first play was staged in 1983, everyone who helped make it happen was doing something
they loved, something they thought was worth it. It was a risk then and it’s still a risk today.
Although the people have changed, the commitment to doing what we love is stronger than ever.
I think it is this type of heart-felt dedication and passion that has allowed Rosebud Theatre to evolve
into a rural tourism champion over the years. If our efforts help inspire others, then we know we
are doing something right.”

About Rosebud Theatre – Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2008 - www.rosebudtheatre.com
Rosebud Theatre is approximately an hour’s drive northeast of Calgary, nestled in picturesque
country hamlet of Rosebud, Alberta. Now in its 25th season, Rosebud is Western Canada’s largest
rural theatre company. It has gained an international reputation as a premiere Canadian destination
for high quality live theatre performed at the Rosebud Opera House. In 2006, Rosebud Theatre received
Travel Alberta’s prestigious “Alberta Pride” ALTO award for capturing the essence of the Alberta
experience for travelers. In 2008, Rosebud Theatre received the inaugural “Rural Tourism Champion”
award for its track record of outstanding accomplishments, innovation and leadership in rural tourism.
Annually, more than 40,000 patrons enjoy the “Rosebud Experience” of professional theatre,
complemented by unique dining, art galleries, museums and shopping. Rosebud is also home to
Rosebud School of the Arts, a post-secondary educational institution that offers conservatory training
in theatre and music to students, many of whom advance to perform in productions by Rosebud Theatre.
Box Office: 1-800-267-7553

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For more information, photos or interviews with Executive Director Bob Davis or Artistic Director,
Morris Ertman, please contact Neil Bousquet directly
Mr. Bob Davis, Executive Director, Rosebud Theatre (403) 677-2350 bobd@rosebudtheatre.com
Mr. Neil Bousquet, PR Wizard, Rosebud Theatre (403) 256-8834 neil.bousquet@prwizard.ca