Business of the Year – Large

Activate Games fuses technology, movement, and strategy to create a unique interactive gaming experience for people of all ages that inspires a sense of achievement. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy the exciting indoor attraction during Manitoba’s cold winters or as a way to escape the heat in summer. Activate’s innovative and re-playable games are constantly evolving, providing gamers with new experiences. The company has grown significantly since its start in 2017, with multiple North American locations.

In 2022, the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada opened to the public, welcoming more than 65,000 visitors. This led to a highly successful opening, reaching 139 per cent of projected visitation in just the first nine months. Events such as Wings and Wheels on Father’s Day and Halloween with Hobbs saw a huge increase in attendance. Family-friendly programming during the winter break was also extremely popular, drawing nearly 3,000 visitors over the course of a week.

As the only Nordic spa in the Canadian prairies, Thermëa is a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers near and far looking for a sanctuary of tranquility within a bustling city, where they can rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit. Offering age-old thermotherapy and relaxation techniques, as well as unique culinary options, Thermëa prides itself on providing an incredible year-round guest experience, supporting local artisans and contributing to the region's reputation as a premier wellness destination.

A Maze in Corn has grown into a well-known tourist destination in St. Adolphe, offering diverse experiences that bring people together to enjoy nature and make lasting memories. From August to October, it's a family-friendly corn maze with a spooky haunted forest. From January to March, it draws visitors from far and wide to the world's largest snow maze with intricate buildings, a snow bar, and now a high-end restaurant.

Churchill Wild offers guests life-changing wildlife encounters and wilderness adventures that leave them feeling a deep connection to Manitoba’s northern ecosystems and the area’s Indigenous heritage. With world-class ecolodges, ground-level safaris featuring polar bears and other arctic wildlife as well as tundra-inspired cuisine, Churchill Wild provides a unique experience that hundreds of travellers enjoy each year. The business is also committed to operating sustainably, minimizing its environmental footprint.