CIPR Communications wins Silver at 2026 Bulldog PR Awards for Tourism Kamloops campaign

CIPR Communications won Silver in Best Community Relations Campaign at the 2026 Bulldog PR Awards for the Freeride Fund, a Tourism Kamloops initiative that channels donations into mountain bike trail maintenance. The campaign combined seed funding, earned media and video to reach more than 7.5 million people and keep trail support going in Kamloops.

Why it matters: - The Freeride Fund turned a destination marketing campaign into a funding mechanism for trail maintenance, linking visitor activity directly to community benefit. - The Silver win at the 2026 Bulldog PR Awards gives the campaign industry validation from a panel of working journalists. - The recognition highlights a model for tourism campaigns that aim to deliver value after launch, not just generate awareness.

What happened: - CIPR Communications won Silver in Best Community Relations Campaign at the 2026 Bulldog PR Awards for its work on Tourism Kamloops' Freeride Fund. - The award recognized a campaign designed to let visitors support the mountain bike trails they ride. - The Bulldog PR Awards judge entries with a panel of working journalists. - Christina Pilarski, founder and CEO of CIPR Communications, said the campaign created something lasting and that journalist judging made the recognition more meaningful.

The details: - Tourism Kamloops launched the Freeride Fund with a three-year, $50,000 seed commitment. - All donations flow directly to trail maintenance through the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Foundation. - CIPR Communications built the communications strategy behind the campaign. - The agency secured earned media coverage in national, local and industry publications. - The campaign reached more than 7.5 million people through out-of-home advertising, editorial placements and two original video productions. - The videos drew hundreds of thousands of views. - The Freeride Fund remains active at freeridefund.com, where donations continue to support trail maintenance across the Kamloops trail network. - For more information on the 2026 Bulldog PR Awards and the Bulldog Reporter newsletter, visit the Bulldog Reporter newsletter. - CIPR Communications describes itself as a digital authority agency focused on tourism and hospitality brands. - Tourism Kamloops is the destination marketing and management organization for Kamloops, BC. - Tourism Kamloops says it works to grow the visitor economy while supporting community pride and quality of life.

Between the lines: - The campaign's structure suggests a shift from one-off promotion to a community-facing model that ties marketing spend to a visible local outcome. - CIPR is positioning the Freeride Fund as proof that destination marketing can create a durable asset, not just a seasonal message. - The journalist-led judging body likely strengthens the award's relevance for public relations work centered on trust and public impact.

What's next: - Donations will continue flowing to trail maintenance as the Freeride Fund stays active. - CIPR Communications is likely to use the campaign as a reference point for future tourism and destination work. - Tourism Kamloops can continue promoting Kamloops as a four-season destination while pointing to a community benefit tied to mountain biking tourism.

The bottom line: - CIPR Communications won for a campaign that paired tourism promotion with ongoing trail funding, making the project both a marketing win and a community asset.