CJ Radio has been honoured by the Interlake Tourism Association (ITA). Its Gimli station, CJ107FM, has received the Non-Member Interlake Tourism Award which recognizes an industry group or business which is not a member of the Interlake Tourism Association that contributes significantly to tourism in the Interlake. “CJ Radio fits this definition very well,” the association points out in a release. “Visitors tune in on their way to the Lake Winnipeg area as they leave Winnipeg and stay tuned in during their stay, encouraged to shop locally, visit attractions and 'become part of the community' while visiting.” Aside from its focus on supporting local, CJ Radio was acknowledged for its promotions in the Interlake region. “Working on projects such as the “Treasure of Interlake” contest proved valuable to the ITA businesses that received substantially reduced or free promotion – because they were part of ITA,” the release said. The Interlake promotion was a clever idea and community motivator by CJ Radio, as two thousand dollars hidden across the Interlake area and listeners were challenged to find the money. “Thousands of people thrilled us by collecting map pieces, decoding secret clues and searching for treasure,” CJ Radio's Bill Gade said. “In the end a family won the prize after weeks of searching. “Not only did the contest promote the area but it also promoted working together as a family to solve a riddle and the rewards of closer ties were far better than the money.” CJ was one of three finalists nominated for the award. CJ Radio operates three radio stations in Manitoba: CJBP-FM Neepawa, CJSB-FM Swan River and CJIE-FM Gimli/Winnipeg Beach. A fourth station is under construction in Virden. “CJ Radio provides a net benefit to every community,” Gade said. “We are proud of our record of having spent more money in each community than we have received in local advertising sales. We do this through the return of national advertising dollars to our communities. “We bring that money back from Brandon and Winnipeg and spend it where it belongs.” As a winner of the regional award, CJ Radio will move on to compete at the provincial level next year with Travel Manitoba.