The Western Association of Broadcasters (WAB) 89th Conference wrapped up Thursday evening in Banff with its Gold Medal Awards Gala, recognizing veteran broadcaster Paul Larsen with its Broadcast Hall of Fame Award.
The former president of Clear Sky Radio, Larsen came out of retirement in 2020 when he acquired Kelowna’s CKOO-FM, an early casualty of the pandemic. He rebranded the station as 103.9 The Lake in 2021, repatriating the heritage CKOV call letters to the community, before selling the station to Pattison Media in 2023. Larsen’s career has included stops at Nornet Broadcasting, serving as Operations Manager for its 13 stations in Alberta; Assistant Program Director and Music Director at Corus Entertainment’s Country 105 (CKRY-FM) Calgary; Program Director of Newcap Radio’s 101.3 The Breeze (CIQX-FM) Calgary; and President of Island Radio, overseeing six stations on Vancouver Island.
“I never really expected anything like this, mostly because I spent most of my career in the smaller markets,” Larsen said in his acceptance speech, which was met with a standing ovation. “I never really believed anyone was paying attention to what we were doing behind-the-scenes, so it’s extra special…the WAB has always done a great job of recognizing those in large markets, but also small markets.”
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WAB member stations were also recognized for outstanding contributions to Canadian broadcasting.
Pattison Media’s Edmonton stations, 102.3 NOW! Radio (CKNO-FM) and UP! 99.3 (CIUP-FM) won the Gold Medal for Community Service (Market 150,000+) for spearheading the Alberta Day of Caring for Jasper initiative, which brought all Alberta radio stations together in the wake of last summer’s wildfire devastation, to raise more than $2.9 million.
In the under 150,000 market category, Harvard Media’s GX94 (CJGX-AM) Yorkton claimed the Community Service honour for its Save the Terriers ticket blitz campaign, in support of the local Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) team.
The Gold Medal for Digital Innovation was presented to Golden West Broadcasting for its Local Digital Sponsorship Solutions initiative.
Outgoing WAB President Adam West, Content & Operations Manager at Evanov Communications’ Winnipeg stations, was also acknowledged as he turns the reins over to Caralee Parr, Vista Radio’s General Manager in Grande Prairie. Jay Stone assumes the VP position, while West will remain on the executive as Past President.
