Venues the entertainment company and Destination Winnipeg worked together to produce a stellar event in Ottawa on September 2003 at the National Arts Centre. It was a work of true collaboration! Destination Winnipeg was coming to Ottawa in order to promote their destination to the various Association and Corporate Meeting Planners in Ottawa. Grace Vale, President of Venues, worked closely with Rachelle Normand of Destination Winnipeg in coordinating the sound and lights, musical stingers, stage cueing, and décor. Their idea, a spoof on the Juno Awards. Aptly called the "Who Knows Awards?

Once the guests were seated, non-alcoholic drinks including: Blue Hawaiian, Marguerites, Topical Sunset, Maitai, and Chi Chi were served. Plates piled high with a variety of tropical culinary hors deóeuvres were brought to the tables for the guests to munch on while they watched, on the giant screen, a video the panellists pulled together to depict the granting process. The teenagers amused the audience with their initiative and creativeness, and brought a lot of laughter. Banquet tables, laden with "The Main Island" menu including tangy Adobo Pineapple Chicken, Kahlua Smoked Pork, fire roasted Hawaiian Garlic Prawns, succulent Char Sui Baby Back Ribs and a garlicky Hawaiian Fruit De Mer.

Twenty-foot palm trees dominated the stage while the panellists doled out more than $117,000 to over 23 local charitable organizations. This year, the YGY panel received twenty-eight (28) applications from youth-serving charities, requesting one hundred & nineteen thousand, three hundred & ninety dollars ($119,390). After countless hours of reviewing applications, the panellists granted seventeen (17) applications, totalling eighty two thousand, nine hundred and ninety dollars ($82,990). For the first time, the YGY panel researched and granted discretionary grants for a total of thirty thousand dollars ($35,000).

"Youth can make an impact, and we are," said Carter Hnatuk, who at age 15 is in his final year on the panel. "I feel we are making an impact, however, our lack of grant requests is limiting the reach of the program."

"I am extremely thankful for the continued support and life-changing opportunities that Youth Granting for Youth continues to provide for young people in Saskatoon," said Richard Dubé, a three year grant recipient for the Circle of Peace. "I've heard people say that youth is wasted on the young. I totally disagree. After three years of seeing Youth Granting for Youth in action, I've come to the belief that all too often money, power and decision making is wasted in the hands of adults. Every day, I have the privilege of working with hundreds of young people who show a great deal of promise. Thanks to Youth Granting for Youth and the Muttart Foundation, more and more of these young people are able to realize their full potential."

The "Island Dessert" followed the presentations and special guest speeches. Guests lined up for Rum Crepes on Fire, Assorted Tropical Mousse and Hawaiian Fruit fondue with a rich chocolate rum sauce.

Youth Granting for Youth was launched by The Muttart Foundation of Edmonton to amplify the voices of Saskatoon youth. Originally a five year initiative, The Muttart Foundation was so impressed with the program, it extended it for another three years. Thanks to the generous support of The Muttart Foundation, YGY will grant up to $800,000 to youth in the Saskatoon community before it's end. Turner Coben Event Marketing Inc. is fortunate to be contracted by the Muttart Foundation and work with these industrious and forward thinking youth.

As proof of pure youth planning, the granting dinner was filled with fun, money, and all things tropical.