Tourism Vancouver's new app is the apple of the industry's eye, but the roots trace back to Prince George.

The organization's tool button for the iPad has won the platinum award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) at their recent awards gala in New York. The citation was for digital marketing excellence. It was bestowed on the app's design company, smashLAB.

"We love this city, and it’s great to share it through accessible tools like this app," said smashLAB’s technical director Eric Shelkie. He, along with co-founder Eric Karjaluoto, built smashLAB first in Prince George before moving it to Vancouver where it is now home base to some of the most innovative graphic design and social commentary in North America, as evidenced by this latest international accolade.

"I am very impressed with the finished Visit Vancouver iPad app. It is head and shoulders above any other destination apps I've seen, and a real asset to travellers," said Stephen Pearce, vice-president of Tourism Vancouver's leisure travel and digital marketing divisions.

Users also scored the app highly - a 4.5 star rating - in Apple's in-house app store feedback system.