There are a number of awards Okotoks marketing campaigns have won

An understated Okotokstourism slogan that was roundly mocked on social media this week for being blandwas actually part of an award-winning marketing campaign.

The slogan, "There are a number of things to do inOkotoks," was one component of a larger advertising initiative that included the 2015OkotoksVisitor andActivities Guide, a publication that received a national award this week from theEconomic Developers Association of Canada.

• Bland Okotoks tourism slogan mocked on social media

Okotoks economic development managerShaneOlson said the guide was named "best in class" for communities in the town's population category.

"Okotoks' population is 28,016 and we think now with this viral campaign, we think we might be up to 28,018," he said, tongue in cheek.

"It's a young community," Olson added, speaking seriously now."It's growing all the time."

Previous award

It's not the first time Okotoks has been honoured for its marketing campaigns.

The town also won an award from the same organization in 2012 for an earlier edition of its visitor guide.

Okotoks residents weigh in

CBC visited Okotoks to see what residents thought of all the recent media attention and to askthem about their favourite things to do in town.

Here's a sampling of what they had to say:

Okotoks residents on the things to do in their town

9 years ago

Duration 0:40

Okotoks residents respond after Calgary media pokes fun at a portion of their town's tourism slogan for being dull.