McLean, Va. – A year filled with remarkable innovation and creativity in hospitality advertising, digital marketing and public relations came to a close Monday evening as the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) celebrated the 57^th annual Adrian Awards at the New York Marriott Marquis. Nearly 900 attendees were present as HSMAI honored the year"s most exceptional campaigns and leaders in hospitality, travel and tourism.

"Every year, the submissions to the Adrian Awards represent the best campaigns our industry has to offer and this year was no exception," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. "The rigor and creativity each campaign required shone through every entry, and we hope all winners enjoyed a much-deserved night of celebration last evening for tireless hours spent bringing these campaigns to life."

HSMAI received more than 1,200 submissions globally for the 2013 Adrian Awards. From the entries, HSMAI presented 46 Gold Adrian Awards in Advertising, 87 in Digital Marketing and 130 in Public Relations. Platinum winners were selected from the most-outstanding Gold Award entries, and the show"s highest merit winners, Best of Show, were chosen from the Platinum frontrunners.

"Best of Show" Awards were presented to the following winners in the advertising, digital marketing and public relations categories:  

Advertising "Best of Show" – Visit Seattle and its agency Copacino+Fujikado for its 2 Days in Seattle campaign

Digital Marketing "Best of Show" – Visit Fairfax and its agency White+Partners for its Historical Figures Campaign

Public Relations "Best of Show" – Waldorf Astoria New York and its agency Quinn for its 3.5 Billion Buzz about Waldorf Astoria"s Sustainable Efforts campaign; and Michigan Economic Development Corporation and its agency Weber Shandwick for its Street Style Detroit campaign

Platinum Awards were given to the following recipients in the advertising, digital marketing and public relations categories:

Throughout the award gala and at the post-event "Continue the Night" reception sponsored by TripAdvisor, winners of Gold Awards were recognized and displayed in the "iPad Gold Gallery" via an interactive site designed by Sequence.

In addition, HSMAI honored its 2013 Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing as well as two Lifetime Achievement winners during the Adrian Awards Gala.

David Kong, president and CEO of Best Western International, was chosen as the recipient of the Albert E. Koehl Award for advertising and marketing.

"I"m incredibly pleased to accept this award on behalf of the entire Best Western family and our 4,200 hotels around the world," Kong said of being recognized. "I"m truly humbled knowing that I"m joining a select group of remarkable individuals – industry icons who have also received this award. I want to dedicate this award to the wonderful people I get to work with.  Ours is a forward-looking industry that has empowered me to dream boldly and to pursue those dreams without any hesitation."

Richard S. Kahn, president and owner of Kahn Travel Communications (KTCpr), was presented the Winthrop W. Grice Award for public relations excellence.

"I once dreamed of getting this prestigious award, but now I realize that the real rewards were gained as I traveled along the path that brought me here," Kahn said as he received his award. "I am truly humbled by this award, not just because it is presented at an HSMAI event which I had worked at for more than a decade, but because it was voted on by my peers, the advertising and public relations executives who won these awards prior to me and for whom I have profound respect.  I thank you, my colleagues, for this acknowledgement."

The fourth annual Leader in Sustainable Tourism award, presented by HSMAI and National Geographic Traveler, went to Travel Oregon and the American Express Loyalty Award as well as the TravelClick eMarketer of the Year award were presented to Best Western International.  

The Adrian Awards began in 1957 and consider entries from every segment of the travel and hospitality marketing industry, including hotels, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, destinations and credit card companies, among others. Winners are selected from a field of more than 1,200 entries by senior industry and media experts. For more information, visit www.adrianawards.com.

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners, and is the industry"s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals & their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as HSMAI's MEET, Adrian Awards, and Revenue Optimization Conference. HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at www.hsmai.org, www.facebook.com/hsmai, www.twitter.com/hsmai and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.

Jason Smith
VP communications
HSMAI