(McLean, VA, January 23, 2019) Excitement was in the air as the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) hosted its annual Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala honoring excellence in travel advertising, digital marketing, and public relations. More than 850 industry professionals gathered at the New York Marriott Marquis to celebrate the standout campaigns of the past year and the awesome individuals behind them.
“We received a lot of impressive entries this year, but tonight’s winners are truly the crème de la crème,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Adrian Award-winning campaigns incorporate strong elements of originality, embrace technology, and also generate real measurable results for their brands.”
Established in 1956, the Adrian Awards recognize marketing achievements in hospitality across multiple segments of the industry. Award winners are selected by senior industry and media experts from nearly 1,200 entries, for entry divisions: advertising, digital marketing, public relations, and integrated marketing. Gold Award winners across these categories were recognized during the Adrian Awards Dinner Reception, which was co-sponsored by HSMAI, Google, and TravelClick. Platinum winners were selected from outstanding Gold Award winners.
Best of Show Awards, the pinnacle of the evening, were presented to Platinum Award winners from three divisions—digital marketing, public relations, and advertising—as follows:
Digital Marketing “Best of Show” – AccorHotels: Seeker Campaign
Public Relations “Best of Show” – Westin Hotels & Resorts and its agency, MFA, a Finn Partners Company: Westin Launches CSR Program to Upcycle Hotel Bed Linens, Transforming Them into Children's Pajamas
(Tie) Advertising “Best of Show” Marriott International and its agency, mcgarrybowen: Golden Rule Campaign (Courtyard, Fairfield, Four Points & SpringHill Suites)
(Tie) Advertising “Best of Show” – Explore St. Louis: Sterling K. Brown Advertising Series
(Tie) Advertising “Best of Show” – Marriott International: Marriott Hotels and HK7s Innovation in Advertising Campaign
Advertising Platinum Winners:
Company; Agency
- The Aruba Tourism Authority; Concept Farm
- Explore St. Louis
- Hilton Garden Inn; GSD&M
- Marriott International; mcgarrybowen
- Marriott International
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Digital Marketing Platinum Winners:
Company; Agency
- AccorHotels
- Bermuda Tourism Authority; Miles
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts; Ideas Collide
- Curio Collection by Hilton; I.D.E.A.
- Margaritaville Resort Orlando; Concept Farm
- Marriott Rewards
- Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism; Target
- VISIT PHILADELPHIA and the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority
Public Relations Platinum Winner:
Company; Agency
- Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel; C&R
- Brand USA
- Major Food Group; NJF, an MMGY Global Company
- Marriott International
- Marriott International
- Murphy Arts District; NJF, an MMGY Global Company
- The Plaza, a Fairmont Managed Hotel
- Royal Caribbean International; Weber Shandwick
- Westin Hotels & Resorts; MFA, a Finn Partners Company
Integrated Marketing Campaign Platinum Winner:
Company; Agency
- Tourism Australia
Gold Award winners’ submissions were showcased on digital displays at the Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and featured during the Gala stage presentations. “The Adrian Awards winners raise the bar for the travel industry as a whole to be a place of creativity and innovation,” said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI Executive Vice President.
Selected by a panel of senior industry executives, The HSMAI Top 25: Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization for 2018 were honored by HSMAI in a reception and also recognized on stage during the Gala. Additionally, the distinguished careers of three industry leaders were celebrated with HSMAI Lifetime Achievement awards. Steve Bartolin, Chairman of The Broadmoor, was honored with the 2018 Winthrop W. Grice Award for Public Relations. Stephen Powell, most recently SVP Worldwide Sales for IHG prior to retirement, was the recipient of the inaugural HSMAI Award for Lifetime Achievement in Hospitality Sales. Harris Rosen, President and CEO, Rosen Hotels & Resorts, was celebrated with the Albert E. Koehl Award for Hospitality Marketing.
The first-ever Facebook Mobile Video Award went to Sheraton for its Halo campaign. The Corporate Social Responsibility Award was presented to four recipients:
- Aqua-Aston Hospitality: “Reef Safe” Campaign
- Hersha Hospitality: EarthView Program
- Hilton Hotels and Resorts: “Travel with Purpose – Where Responsibility and Hospitality Meet” Campaign
- Micato Safari: “AmericaShare” Campaign
Included in BizBash’s Top 100 Events in New York, the event’s photos reflect the pride and excitement felt by award winners for being recognized and honored at Adrian Awards Dinner Reception and Gala. Please credit Natural Expressions NY for HSMAI when using event photos. For more information about the Adrian Awards, visit www.adrianawards.com. To interview an HSMAI spokesperson about the event and the winners, please contact Andrea Bomar at abomar@hsmai.org.
