Brand USA honored with two Gold and a Silver Adrian Award for advertising and digital marketing excellence by HSMAI

Washington, DC, 2014-3-5 — /Travel PR News/ — The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recognized Brand USA with two Gold and a Silver Adrian Award for advertising and digital marketing excellence for its winning entries in the 57th annual Adrian Awards, the largest and most prestigious travel marketing competition globally.

This year’s contest attracted more than 1,200 entries from around the world, with entries judged by top executives from all sectors of the industry. On Feb. 24, HSMAI paid tribute to Brand USA during the annual HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala, a black-tie affair attended by more than 1,000 hospitality, travel and tourism-marketing executives at the New York Marriott Marquis.

“As the advertising, public relations and digital marketing realms are constantly evolving, the bar is continuously set higher annually in regard to the Adrian Awards submissions we receive,” said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI executive vice president. “This year, we saw outstanding entries in all categories and in particular an ability to implement integrated campaigns that garnered powerful results across multiple channels.”

Brand USA the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination was recognized with three of the 2013 Adrian Awards, including:

  • Gold in Advertising (Travel Trade Brochure) for the Discover America Inspiration Guide
  • Silver in Advertising (DVD/CD/VIDEO Consumer/Group Sales/Travel Trade) for the organization’s In-Language Content Program
  • Gold in Digital Marketing (Web Ad) for the Google Engagement Ads that create a beautiful interactive travel guide

“We’re honored to have been the recipient of three Adrian awards. It speaks to the value we’re creating as the nation’s first destination marketing organization,” said Chris Thompson, President and CEO of Brand USA. “Brand USA’s marketing and advertising campaigns are paying off, and according to the recent Oxford Economics study, have generated 1.1 million incremental visitors to the United States, equating to a marketing ROI of 47:1.”

HSMAI also honored lifetime achievement in travel and hospitality marketing, as well as the “Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing.” Brand USA’s Vice President of Partner Engagement, Amir Eylon, was named to HSMAI’s Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds. This award honors the best sales and marketing professionals in the hospitality, travel and tourism industries. All winning entries are accessible in the Adrian Awards Winners Gallery online at www.adrianawards.com.

This is the second year Brand USA has been recognized at the Adrian Awards. For 2012, the organization received a Gold in Advertising (Signage) and a Silver in Advertising (Complete Campaign).

Brand USA CEO and President Christopher Thompson has won the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing designation twice – in 2009 as the CEO of VISIT FLORIDA and in 2012 as the President and CEO of Brand USA. He is one of the few industry leaders to have achieved this designation more than once.

Visit www.AdrianAwards.com for more information on the event and competition.

About Brand USA 
Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.DiscoverAmerica.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.orgwww.facebook.com/hsmaiwww.twitter.com/hsmai and www.youtube.com/hsmai1.