The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is now accepting entries for the 2021 Adrian Awards. Marketing, advertising, and public relations have been at the forefront of leading the recovery of travel as leisure and business travelers moved from reluctance to excitement to get back on the road — and the 65th annual Adrians competition will focus on capturing the great work done by hotels, destinations, and their agency partners to get the country moving again, showcase safety and security, and welcome those travelling for the first time in more than a year.

“Hospitality and tourism professionals continue to face challenges that demand high levels of innovation in order to succeed,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “HSMAI is proud to recognize the extraordinary work over the past year in marketing and technology and celebrate those who have championed the recovery.”

This year’s Focus Categories are Recovery Marketing, Recovery Campaign Evolution, Technology Innovation, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Plus, the competition is adding two Diversity Marketing categories for individual and campaign entries. The purpose of the Diversity Marketing categories is to showcase the commitment to advance diversity in the hospitality industry and to recognize those organizations that have made strides to adopt diversity in their marketing communications.

Adrian Award entries can be submitted from October 1 through December 20, 2021. Please note that all entries for the Adrian Awards must be submitted online.

HSMAI is also accepting nominations for the 2021 HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue optimization and the 2021 marketing and public relations Lifetime Achievement honors. For submission guidelines and award information, visit HSMAI Top 25 Minds and Lifetime Awards.

In conjunction with the Adrian Awards, HSMAI is also looking for Hospitality Recovery Heroes. Given the unique current landscape of hospitality and travel and the emergence of extraordinary leaders, HSMAI created a new recognition program in 2020: “HSMAI Hospitality Heroes: An Adrian Awards Honor.” Carrying on the mission of those honors, the 2021 Hospitality Recovery Heroes program will honor the individuals behind the recovery at the local and front-line levels, supporting destinations, hotels, safety measures, and charitable programs that have helped make a difference. Industry professionals can nominate the colleagues they think deserve recognition for their efforts.

Adrian Awards entries will be judged by a panel of advertising, digital marketing, and public relations experts and leading members of the hospitality and travel industry. Professionals interested in being a judge must have at least eight years of hospitality, travel or tourism marketing, or specific media experience. For more information or to apply, please visit HSMAI Adrian Awards Judging.

Support the achievements and success of hospitality and tourism professionals. Consider becoming a 2021 Adrian Awards partner. Contact Elise Rhinehart at [email protected].

About HSMAI

The Hospitality Sales & 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 and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, Sales Leader Forum, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.