NEW YORK, NY (Jan. 26, 2001) -- At the 11th annual black tie gala, attended by a who�s who of the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recognized a year of marketing excellence by honoring the winners of the 2000 Adrian Advertising, Golden Bell Public Relations, and for the first time, the Golden Click (Web) International Travel Awards Competition. 

In what is the largest travel related competition of its kind in the world, which first began 44 years ago, more than 1,800 entries were received from 52 countries.  Winners consisted of �Best of Show� in each of the three categories, as well as Platinum for most outstanding, and Gold, Silver Merit and Bronze Merit recipients. 

HSMAI also paid tribute to two individuals who have made lasting impressions on the industry, with the Albert E. Koehl Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Director General of Tourism for the Islands of The Bahamas and the Winthrop W. Grice Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed on Alan Fredericks, CTC, vice president and editorial director of the Cahners Travel Group. 

�These two individuals and the hundreds of other winners who were honored by the judges that reviewed the submissions in our annual awards competition have shown why the hospitality, travel and tourism industry continues to stay on the cutting edge of the marketing and sales discipline,� said Bob Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. 

In each of the three categories, one entry is judged �Best of Show,� recognizing the most outstanding entry in that individual competition.  The 2000 winners were: 

H. Victor Grohmann Award/Adrian Advertising Best of Show 

• Colonial Williamsburg; agency:  Just Partners 

• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; agency:  Patrice Tanaka & Company 

• The Greenbrier Resort; agency: Boyd, Tamney, Cross Marketing 

Acclaimed travel writer, broadcaster and publisher Rudy Maxa served as host of this year�s gala, attended by more than 800 industry and marketing executives.  Among Maxa�s credits are: host of public radio�s one-hour, weekend travel show, �The Savvy Traveler,� host and of the upcoming public television series, �Smart Travels in Europe with Rudy Maxa,� publisher of Rudy Maxa�s Traveler, and columnist and contributor to Forbes, The Washington Post, Travel & Leisure, GQ, CNN, CNBC, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and others. 

HSMAI is the leading organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry.  With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry leader in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines.  Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of over 5,000 members representing 76 chapters in 35 countries worldwide.