Inventive destination marketing has earned southwest Florida’s Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) honors from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards Competition presented Jan. 26, 2009 in New York City. HSMAI recognized the VCB with 14 gold, silver and bronze awards for both advertising and Web marketing excellence.

The VCB received a Gold Award under the Print Media Advertising Series category – For the billboard “containers” campaign, featuring destination images sealed in a variety of glass containers; for Newspaper Advertising – For “Memories on Shelf” ad – featuring dolphins in a snow globe; and for Outdoor/Transit:  Island Treasures Mobile Marketing RV Unit, showcasing destination images on a moving billboard that traveled nation-wide making appearances at major events in top markets.

In addition to the Gold Award, the VCB was presented with a Silver Award for Consumer Magazine Individual Unit for “Memories on a Shelf” Ad, Consumer Magazine Individual Unit for “Source of Renewable Energy” Ad, Consumer Magazine Individual Unit for “Capture the Moment” Ad, Newspaper Ad Unit for “Capture the Moment” Ad, Print Advertising As Series for “Container” Print Ad Series, Advertising Positioning for Overall Campaign, E-mail Web Marketing for The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel monthly e-newsletter, Outdoor/Transit for “Message in a Bottle” Outdoor Billboard, Outdoor/Transit for “Capture the Moment” Outdoor Billboard.

Bronze winners were Contest/Sweepstakes for “Treasure Your Trip” Instant Win Contest and Newspaper Ad Unit for “Renewable Source of Energy” Ad.

“We are thrilled to be recognized with these awards at the HSMAI competition,” said Suya Davenport, VCB executive director. “We thank our advertising agency BVK for the innovative work they do on our behalf.”

The HSMAI Adrian Awards Competition is the largest and most prestigious travel event of its kind in the world, now in its 52nd year. It recognizes the very best in all segments of the hospitality industry, including destinations, hotels and resorts, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies and more. The competition attracted nearly 1,300 entries from around the world.