Ian Schrager Says Sales and Marketing 'Is Everything' As He Accepts Lifetime Award at HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala

MCLEAN, Va., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Ian Schrager, renowned hotelier, chairman and CEO of Ian Schrager Company, was presented with the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for advertising by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI -- www.hsmai.org) during its 18th annual Adrian Awards ceremony at the New York Marriott Marquis.

Ian Schrager commented on the importance of sales and marketing in the hospitality arena, saying: "It is everything. Without sales and marketing we would see no success for our hotels."

The award, named for advertising great Albert E. Koehl, was presented at a gala awards banquet attended by a record 1,004 hospitality industry executives celebrating the 51st year of the HSMAI awards competition.

At the same time, a Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of Winthrop W. Grice for public relations excellence went to Laura Davidson, founder and president of LDPR.

And, while appreciating the importance and significance of being "in the know" about high-tech solutions and applications, Laura Davidson said: "My message to everyone in this room is a simple one. Once in a while, step away from the computer. My success didn't come through an e-mail folder; it came from real face-to-face, old-fashioned conversations with clients, media and my staff."

During the Gala, 19 platinum awards were handed out for advertising, public relations and Web marketing. From the field of Platinum Winners came the following coveted "Best of Show" awards:

Advertising "Best of Show" Delta Airlines -- SS+K (agency) Its innovative "Change" campaign was honest about the sad state of flying and promised to keep changing. Public Relations "Best of Show" Zero-Gravity -- M. Silver Associates Inc. (agency) Sending renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who spent his career pondering the nature of gravity from a wheelchair, off on a weightless flight took media coverage to 'the outer limits.' Web Marketing "Best of Show" www.24nola.com (New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau) - Trumpet (agency) "Experience this city like the locals." That was the goal of this interactive website from local experts to create 24-hour custom itineraries not found in local guidebooks.

Additional information about the competition, the largest travel-related marketing competition of its kind, attracting over 1,300 entries, can be found at www.adrianawards.com. Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL_cHuzqNDQ to view highlights of the 2008 Adrian Awards Gala.

HSMAI

HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI's Affordable Meetings(R). Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 39 chapters in the Americas Region. www.hsmai.org.