Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1515188
6 B M & T ••• January/February 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com I N T H E N E W S VISIT TAMPA BAY TRIUMPHS IN TRAVEL MARKETING COMPETITION, EARNS FIVE PRESTIGIOUS ADRIAN AWARDS INCLUDING GOLD PRESIDENTS AWARD Visit Tampa Bay is proud to announce its attainment of five prestigious Adrian Awards, distinguishing itself in a pool of more than 800 entries. This extraordinary achievement will be spotlighted at the upcoming Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) annual Adrian Awards ceremony in New York on February 13, 2024. Aligned with this year's theme of WanderLOVE, the win- ning campaigns and projects showcase Visit Tampa Bay's com- mitment to capturing the hearts of travelers while highlighting its inclusive, welcoming vibe. The accolades include the groundbreaking High Impact Hulu partnership (Gold Presidents Award), the touching Tampa to Tampa campaign (Silver), the Meet My Abuela series (Silver), the All Are Welcome campaign (Silver) and the Arts in Tampa Bay proj- ect (Bronze). These campaigns set new industry standards, and resonate deeply with audiences, fostering a genuine love for travel and Tampa with each unique campaign. "The recognition of Visit Tampa Bay with five Adrian Awards is a testament to our unwavering dedication to excel- lence in travel marketing," said Santiago C. Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "We are honored to receive these awards and proud to stand out among the industry's best. It is a true reflection of our commit- ment to collaboration, innova- tion, inclusivity, and creating experiences that resonate with travelers on a deep level." Now in its 67th year, HSMAI's Adrian Awards are renowned as the pinnacle of global travel marketing competi- tions. The 2023 awards cover advertising, digital, PR/commu- nications, and integrated campaign categories, along with trending categories for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). "The Adrian Awards celebrate the innovation and ingenu- ity that fuel our success and recognize the marketing leaders whose extraordinary efforts literally 'open the doors' to explo- ration and excitement," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, President and CEO of HSMAI. "Visit Tampa Bay's work has inspired the world to get out and create memories through travel, and HSMAI is proud to honor them." The continued recognition of Visit Tampa Bay's achieve- ments reflects its commitment to innovation and leadership within the dynamic and competitive field of travel marketing. The organization remains dedicated to pushing boundaries and contributing to the evolution of destination promotion. ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY The heart of Florida's Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventure with a relaxing vibe to cre- ate vacation experiences that are authentically Tampa Bay. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits. For more information, g toe www.visittampabay.com. TRAVELABILITY AND DESTINATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORMS PARTNERSHIP TO MAKE TRAVEL MORE ACCESSIBLE…BECAUSE EVERYBODY NEEDS A VACATION In celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, TravelAbility, the leading conference and media company dedicated to making travel easier and more enjoy- able for people with disabilities and the aging population, has partnered with Destinations International, the world's largest and most reliable resource for destination organizations and tourism boards, to help them scale accessibility and inclusion in the travel industry. The partnership will provide Destinations International's 700+ members with access to TravelAbility's expertise, net- work, and content on how to create more welcoming destina- tions for people with different abilities. TravelAbility will also advise Destinations International on prospective speakers and assistive technology entrepreneurs who can showcase their solutions for improving accessibility in the travel indus- try at their InnovateAble pitch event. In addition, Destinations International will market The Accessibility Playbook, a comprehensive guide for destina- tions and travel businesses to improve their accessibility and inclusion initiatives for travelers with disabilities. The Playbook contains over 100 videos, power point decks, and a series of "TravelAbility Trusted" innovations, amenities, and third-party assessment providers that can help them scale accessibility by sharing it with their industry partners. "TravelAbility is thrilled to partner with Destinations International to advance the cause of accessibility in the trav- el industry. This is a win-win sit- uation for both organizations and for the millions of travelers who can benefit from more accessible and inclusive travel experiences," said Jake Stein- man, founder and CEO of TravelAbility. "What excites me