LOUISIANA WINS HSMAI ADRIAN AWARDS WITH PROMOTIONS OF LOUISIANA'S CELEBRATORY SPIRIT

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism today announced the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is recognizing Louisiana with both a 2022 Silver and Bronze Adrian Award. Each year, the Adrian Awards celebrate the best advertising, digital, PR/communications and integrated campaigns in the hospitality industry.

The Silver Adrian Award recognizes Louisiana's participation in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rose Parade in the category of Advertising – Brand Activation.

Louisiana is participating in both parades again this year. The Louisiana "Celebration Gator" featured a performance by Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. On January 2, 2023, Louisiana's "Celebration Riverboat" will host 22 representatives from around the state, including 21 Louisiana queens, in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Louisiana will also present the mid-parade performance by Lainey Wilson.

Both float designs feature all the facets of Louisiana culture from French Quarter architecture, to festivals, wildlife and of course music.

"We're very excited to receive this award for our efforts promoting Louisiana," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "We made the decision to join these iconic holiday celebrations to show the world Louisiana is ready and excited to welcome visitors to our great state, and demonstrate all the ways we can Feed Your Soul. This award helps demonstrate that we made the lasting impact that we intended."

The Bronze Adrian Award is in the category of Public Relations/Communications: Feature Placement Online: Consumer. It recognizes a Forbes article resulting from a festival-focused media tour the Louisiana Office of Tourism held in April 2022. Originally written for Forbes and titled "Never Been to Jazz Fest? Try This Road Trip for the Ultimate Louisiana Experience", the article appeared in syndication around the globe.

Participation in these national parades, as well as hosting media throughout Carnival and festival season were part of an effort by Lt. Governor Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism to promote Louisiana's unique culture, food, music and celebratory spirit that make it such a popular travel destination.

HSMAI is a global organization of sales, marketing, and revenue management 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 while operating as a leading voice for hospitality and sales.

The Adrian Awards will be presented at the Adrian Awards Celebration on February 23, 2023, in Los Angeles. To learn more about HSMAI, visit https://global.hsmai.org/.