Society of American Travel Writers Honors Public Relations Members with New Awards Competition

Las Vegas – The 50th national convention of the Society of American Travel Writers was the site of the first annual Aaron D. Cushman/SATW Travel Public Relations Awards. The presentation took place at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas before an audience of 600 newspaper, magazine and broadcast travel journalists plus an assembly of public relations practitioners specializing in travel.

“SATW has long recognized excellence among travel writers and photographers,” said Milton Fullman, President. “With the establishment of this program as the premier travel public relations award in the country, public relations professionals will get the recognition they deserve.”

In keeping with the best traditions of Hollywood and television (Oscar & Emmy) awards recognition, SATW has adopted an 18 inch tall statuette molded in bronze, silver and gold which the organization’s Board of Directors has decided to name the, “Aaron”.

In its first year, the awards competition consisted of five categories and 13 award-winning entries as announced by Rose Abello, Vice President Public Relations, Holland America Line.

BEST OVERALL MARKETING CAMPAIGN

The Gold Aaron went to Virginia Sheridan, M. Silver Associates, New York for creating a major turn around for New York City’s Chinatown following the devastating post 9/11 impact on the community. The Silver award went to Danielle Courtenay of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Florida, for their “Family Spring Break” program. The Bronze award was given to Nancy Marshall Communications of Main for promotion of “Maine’s Fall Foliage” season.

BEST CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM

The Gold Aaron was given to Andrew Newman, Stuart Newman Associates (Miami) representing the Florida Keys & Key West. Newman was instrumental in organizing the successful evacuation and return of tourists to the Florida Keys following Hurricane xxx and subsequent positive publicity on the area’s recovery. The Silver award was presented to Nancy Hamilton, APR, Communications Director, Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and Wrenda Goodwyn Communications, agency of record for the Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Lee County, Florida Visitor and Convention Bureau for its hurricane recovery program.

MOST EFFECTIVE NATIONAL PUBLICITY PLACEMENT

Lou Hammond, Lou Hammond Associates, New York, won the Gold on behalf of the Bermuda Department of Tourism. Her company capitalized on the home improvement trend and combined it with the Island’s historic architecture to communicate that the Island was again open to tourism following hurricane disruption. The Silver Aaron went to Nancy Jo Friedman, Nancy Friedman Public Relations, New York for its “Ultimate Hawaii Escape” publicity on behalf of the island of Kauai. The Bronze award went to Lou Hammond Associates for work on behalf of the Turkey Culture and Tourism Office.

MOST CREATIVE WRITING OF A NEWS RELEASE

Nancy Marshall Associates won the Gold for her program, “Finding Extreme Romance In Maine” on behalf of the Main Office of Tourism. The Silver award was given to Koleen Hamblin, Koli Communications for her “Offbeat and Outback” materials promoting Monterey, CA on behalf of the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

BEST PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN

Virginia Sheridan, M. Silver Associates won the Gold for the international coverage that surrounded the launch of Cunard’s QM2 oceanliner. The Silver award was given to Nancy Friedman Public Relations for opening coverage of the Hotel Gansevoort in New York’s Meat Packing district. Virginia Sheridan, M. Silver Associates also won the Bronze award in this category for the “Zero G Experience”, the first commercial weightless flight experience.

The new award is named in honor of Aaron D. Cushman who has been a member of the Society for over 40 years and has held positions on most committees, served as Chairman of the Associates Council, served as a member of the Board of Directors, received three Presidents Plates and named a Marco Polo, which is the highest honor the Society of American Travel Writers can bestow. Cushman was elected to the College of Fellows of the Public Relations Society of America and was named the “Public Relations/Marketing Man of the Year” by the International Hotel Sales and Marketing Association in 1996.

Founded in 1955, the Society of American Travel Writers was created to raise the standards of the profession, guard the freedom to travel and encourage conservation and preservation of sites and natural wonders. The organization represents more than 1300 professional journalists, photographers and media relations professions in North America.