FAQs

For 2026, we’ve updated our competition categories to better reflect today’s marketing landscape.

Channel Designations

Many Adrian Awards categories are designated by marketing channels to recognize excellence in specific areas of execution. When entering, select the channel designation that best reflects how the campaign or asset was delivered to its intended audience.

Owned

Marketing delivered through channels that are owned or controlled by your organization. Examples include websites, email marketing, mobile apps, blogs, social media accounts, loyalty program communications, printed collateral, and other proprietary marketing channels.

Earned

Marketing exposure gained through third-party recognition or engagement rather than paid placement. Examples include media coverage, public relations, influencer collaborations without paid sponsorship, organic social engagement, user-generated content, reviews, and word-of-mouth.

Paid

Marketing supported through paid media or sponsored placement. Examples include paid search, digital display, social advertising, broadcast advertising, connected TV (CTV), streaming, print advertising, sponsorships, native advertising, influencer partnerships with paid compensation, and other paid promotional channels.

Multi-Channel/Integrated Marketing

Marketing initiatives that strategically integrate two or more owned, earned, and/or paid channels as part of a cohesive campaign. Entries should demonstrate how the coordinated use of multiple channels contributed to achieving campaign objectives and measurable results.

Channel Selection: Some campaigns may include elements across multiple channel types. Enter the category that best represents the campaign’s primary execution. Campaigns that intentionally integrate multiple owned, earned, and paid channels should be entered in Multi-Channel categories where available.

Brand Partnerships: Collaborative marketing initiatives between two or more brands, organizations, or destinations are eligible in the category that best reflects the campaign’s primary objective or execution. Partnership campaigns are encouraged and may be entered in campaign, strategy, or execution categories as appropriate.

2026 Call for Entries is July 15.  Final closing September 15, 2026.

The competition is open to all travel-related industries. Work completed after January 1, 2025, through the date of entry, 2026 is eligible for entry. Entries submitted in prior years may be resubmitted if the results of the campaign have changed significantly, or if additional elements have been added to the piece or program after January 1, 2026.

All entries are submitted online. Each entry must include a completed communications statement. Supporting materials can be uploaded in a variety of electronic formats. To avoid entry problems, review file format and size requirements in advance.

Entries may be submitted by travel industry organizations, advertising, digital marketing agencies, public relations/communications firms, or any other type of communications professional on behalf of their clients. Both client and agency are acknowledged in the awarding process. Award winners may be asked to submit additional materials such as high-resolution media to be displayed at the Awards Celebration.

Approximately 200 industry experts are invited to serve as members of the Adrian Awards judging academy. Judges are advertising, public relations/communications, media, and digital professionals, along with leading members of the travel community. Entries are evaluated in five equally weighted categories: Marketing Objectives, Creativity, Quality, Content, and Results. Each entry is judged on its own merit and success in achieving its objectives as outlined in the entry’s communication statement. Multiple judges score each entry. Points are then added cumulatively, and an average score is determined. All tabulation is done by officials of HSMAI and kept confidential. Judging for Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards is completed online.

There is no limit to the number of entries one can submit.

Visit our online Adrian Awards platform.
Then begin by “Creating an Account”  with username and password. Once you have saved your profile form you can begin entering your entry data.

You will be able to see the details of your account/profile by viewing the information on the left or by clicking on MY ACCOUNT at the top right.

Once you have SAVED your profile information and clicked on START APPLICATION,  you will be taken to the NEW APPLICATION (entry page) to enter the details of your submission.

The Adrian Awards judging academy will examine the Statement of Communication and supporting materials provided with each entry. In the Statement of Communication, you will be asked to provide information in different areas based on the category you select.

Enter your answers in the online submittal form. When preparing your documentation, keep in mind that you are limited to 2,000 characters per category text box, and yes, spaces count as characters. A minimum quantity of supporting media must be uploaded.

Yes, each category has a minimum and maximum quantity of uploads and media files are subject to size limitations.

Below are upload specifications for a variety of media. Only the types in the information below may be uploaded. Please test your media by previewing after upload

Links and URL’s (links should remain active through March 2026, max 250 MB per file).

Graphic: PDF, GIF, JPEG/JPG

Film/Video/Multimedia:
Accepted file formats: .mpeg, .mpg, wmv, .mp4
Recommended pixel size: 1920 x 1080
Files should not exceed 25MB

Audio: AVI, WAV, MP3, AIFF

Awards will be given for Best of Best Airline Campaign, Best Attraction Campaign, Best Cruise Campaign, Best DMO Campaign, Best Hotel or Resort Campaign, Best OTA Campaign, Best Restaurant/Dining Campaign, Best Short-Term Rental Campaign.

In addition Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will given. Each Gold Award recipient will be considered for Platinum awards, and Platinums will be considered for Best of Show

Budget Ranges: Paid Media, Owned Media, Earned Media

Small: $0 – $25,000
Medium: $26,000 – $500,000
Large: $501,000 – Above

Budget Ranges: Multi-Channel/Integrated Marketing

Small: $0 – $100,000
Medium: $101,000 – $750,000
Large: $751,000 – Above

The cost to enter is a flat rate of $330.  There is no early or late pricing.

Entrants can opt to pay online by credit card or check. Completed entries will not be moved to the judging phase until payment is received.

For check payment details, including mailing address and payment details, please contact Mandie Hart at mandie.hart@hsmai.org or 703-506-2025.