The deadline to enter the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Adrian Awards has been extended by one week, with the final date for submission now on Friday, Sept. 23, 2005. Entries received after the original due date of Friday, Sept. 16, 2005 will be subject to a $15 late fee, which will be donated to the American Red Cross to benefit those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. HSMAI Gulf Coast Chapter members will not be subject to late fees.

We intended to keep firm to the original deadline, but made this decision out of courtesy to members and the industry at large who have spent the last weeks reacting to the devastating events that have so impacted our industry, said Melanie Penoyar, director of development and awards competition, HSMAI.

The 49th Annual Adrian Awards, a program of HSMAI, is a worldwide competition honoring the very best in advertising, public relations and web marketing. All entries should be submitted online at Adrian Awards` website.

This prestigious program makes up the largest travel-related marketing competition of its kind, embracing every segment of the industry, including: hotels, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, destinations, credit card companies, and more. Last year`s competition attracted over 1,500 entries from 46 countries.

Winners will be showcased on Jan. 30, 2006 at the New York Marriot Marquis during the 16th Annual Adrian Awards Gala, a multifaceted, black-tie networking extravaganza celebrating award-winning work, lifetime achievement, and the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing.

In addition to late fees donated to the American Red Cross, earmarked for 2005 Hurricane Relief, HSMAI previously announced it will conduct fundraisers at all 13 events taking place between September and December. HSMAI will match all contributions up to $25,000.