The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International has honored Peter Mayer’s public relations department with four prestigious Adrian Awards – three gold and one silver – for its work to promote the Louisiana State Museum’s $7.5 million hurricane exhibit, which opened in New Orleans in October 2010. Gold awards included: “PR Campaign – New Opening/Launch,” “Feature Placement Online–Consumer Media,” and “Feature Placement Print–Consumer Magazine or Newspaper.” HSMAI awarded the agency silver for its “Media Center – Online Press Room” submission. Expert hospitality, travel, tourism and media professionals reviewed the entries and were asked to evaluate each entry based on its own merit and success in achieving its objectives.

The PR efforts for the State Museum were led by PR Account Supervisor Larry Lovell and generated more than $5.5 million in exposure and 196 million impressions. Notable coverage included this article that was on the homepage of USAToday.com. During the first six months the exhibit was open, revenue and visitation increased 394 percent and 212 percent, respectively, over the same time period the previous year.