CONTACT:       
Andrew J. Groveman
Belz Enterprises
901/260-7278

HOSPITALITY SALES AND
MARKETING ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
2001 Memphis Chinese Cultural Festival
SILVER MERIT WINNER

Peabody Place Museum / W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park / Memphis Zoo


MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 20, 2002 – A local Chinese Festival event receives first ever Silver Merit award from Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The 12th annual award dinner in New York pitted the best in travel and hospitality advertising, public relations and Web marketing, recognizing a year of marketing excellence.

The 2001 Memphis Chinese Cultural Festival was held June 16-17, 2001 and sponsored by Peabody Place Museum, W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park, and the Memphis Zoo. Walker & Associates Inc. of Memphis provided the advertising, marketing and public relations support of the inaugural two-day event. The Festival received exceptional local coverage both in print and from the electronic media.

The annual HSMAI awards are the largest travel-related competition of its kind in the world. The contest began 45 years ago and this year more than 1,500 entries were received from 46 countries around the world. Winners consisted of a "Best of Show" in each of the three categories, as well as Platinum for most outstanding, and Gold, Silver Merit and Bronze Merit recipients.

Debbie Naioti representing the Memphis Zoo accepted the Silver Merit award for the participants. Jane Malton with the Peabody Place Museum and Cindy Crill representing the W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park were also designated recipients.

The 2002 Memphis Chinese Cultural Festival is scheduled for July 27th-28th to coincide with the opening of the new CHINA exhibit at the Memphis Zoo.

The 12th annual dinner was emceed by Tom Bergeron, host of television's Hollywood Squares and America's Funniest Home Videos. The event was held Jan. 29, 2002 at the Marriott Marquis in New York and attended by hospitality, travel and tourism officials from around the world.

Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprised of over 5,000 members from 35 countries and 60 chapters worldwide. With headquarters in Washington D.C., HSMAI is the leading organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. HSMAI has become the industry leader in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry while operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and sales and marketing management disciplines.

Peabody Place Museum is located at 119 S. Main St. on the Concourse Level, offering a unique opportunity for family outings, featuring a parade of Chinese art including jade horses, malachite elephants, cloisonné tigers, and lacquer birds. Jade dragon ships, intricate ivory carvings in addition to pre-historic fossils, mineral specimens, and scholar rocks, are also on display. Museum hours are Tues.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. Noon to 5 p.m. Admission: Adults $5, seniors $4.50, and students $4. Special group rates call (901) 260-7419. For additional information call (901) 523-ARTS (2787) or see http://www.belz.com.

W.C. Handy Performing Arts Park includes an open-air forum for public performances located at 200 Beale Street. Memphis Zoo is located at 2000 Prentiss Place (formerly Galloway) near Overton Park. The Zoo is scheduled to open its newest exhibit this summer - CHINA – which will feature authentic architecture, breathtaking gardens and native animals. For additional information call (901) 276-WILD, or log-on at: http://www.memphiszoo.org