VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The Meridian Group's "Arrival 2002" public relations campaign for Norfolk International Airport received the hospitality industry's highest honor when it won the coveted Edward L. Bernays Award for marketing excellence from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The award is presented to the one outstanding entry deemed the standard of excellence in the Golden Bell Public Relations Awards Competition held Jan. 28 in New York City.

"The Meridian Group's public relations division is honored to be recognized as a global leader in the hospitality and travel industries," said Lynn Polizos, director of public relations for The Meridian Group. "This award is a credit to Norfolk Airport Authority's commitment to producing a strategically driven communications program and reflective of our team's dedication to producing exceptional results for our client partners."

"Arrival 2002" heralded the completion of Norfolk International's much anticipated, state-of-the-art arrivals terminal and long-term parking garage.

The accolade adds to the Bronze Merit, Gold and Platinum Golden Bell awards received this year for the "Arrival 2002" campaign. The Meridian Group was also honored with six Gold, 10 Silver Merit and nine Bronze Adrian Awards for advertising excellence. Accounts recognized include:

• Virginia Zoological Society, Norfolk, Va. - 1 Gold; 2 Bronze
• Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk, Va. - 1 Gold; 1 Bronze
• The Jefferson, Richmond, Va. - 1 Gold; 2 Silver
• PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. - 1 Bronze
• Park Central Hotel, New York, N.Y. - 1 Gold; 1 Silver
• Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, Va. - 1 Gold, 2 Silver; 1 Bronze
• Kingston Plantation, Myrtle Beach, S.C. - 1 Bronze
• Kiawah Island Resorts, Kiawah Island, S.C. - 1 Gold, 2 Silver; 1 Bronze
• Chesapeake Bay Wine Classic, Virginia Beach, Va. - 1 Silver
• The Sanderling, Duck, N.C. - 1 Bronze
• Washington Terrace Hotel, Washington, D.C. - 1 Silver; 1 Bronze
• Norfolk Marriott Hotel, Norfolk, Va. - 1 Silver

  HSMAI received more than 1,500 entries from 42 countries for the Adrian Advertising, Golden Bell Public Relations, and Golden Click Web Awards which showcase the very best of hospitality and travel advertising, marketing materials, public relations and website design. The competition began 45 years ago and recognizes "Best of Show" winners in each of the three categories, as well as Platinum for most outstanding, and Gold, Silver Merit and Bronze Merit recipients.

About The Meridian Group
The Meridian Group-Marketing Communications, one of the fastest growing agencies in the mid-Atlantic region headquartered in Virginia Beach, Va., specializes in consumer and business-to-business accounts in the financial services, travel and tourism, multi-outlet retail, real estate and industrial/corporate sectors. Providing comprehensive marketing solutions to over sixty clients in North America and the Caribbean, the agency operates under "The Why? Philosophy," an exclusive six-step process designed to uncover the core issues of most communications problems. The Meridian Group is a member of TAAN (Transworld Advertising Agency Network). For more information, go to www.themeridiangroup.com, or www.tmg3.com.