The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) recently honored Erin Ruppenthal, a Stevens Point native, at the 59th annual Adrian Awards Gala in New York.

Ruppenthal, founder of Savvy Owl Marketing & PR, a Madison-based marketing and public relations consulting company, was honored with a Silver Adrian Award for public relations excellence.

The Adrian Awards Gala is the largest and one of the most prestigious global travel marketing competition and honored Savvy Owl Marketing for its public relations efforts surrounding the launch of the new $163 million Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark in the Pocono Mountains, Pa.

“This year’s contest was one of the most competitive in history, garnering more than 1,300 entries from around the world, with entries judged by distinguished executives from all sectors of the industry,” said Fran Brasseux, HSMAI executive vice president.

Savvy Owl Marketing is a boutique agency and consulting company, founded in 2012 by Ruppenthal, one of the country’s foremost experts in launching hotels and indoor waterpark resorts.

Savvy Owl works nationally with waterparks, particularly indoor waterpark resorts, and also serves non-hospitality clients in and around Dane County in the industries of auto repair, health and wellness, family entertainment, plastic surgery, skin care and more.

“I’m honored to receive such a prestigious award,” said Ruppenthal. “As a small business owner in the Midwest, it’s particularly special to receive international recognition for my work in the competitive New York market.”

Prior to launching Savvy Owl, Ruppenthal held the roles of vice president of marketing & PR for S&L Hospitality, a hotel, resort and indoor waterpark development and management company, and director of public relations for Great Wolf Resorts.

She has lead the public relations efforts for more than 10 indoor waterpark resorts around the country. Ruppenthal serves on the marketing committee for the Madison Children’s Museum and is a member of TEMPO Madison. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where she was honored as Alumna of the Year by the Division of Communication faculty in recognition of her success and service within the communications industry.

For more information, visit www.savvyowlmarketing.com.