July 7, 2001 – The Advertising Club of the Virgin Islands will host the annual ADVI Awards presentation at its 20th anniversary gala on Saturday, July 21, at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Resort.
It's the local advertising profession's equivalent of the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys and the Pulitzer Prize all rolled into one. Judging of this year's entries has already taken place, and the very few who know the off-island judges' decisions are sworn to secrecy.
Because this year's ADVI event also marks the organization's 20th year, the club will be "celebrating two decades of diligence, determination and daring," its president, Norita Lee, said, and it has decided to do so with some "glitz at the Ritz ."
Club founders and charter members will be the focus of a special tribute, with some surprise guests putting in an appearance electronically, "thanks to technology that wasn't available when the club was founded," Lee said.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails and a display of the 2001 ADVI entries, with dinner to follow an hour later. Radio talk-show host and newscaster Sam Topp and vocalist/guitarist Janet Reiter will share master-of-ceremonies duties. There will be live music, champagne and an anniversary cake.
The ADVI Awards program was established in 1982 to recognize locally produced advertising work which demonstrates excellence in creative planning and professional execution. Open to all V.I. Ad Club members, the competition attracts hundreds of entries annually in numerous print, radio, television, online and other media categories.
The annual awards represent "one of the greatest tributes in any field of endeavor — the recognition of superior performance by one's peers," Lee said.
The gala is open to the public. Tickets are $85. Reservations may be made by faxing to 774-8372 or e-mailing to terri@mlbcreative.com.
