Hilton UK’s David Black has been named Young Marketer of the Year 2006 by the Hotel Marketing Association.

Black, director of leisure marketing for Hilton in the UK, fought off strong competition to receive the inaugural accolade at a ceremony at London’s Savoy Hotel, earlier today.

Pamela Carvell, chairman of the HMA, said: "It is great for the industry to be able to recognise young talent like David Black, he has been closely involved in some very innovative hotel leisure marketing campaigns and his marketing achievements would stand out in any industry".

Red Carnation Hotels was awarded Best Marketing Activity on a Small Budget, Premier Travel Inn won the Best Hotel Brochure category, and Hilton International took Best Fully Integrated Marketing Campaign.

Intercontinental Hotels Group picked up the top award in the Best Leisure Marketing Activity for its Holiday Inn ‘Open Season,’ promotion, with the Best Use of Technology in Marketing award going to Best Western.

By Catherine Bennion-Pedley

The Hotel marketing Association launches Young Marketer award>>