41st Annual Retail Advertising Conference in Chicago.

This year's award was a first place in the `Department Store Single Newspaper Ad' category.

Trimingham's `Fine Jewellery' advertisement, which appeared in The Royal Gazette , was one of only four first prize awards given for 1992 in this category.

Two others went to Bloomingdale's and the other was given to Dayton Hudson's Marshall Fields.

Sponsored by the US-based Retail Advertising & Marketing Association, the RAC competition is the only awards programme in the retail industry to honour advertising in all media internationally.

This year's competition judged 1,600 entries from a total of 225 retailers and awarded only 57 first and second place awards.

Trimingham's advertising manager Ms Connie Weeks said: "Although we've received five first place and three second place RAC advertising awards over the past six years, this year's award is particularly exciting.

"The panel of 30 retail expert judges were exceptionally restrained in awarding first prizes this year and, subsequently, the retailers who received second place honours, such as Neiman Marcus, Macy's, JC Penney and The Broadway, were so impressive.

"To eclipse such retail advertising with an ad of such quiet elegance presenting classic fine jewellery is very interesting. Naturally, we are all delighted when our teamwork receives recognition.

"On a more personal note, each year that Triminghams in Bermuda is announced as the winner, the response of the 1,200 retail executive attendees of the black tie awards gala is overwhelming.

"I have always wished that I could share that experience with all of the people of Bermuda because it goes beyond the arena of achievement in advertising.

"There is a virtual explosion of recognition which indicates to me, each time, that the image of Bermuda evokes a strong positive and emotional response.'' AWARD WINNERS -- (l-r) Ms Judith McKirdy, graphic artist; Mr. Stephen Raynor, photographer-Raynor Images; Ms Andrea De Campos Guerra, graphic artist; and Ms Mary van de Weg, copywriter. Missing from the picture is Ms Karen Cabral, of The Ad Group.