WINTER WAS SPENT WRITING ABOUT MY TRAVELS

Scarinish, Tiree

In the first four months of 2015 I enjoyed a publishing bonanza with my travel articles and images from the Scottish Hebrides and northern and southern Iceland  – to read them, click on "My articles" above or visit my website. On the strength of these, four more requests brightened my inbox.

Crofter's cottage

Future plans include: In mid-May, I visit Galiano Island for some photography and relaxation after a stressful six months of health challenges. After that, it's off to the Travel Media Association of Canada's 2015 conference in Peterborough, ON, followed by a river cruise to Georgian Bay with Ontario Waterway Cruises and a visit to Montebello, Quebec.

And later, my husband and I are planning a five week road trip in September to explore places we've never seen in Washington State, Oregon, and northern California.

Trekking to Solheimajökull, Iceland

All images:  © Photos by Pharos 2014. All rights reserved

SPEED-DATING FOR TRAVEL JOURNOS

The annual conference of the Travel Media Association of Canada was held in mid-June 2013 in Saskatoon. Half the members are travel journalists (media) and the others are from the travel industry who represent hotels, PR companies, tourist boards, and tour operators, etc. from around the world.

It was my first as a relatively new freelance travel writer/photographer, and as I had hoped, I learned much; some from breakout sessions, panels, etc. and a lot flowed from just talking to delegates.

The single most important reason to belong to TMAC and attend the conference is the Media Marketplace. This is speed-dating for the journalists and the industry reps and lasts two, half-days. I met about twenty-two reps for 15 minutes each and was a bit intimidated until I got the hang of it.

The whole point is to present yourself as the ideal journalist to assist their industry in getting their message out to travellers by writing about and photographing their destination so well that they are published in many markets. If the reps believe you can do the job, they'll host you to do so; and host you very well indeed on group press trips or solo trips.

I quickly learned that my focus on history and military subjects was in high demand; for example, for the 100th anniversary of WW1 and the 150th of Prince Edward Island in 2014. Just as in any writing, you have to brand yourself well and become the go-to person for industry and editors seeking your expertise.

Industry reps also want their media colleagues to be adept at social media. The platform of choice is Twitter, and media must have a reasonable following. We must tweet on the trips, follow and retweet our host's tweets to "spread the love." They also want us to take good photographs to illustrate our stories, and to offer short videos—text simply is not enough. (The attending editors confirmed that travel writers are expected to provide images and video to assist in generating revenue.)

I came away from the speed-dating section of the TMAC conference with the prospect of three solo press trips matched with assignments from magazines, print and online.  I have more in the wings, but not so immediate. I have to follow-up regularly.

For the marketplace alone, TMAC's conference was worth the registration fee, but there's more to tell ....

IMAGES: Photos by Pharos (Julie H. Ferguson) 2012. All rights reserved.

I'M NO GAMBLER, BUT ....

I'm not interested in gambling or gaming of any kind, but I stayed in a casino resort this weekend in Richmond, British Columbia. However, I would never have gone without a reason.

I spent a whole day in the conference centre at the River Rock Casino Resort learning more about travel writing at the Travel Media Association of Canada Spring pro-d day. (Seminar details soon at my Beacon Blog for Writers.) So, okay I thought, there's a first time for everything and I booked myself a room for the night with a plan to explore the property. The valet parking cost less than I expected – only $12.00 per day.

I arrived early and was astonished that the casino was busy at 8:00am. Slots were whirring and the blackjack tables were full. Each gambler had a grande coffee at hand and their faces were intent, focused. The conference centre was buzzing with activity too and separate from the casino, right on the water overlooking the Fraser River and a big marina.

Our TMAC lunch was excellent and later the reception canapes were imaginative and delicious in the Curve Bar in the lobby of the casino We sipped BC wines and networked until 5:30pm.

Check-in had been a breeze at The Hotel across the street (the casino also has a hotel) before breakfast and now I was keen to settle into my room. My bags had already been delivered. Whisking the drapes aside, I looked over the casino to the river and Vancouver International airport. The lights twinkled as the wind scattered the rain clouds.

My room was large, clean, and I had free wireless. A gift awaited me – a leather business card case and a pen. The desk had all a writer could wish for.

I ordered room service for dinner and was in for a surprise. The service was fast and helpful given that Saturday night is the busiest night of the week. I ordered lamb sliders and fries. The lamb was excellent, but the buns were stale and the fries soggy. The food during the seminar had led me to expect a higher standard.

After a wonderful, restful sleep, from my bed I could watch the planes at the end of their final approach to YVR as they flew over the casino hotel. Yes, I could hear them, but the noise was not obstrusive.  I loved having an espresso maker instead of a regular coffee pot.

Breakfast was not much better than dinner – I went to The Buffet, a huge cafe-style dining room packed with visitors. Granted, the sheer numbers of guests meant that a way to feed us all had to be devised. We lined up at various stations to load up our plates from a large selection of hot and cold dishes. As I was a senior, the cost was $14.95.

I chose Eggs Benedict which sat upon a thin piece of processed ham and about a teaspoon of package-made Hollandaise. Bacon was okay. Coffee was weak.

The view from The Buffet was gorgeous and the service cheerful and efficient. But I'd hoped for more.

IMAGES: © Photos by Pharos 2013. All rights reserved.

TRAVEL MEDIA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA

I'm proud and excited to announce that the Travel Media Association of Canada has approved my membership. It took me a while to meet their standards and requirements, but I like an organization that demands proof of professional ability and performance.

I am very grateful to the following travel editors who accepted my articles and images, and colleagues who answered questions and gave me advice in the spirit of generosity. In no particular order, they include:

• Teri Fogarty, www.europeupclose.com
• Bobbie Jo Reid, www.seniorlivingmag.com
• Devin Gadaulet, www.intheknowtraveler.com
• Jack Barker, www.travelmag.co.uk
• Irene Butler, www.globaltrekkers.ca
• John Geary, wwwbearlair.ca
• Margaret Deefholts and Jane Cassie, www.travelwriterstales.com
• Ruth Kozac, www.travelthruhistory.com

Many, many thanks to everyone for playing a part in helping me reach my goal ....