July/August 2009 - Table of Contents
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| 2009 Board of Directors |
PRESIDENT:
Hélèna Katz
Media, Northwest Territories
VICE-PRESIDENT:
Judy Hammond
judy@clearcommunications.ca
CLEAR Communications, Conference Co-Chair
TREASURER:
Ted Flett
Tourism Hamilton
SECRETARY:
Irene Knight
iknight@cntower.ca
CN Tower
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Sandra Phinney
s.phinney@ns.sympatico.ca
Media, Nova Scotia Chapter Chair
INDUSTRY MEMBERSHIP CHAIR:
Liz Fleming
lizfleming@softhome.net
Media, Ontario
MEDIA MEMBERSHIP CHAIR:
Josephine Matyas
jmatyas@sympatico.ca
Media, Ontario
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Dale Dunlop
maritexp@ns.sympatico.ca
Media, Nova Scotia
CONFERENCE CO-CHAIR:
Joanne Sasvari
joannesasvari@hotmail.com
Media, B.C. Chapter Chair
DIRECTORS:
Margaret Mackenzie
margaret.mackenzie@gnb.ca
New Brunswick Tourism
Ursula Maxwell-Lewis
utravel@shaw.ca
Media, British Columbia
Jessica Harcombe Flemings
jessica@bellstar.ca
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts
Alberta Chapter Co-Chair
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New Members |
 Industry
Rebecca LeHeup-Bucknell
Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance
Toronto
rebecca@ontarioculinary.com
Patsy Duggan
Sunshine Coast Tourism
West Vancouver
patsyduggan@gmail.com
Jeannette Yetman
Destination St. John's
St. John's, NL
jyetman@destinationstjohns.com
Marie Rogers
Pan Pacific Holiday Vancouver
Vancouver
mrogers@panpacific.com
Media
Suzanne Morphet
North Saanich, BC
suzannemorphet@shaw.ca
David Lasker
Toronto
davidlasker@gmail.com
Debra M. Smith
Calgary
dsmith-ink@shaw.ca
Tess Bridgwater
Cambridge, Ont.
tessa@rogers.com
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Contributors to this issue |
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Lola Brown
Gary Crallé
Jerry Grymek
Jessica Harcombe Fleming
Hélèna Katz
Mike Keenan
Sana Keller
Josephine Matyas
Julie Ovenell-Carter
Kate Pocock
Sandra Phinney
Marty Rice
Joanne Sasvari
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| Greetings! |
This is the time of year when I wish we could stop the speed of the calendar -
perhaps make each 24-hour day stretch to 30 (or, even better, 48) hours. That
would give us all a nice little boost when it comes to writing deadlines as
well! Still, each month it has been a pleasure to read and edit these
issues of TMAC Travels. Thanks again -
keep sending in all that wonderful TMAC news. |
President's Report
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 I sometimes joke that I live in the suburbs of Fort Smith, a community of about 2,400 people in the Northwest Territories. The reality is that our house is 12 kilometres from town, on the edge of the bush. Bears and wolves have wandered through our yard, and I don't see my neighbours unless I want to. E-mail helps me stay in touch with my editors (most of whom I have never met), colleagues whose bylines I have read, industry members who have been a valuable resource, and friends from coast to coast.
But sometimes it's good to chat with people face to face. They generally open up more when they can look you in the eye and see just how much you both have in common. That's why I plan to visit some of TMAC's chapters in September. Details are still being finalized, but I will be joining the folks in Alberta and Ontario during their fall professional development programs. If I attend the B.C. chapter's September social, I will definitely need a designated drinker. Alas, I will be attending GoMedia the very same weekend the Atlantic Chapter is getting together for a fall meeting. But I hear they're plotting to have all of their media members at the next TMAC conference in Wales.
I look forward to catching up with members during my visits. Let me know what TMAC does well, what you think would make TMAC better and how you would like to contribute. Thanks to the folks who responded to my call for volunteers in the last newsletter. Your help and expertise are very much appreciated. It also makes life less lonely up here where the bears and the bison roam.
Cheers!
- Hélèna Katz, TMAC president
helena@katzcommunications.ca
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Chapter News
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BRITISH COLUMBIA - Recent event: "The Next Step," a TMAC discussion and wine tasting
Things
may seem pretty dark in the world of travel media, but the B.C. chapter's July
7th event, "The Next Step," proved that there are some flickers of light out
there as well. We started off the evening at Le Gavroche with a tasting of
Tinhorn Creek wines and gourmet nibbles before opening the floor to a lively
discussion of where we are finding success in a diminished economy and
devastated publishing industry. We shared tips about online ventures that
actually pay, described how we're using social media to market ourselves and
talked about the new skills and technologies we've learned to stay competitive.
All in all, it was a valuable, informative and hopeful evening. Many thanks to
Le Gavroche, Tinhorn Creek and Sue Alexander for hosting us, and to our generous
industry partners who donated prizes for the event.
Upcoming event:
September Social
We're still working out the details, but in September,
we plan to host a casual social with special guests national president Hélèna
Katz and representatives from Visit Wales, who can give us the latest scoop on
the 2010 Conference & AGM, March 7 to 11, in Cardiff. Dates and other
information to come.
- Joanne Sasvari, British Columbia chapter chair
joannesasvari@hotmail.com
 ALBERTA - On July 20th, Heritage Park Historical Village www.heritagepark.ca/index.htm in
Calgary will host the TMAC Alberta Chapter's monthly Mix and Mingle. Members
will have the opportunity to step back in time and discover "How the West was
Once" at Canada's largest living history museum. They will also have a chance to
hear about all of the incredible additions to the park from its recent $65
million expansion, including the recreated 1930s/1940s urban town square, The
Heritage Town Square, as well as the 1893 Canadian Pacific Railway Station,
Gasoline Alley Museum, and the Haskayne Mercantile Block, is Calgary's newest
and exclusive shopping destination for those seeking items with a heritage
flair. Alberta Members, stay tuned for your invite!
Save September 11th
and 12th to join TMAC Alberta for our annual Professional Development Weekend -
this year in the Canadian Badlands region. We
encourage you to come along for a full day of learning, and an evening of
excitement, followed by a day of fun and adventure experiences. Details coming
soon to an inbox near you later this month. - Jessica Harcombe Fleming, Alberta chapter chair
Jessicah@bellstar.ca
ONTARIO - A gala Champagne and Strawberry M&M was recently held at the Heritage Ontario Centre in Toronto, hosted by Ontario Tourism. Many wonderful prizes were awarded in a huge draw - thanks indeed to sponsors. Liz Campbell and Sherri Telenko report there are already 40 members who have RSVPd in the affirmative for the July 7th PD session at the Intercontinental Hotel on Bloor St. Chris Todd will be the keynote speaker and the session will feature tips on new media. Lynn Ogryzlo has been working hard to put together a program for the September 15th M&M in Niagara. Marty Rice indicates that London Tourism will provide the London bus for the trip and Ontario Tourism will cost-share this endeavour. Marty also reports that London is going to sponsor a travel writing contest with prizes of $1000 in four categories: Photo/Film; History/Culture; City; Environment. This will operate separately from the AGM but will be open to any media, whether or not they are TMAC members. The Ontario chapter will run a combined PD/M&M September 15, 2009 in Niagara starting at Peller Estates Winery for lunch and a tour. Afterwards, there will be a farm tour at Kurtz, Gryphon Ridge Highland involving a walk and talk through an orchard, followed by a Munch & Mingle at 6 p.m. at Southbrook Winery (in Niagara-on-the-Lake) with a return bus back to Toronto at 9 p.m. There will be an optional overnight stay at media rates, and Tourism Niagara's Betsy Foster will arrange the next full day. Note: The Niagara Culinary Trail is offering a $1000 prize for the best culinary travel story on Niagara! Stay tuned for future announcements.
ATLANTIC - We have good news and bad news. The good news is that N.B., P.E.I., N.S. and N.L. have joined together to form the Atlantic Chapter. We're excited about this and it will lead to good things for both media and industry. The bad news is that everyone is so blasted busy that they don't have time to send information to fill this space. Challenge: The Atlantic Chapter is aiming for a huge member turnout for the Wales conference. Already we have 90 per cent commitment from media and we're aiming for 100 per cent. We'll have an industry figure for the next newsletter but so far it's looking good. So we are challenging the rest of the chapters across Canada to top us! And the whales have arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador! Gillian Marx (Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism) says they're interested in meeting you. Check out the video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5QnN4Xtd4g Warning: it's hilarious. - Sandra Phinney, N.S. chapter chair s.phinney@ns.sympatico.ca |
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Conference Committee Report
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THE
WORD ON WALES IS . . . ARCHWILIO*! (* TO EXPLORE.)
Are you ready to explore a land of great natural beauty, magical history and a lyrical literary tradition? Then you'll want to sign up for TMAC's 2010 Conference & AGM in Cardiff, Wales, when registration launches only a few days from now, on July 15th.
The 2010 conference has plenty of excitement to offer delegates, starting with this year's spectacular selection of pre and post tours.
TMAC has never before been able to provide so many tours of a destination. And you'll be surprised at how much variety a country this small - only three million people in a place the size of Massachusetts - has to offer.
Thanks to the generous hospitality of Visit Wales and Visit Britain, TMACers can choose from 11 pre tours and 10 post tours throughout Wales and the U.K., ranging from a golf-and-castles tour around Monmouth to a literary tour of Edinburgh. And, for the first time ever, our industry members and members' companions can also participate in the tours (for a fee of $140 per person per day).
Note that descriptions of the trips will be posted on the website when registration opens on July 15th, but participants won't be notified which trip they're on until October. If you plan to join a pre or post tour, hold off on booking your plane tickets until then.
Also note that selections will be made on the basis of best fit, and the goal is to have a good mix of media and non-media on each trip. That means it's important to select your top three choices, just in case your first one doesn't work out.
If you're skipping the pre and post tours, you'll still get plenty of opportunity to explore the area around Cardiff during the conference itself. Delegates can take part in any of four half-day and six full-day local tours, discovering everything from Cardiff's Victorian shopping arcades and Millennium Stadium to local wineries, whisky distilleries, historic mines and the literary treasures of the famous book town Hay-on-Wye. And of course we've got great conference events planned in Cardiff, too, from the downtown "pub-around" to the feasts in magnificent Caerphilly and Cardiff castles.
Now, with all this jaunting about, you might think we won't have time for the business of the conference itself. Not at all. We're still finalizing the speakers, but we have some great professional development sessions planned, such as the panel on book publishing, the discussion on branding, or the reminder about the power of storytelling.
We're also working on expanded networking opportunities and a bigger, better media marketplace. We'll get those details to you as soon as we have them.
Best of all, we can offer all this to our members for about the same price as it would cost to attend a conference in Canada - yes, including airfare and accommodation. Thanks to Visit Wales' remarkable generosity, TMAC has been able to afford a substantial subsidy for media members. Add in hotel discounts, Air Canada's 25 per cent fare reduction and all the other assistance from our partners, and that makes this a can't-miss event.
So don't forget: registration for the 2010 Conference & AGM begins July 15th. Visit www.travelmedia.ca for more details. And keep reading TMAC Travels for the latest Word on Wales.
- Joanne Sasvari, TMAC conference committee co-chair
joannesasvari@hotmail.com
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Member News
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NEW CLIENT- Martha Chapman is pleased to announce that her company, Tourism Marketing International, has just been awarded the Canadian public relations contract for the Globus family of brands. Founded over 80 years ago, the company now comprises: escorted tour divisions Globus and Cosmos, Monograms (for independent travellers) and Avalon Waterways cruises, as well as numerous tourism and aviation businesses. Over 500,000 travellers each year chose a Globus holiday, travelling on a choice of 400 itineraries on six continents. Find out more at www.globusandcosmos.ca; contact Martha at mchapman@tourismmarketing.ca, 416-614-2845.
SOUND AND LIGHT - Corryn Morrissey (Tourism Charlottetown & The Prince Edward Island Convention Partnership) and her crew have just launched the P.E.I. Sound & Light Show titled "Celebrate the Canadian Dream -Voices from the Island." It runs daily from now to October 4th at 9:30 p.m. Set to music and narration, the show tells the story of Confederation and Prince Edward Island's role in Canadian history. It rocks!
CROSS COUNTRY, RV STYLE - Julie V. Watson (P.E.I. media member) is currently on a four-month cross-country RVing trip gathering material for both her ongoing websites for motorcyclists and seniors, and for a book for seniors seeking soft adventure and an affordable travelling lifestyle. Check out her new book Motorcycle Touring of Prince Edward Island . . . Your Guide to Tip-to-Tip Adventure at www.seacroftpei.com.
MEDIA MEMBER DISCOUNTS - Barcelo Hotels & Resorts would like to extend an exclusive offer to TMAC media members and their guests until December 31, 2009: discounts for personal vacation stays at the hotelier's more than 180 properties worldwide. These discounted rates will vary throughout the year but could be as high as 40%. There are no strings attached: no mandatory site inspections, calls from PR professionals or story or clip requirements. We're sure journalists will want to share the Barcelo experience with their readers.
To gain access to these special rates, TMAC media members can simply contact Ypartnership's Barcelo point person, Claire Kunzman at Claire.Kunzman@ypartnership.com, to obtain a personally assigned username and password that will grant them access to an exclusive, journalists-only site.
Once the TMAC member receives his or her designated username and password, the member can login to the Professional Users section of the http://www.barcelo.com Web site, found in the upper right-hand corner of the home page. The TMAC member will then be prompted to enter the assigned username and password and must click the Aceptar icon to complete the sign-in process.
The journalist can search for any of Barcelo's hotels by continent, country, destination, lodging category, hotel name and/or rate. The user must also select arrival and departure dates as well as number of requested rooms.
The site will then propose a variety of offers. Once the TMAC member finds the best rate, he or she must click Confirm Selection to move onto the next section. To finalize the reservation, the member must review the reservation request. The site will then walk the user through the reservation data and ask for contact and payment information before confirming the stay. If a TMAC member has any questions when making their reservation, they can contact Barcelo's help desk at 1-800-BARCELO.
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To Market, To Market
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NEW COLUMN EXPLORING MARKETS
by TMAC media member, Lola Brown
Lola Brown searches high and low for new travel markets. They are elusive, but they do exist! Check out her monthly column and start pitching.
I'm in a pitching frenzy right now after spending a fantastic month all over the place (from Montreal to Lapland and then B.C. all in one month), and as always trying to find new markets since I've come home with thousands of ideas! Here are four markets worth checking out:
Saltscapes
This is TMAC member Sandra Phinney's favourite market and she has the following tips to share: "This is not a travel publication. It's a lifestyle magazine that features narrative stories about communities and people in Atlantic Canada. I think we sometimes overlook regional lifestyle or business publications because they are not classified as a travel publication or don't have travel sections, but with some creativity it's often easy to find a good fit. I did a story on Cape Breton music and dance that won an award (Atlantic Journalism Awards) and the same piece won a CTC Northern Lights award for the photography (done by a team from the U.S. who accompanied me.) Result? Saltscapes accepted our pitch to do feature stories in all four Atlantic provinces over the next two years." Pay is .50 a word and photos range from $35 up to $200. Photo essays can also be pitched. These are different from feature stories and they prefer the same author/photographer. Short word count, (500-700) but lots of photos. Fee for a photo essay is $2,000. The same publisher puts out Saltscapes Travel Guide once a year, a.k.a Coastal Discovery. (Same content, different cover.) Pay is .40 word and extra for photos. These are clearly destination/travel pieces and range from 600 to 1200 words. Website is: www.saltscapes.com and editor is Heather White, hwhite@saltscapes.com.
Western Living
This rather classy magazine covers Western Canada and uses travel service pieces on emerging destinations, neighbourhoods and lifestyle stuff (which run between 600 and 900 words) as well as longer travel features focused on the Western U.S. and Canada (including Hawaii). Rates are $1 a word, editor is Charlene Rooke and the magazine website is www.westernlivingmagazine.com. There are lots of great travel articles posted online to browse through and give you a good idea of the kind of stories they assign.
Eating Well
Travel features in Eating Well are in-depth and accompanied by recipes. You need to have more than just a little knowledge about a country's cuisine. Eating Well wants you to have spent time in the kitchens, markets and lives of people in that region. For example, in the September 2008 story, "A taste of Morocco," the writer has a personal connection with the country that carries the narrative and depicts her as a true insider. Pay is up to $1.50 per word and the editorial e-mail address is editor@eatingwell.com; there are bios for all the editors on the site (as well as numerous examples of previously published travel features).
Yoga Journal
If yoga floats your boat and you've been somewhere unique or amazing to practice this pursuit, then this could be the perfect magazine to write for. The travel section covers yoga retreats, vacations and adventure travel around the world. Features run up to a whopping 3500 words, and pay up to $2,000. Website is www.yogajournal.com, editor is Kathryn Arnold and e-mail is queries@yogajournal.com.
Got tips to share? Please forward them to me at: lola@lolaaugustine.com.
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Press Trip 101
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WORDS OF WISDOM FROM INDUSTRY
This past January, the Ontario Chapter's PD Session focused on press trips. The question, as posed to a panel of media and industry members, (moderated by Mark Stevens) was: what makes or breaks a press trip?
Thanks to the note taking diligence of Kate Pocock and Gary Crallé, we are able to pass along the evening's many words of wisdom. There's so much great material from the session that we've divided it up into three sections - this month we'll present comments by two industry members on the panel. There's more to come in our next issue (media members' comments) and in the final of this three-part series (more from industry). Great stuff here folks . . . so pay close attention!
Panel member, Jerry Grymek, Account Manager, LMA Communications Inc.:
There are no answers, only questions. Every press trip is different. When planning a press trip, whether it's to the sunny warmth and Spice Island scents of Grenada or to New York's Hotel Pennsylvania - The Word's Most Popular Hotel®, it all comes down to organization and communication.
Organization:
- Organize and send as much information as possible
- Plan out your dates: high times (busy) and low times (more availability).
- Start with how many members you can accommodate, whom you want to invite: if you have like-minded media, plan a themed press trip. If not, then organize a general one touching on different aspects.
- Next, who do you want to invite: send out invites to key contacts you know or want to invite (the worst they can say is no). Then filter down to your key number.
- Invitation: how will you get it to them? Snail mail, e-mail or carrier pigeon?
- Follow up to confirm interest and availability.
Communication:
- Letter of assignment? A touchy subject for some. Generally, these are good to have - the client needs them as a guarantee, although we understand these are hard to get for some writers. However, it doesn't need to be so formal as much as a note to say that you are indeed planning to write on the expected topic. Obviously we understand if publications go under or other unforeseen things arise. After a one-time letter of assignment and a resulting story, you're good to go again.
- At least show some credentials and potential story features.
- Find out the writers' interests/likes/dislikes. Very important so that everyone is more excited about the trip and both parties understand what to expect from each other.
- Send information - this applies to both writers and agencies: island info, itinerary options, weather info, what to wear, images. Everything and anything.
- Help media members with their research.
- Maintain Contact: should be regular up until the flight.
- Confirm everything is still good and that both parties are ready.
Don't:
- Change things at the last minute because you don't like something or you want something different (emergency aside, of course).
- Lie! For example, a journalist who brought his "photographer" girlfriend while his wife was at home.
- Ignore the itinerary.
- Fear that you won't fit in with others.
- Worry (it doesn't help).
Do:
- Be prepared. Anything can happen.
- Ask frequent questions and give information. Media: let us know what you want to cover and what story right from the beginning and we'll accommodate you as best we can.
- Let us know of any important info (allergies, medical).
- Setup backup plans.
- Have fun - you're planning a press trip, not a root canal.
- Keep in touch.
It's all about organization and communication. Cheers!
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Panel member, Sana Keller, Representative for Virginia Tourism Corporation, Virginia Beach CVB, Dallas CVB (Western Canada) and Tropical Incentives DMC (Mexico):
Posted below is a greeting card sent by a tourism department to travel writers. I wanted to laugh, but then I didn't. It was good, yet it was sooo bad. When I saw this, I wondered, "Have I lost my sense of humour?"
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WHINE COUNTRY!
It was funny. I did laugh, but then I got to thinking about it. Is this what the media believe we PR people think about them? As an industry member, it's a bad idea to do this.
From an industry perspective, you need to put a lot of thought into the trip and think of how best to use the client's budget, satisfy the needs of the media, go that extra mile and host a memorable press trip.
First things first: call it a press trip, not a FAM. A "press trip," brings journalists to destinations and properties, not only to familiarize them with each, but to garner publicity for both. This is in contrast to FAM trips, familiarization trips catering to tour operators or travel agents.
Press trips that work:
Hosting a press trip is one of the most cost-effective ways of getting the word out about your destination, travel company, association or attraction. But the exercise is futile unless the right journalists are invited and they leave the trip happy and excited about getting home and filing a variety of stories about what they've just experienced. Small details make or break a press trip.
Let's face it: the average traveller will rarely clip a travel advertisement from a magazine or newspaper, but he or she may keep that travel article or interesting photograph in the hopes of planning a trip there.
Some statistics have stated that the average vacationer is seven times more likely to visit a destination after reading a convincing travel article than he/she would be from seeing an advertisement for the same place. Travel editorial is valuable - and lasting.
The 4 P's:
- Planning: target journalists who will do the most good for your destination or property. Choose journalists based on credibility and industry goals.
- Pitching: give story ideas to the media. Make sure that your story ideas for each journalist being invited on the trip are different, cater to their niches and that there are no overlaps in stories or publications. Pitch differing angles and publications.
- Persisting: follow up with e-mails or phone calls to media members seven days before the trip and three days before the trip.
- Position: make media members remember you for the things you want to be remembered for, like being a great host or for a memorable press trip, e.g., climbing Mount Kenya, meeting, interviewing Emeril Lagasse and having him cook dinner for the group, Chincoteague pony swim in Virginia.
Deciding who to invite: I have a list of media/publications and their niches, and usually go through my list to see who I want to target to meet my client's objectives. Then I highlight which publications I would like to see coverage in, and then approach the journalist or editor with a pitch letter. If I do not personally know the journalist I am inviting, I get to know the editorial needs of publications or television shows, call them and request media kits and editorial calendars. Get references to determine their credibility!
Familiarize yourself with the publications in which you would like to get coverage: Who are the editors? What freelancers contribute frequently? Be mindful of the policies of the publications. Some do not allow writers to accept complimentary anything. They avoid quid pro quo, favours, etc.
Assignment letters: I personally believe that they are not necessary anymore so I do not insist on a letter. However, I do ask the journalist being invited if they have a confirmed assignment or if a definite interest has been garnered from an editor. For freelance journalists whom I do not know well, who cannot supply a confirmed assignment letter, I ask to see clips and examples of previous work. I need to know what the focus of the story is and when and where it will appear along with a description of the outlet, circulation numbers and audience figures. We can always tailor a journalist's trip to fit. If no assignment letter, then look for a level of interest from the journalist.
Note: If you know your media before the trip, it is a good idea to make sure that you do not have any clashing personalities on the trip. This can make or break a good press trip.
Timing of press trip: Make sure that you are hosting a journalist at the best possible time of year. You would never want to host a press trip to Kenya in the middle of the rainy season just because your costs are lower!
Itinerary: Host should communicate with the hotel, restaurant or attraction in advance and let them know how much time they have allotted at their venue. We have all been to those places where the venue host is not interesting and the tour is not only long and boring but there is no story to be found there. As a host, avoid this in advance by communicating.
If a journalist needs to do something else that could produce a story angle, let them know in advance that they should be open to coming to you ahead of time and you will do whatever it takes to try and accommodate their request (within reason).
Leave enough free time for media to explore on their own. This is often the time that stories unfold! DON'T PACK THEIR DAILY SCHEDULE WITH NO FREE TIME OR RUSH THEM THROUGHOUT THE DAY AT AN UNREASONABLE PACE. Recognize that photographers need the right time for the right photo.
Go out of your way to find local, interesting people whom the media can interview. This makes for a great story. For example, Kuki Gallman in Kenya/ the Italian who was raised by the Masai/ the first person to hire Duke Ellington/ the 100-year-old man who can give you unique first person stories from the past/ or find a Chicago Greeter for a journalist to interview.
Send the itinerary a week prior to travel so that media have time to prepare. Include dress code and the probable weather at the destination and let media know who else is on the trip.
If you have outdoor activities (i.e. snorkelling, whitewater rafting, camel rides, etc.), make sure that your attending journalists are capable of doing the activity before scheduling this on your itinerary. Thinking ahead can save you embarrassment and misfortune.
A good host will provide all contact information to the journalist prior to departing on the press trip (i.e. hotel/venue/attraction contact, address and telephone numbers).
Food on press trips: Be sensitive to the fact that media don't necessarily make a lot of money so if there are extra costs that the journalist is expected to pay out-of-pocket, be sure to let them know in advance.
Ask journalists attending the press trip if they have any allergies. Many meals on press trips are pre-set and knowing in advance can avoid any embarrassment or mishaps.
No surprises! Advise journalists exactly what is complimentary from the tourist board or host so they know beforehand what to expect (e.g. mini-bar and incidentals in hotel rooms are usually at the personal cost of the media).
Post press trip: Try to send a handwritten note to thank media for attending (the art of handwriting seems forgotten in a world filled with technology). As a host, this sets you apart from the pack.
Levels of success: Show us what you do best. Ask the journalist(s) to furnish you with clips of the published article, video, or audio program that they produced. We love to see ourselves through the eyes of the world. Don't be afraid to e-mail or call the journalist three, six or nine months down the road to see if his or her story was published.
Thank you: Once the story has run, thank the journalist for writing the story. Share with them what you liked about the article.
Have patience: Positive press is a valuable tool, but sometimes it's not always instantaneous. Controlling the timing and placement of media coverage may be out of your control. But the old adage, better late than never, does apply in this situation.
For media . . . what not to do on a press trip:
Don't ask for room upgrades without the knowledge of the host.
Don't overindulge just because the drinks/food are complimentary.
Don't assume that because your host is "nice" you can make a pass at him/her, perform a "gag" or take advantage of a situation.
Don't miss an appointment on your schedule without advising your host or calling the venue/contact person on your itinerary in advance. If you are not going to make it, have a credible reason. "I was tired" or "I didn't feel like it" are not valid reasons.
If you have a complaint, call your host first. You owe this courtesy to them.
Thank you - class dismissed!
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| TMAC Travels - Newsletter Submission Guidelines |
Submissions should fit into one of the following categories:
MEDIA MEMBER NEWS
Professional news about you: books published, awards won, new markets obtained, positions attained, requests for travel-related information (story-specific requests ONLY), contact/profile information updates/changes.
Social notices about you: weddings, babies, non-industry awards and so on (at the editor's discretion and with a 50-word limit; these must be things directly connected to the member).
NOT allowed: requests for comps (airfare, accommodation, tickets, etc.), assignment requests, promotion of stories already written.
INDUSTRY MEMBER NEWS
Professional news about you/your company: announcement ONLY of new products, new clients, travel-related info requests, contact/profile updates/changes.
Social notices: as per Media, above.
NOT allowed: press releases, promotion of anything beyond new products, new clients or awards. (For information on distributing electronic press releases to all media members for a fee of $75, please contact TO Corp at info@travelmedia.ca).
The newsletter also seeks chapter news and info on press trips (short descriptions with dates, rough itineraries, requirements - e.g. assignment letter) as well as tips, news and updates submitted by members.
Items must be sent, with "TMAC TRAVELS" in the subject line, to Jo Matyas at jmatyas@sympatico.ca. Items may be edited for length, grammar or clarity. The newsletter will be delivered to members by e-mail by the middle of every month. Material should be sent by the 1st of each month unless the editor gives prior approval (*please note the change to the deadline for submissions). | |
