Can't wait to see you at the TMAC annual conference May 2 to 5, 2012, in beautiful Fredericton, New Brunswick! If you haven't registered yet, you can do so through www.travelmedia.ca or directly at www.travelmediaevents.ca.



Note that the early bird deadline has been extended to Jan. 31, which means media members still have time to register and take advantage of the following:

• Early bird registration fees

• Maximum choice for pre- and post-tours

• The ability to register for the Media Member TMAC Conference Travel Grant

We're excited to announce that Tourism New Brunswick has just made a generous $10,000 donation to TMAC's new Media Travel Grant program. Our sincerest thanks go to everyone at Tourism New Brunswick for their thoughtful and timely support of this important new program.



The Media Travel Grant is a new initiative aimed at encouraging media attendance (which in turn encourages higher industry attendance) and TMAC is dedicated to developing a sustainable program. Conference registration fees for industry members were raised by $150 this year to create a pool of money from which we could draw, and we expected donations to be modest in this, the program's first year. Now, thanks to Tourism New Brunswick's generosity, we have much more money than expected to help get our media members to the conference, so be sure to apply when you register for the conference.

In other 2012 conference news, Fredericton Tourism will be offering participating media registrants of the 2012 TMAC Conference a number of "writeable-moments." Never before offered by a host city, Fredericton Tourism will provide special newsworthy opportunities (each only available to a very limited number of media) to unique and interesting story ideas with specialized experts. The "writeable-moments" will be listed on a special Facebook page (www.facebook.com/2012TMAC).



And what if you're not seeing anything within the "writeable-moments" that fits your needs? No problem! Fredericton Tourism will also offer media registrants the opportunity to receive one-on-one leads and story ideas tailored to your particular area of interest. Please email Stacey.russell@fredericton.ca for more information. 

Also, pre- and post-tour assignments should be finalized and communicated to media members shortly.



And sponsorship opportunities at the 2012 conference are still available for industry members - check online at http://www.travelmediaevents.ca/exhibitors/spons_op.asp. 



The conference committee has also been busy finalizing details with our 2013 conference host and, after reviewing bids from prospective 2014 hosts, will conduct site visits in late January 2012.

- Jantine Van Kregten, conference committee chair  

jvankregten@ottawatourism.com   

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Michael DeFreitas won silver and bronze in this year's SATW Bill Muster Photo Showcase Competition.

TMAC Caribbean Tourism Organization winners (Photo credit: Kate Pocock)

There was a very strong showing from TMAC members on the podium at the Caribbean Tourism Organization's annual awards, held Dec. 8 in Toronto. Congratulations go out to Theresa Storm who won for Best Photograph in Conjunction with a Feature Article, Diane Slawych who won for Best Online Article, and Mark Stevens who took home two awards for Best Feature Article in a Consumer Newspaper and Best International Feature.

Jan Napier will be displaying fine art photography in an exhibition entitled NewPoints: First Impressions at ViewPoint Gallery, Halifax's first and only photography gallery. Several of Jan's photographs from Greece, France, Florida and home sweet home will be featured. The exhibition runs from Jan. 5 to 29.   

 

Sandra and John Nowlan just landed their first British assignment - World of Cruising Magazine assigned them a story about a South America itinerary they are taking in February (Santiago, Chile to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). As well, Cunard Line commissioned them to write an article about the Halifax Public Gardens for its 2012 in-suite magazine.

 

Sandra Phinney completed the revision (second edition) of Michelin Guide to Atlantic Canada, sold some photos to the publication and wrote some new content about the BVI for Michelin's Caribbean guide. She's also been accepted in the Canadian Writers Group, a literary agency that represents freelance writers.

  

Westin Nova Scotian has completely rebuilt the Executive Crown Suite to include a living room / pre-meeting area, and executive guestroom. This offers customers an opportunity to utilize an amazing boardroom overlooking Halifax Harbour.

by Hans Tammemagi

TMAC media member Hans Tammemagi shows how to donated needed supplies to poverty-stricken areas when visiting.

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By Liz Campbell

Liz Campbell summarizes the session Google for journalists presented by Andrew Swartz, from Google Canada's public relations and communications team, that explains all the ways Google can work for journalists.



Please click here to read the article.  

by Sandra Phinney

Sandra Phinney gives some tips on how to plan for individual press trips.



Please click here to read the article.