If you're not on the TMAC listserv, you've missed some lively discussions of late. Most have focused on the question of honouring TMAC founders, lifetime memberships and the establishment of a senior category. These exchanges are healthy, even if you might not agree with what is being said. TMAC thrives when its membership are engaged participants, so a sincere thank you to all who posted and emailed their opinions on these issues. At future board meetings, they will be discussed.

Based on the 2010 survey TMAC conducted, it's clear that the membership is split. Some feel strongly that senior members should be welcomed whether they are active producers of travel content or not, in recognition of their contributions over the years. Some are vehement that TMAC is a professional association, not a social club, and only those who meet our membership criteria should be eligible.

I'm not going to sit on the fence here. I do not support the establishment of a senior category or lifetime memberships. I believe that industry members are not interested in putting resources toward non-producers. Why would they? Their priority is to network with journalists who can place stories in media outlets on the business/destination they represent.

And just to be clear, industry members are the ones that take on a bigger financial burden than media ones. For their money, they expect results. And, I've been told by some, that they would leave TMAC if we allowed non-producers into our ranks. TMAC would not survive without industry members. Let's be realistic about that.

As a media member myself, this makes sense to me. TMAC is focused on meeting the needs of travel professionals. When the day comes that I am no longer creating travel content, I won't qualify for membership. This is something I accept as a means of ensuring the organization stays strong and current. Media is always changing and I don't suspect that my experiences as an editor in 2007 will be relevant 15 years from now. Even down the road when I'm an ex-president, I don't expect for a minute that I will be entitled to automatic membership.

I have to wonder, if someone is no longer producing travel content, why he or she would want to belong to an association comprised of travel professionals. If it's just to socialize, that is not a good enough reason. Why would someone want to go to the conference or go on pre- or post-trips? The bigger question is why we as an association would have a non-producer take a spot that could be given to a producing member? Our resources - financial and human - are finite.

At some point, every one will depart TMAC, hopefully with more knowledge, new friends and a slew of great experiences for having participated. I'm not going to take it personally, feel discarded or disrespected. I'll make a graceful exit and say, "Thanks for the memories."

The decision about whether to establish a senior category or grant lifetime memberships is not up to me. It's up to all TMAC board members. If a change of bylaws is required, then it's put to a general vote at the AGM. You can voice your opinion on issues through your chapter chair (if you have one) who votes on matters at board meetings, or through any member of the board.

m.sponagle@sympatico.ca

Year-end reports are not yet ready. No news for this issue, but there will be an update in a future issue.

Enter for your chance to win $1,000 prize money in the 2012 TMAC Awards! You still have time to enter this year's TMAC Awards, but you'd better hurry. The Jan. 31 deadline is fast approaching.

Each winner receives a TMAC certificate and a cheque for $1,000, plus is eligible for travel assistance to the 2014 TMAC Conference & AGM with a value of up to $500.

This year, for the first time, a honourable mention certificate will also be awarded for all categories. As always, you may enter as many stories or photographs in as many categories as you like. Please note that, while your first three (3) entries are still complimentary, there will be a $10 fee for every subsequent entry to cover administration costs. Please see the entry form for a full list of available awards, rules and criteria.

The awards will be presented at the closing gala of the TMAC Conference & AGM in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, on Sat. June 15, 2013. It's the grandest bash of the year for our members. Be there!

Ready to get started? Head over to www.travelmedia.ca and submit your entry before the Jan. 31 deadline!

Knock, knock! That's opportunity knocking. There are still award categories available to industry sponsors.

Industry Members,

Excellence in travel writing and photography deserves to be recognized and celebrated. You can help get the word out that quality matters by sponsoring a TMAC Award. There are still some categories that are open to sponsors, so here's your chance to share the spotlight with a winner.

You'll be rewarded by having access to the podium as an award's presenter at the closing gala (June 15th) for the 2013 TMAC AGM/Conference in Saskatoon. Exposure beyond the podium includes having your organization's name and logo in the awards booklet, membership handbook, annual Report, and on travelmedia.ca. You'll also have a chance for additional media exposure through the press release issued after the awards are handed out.

You will receive some of the best visibility at the conference and show that your support for excellence in travel content.

Open categories available for the 2012 TMAC Awards include:

• Best Cultural/Historical Feature
• Best Environment/Responsible Tourism Feature
• Best Family Feature
• Best Food/Drink Feature
• Best Service Feature
• Best Evocation of a Place Photo
• Best People Photo

For more information, please contact Kyra Savolainen at info@travelmedia.ca or at 416-934-0599 ext. 313.

We thank the following TMAC Industry Members that have already confirmed their support as 2012 TMAC Award sponsors:

BRITISH COLUMBIA - No news to report.

ALBERTA - An early winter cold snap just made it all the more cosy inside at TMAC's Nov. 27 Munch & Mingle hosted by the Calgary Zoo and industry member Trish Exton-Parder.  Twenty toasty TMAC'ers enjoyed tasty appetizers and cheery red crantinis while the colourful displays of Zoolights 2012 twinkled just outside the glass walls of the conservatory. Several of our intrepid photographers braved the cold to capture some stunning photos in the clear dark night and, as an early holiday gift, Trish provided passes so that members could return with their families. Many thanks to Trish and to Hala Dehais, our impeccable M&M organizer, for a fabulous festive event.

Our Alberta board member roster continues to grow with Megan Kopp, media member, joining us as PD organizer. Our social media expert, Seema Dhawan, will be sending out a survey to our members to determine our next PD location scheduled for spring 2013, now that the world has not ended. Susan Mate has been on the trail of new members and diligently reminded the rest of us to return our renewal information before the deadline.

Thanks to Deb Cummings for contacting Suzanne Trudel of AMPA, Alberta Magazine Publishers Association. Through their efforts, Alberta TMAC members will be able to attend the AMPA conference on March 14, 2013 at the Carriage House Inn in Calgary at the AMPA members' rate. Registration opens Jan. 22. Check their website at www.albertamagazines.com for  more information. Thank you AMPA!

- Debra Smith, Alberta chapter co-chair

dmsmith.ink@gmail.com

ONTARIO - First, I'd like to wish all of the members a Happy New Year!

Secondly, the Ontario board would like to thank all the members who attended our December Holiday M&M Party, hosted by the board. The support and gift donations given by our members helped to get the holiday season off to a great start. We have to thank the King Edward Hotel, Tourism London and the Myrtle Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for sponsoring the event.

Looking ahead, we have already booked a number of exciting M&M events for the year, with only March, April and June left. If you or someone you know is interested in hosting a Munch & Mingle to promote your destination or attraction, please email tmac.mandm@yahoo.ca as soon as possible. We also hope to also book another unique PD Session for interested members.

- Jerry Grymek, Ontario chapter chair

 jerry@lma.ca

ATLANTIC -  We anticipate a great turnout of both media and industry for our chapter meeting in Halifax Feb. 28/ March 1. This is a joint partnership with Destination Halifax and the Restaurant Association of Nova Scotia. The purpose of this gathering is two-fold. First, media and industry will have a chance to explore issues in the travel industry and do some serious networking as we expect members from all four provinces to attend. Second, the focus of the activities will center on the annual Savour Food & Wine Festival. We are aiming to get two to three dozen stories "out there" for our industry partners and to forge long-term partnerships.

- Sandra Phinney, Atlantic chapter chair

s.phinney@ns.sympatico.ca

This is an official reminder to all TMAC members that they must update their profiles on travelmedia.ca by March 29, 2013 in order to ensure that their listing in the 2013 Handbook is accurate. After that date, changes to listings will only be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that any changes made to your profile on travelmediaevents.ca are not automatically reflected elsewhere.

Handbook profiles are pulled from the travelmedia.ca database only.