Registration for the 2014 conference in Pittsburgh launched in early December. Media members should register and pay by the early bird deadline (Jan. 31, 2014) to be eligible for the travel grant! Remember to submit your requests for pre- and post-tours too, but DO NOT book your transportation until you receive confirmation (by Feb. 28 at the latest).



Industry members should note that there are several sponsorship opportunities (many of them customizable) that might work for your needs - simply fill out the online sponsorship form at www.travelmediaevents.ca, or send an email to tmac-industry@travelmediaevents.ca for more details.



NEW: Chartered bus possibility! TMAC and Visit Pittsburgh are investigating the interest in chartering a TMAC bus to travel from Toronto to Pittsburgh on Wed. May 28 and from Pittsburgh to Toronto on Sun. June 1. The cost is $50 CAN each way and the ride is approximately five hours. 

When registering for the conference, both media and industry members can indicate if they would be interested in one-way or return transportation by bus. Based on our members' responses, we'll confirm if the bus is a go by Feb. 28 at the latest. Media members who plan to participate in a pre-tour would have to make other arrangements to arrive in Pittsburgh in advance (and those who participate in a post-tour would have to make their own arrangements to travel home from Pittsburgh). 

The TMAC year-end was December 31st - the following report is based on the unaudited year-end financial information provided by TOCS. 

For the year ending December 31, 2013, TMAC's total assets were $111,893 vs. $128,810 a year ago. This decrease is primarily due to lower investment balances ($55,545 vs. $84,825).

Total TMAC revenues were $224,666. This figure is comprised of membership revenue ($86,622), conference revenue ($114,574) and other revenue ($23,469). Compared to the same period last year, revenues were down $23,582 or 9.5% ($248,248 as of December 31, 2012). Total revenues were down in all three revenue categories.

Total expenses were $251,805 compared to $249,738 for the same period in 2012. Total expenses are comprised of administrative expenses ($159,314) and conference expenses ($92,491). Management fees account for the largest amount of administrative expenses ($102,718) and venue (conference location) accounts for the largest conference expense ($49,200) followed by website expenses (3-Way Street) of $26,401. Despite an increase of $26,108 or 39.3% in conference expenses from 2012 ($92,491 vs. $66,383), total administrative expenses decreased by $24,041 or 13.1%. ($159,314 vs. $183,355). For this reason, total expenses have remained relatively unchanged for 2013. 

TMAC's Net Loss was considerably larger in 2013 compared to 2012. As of December 31, 2013, TMAC's net loss was $27,138 compared to a loss of $1,490 a year ago. 

gfraser@golf-management.org

TMAC Awards is our annual recognition of the best stories and photographs produced by our members. Each winner receives a certificate and a cheque for $1,000, plus is eligible for travel assistance to the 2015 TMAC Conference & AGM with a value of up to $500. 

Last day to submit your entry for 2013 TMAC Awards is Friday, January 31, 2014. For more information and to submit your entry click here.

ONTARIO - The Ontario board would like to thank the Kawartha Northumberland Region for hosting a very pioneering Munch & Mingle at the Centre for Social Innovation Annex on Bathurst Street in September. A farmers' market was set up to show off the many diverse interests, activities, foods and beverages the Kawartha Northumberland region has to offer. Exhibitors included: Cricklewood; Crosswind Farms; Empire Cheese & Butter Co-op; Franklin Farm Herbals and Market; P&H Farms; Marche 59; Traynor Farms; Willow Grove Farms; Little Pie Shack; Laveanne; Salem Alpacas; The Publican House Brewery and Kawartha Country Wines, all of whom put a great deal of time and effort into creating their individual displays. After 20 years as a professional chef across Canada, the Caribbean, the U.S. and Central America, chef Brian Henry showcased his culinary creativity with a selection of farm-to-table hors d'oeuvres to top off the evening.The Ontario Board would like to thank the Colorado Tourism Office who hosted the Munch & Mingle on Nov. 26, 2013 at The Drake Hotel. With more than 60 attendees and guests, the teams of Klint + Associates Inc. (KAI), Bannikin and, of course, the Colorado Tourism Office should be congratulated on a great evening. Although the weather did not behave quite right that night, The Drake Hotel's Sky Yard - transformed into the city's warmest après-ski lounge, Shack Chaud, complete with communal fire pit, vintage wool blankets, tented benches and the fresh scent of cedar - provided the perfect venue to show off everything that Colorado has to offer.

For more information and to book a Munch & Mingle, please contact Munch & Mingle liaison, Jerry Grymek (jerry@lma.ca).

We are continuing to investigate ideas for professional development and are making this our number one focus in 2014. We are delighted to announce that we are working closely with Magazines Canada to enable TMAC members to access its many online webinars (at a special TMAC rate). We are also putting together a bundled price for Magnet - Canada's Magazine Conference (http://magnet.magazinescanada.ca/). More details will be sent out in January to all TMAC members.

If you have any ideas re: professional development workshops, please email them directly to professional development coordinator, Tracy Ford @ tracy.ford@eatonhotels.com as soon as possible.

Over the past two months, seven new members have joined TMAC Ontario. Please welcome: Andrew Dobson, Waheeda Harris, Daniel MacKinnon, Tara Nolan, Miriam Porter, Chris Robinson and Alyssa Schwartz and make sure to introduce yourself at an upcoming Munch & Mingle.

At any time, feel free to contact me with any comments or suggestions @ elizabeth@thewitcorporation.ca or call me at 416-258-9948.

I look forward to seeing you all at the Munch & Mingle in January.

- Elizabeth A. Kerr, media member and Ontario chapter co-chair

elizabeth@thewitcorporation.ca

ATLANTIC - No report this month.

- Lola Augustine Brown, Atlantic chapter chair

 lola@lolaaugustine.com