As usual, you weren't shy in telling us what you liked and didn't like about this year's conference. That's great, because we use your feedback, positive and negative, as a tool for planning future conferences. So thanks to all who came to Pittsburgh and took the time to fill out this year's post-conference survey.

About 54 per cent of those who responded are industry members and 46 per cent are media members. We were pleased to hear that almost 23 per cent of you rated the overall conference experience as excellent, 60 per cent thought it was great, almost 16 per cent called it good and just 1.4 per cent rated it as only fair. One respondent commented: "A good mix of learning and networking with chances to have fun together." Just what we were aiming for!

The media marketplace and networking in general were overwhelmingly the most popular reasons for attending the conference, with professional development, tours (pre-, post- and local) and interest in the host city lagging behind. Even so, about 80 per cent of you rated Pittsburgh, our conference location, as either great or excellent. And about 65 per cent thought the same way about the length of the conference.

More than 90 per cent of you thought the conference registration fees were good, great or excellent. One comment: "I found the price to be very affordable - I'm in another professional association and their conference fee is almost four times the price, which means I can't necessarily attend every year."

We were pleased to hear that about 70 per cent of respondents ranked the media marketplace as great or excellent, with another 25 per cent calling it good and only 5.6 per cent giving it a fair rating.

You were a bit more critical of the professional development sessions - about 31 per cent of you said they were great or excellent, and 55 per cent called them fair or good. A couple of comments: "Not many people showed up, but I still thought the panel did a great job and shared useful info." And there was this: "I didn't feel that many of these options were really geared for industry, and the few that were covered topics that we have addressed in the past." Okay, we hear you.

We also got the message that the PD roundtables should have been better organized. "I thought that the roundtable leaders were very good but the overall execution was poor," one person said. Another added: "If the session were better organized or if the format were better understood by participants, the session length would have been sufficient. As it was, time was wasted determining where to go next and what the topic was to be discussed."

Most of you liked the opening reception at the Fairmont Pittsburgh and the closing reception at the Heinz History Center. You weren't as keen on the casual welcome reception at the Wyndham Grand. One person said: "A bit lacklustre, lacking info with poor food options, though staff were friendly and helpful." And a few people mentioned that the band at the closing reception was too loud to allow people to talk and network.

And the majority of you liked the local tours - 86 per cent rated them good, great or excellent. Your dine-around experience was more varied: About 55 per cent of you said the experience was excellent or very good, 22 per cent said it was good and about 22.5 per cent said it was "disappointing" or "very disappointing." To give you an idea of the range in responses, one person said: "An incredible, delectable meal served impeccably." Another said: "It's a chain, it's a steak house, I'm a food writer. Enuff said."

Both pre-tours and post-tours for media got high marks - between 75 and 80 per cent of participants in both rated them "great" or "excellent." One remark seemed to sum up the majority of experiences: "Superb tour and great hosts!"

We asked you about what you'd do to improve the media marketplace and you had quite a few ideas. Several people wanted a break mid-way through each morning session for hydration and (ahem) dealing with the side effects of hydration. Most of you loved the two half-day sessions and the open marketplace, which we introduced at the Saskatoon conference and continued in Pittsburgh. But several industry members shared this sentiment: "Get more media to attend. We need more meetings and there aren't enough media." And we'll pass this along to our staff representatives: "Additional shoulder massages by Tina and Olga, the hardest-working ladies in show biz."

About 57 per cent of you rated your accommodations as very good or excellent, although the Wyndham Grand did lose some points for small standard rooms, patchy internet service and high phone charges.

We asked you what speaker or professional development topic you'd like to see at a future conference and you gave us these ideas for topics, among others: "Better use of social media to enhance our travel experiences." "E-books." "More on the transition from traditional print to the web and implications for writers." "More topics specifically geared to industry." "More on photography." And there were two very specific suggestions for speakers: Chris Hadfield and Rick Mercer. Hey, Chris and Rick, how do you feel about Peterborough?

Finally, we solicited your suggestions on improving the conference experience. Those included having more free time to explore the host city, a "reverse marketplace" where the media sits behind tables and industry circulates, more innovative PD sessions, new ways to spur networking, more sessions on blogging and social media, and making the travel grant more flexible.

Your ideas on where to hold future conferences were incredibly varied, from Fiji to Fort Myers and Banff to B.C.  But we're thrilled that more than 71 per cent of you said "yes, absolutely!" to the question about whether you plan to attend the 2015 conference in Peterborough. See you there!   

- Joanne Blain  

Voyageurs from Peterborough and the Kawarthas at the Pittsburgh conference. Left to right, Guy Theriault (Parks Canada), Lori Waldbrook (Ontario Parks), Susan Quinlan (Peterborough Tourism), Anne Marshall (TMAC Ontario Co-Chair), Kelly Jessup (Peterborough Tourism), Fiona Dawson (Peterborough Tourism).

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ONTARIO - As I step down as chair of the Ontario chapter, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 2013-14 board for their hard work and commitment over the last year: Anne Marshall, my charming co-chair, who will be officially taking over as chair for the 2014-15 term; the talented Igor Kravtchenko; the dedicated Tracy Ford; the ever-enthusiastic Jerry Grymek; the loyal Ron Brown; and the creative Kimberly Hartley, all of whom I am delighted to say have volunteered to continue to serve under Anne's leadership. I'd also like to thank May Givens and Jose Ridoutt Pilar, both of whom retired from the board earlier this year. 

As well, I'd like to welcome Steve Gillick to the board for the 2014-15 term. That leaves us with only one opening for a media member to ensure equal representation from both media and industry.  We all know that the strength, continued growth and evolution of an association such as TMAC can be largely attributed to its volunteers, so I would encourage you to consider joining so you can benefit from a great learning experience and a gratifying position. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Anne Marshall at  aem@elmhirst.com.

The new board will be meeting in late summer to determine roles and responsibilities for the upcoming year, which will be announced at the first Munch & Mingle event in September as well as in an upcoming edition of TMAC Travels.

Munch & Mingle Update

On Tuesday, June 17, Visit Florida hosted a wonderful Munch & Mingle at The Drake Hotel, where several Florida partners showcased their destinations to attendees. Thank you, Visit Florida, for an evening of "liquid sunshine," fabulous Floridian-focused hors d'oeuvres at a great venue.

We invite you all to attend our next Munch & Mingle, an all-day adventure hosted by Grey County on Tuesday, July 22! It is open to all media and industry TMAC members who would like to experience adventure, excitement and good food.   Experience what makes Grey County fun during the summer, including feeling the rush at Walter's Falls, exploring the longest foot bridge in Ontario at Scenic Caves, visiting Georgian Hills Vineyards and enjoying lunch along Georgian Bay.  RSVP to tmac.mandm@yahoo.ca before Friday, July 15. Space is limited. 

Mark your calendar for our upcoming Munch & Mingles. These include:  September 23, 2014: Eaton Chelsea 

November 25, 2014: Visit California  

December 9, 2014: TMAC Ontario Holiday Cheers Event

Please note some dates and hosts to be confirmed. Watch for details in your inbox and future editions of TMAC Travels. 

Professional Development Update

The Ontario board has designated October as PD month and is busy planning the details. To help facilitate this process, a survey will be sent to all members in early July. Please have your say and help make October's PD session a resounding success.

A Reminder Re: New Member Incentive Program

Invite a member to join TMAC this year for your chance to win! All those who introduce one member will be entered into a draw to win a $50 Visa card. All those who introduce two or more members will be entered into a draw to win a $100 Visa card. The person who recruits the most members will receive a $200 Visa card.

It was my absolute pleasure to serve as Ontario's chair for this past year, but I am truly looking forward to my new role on the national board as vice-president, media.



 - Elizabeth A. Kerr, national vice-president, media and past Ontario chapter co-chair

elizabeth@thewitcorporation.ca

ATLANTIC - At the Atlantic chapter meeting held May 31 at TMAC's annual conference in Pittsburgh, members elected the following officers for the coming year: Chair, Pamela Wamback; Secretary, Alison Aiton; Treasurer, Jan Napier. 

The chapter held a combined meeting and press trip from June 26 to 28 in Edmundston, New Brunswick. What a journey! We discovered a little-known part of Atlantic Canada with lots of story potential. Over the course of two days, we attended a hoppin' and boppin' blues and jazz festival taking place behind our hotel; had a tour of the New Brunswick Botanic Garden (highlighted by lunch in the herb house which included New Brunswick's famous fricot and buckwheat ployes rolled up with butter, brown sugar or molasses) and were mesmerized by Kronos, a contemporary stone circle in which Earth, humans and space come together. We also visited the Antique Automobile Museum and had a delightful guided tour of the Railroad Interpretation Centre.

On our last evening together, we had a special presentation of the upcoming World Acadian Congress which is taking place in the region this August. Two attendees stayed an extra day to have a guided paddle down the Green River. We now have plenty of reasons to go back!

In this coming year, the Atlantic chapter will be focusing on growing our chapter and professional development.

- Pamela Wamback, Atlantic chapter chair

wambackp@gov.ns.ca