Given that pretty well every person who attended the TMAC Conference in Cape Breton was a travel professional, it's probably the world's worst-kept secret that we'd be expecting a heaping helping of hospitality.



The folks at Destination Cape Breton, led by Mary Tulle, TMAC board member, CEO and conference committee member par excellence, delivered whole-heartedly, not just serving up a delicious, delectable conference from Wednesday, June 22 to Saturday, June 25, but also offering a menu of excursions to media members before and after.



Think cold-water surf lessons, kayaking, hiking, sailing, golfing, fly-fishing, biking, lobster boils on the beach and beer and whiskey tastings. Think "lessons in history" - from stays at Louisbourg (a whole bunch of Parks Canada activities took place thanks to a partnership with Guy Theriault and his colleagues) to visits to a historic highland village.



"We based these trips on research we've done about the 10 reasons people come to Cape Breton," says Tulle. "And then we sent Randy Brooks out to make it all happen."



Tour ambassadors - musicians, retired teachers, business owners - shared their time and expertise, while chauffeurs, volunteers with the Celtic Colours Drivers' Association, got everyone everywhere on time, before, during and after.



"Something like 80 volunteers came forward," says Tulle. "But I'd be remiss if I didn't especially thank Ross Hunter, who really ran logistics," she adds.



With an influx of close to 200 conference delegates, logistics were key. People had to get to where they wanted to get to, they had to be fed, they had to be entertained, they had to be offered glimpses of Cape Breton, they had to experience a little Maritime hospitality.



Destination Cape Breton's success in each of these areas was a matter of consultation and careful planning both on island and in partnership with conference committee co-chairs Melody Wren and Jerry Grymek.



"We started planning this more than a year ago," says Tulle.



The end result?



Evenings that will be remembered forever, offerings that proved Cape Breton as one of the most hospitable of destinations.



Think Men of the Deeps in live performance, a songwriters' circle comprised of Gordie Simpson, Bruce Guthro and J.P. Cormier. Think a closing ceremony program (held on First Nations land), featuring M.C. Lyndon MacIntyre, suitably introduced by First Nations drummers and singers.



Remember how we stomped our feet to Natalie MacMaster and her husband Donnell Leahy, playing some of the world's fastest fiddles in the shadow of the world's biggest fiddle? Remember some of those evocative string stylings of Margie and Dawn Beaton?



Remember lobster dinners under the stars, starting with the appetizers and ending with the fireworks at Louisbourg?



But it wasn't all fun and games. A full slate of professional development sessions ranged from how to get a book published to how to start a blog, from how to stage and survive a press trip to how to use social media to market your product (ask Mary about the "Trump Bump.")



Even so, fun - and collegiality - still Trumped (sorry, couldn't resist!) most other activities except for, perhaps, the media marketplace (travel media's answer to speed-dating) and those essential annual general meeting elements like the big meeting itself, the awards presentations, roundtable discussions.



Perhaps one of the island's most famous residents, Alexander Graham Bell, summed it up best.



When asked about this maritime outpost, he shared the fact that he'd travelled the world, having visited any number of other places.



"But for simple beauty," he reportedly added, "Cape Breton rivals them all."



Ditto for hospitality.



- Mark Stevens, mark@thewriteman.ca

(Editor's note: While no longer a board member, Grant Fraser has graciously agreed to continue on as the board-appointed treasurer for TMAC.)

Based on the financial information I received from TO Corp, here is my Treasurer's report for the period ending June 30, 2016:

 

As of June 30, 2016, TMAC revenues were $264,076. This figure is comprised of membership revenue ($96,722), conference revenue ($154,495), other revenue ($12,859) and travel subsidy/grant fund ($0).

 

Compared to the same period last year, revenues are down $47,479 ($311,555 June 2015). Membership revenue is down $10,273 from last year. Conference revenue saw the biggest decrease, down $18,127 from 2015.  

 

Total expenses were $110,788 compared to $138,436 for the same period in 2015. Total expenses are comprised of administrative expenses ($85,537), conference expenses ($8,915) and travel subsidy/grant fund ($16,336).

 

The conference expense figure is understated as all 2016 conference costs have not been accounted for. I will provide an updated conference expense figure in my next report. To date, management fees account for the largest amount of administrative expenses ($46,327). 

 

Net income for the period is down year-over-year. As of June 30, 2016, net income was $153,288 vs. $173,119. This figure will change as we near our year-end in December.

Total assets for the period are up for the period. $295,788 as of June 30, 2016 vs. $238,780 a year ago. This increase is primarily due to a higher investment balance of $71,116 vs. $0 as of June 30, 2015. This is a new high-interest, zero risk savings account which was opened earlier this year. 

 

Should you have any questions regarding TMAC's financial position please contact me at the email or telephone number below. 

 

- Grant Fraser, National Treasurer

Travel Media Association of Canada

(905) 844-7666