FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
The holiday season is upon us, a time for celebration and a time for reflection.
We do hope all our members are able to take time to celebrate any successes they've enjoyed this past and share those...and more importantly perhaps, spend time with their family and friends, as another year winds down.
As we reflect back, we can also look forward to new successes in the new year - and new decade! - as we enter into a new "Roaring 20's" era.
Remember, if you have anything you want to contribute to future newsletters, check the guidelines at the end of the issue and be sure to email your material to me.
Happy Holidays to all our members!
John Geary,
TMAC Travels
editor
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1. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
2. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
3. SAVE THE DATES: 2020 TMAC CONFERENCE & AGM
4. NATIONAL PD PROGRAM UPDATE
5. CHAPTER REPORTS
6. MEMBER NEWS: MEDIA
7. MEMBER NEWS: INDUSTRY
8. CONTRIBUTORS
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1. PRESIDENT'S REPORT
As John has noted, not only is the year coming to an end, but the decade as well and what a decade it has been for TMAC. Over th
e past ten years, we have completely changed almost everything about the organization including its governance structure, its management method and most importantly, its membership qualifications.
As TMAC enters 2020, the membership is younger and more diverse than ever, representing a wide spectrum of travel media platforms. In turn, our industry partners now represent every province in Canada, many American states and a large number of international destinations. Together we have held our annual conferences from coast to coast in Canada, in the United States and Great Britain where the lasting professional relationships and friendships have been formed that are the raison d'etre of our organization.
I honestly believe that TMAC is more of a large extended family than just another not-for-profit fighting for a good cause. TMAC has never been in better financial shape and I look forward to working with a truly dedicated and talented board to make 2020 the best year ever. You can do your part by volunteering and attending the 2020 conference in Sudbury.
Finally, I want to extend my sincere condolences to the family of Habeeb Salloum who passed away recently. He was a valuable and loved member of TMAC and I will miss the chats and advice I received from him at many conferences.
Dale Dunlop, president
daledunlop25@gmail.com
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2. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
KEY DATES
November: The re-qualification
process began in early November. Re-qualification is required for all TMAC members whose last names start with L-Z who were members prior to December 31, 2017.
December: Notifications for renewals were sent out December 9, 2019. Note that Chapter funding will be estimated based on the number of members in good standing as at February 29, 2020.
January: TMAC 2019 Awards Competition will open in early January. The Awards Committee is finalizing the categories, the 2019 Award Judging Panel, and the scoring system. All the details will provided at time of launch.
February: Registration for the
2020 TMAC Conference & AGM in Sudbury will open in early February.
TMAC TO LAUNCH PDF VERSION OF MEMBER DIRECTORY IN Q1
We have been working on an online directory of our membership which will be available as a PDF early in 2020.
Prior to publication, you will have the opportunity to review EXACTLY how your profile will appear in the directory by accessing a PRINT tab on your profile. You may update the content and review a proof and approve up until one week prior to the actual publication date.
The directory will be updated quarterly once launched. Print versions will be available on request.
It is more important than ever to get your online profiles created and/or updated before we go to print.
You can access instructions here:
FOR INDUSTRY
FOR MEDIA
EDITORIAL DIRECTORY IS NOW LIVE
Laura Byrne Paquet and Jane Finn have worked hard to get the first version of TMAC's online editorial directory now available online here:
You can also access it under the MEMBERSHIP tab under RESOURCES.
For those who are willing, there will be an online form to add to the directory by all members willing to share a contact here:
EVENT CALENDAR
Members and non-members are now able to add an event to the TMAC calendar. If you know of an upcoming event or awards competition you feel would be of interest to members, please complete the
SUBMIT AN EVENT form under EVENTS.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & SUGGESTIONS
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, all are warmly welcomed. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask.
Elizabeth Kerr
, executive director
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3. SAVE THE DATES * TUESDAY, JUNE 9 - FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020
TMAC's 2020 Conference Committee is already hard a work to make 2020 the most memorable TMAC conference ever. Our host, Tourism Sudbury, led by Shawna Cole and Johanna Gatien are busy making plans to offer you a variety of new and exciting pre-tours, local tours and evening events. Rumour has it, a highly competitive Porketta tournament may be included!
The Conference Committee, led by Co-chairs Guy Thériault and Suzie Loiselle, has assembled an enthusiastic 2020 team. Both Liz Fleming and Jamie Ross are remaining on the committee and, this year we welcome Paul Knowles, Kimberly Hartley, and Deirdre Hopkins. We would like to thank all of those who have offered to participate via both the 2019 Conference Survey and the National PD Survey and will be reachi
ng out to you all in the new year when roles and responsibilities have been determined to ask for your help.
The 2020 Conference Sponsorship Package is now available
HERE. Please contact Jerry Grymek with any questions and to discuss a potential sponsorship opportunity. Sponsorships start at $1,000 and we are happy to customize a sponsorship to suit any budget and message.
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4. NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Who wants to learn? That's right, TMAC has begun to build a National Professional Development program and we need your input! We currently have two surveys out for members to fill out. One specifically for our media members and one for our industry members.
We aim to produce relevant and engaging webinar opportunities for you to participate in and to do that we need your input. These nationally available PD sessions will be open to all members across the country and are meant to support the already ongoing PD work done at the chapter level and at our annual conference.
Have your say and help make TMAC the place to learn. We currently have received 112 responses out of our 300+ members so please take the survey if you haven't already.
We are also looking for volunteers to sit on the national PD committee. If you are interested, please email
marc@marcmytravels.com
.
Marc Smith,
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5. CHAPTER NEWS
ATLANTIC CHAPTER
We would like to welcome our newest members,
Ayngelina Brogan
,
Stan Posner
and
Sandra Posner-Phillips
to our chapter. Ayngelina, Stan and Sandra represent already dedicated TMAC members who have chosen to attach themselves to the Atlantic chapter. We'd like to invite any further members who either live in a region with no chapter (Quebec!) or who are at large in the world, to join our little group.
Other than a few casual meet ups, we haven't had a formal meeting since the AGM, but we look forward to some great events in 2020.
Helen Earley
For the Atlantic chapter board
ONTARIO CHAPTER
It's been a productive and entertaining time for the Ontario chapter.
Thanks go out to Brantford Tourism for an outstanding job hosting the M&M road trip. Everyone who attended had a marvelous time and we are thankful to all those who worked diligently to make the event successful.
We also want to thank Ottawa Tourism for hosting the holiday M&M on December 3. Future M&M events we can look forward to in 2020 will include one hosted by Tokyo Tourism in February. Stay tuned for more details.
The Ontario chapter has been meeting regularly via teleconference. I am thrilled with the energy of our group and also with all the thoughtful ideas that are being shared. We are proud to report that Cash for Clips is still going strong. For those who don't know, "Cash for Clips" is an initiative that gives journalists an opportunity to earn money for any stories that are written about M&M events.
Ontario Chapter is thrilled that our national TMAC Conference returns to our province, as Sudbury hosts the 2020 conference in June. We can't wait to hear all the details.
I have to say I am inspired by how our chapter has been debating ideas to improve the TMAC experience, including adding professional development sessions in 2020. On that note I am proud to report Ontario chapter is working hard along with our friends on the national board to create brand new PD events and initiatives. We can't thank National enough for its support and leadership on this and I am thrilled to announce that two professionals have already agreed to work with us in 2020 - veteran travel writer and former Toronto Star travel editor Jim Byers and award-winning food columnist Renée Suen. More details (and professionals) will follow shortly.
On behalf of the Ontario board, I wish all of you a relaxing, peaceful and stomach-filling holiday season.
Rod Charles
, chapter chair
Ontario chapter board
PRAIRIES & NWT CHAPTER 
While it feels like we're already halfway through winter based on the weather we've had in western Canada so far this fall (let it snow!), we're now embarking on the holiday season and reflecting on all of our 2019 achievements which included memorable events, new members and a successful PD weekend in Waterton, Alberta.
This fall, our chapter had the opportunity to connect with our members in new ways, first by welcoming Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the fold (hello!)
Earlier in the fall, chapter members had the chance to pedal their way through Calgary, with a "Pedal Pub" excursion - a great new activity that recently landed in the southern Alberta city. Visitors can pedal their way between destinations in Calgary's famed "Barley Belt" aboard a group pedal bike.
We're certain that no fun was had at all (wink-wink!) as members sipped some of the province's best brews and caught up on summer news.
We also held a member survey this fall to better acquaint ourselves with our members and gather their feedback. We heard recurring information about membership benefits, the AGM and professional development opportunities. We thank everyone for taking the time to share their thoughts and comments and will be applying it to our 2020 programming.
Our annual TMAC holiday event took place on December 10 at the Fairmont Palliser's newly renovated Hawthorn Room. We spent time together in this fantastic new space as an opportunity connect and celebrate.
We will host an important "state of the media" event in late January to kick off the new year. We keep hearing from members that the constant state of flux of the journalism industry is concerning, so we'll be inviting several editors to share their thoughts and tips - stay tuned for details, and we'll be certain to share some highlights in the next newsletter round-up.
We're also working on prospective destinations and venues for our annual professional development weekend. We know the bar is raised high from several years of successful functions, and we look forward to creating another great event with meaningful connection and experiences.
Paula Worthington, co-chair
Prairies & NWT chapter board
BC & YUKON CHAPTER 
The BC TMAC held its autumn mingler at the award-winning Burdock Restaurant in November. Our thanks go out to owner/chef Andrea Carlson for hosting our group and showcasing her ethically sourced and farm-to-table menu - not to mention the introduction of her first cookbook: Burdock & Co: Poetic Recipes Inspired by Ocean, Land and Air.
December 11, we hosted BC TMAC's first Holiday Mingler. In previous years, the BC TMAC committee has celebrated with a lunch but has decided to invite our membership to toast the holiday season. This year's inaugural holiday event was hosted by Timber, Vancouver's authentic Canadian casual pub-style dining experience. Thanks to Welbert Choi, executive chef, and Margot Baloro, general manager. Please let us know if any national members will be in Vancouver for the holidays and if you are able to join us to celebrate the holidays.
Chef Andrea Carlson displays her new cookbook at a TMAC event in the Burdock Restaurant.
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Chef Andrea Carlson displays her new cookbook at a TMAC event in the Burdock Restaurant.
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Plans are currently underway for a couple of dynamite events in the new year including a spring PD day and minglers. Many thanks go out to our events committee of Shauna Gardham (industry), Sonya Hwang (industry) and Sandra Thomas (media).
Finally, we wish the rest of the TMAC Nation a safe, and joyous holiday season and all the best for the new year 2020.
Nathan Fong,
chair,
BC chapter board
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6. MEMBER NEWS: MEDIA
Saltscapes Magazine
is publishing a short retrospective photo essay of John Sylvester's work taken in Atlantic Canada. The collection will feature images taken over the last almost 40 years, in the December-January issue. The photo feature here comes with a touching personal twist: the boy in the red sweater holding up a fish in 1992, Clinton Pendleton, surprised John at the 2012 TMAC conference in Fredericton. Pendleton is now a full-time fisherman and supplied the lobster for the TMAC dinner! Small world!
The fisherman on the left catches more than just a few fish.
In early February, the Atlantic chapter's Jason Nugent will product test a new camera system from Panasonic at Rallye Perce Neige in northern Quebec, and then journey onwards to spend some winter fun time in Killarney Provincial Park with Ontario Parks.
Some sad news: TMAC member Habeeb Salloum passed away recently. His daughters, Muna Salloum and Leila Salloum Elias, write: "Our lives will never be the same without him. He lived life to the fullest, travelling the world in his quest to learn more and to express his adventures, knowledge, and love of humanity in his writings. Our father is our inspiration. A man of knowledge, trust, honour, dignity and love, he has raised his progeny to believe that all are equal. He continued to write to the last breath with a soul that will last forever."
R.I.P., Habeeb.
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7. MEMBER NEWS: INDUSTRY
After 13-plus years Donna Hatt, White Point Beach Resort's marketing and product development manager, will depart the beach. On January 6, 2020, she heads over to join the dynamic team at Authentic Seacoast, with the acquisition of Acadian Maple.
Maybe she'll be able to hitch a ride there with Santa...a new 18-foot long lobster-drawn sleigh has arrived on the oceanfront lawn at White Point. NORAD has been notified, and Santa 'Claws' can't wait to pick it up! The sleigh is the showcase piece within the resort's Fifth Annual Festival of Lights that kicked off November 29 and runs through until January 5.
TMACer is Jolly Good Fellow
To mark the 90
th
anniversary of the
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
there was a heck of a party in Ottawa November 21 to celebrate exploration, curiosity and storytelling, and to recognize
1
33
new
fellows inducted into the S
ociety. One of them
was TMAC
'
s own Guy Thériault. Guy was recognized for his contributions in making Canada better known to Canadians and the world. Having witnessed Guy
'
s enthusiasm for Parks Canada sites first-hand it was my pleasure to nominate him to become a fellow
Fellow
. Guy has worked with Parks Canada for over two decades, fielding over 800 media requests each year with his (tiny) team and collaborating with indigenous communities and tourism partners to showcase some of Canada
'
s best geographic, cultural and heritage treasures.
Somehow he also finds time to help
TMAC
advance the interests of our
association
. Congratulations Guy on your
recent and
well-deserved recognition!
Submitted by Carol Patterson FRCGS
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TMAC TRAVELS - NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
TMAC Travels is published bi-monthly. Publication of solicited and unsolicited articles is not guaranteed. Final content is decided by TMAC Travel's editorial board and the national board. Submissions should fit into one of the following categories:
MEDIA MEMBER NEWS
Professional news about you: books published, awards won, new markets obtained, positions attained, requests for travel-related information (story-specific requests ONLY), contact/profile information updates/changes.
Social notices about you: weddings, babies, non-industry awards and so on (at the editor's discretion and with a 50-word limit; these must be things directly connected to the member).
NOT allowed: requests for comps (airfare, accommodation, tickets, etc.), assignment requests, promotion of stories already written.
INDUSTRY MEMBER NEWS
Professional news about you/your company: announcement ONLY of new products, new clients, travel-related info requests, contact/profile updates/changes.
Social notices: as per media, above.
NOT allowed: press releases, promotion of anything beyond new products, new clients or awards.
The newsletter also seeks chapter news and info on press trips (short descriptions with dates, rough itineraries, requirements - e.g. assignment letter) as well as tips, news and updates submitted by members.
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