In support of TMAC’s mission statement, the National PD Program has been developed to support the continued growth of our media and industry members.
2025 TMAC Conference PD Sessions
NOTE: the following sessions will be presented in-person, recordings are not available.
1. Exploring Sustainability Through an Indigenous Lens
SPONSORED BY GERMAIN HOTELS
Presenter: Shelby Redman
Date and time: June 6, 2:00-3:00 pm
Discover how traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices can revolutionize approaches to sustainability in travel and media. This insightful session will explore the intersection of culture, conservation, and environmental stewardship. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to incorporate Indigenous principles of sustainability into their work, leaving inspired to drive meaningful change in the industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of Canada’s leading voices in sustainable tourism and cultural preservation!
2. How to use artificial intelligence intelligently: top usage cases to help you work smarter
SPONSORED BY TMAC Ontario Chapter
Presenter: Dr. Nadine Robinson
Date and time: June 6, 3:30-4:30pm
How do you intelligently use artificial intelligence? AI is everywhere, but not all powerful. These bots are semi-reliable assistants that hallucinate, have biases, and are linguistic savants but can’t do basic math or tell you the number of Rs in raspberry (until the next update or the paid version). Draw on the presenter’s extensive research and usage of AI bots to work smarter, not harder. Explore the top usage cases to save time and avoid common pitfalls that waste your time.
3. Mic On, Links Live: Side Hustle It with Broadcasting & Affiliate Marketing
SPONSORED BY Tourism Australia
Presenter: Jody Robbins and Taryn Eyton
Date and time: June 6, 3:30-4:30pm
Whether you’re sharing travel tips on your favourite morning show or dropping links to your favorite gear, affiliate marketing and broadcasting are awesome ways to turn your passion into extra income. Learn how to grow your audience, build your brand, and get paid to do what you already love talking about.
4. Creating Compelling Videos: From Concept to Completion
SPONSORED BY Loreto Baja California Sur
Presenter: Solmaz Khosrowshahian
Date and time: June 6, 3:30-4:30pm
If a photo tells a thousand words, then it’s safe to say that video storytelling is priceless. Between social media platforms past, present and future, marketing materials and collaborations, it is more critical than ever to create high-quality video content from concept to completion. This session will offer the do’s and dont’s and latest hacks for creating the most compelling video content.
5. Pitching That Pops: A Hands-On Workshop to Get Noticed in 2025
SPONSORED BY Tourism Australia
Presenter: Malcolm Griffiths
Date and time: June 7, 11:30am-12:30pm
The media landscape is constantly evolving, and therefore, so are the strategies we use to land our story idea when pitching. In this interactive workshop, we’ll go beyond theory and dive into real-world application. Led by industry expert Malcolm Griffiths, SVP at TURNER, this workshop will provide collaborative discussion on what’s working (and what’s not) when pitching media today to secure editorial coverage. Through peer learning and real-world examples, attendees will refine their pitching techniques, explore emerging trends, and workshop ideas in real time. Come ready to share, experiment, and walk away with actionable strategies to elevate your pitching efforts in this ever-changing media environment.
6. Building a Facebook Group Community to Build your Brand and Grow your Business
SPONORED BY Loreto Baja California Sur
Presenter: Stephanie Mayo
Date and time: June 7, 11:30am-12:30pm
Stephanie Mayo, the travel writer and blogger behind The World As I See It – travel blog had to pivot after she lost 50% of her traffic after the HCU update in the fall of 2023. She created a niche Facebook group about Ontario Hidden Gems which grew to over 200,000 highly engaged members in just 6 months and it’s now over 350,000 a year later. Join her in a practical session with key takeaways towards understanding 1) Diversifying your traffic beyond Google (SEO), 2) Creating an engaging community of people that are interested in your brand/blog/destination 3) How to maximize a Facebook group community for traffic/ sales/ affiliate sales (like bookings & digital products).
7. Beyond Google: The Future of Independent Travel Publishing
SPONSORED BY Germain Hotels
Presenter: Kevin Wagar
Date and time: June 7, 11:30am-12:30pm
The travel publishing landscape is changing dramatically at an unprecedented pace. The days of Google’s dominance over the travel content landscape are waning, and both destinations and independent publishers, although struggling, are in a unique position to thrive by forging direct, meaningful connections with their audiences. This session explores the future of SEO, where personal branding and niche targeting reign supreme.
8. The Power of Storytelling in a Changing World
Closing Keynote: Yann Martel
Date and time: June 7, 2:00pm-13:00pm
As the 2025 TMAC Conference comes to a close, we invite you to an inspiring and thought-provoking keynote from one of Canada’s most celebrated authors, Yann Martel.
Best known for his internationally acclaimed novel Life of Pi, Martel has spent his career weaving powerful narratives that transcend borders and cultures. In this closing address, he will explore the enduring power of storytelling—how words shape our understanding of the world, why travel writing matters more than ever, and how writers can navigate an evolving media landscape.
In a time when the industry is shifting—print publications shrinking, digital platforms multiplying, and artificial intelligence disrupting traditional forms of storytelling—one truth remains: authentic, well-crafted narratives will always have a place. Through his own experiences as a writer and traveller, Martel will offer insights on adaptation, creativity, and the irreplaceable human touch in travel storytelling.
This is more than a keynote—it’s a call to action for travel media professionals to continue exploring, connecting, and crafting the stories that inspire the world to travel.
Join us for this unforgettable session as we wrap up TMAC 2025 on a high note.
October 24, 2025
Blue Skies Ahead: Why Travel Storytellers Should Pay Attention to Bluesky
View Session Recording HERE
Social media platforms rise and fall, but one of the most talked-about new players is Bluesky. For travel writers and industry professionals, understanding Bluesky now could help you get ahead of the curve as the platform evolves. In this session, digital publishing veteran Rebecca Bollwitt who is the author of Bluesky for Dummies will walk you through:
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The current state of social media for brands in travel and tourism
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What makes Bluesky unique compared to other platforms
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The top 5 insider tips to get the most out of Bluesky today
Presenter: Rebecca Bollwitt
Bio:
Rebecca built her first website in 1997 and has been writing about life in BC since 2004 on her award-winning blog, Miss604.com. With 25 years of digital publishing experience, she has authored and edited seven books for Wiley and the For Dummies franchise. She also owns an agency that supports clients across North America with social media strategy and website development. In addition, Rebecca is a professional photographer and a monthly columnist for Megaphone Magazine. Through Miss604, she sponsors campaigns for more than 25 nonprofit organizations each year, and she currently serves as a Vice President of the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Join us to learn why Bluesky can be a platform for travel storytelling and engagement — and how you can position yourself to be part of it from early days.
February 18, 2025
Intel on collaborating with destination managers, through a Tourism Richmond perspective.✅ How they work with travel media and content creators
✅ Press trip planning and hosted experiences
✅ What makes a great pitch and media partnership
✅ Key story angles and trends for 2025
The 1-hour session will feature a presentation from Nancy Small, followed by a live Q&A moderated by TMAC’s National PD Committee. Whether you’re a journalist, blogger, or content creator, this is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with a destination actively working with media.
As the CEO of Tourism Richmond, British Columbia’s 4th largest Destination Marketing & Management Organization, Nancy specializes in strategic planning, destination development, stakeholder engagement, business development and marketing strategy.
Nancy is very active in the tourism industry and in the Richmond community – and is the Co-chair of the Canadian Destinations Leadership Council (CDLC), past chair of the BC Destination Management Association (BCDMOA), a director on the board of the Culinary Tourism Alliance, a director on the board of Go2HR, a director on the board of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the fundraising group for the Richmond Cares Richmond Gives Foundation annual Christmas Bureau.
She is a passionate advocate for the tourism industry and loves Richmond’s diversity of food (especially the delicious Dumpling Trail and world-famous Richmond Night Market), shopping and biking trails.
Éco-responsabilité
Presenter: Marie-France Bornais
Bio:
Marie-France Bornais cumule plus de 35 années d’expérience à titre de journaliste pour le quotidien francophone Le Journal de Québec et pour le Journal de Montréal. Voyageuse, roadtrippeuse et campeuse d’expérience, elle a également publié cinq guides de voyage aux Éditions de l’Homme. Elle a publié «Escapades américaines» (2016), qui présente les attraits connus et moins connus du Vermont, du New Hampshire et d’UpState New York, le guide de voyage «Le Québec en camping» (Première édition en 2017 et 2e édition en 2021, les deux titres étant des best-sellers), Le Nouveau-Brunswick en camping (2019, Prix TMAC, 2e place dans la catégorie «Best Travel Book», et le guide pratique «Camping 101: Tout ce que vous devez savoir avant de planter votre tente ou de reculer votre VR» (2022). Elle vit à Québec et présente régulièrement des conférences dans les salons du livre et les bibliothèques publiques.
Description:
À titre de voyageuse, de roadtrippeuse et de campeuse, j’ai visité des centaines de campings et exploré quantité de parcs nationaux, provinciaux, d’État et régionaux, au Canada et aux États-Unis, au fil des ans. Mes observations et mes expériences ont fait en sorte que je suis de plus en plus convaincue de l’importance de l’écoresponsabilité lors des voyages et des sorties en plein-air, pour faire en sorte que non seulement le campeur ou le voyageur suivant ait une expérience positive, mais qu’il en soit de même pour les futures générations. Nous avons des gestes à poser, maintenant, que ce soit lors d’une promenade en ville, d’une randonnée dans la forêt, d’un après-midi à la plage ou même d’un week-end de «boondocking» en #vanlilfe. Il y a quelques petites choses à savoir sur les feux de camp, l’art de faire la vaisselle en plein-air, et ce qu’on doit faire lorsqu’il n’y a pas de toilettes à proximité. Y a-t-il moyen de réduire la pollution par le bruit et la pollution lumineuse? Pourquoi est-ce tellement important de bien se préparer et bien s’informer? Ces sujets ne sont pas très «glamour»… mais ils sont importants et j’ai hâte de vous en parler! Campez allumé!
February 18, 2025
Intel on collaborating with destination managers, through a Tourism Richmond perspective.View recording .
✅ How they work with travel media and content creators
✅ Press trip planning and hosted experiences
✅ What makes a great pitch and media partnership
✅ Key story angles and trends for 2025
The 1-hour session will feature a presentation from Nancy Small, followed by a live Q&A moderated by TMAC’s National PD Committee. Whether you’re a journalist, blogger, or content creator, this is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with a destination actively working with media.
As the CEO of Tourism Richmond, British Columbia’s 4th largest Destination Marketing & Management Organization, Nancy specializes in strategic planning, destination development, stakeholder engagement, business development and marketing strategy.
Nancy is very active in the tourism industry and in the Richmond community – and is the Co-chair of the Canadian Destinations Leadership Council (CDLC), past chair of the BC Destination Management Association (BCDMOA), a director on the board of the Culinary Tourism Alliance, a director on the board of Go2HR, a director on the board of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the fundraising group for the Richmond Cares Richmond Gives Foundation annual Christmas Bureau.
She is a passionate advocate for the tourism industry and loves Richmond’s diversity of food (especially the delicious Dumpling Trail and world-famous Richmond Night Market), shopping and biking trails.
2024 PD Sessions
“Crisis Communications”
Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Webinar Recording: Crisis Communications
Moderator: Kristy Hoddinott
Description:
Let’s face it – nobody wants to talk about a crisis. But it’s better to have the difficult conversations beforehand than when you’re thrown into the thick of it (often without any warning) and need to react quickly and effectively. As the travel continues to rebound post-pandemic, destinations, hotels and attractions need to be prepared now more than ever to handle whatever comes their way.
Join Cathy Preece, Senior Vice President of Tourism Public Relations at Development Counsellors International, for an engaging and insightful crisis communications session. As we gear up for 2025, this workshop will highlight best practices for crisis management, focusing on how to prepare, respond, and learn from unexpected events. With her extensive experience in the travel and tourism industry, Cathy will share insights on developing effective communication strategies that can mitigate reputational risks and enhance organizational resilience. While this session is designed for industry members, please note that media/content creator members are welcome to join!
Topics that will be discussed during this session include:
- What do I need in my crisis communications plan?
- What questions should I be asking myself during a crisis?
- How do I prepare my team/client to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident in a crisis?
This session will conclude with a Q&A period, where members are encouraged to ask Cathy questions.
Presenter: Cathy Preece, Senior Vice President of Tourism Public Relations at Development Counsellors International
Cathy Preece Bio:
Cathy oversees communications strategy for Development Counsellors International’s (DCI) tourism public relations clients, directs communication for tourism crisis-response and crisis-recovery efforts, and leads the agency’s hospitality strategy. In the past 20 years, Cathy has worked with numerous destinations, hotels and top travel and lifestyle brands worldwide. She has played an integral role in helping clients navigate challenging situations and emerge stronger, guiding them through nearly every type of crisis from hurricanes to pandemics to crime. In doing so, Cathy has become an advocate for developing and maintaining a comprehensive crisis communications plan to ensure clients are ready, not if, but WHEN a crisis strikes.
“The future of search & a dive into Googles’ not so helpful content update.”
Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Webinar Recording: AI: The future of search & a dive into Googles’ not so helpful content update.
Closed Caption: Text
Moderator: Dr. Nadine Robinson
Description:
In 2023, Google’s algorithm – the Helpful Content Update (aka, “HCU”) drastically affected how many of our websites ranked in search results. Our very own William Tang of Going Awesome Places was one of twenty web creators recently invited to Google’s HQ in Mountain View, California for an event called the Web Creator Conversation Event. Held at the end of October, the goal was to have an open discussion with Danny Sullivan and Google engineers. For this PD Session, Will will discuss key takeaways from the event including how Google wants to support publishers, HCU recovery, and the future of search. Join us if you want to learn more and/or want to bring your insights to the group in a Q & A following his presentation.
Presenter: Will Tang, Going Awesome Places
William Tang Bio:
William is the award-winning content creator, editor, and video producer behind Going Awesome Places which focuses on outdoor adventure and experiential travel. He has 12+ years of experience working destinations, tour operators, and brands where their speciality has been in creating evergreen and SEO-optimized content that revolves around detailed itineraries, travel guides, and creative storytelling through video.
“AI: The Good, Bad & Opportunity”
Date: Thursday, August 8, 2024
Webinar Recording: AI: The Good, Bad & Opportunity
Speaker: Dr. Nadine Robinson
Moderator: Kristi Hoddinott
Description: In case you missed it, join us for this future-looking session to introduce media and industry to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). With a specific focus on ChatGPT, ethical considerations and biases of AI will be reviewed alongside the pros, cons, and opportunities.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Nadine Robinson has been on the forefront of GenAI conversations through her work as a post secondary professor and out of a concern for how it will affect the writing industry. She is on the Sault College AI taskforce, and has delivered multiple sessions on ChatGPT basics to the members of the Canadian Freelance Guild and one for the Travel Media Association of Canada. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration focused in consumer behaviour and an International Masters of Business Administration. She is an international award-winning freelance writer, best-selling non-fiction author, brand and marketing consultant, business professor, keynote speaker, and an op-ed columnist. She’s written for CAA and AMA magazines, Paddling Magazine, and Postmedia. Now based in Northern Ontario, follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @theinkran.
June 12 – 16, 2024: TMAC National Conference & Media Marketplace, St. Johns, Newfoundland & Labrador
Professional Development & Keynote Sessions
NOTE: the following sessions will be presented in-person, recordings are not available.
Date: Friday June 14, 2024
Time: 2:30 pm -3:15 pm | Opening Keynote
Opening Keynote Speaker: Lori McCarthy
Sponsored By
Lori McCarthy’s mission was simple: to fall in love with her homeland. She wanted to understand why the people of Newfoundland and Labrador – felt so profoundly connected to their community, traditions, recipes and, perhaps most importantly, their culture. In her ensuing conversations with family, community and friends – her grandparents, fisherman, foragers, hunters and more – she had a realization: you don’t simply find connection to a place, you have to cultivate it.
Lori is a fiercely proud Newfoundlander. She is a storyteller, educator, and cultural food ambassador who is driven by a sense of responsibility to conserve her culture by nurturing the connections of humans to each other, and people to place. Sustainability informs her every move and she has made it her life’s work to become a leader in and advocate for a ‘back to the land” approach wherein the pearls of wisdom, nestled in the stories of people of our communities, are expressed through traditional food culture.
“I believe the soul of a place never leaves, because it lives in the people, in the traditions they share, the food they share and in the human spirit of togetherness.”
Date: Friday, June 14 2024
Time: 7:45 am – 8:30 am | Session 1 (Limited Capacity)
Title: What’s Your Story?
Speaker: Lola Augustine Brown
Moderator: Kristy Hoddinott
Description: How can you share that incredible travel experience with others? Join us as seasoned storytellers, travel writers, and media experts come together to unravel the secrets behind creating travel narratives that not only captivate but inspire.
Date: Friday, June 14, 2024
Time: 3:30 pm-5:00 pm | Session 2
Title: AI: The Good, Bad & Ugly
Moderator: Robin Karpan
Speaker: Nadine Robinson
Description: In line with the conference theme of ‘Honouring our past, fostering our future,’ this workshop promises to be an engaging 1.5-hour, future-looking, session to introduce media and industry to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). With a specific focus on ChatGPT, ethical considerations and biases of AI will be reviewed alongside the pros, cons, and opportunities.
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Time: 9:00-10:30am | Session 3 (FOR MEDIA ONLY)
Title: Monetizing Your Travel Media Business
Moderator: Oksana St John
Panelists: Kevin Wagar, Taryn Eyton, Debbie Olsen
Description: Unlock the secrets to turning your passion for travel into a thriving business with this panel session. Join notable industry experts and monetization mavens as they share their insights on transforming your travel storytelling endeavors into a lucrative venture.
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Time: 9:00-10:30am | Session 4 (FOR INDUSTRY ONLY)
Title: Pitch Perfect: Maximizing media partnerships, placements and press trips.
Moderator: Tania Kedikian
Speakers: Heather Greenwood Davis, Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
Description: Have you been sending out pitches to writers (multiple times) with no reply? Are journalists “ghosting” you? This workshop can help. Designed specifically for publicists, DMOs and brands, it reveals the secrets of what travel media really need in this post-COVID era. Presented by two top travel media professionals who work on both sides of the border, this session provides firsthand insights into their relationships with editors; the art of travel storytelling; and the intricacies of their own pitching process. This 90-minute workshop will share strategies that will help you meet your editorial placement goal.
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2024
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm | Session 5
Title: Industry & Media: Perspectives & Partnerships
Moderator: Vladimir Jean-Gilles, Tourism Ottawa
Panelists: Emily Dunn, Kirsten Wendlandt, Jody Robbins, Jodi Holliday
Description: How can we work together in today’s travel landscape? What’s changed and what hasn’t? Participate in a frank discussion amongst media, tourism boards and publicists eager to enhance their collaboration. In this panel discussion, industry experts and seasoned media professionals will share practical insights and strategies to maximize the impact of partnerships in the world of travel.
Closing Keynote Speaker: Matt Wright
Sponsored By
Wright has acted in “Son of a Critch”, “Still Standing” and has written for six seasons on ” This Hour Has 22 Minutes”. Above all he is a proud Newfoundlander.
Date: Saturday June 15, 2023
Time: 2:00 pm- 2:30 pm
“Maximizing Travel Tales: Crafting Multiple Stories from the Same Trip”
Date: March 14, 2024
Webinar Recording: Maximizing Travel Tales
Eager to diversify your stories and income without necessarily taking on more travel days? Vanessa Chiasson has been in the industry since 2012 and she knows that freelancers can improve the ROI of their work by crafting multiple stories from a single travel experience.
Join this 1-hour PD session to learn how to develop multiple story ideas from one trip, how to sell one story with different angles to different editors, how to upsell an editor by adding on sidebars, photo galleries, and recipes, how to repurpose interviews, how to pitch travel stories to non-travel magazines, and more.
Speaker Bio:
Vanessa Chiasson is an award-winning freelance writer, editor, and blogger bringing warmth and depth to travel and human interest narratives. In the industry since 2012, Vanessa helps other writers develop business strategies that support their artistic endeavours. She chronicles her cozy travel adventures at TurnipseedTravel.com.
2023 PD Sessions
NOVEMBER
November 8, 2023
TMAC National Editors Panel, Looking ahead into 2024
RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE <WATCH HERE>
Thank you to our panel of travel editors. Hanna McLean (Daily Hive), Crystal Murray (Advocate Publishing/Saltscapes Magazine), and Alison Hodgins (Explore Magazine) who offered insights about trends and editorial needs for 2024, get an insight into their pitching guidelines, understand pay rates and much more!
OCTOBER
October 25, 2023
BC & Yukon Chapter presented PD Session:
Monetizing: Winning Strategies with Vanessa Chiasson
RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE: <VIEW HERE>
*note you should not require a passcode, if you do, please use: 6q&g1BGi
Resources Shared by Vanessa during her session for your information:
- Hobo With a Laptop: Info on how much you should charge for blog posts.
- How much to charge for an Instagram post: https://dani-the-explorer.com/how-much-to-charge-for-sponsored-instagram-posts/)
- How to create a media kit: https://www.melyssagriffin.com/how-and-why-to-create-a-media-kit-for-your-blog-free-template/
- How to create templates and sell them : https://www.thesideblogger.com/how-to-sell-canva-templates/
- Communication between tourism boards and bloggers
- Info for bloggers making packages for tourism boards on paid press trips.
- Access Copyright: Sign up, get modest amounts of money for your writing being in the public domain.
- Buy Me A Coffee: An alternative to ads
- Bookshop.org: Affiliate program supporting independent bookshops
- Study Hall newsletter and community
- Opportunities Of The Week newsletter from Sonia Weiser
- Pandemic University School of Writing
- Freedom.to Internet-limiting software to block social media etc.
- Write Like A Honey Badger classes
- Books of Interest:
- Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport. You’re a writer. So why aren’t you writing all the time? A compelling look at ditching as much ‘shallow’ work as possible to focus on your deep work, your zone of genius.
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab. Saying “no” is the most positive thing you can do with your life.
- The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield: This easy-to-read book is the kick in the butt we all need to take things from amateur hour to real professionalism. Key takeaway: Only posers say things like: “I wait for inspiration to strike before I write.” Actual writers know better.
- A Writer’s Space by Eric Maisel: Another easy-to-read little book, the author breaks down the physical and mental space you need to succeed. I suspect many of you will adore another title from the same writer. A Writer’s Paris is sure to inspire whether you’re in the French capital or not.
- Still Writing by Dani Shapiro: For everyone who knows the perils and pleasures of a creative life and whose drunken uncle asks, “So are ya still doing that writing thing” at Thanksgiving dinner.
JUNE
June 14 – 17:
PD & Keynote Sessions at TMAC National Conference & Media Marketplace, Sudbury, Ontario
NOTE: the following session were presented in-person, recordings are not available.
OPENING Keynote
Renew, Recharge, Reimagine: Tap Your Inner Wellspring
Rona Maynard
Presented by: TMAC National
Towards our 30th Anniversary & Beyond: TMAC Strategic Plan Presentation
Presented by: TMAC National
PD SESSION #1: Think Outside the Box: How to Reinvent your Business and Grow Your Brand
Speaker: Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman
Presented by: TOURISM KINGSTON
SESSION #2: Metrics That Matter: Understanding Qualitative Communications Measurement
Speaker: Karyl Leigh Barnes,
Communications Chair, Destinations International and President, Tourism Practice, Development Counsellors International
Presented by: TMAC National
SESSION #3: Good Pitch/Bad Pitch
Panelists:
Tania Kedikian, Account Director, DCI
Jerry Grymek, Executive Vice President, LMA
Presented by: TOURISM VIRGINIA
SESSION #4: Monetizing Your Travel Media Business
Panelists:
Vanessa Chiasson, Freelance Writer
Pete Heck, Content Creator & Digital Marketing Consultant
Skylar MacDonald, Travel Blogger & Content Creator
Presented by: TMAC ONTARIO CHAPTER
SESSION #5: Building Stronger Relationships with Indigenous Tourism Businesses
Speaker: Ryan Rogers, Communications Manager, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Presented by: TMAC National
CLOSING Keynote:
State of the Travel Media Nation
Speaker: Robin Esrock
Presented by: OTTAWA TOURISM
APRIL
April 27/23: Building Personal Brand with LinkedIn
with Tania Kedikian
WATCH RECORDING NOW
Development Counsellors International (DCI) has more than 60 years helping destinations brand themselves for travellers, but the same principles that benefit places can help individuals increase their own profile to land future editorial placements or a promotion. Key learnings for this session include:
- The five basic business principles of personal brand building
- How LinkedIn is the key brand builder (despite the hype of Instagram and TikTok!)
- Tools to help you strengthen your LinkedIn profile (or start from scratch)
FEBRUARY
TMAC Editor’s Panel Series – February 2023 Edition
WATCH THE RECORDING NOW
Our first Editor’s Panel for 2023 is co-presented with the TMAC Ontario Chapter.
Learn what each Editor is looking for when working with freelancers, their current editorial needs and how to pitch them. Discover new paid opportunities and inspiration to showcase the travel content you produce.
Panelists included: Alexandra Pope, Editor-in-Chief, Canadian Geographic, Katie Bridges, Editor, Foodism Toronto and Escapism Toronto,
and Kevin Wagar, Editor, Ultimate Ontario and We Explore Canada.
Feb. 9/23: How to Improve Your Media Kit
WATCH THE RECORDING NOW
Panelists included Kim Logan – Banff & Lake Louise Tourism , Jessica Harcombe Fleming – Tartanbond PR, Claudia Laroye – Freelance Writer, and Christopher Mitchell – Content Creator, Travelingmitch.com and ultimateontario.com.
Tips & Suggestions summary
2022 PD Sessions
DECEMBER
Mon. Dec. 19: You have a great idea for a travel book. Now what?
NEW SERIES: TMAC Member led Chat Rooms
Host: Robin Karpan, special guests Sandra Phinney, Ron Brown and Debbie Olsen
NOVEMBER
Tues. Nov. 29: Taxes as a Travel Media Professional
Speakers: Michel Cowie and Sunny Leong, Western Region, Canada Revenue Agency / Government of Canada
While this session was not able to be recorded as per CRA, the following resources were offered with a RECOMMENDATION to reach out and make an appointment with a Liaison Officer – link is below.
1) Book a one-on-one session to review your situation Liaison Officer Service
2) Income Tax Folio S4-F14-C1, Artists and Writers – Canada.ca
3) Are you a social media influencer? Here’s what you need to know – Canada.ca
4) Compliance in the platform economy – Canada.ca
SEPTEMBER
SEPT. 20: The Latest Travel Influencer Marketing Insights
Presenter, Tim Morgan, Jerne
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
Download the Creator/Company Agreement referenced by Tim.
JUNE
JUNE 22-26, 2022: Keynote & PD Sessions at the 2022 TMAC Conference, Yarmouth, NS
Curated and presented a part of our 2022 TMAC Conference Program, the following sessions were hosted, and recorded, providing all TMACers with access to the information and insights shared.
1) Keynote Speaker: Forging Untold Treasures, Tony Sampson
SPONSORED BY Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
2) Video Skills Every Creator Needs to Know
Presenters: Bri Mitchell
SPONSORED BY Taste of Nova Scotia
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
3) The Future of Travel Media Relations: The Positive Impact of Regenerative Tourism
Presenters: Norie Quintos, Julia Cosgrove and Lily Girma
PRESENTED BY Destination Canada
WACTH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
4) Winning SEO Strategies for 2022
Presenters: Matt Rouse
SPONSORED BY Trippzy / TMAC Ontario Chapter
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
5) Calling All Content Creators! Discover Paid Opportunities to Spin your Tale Post Pandemic
Panel: Wing Sze Tang, Toronto Star, Adrian Brijassi, Vacay.ca, and Gillian Marx of Tourism Newfoundland & Labrador
SPONSORED BY Tourism Kingston
WATCH THE RECORDING OF THIS SESSION NOW
6) Moving Forward
Panel: Gloria Loree, Destination Canada, Beth Potter, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Tracy Ford, TMAC
SPONSORED BY TMAC
RECORDING COMING SOON
2021 TMAC Awards Gala
RECORDING COMING SOON
JUNE 2, 2022
SESSION: Video Skills and Strategies 101 – Getting ready for success
PRESENTER: Bri Mitchell, @travelingmitch
Be sure to review the Reference Materials provided by Bri, view them here.
View the recording now
*THIS SESSION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE ATTENDING BRI’s CONTENT CREATORS SESSION ON JUNE 24th at our 2022 TMAC Conference!
Get the most out of this session by completing the Video Skills 101 questionnaire.
APRIL 2022
Tuesday April 5
Session: Architecture: Making it all Matter
Presenter: John Leroux, Manager of Collections and Exhibitions at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery
View the recording now.
Resources & References:
Our presenter offered and we humbly accepted on your behalf, a collection of reference and resource documents that will be useful in your writing. Access this collection here, downloadable/viewable via Google Docs.
Website Resource: National Historic Site Registry
FEBRUARY 2022
Tuesday February 22
What’s Up with Pinterest in 2022? With presenters TMAC Member Lindsay Davies and Natalie Discala.
Watch the webinar now.
Additional Pinterest Resources you may find helpful:
- Pinterest Creators 101
More information for creators HERE. You can scroll down and there are lots of videos with resources and content to help explain how to get started with creating on Pinterest. - Pinterest Publisher Academy
Media outlets will find useful resources in Pinterest Publisher Academy HERE. This is a great resource for any publishers looking for more information about this program. - Find more information on distribution and performance on this page.
- For your reference from Natalie: Idea pin example and Video pin example
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2021 Webinar Calendar*
JANUARY
Thursday, January 21, 2021:
Five Insights into the Path to Purchase for Canadian Travellers in 2021 with TMAC industry member Tania Kedikian
CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Watch the webinar now.
FEBRUARY
Wednesday, February 24, 2021:
Indigenous Tourism with Paula Amos, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, Indigenous Tourism BC and Candace Campo – owner and operator of Talaysay ToursJames Cowpar owner and operator of Haida Style Expeditions
Watch the webinar now.
MARCH
Wednesday, March 24, 2021:
Career Focus Covid-19 – Where Do We Go from Here presented by The Guelph & Tri-Cities Career Collective
Watch the webinar now
APRIL
Wednesday, April 28, 2021:
How to Shoot Mobile Video presented by Ayngelina Brogan
Watch the webinar now.
MAY
Wednesday May 26, 2021:
The Power of Podcasting: How Podcasting Can Impact Your Brand or Business:
Speakers:
Christopher Mitchell, Travel Writer & Podcaster; Cookie Boyle, Executive Director, Global Content, Destination Canada
Watch the Webinar Now
JUNE
TMAC’s 2021 Virtual Conference
June 1 – 3
During the TMAC Conference, delegates enjoyed a schedule that included three Keynote Speakers and four Professional Development Sessions.
We invite you to watch the recordings of each of these sessions:
Watch all our 2021 Virtual Conference Keynotes & PD Sessions now.
TMAC’s 2020 Awards Presentation
June 3, 2021
Recorded LIVE via our virtual conference, we invite you to watch the 2020 TMAC Awards Presentation.
Congratulations to everyone who submitted, those who won and our honourable mentions.
JULY & AUGUST
Be sure to take in one of the recorded PD Sessions from above, or from the June Conference, while we take a bit of a break over the summer.
SEPTEMBER
Monday September 13, 2021
Speaker: Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Session: State of Canada’s Tourism Industry & the Federal Election
Watch a recording of this webinar now.
A copy of Ms. Potter’s slide deck is available here.
For more information about :
– TIAC Congress, Nov 30 – Dec 1, 2021 visit this website.
– To better advocate for the Tourism Industry, visit TourismVotes.ca
– Learn more about Faster, Together!, visit FasterTogether.ca
OCTOBER
Friday October 1st, 2021
Speakers: Julia Weber Little Miss Ottawa& Jen Ruiz Jen on a Jet Plane
Session: TikTok 101
Watch a recording of this PD Session now.
TicTok Reference Resources kindly provided and shared by our speakers (downloadable):
Julia Weber: TikTok Posting Checklist
Jen Ruiz: TikTok Features
OCTOBER
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Session: Monetizing Your Website
Speakers: Yashy Murphy, Will Tang and Barry Choi
Watch the recording of the Session now
Packed with tips, suggestions and insights, TMAC members interested in how to website or blog – just starting out OR experienced – this is a great 60 min session for you!
NOVEMBER
Monday November 15, 2021
Session: Best Practices in Sharing Stories of Indigenous Tourism in Canada
Speakers:
Ryan Rogers, Communications Specialist, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Mackenzie Brown, Director of Industry Development for Indigenous Tourism Alberta
Presented by TMAC National in conjunction with Prairies & NWT Chapter
Watch the recording of the session now
Resources referenced within the session:
- Indigenous Tourism Alberta Cultural Awareness Toolkit
- Indigenous Tourism Alberta Style Guide
- Indigenous Tourism Alberta Media Kit
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2020 Webinar Calendar
APRIL
Thursday, April 2 – Best of Both Worlds: Leveraging Freelance Writing and Blogging to Diversify Income and Exponentially Grow Your Business with Nora Dunn CLICK HERE TO VIEW
MAY
Friday, May 1 – Pinterest 101: A Beginner’s Guide for Travel Media presented by Mary Suazo.
Tuesday, May 5 – A Critical Look at Influencer Marketing with Dalene Heck CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Tuesday, May 19 – Writing About Your Own Backyard with Laura Byrne Paquet CLICK HERE TO VIEW
JUNE
Wednesday, June 3 – How to Drive Traffic to Your Website Through SEO (Search Engine Optimization) with Christopher Mitchell and Kevin Wagar CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Wednesday, June 10 –Get To Know Your Group Health Benefits – Writers Coalition Health Insurance CLICK HERE TO VIEW
Wednesday, June 17 – Industry to Industry Panel Discussion with Tania Kedikian, Jantine Van Kregten & Tracy Ford CLICK HERE TO VIEW
SEPTEMBER
Tuesday, September 8 – SEO 2.0: Understanding and Increasing Your Site’s Authority with Christopher Mitchell and Kevin Wagar CLICK HERE TO VIEW
DECEMBER
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 – Rebuilding Consumer Confidence in the Tourism Industry with TIAO Beth Potter CLICK HERE TO VIEW
If you have a topic or speaker you’d like to recommend please email the National PD Chair Kattrin Duncan at Kattrin.Duncan@ontario.ca
* Subject to Change