This will not be a typical post. It’s not a listicle, or a travel tips article or destination review. I’m sharing some personal joy which I hope you may appreciate and celebrate with me.
2024 TMAC Awards
I’ve been visiting the central coast of Newfoundland this past week, culminating in a stay in St. John’s, the provincial capital, for the annual Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC) conference.
I’ve been a member of this professional travel writing association for nearly ten years. Over that time, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of meeting fellow writers and learning much about travel and the art of writing.
This year, 2024, is the 30th anniversary of TMAC. As always, it was wonderful to see old friends and meet new ones. And to learn about the interesting times and difficult challenges facing our industry.
Face time is so meaningful, particularly when I look back on Covid times. And Newfoundland is a beautiful province, filled with kind and friendly people and some of Canada’s most jaw-dropping landscapes. It was the perfect host for this year’s gathering.
My first visit to Newfoundland was in summer 2023, when I traveled to Western Newfoundland to follow the Viking Trail.
I also spent three days in attendance at the 20th anniversary of the Writers at Woody Point Festival in the tiny town of Woody Point. Attending the annual literary festival, celebrating the best of Canadian literature, music and the arts, was one of my summer highlights.
A First Place Finish
And so, I am beyond honoured and elated to win 1st Place at the annual TMAC awards on June 16, 2024, in the category of the ‘Spirit of Canada,’ for my story A Literary Kitchen Party Flourishes in Woody Point.
Given that we’re a Canadian writing association, comprised of Canadians writing stories about our beautiful country, and of course other places we are privileged to travel to, this is a very competitive category.
And it’s perfectly fitting that the story – about writers penning tales about human experiences and taking place in Newfoundland and Labrador where relationships and ties are strong – was selected. That I was privileged to witness and write it is an enormous gift.
I am filled with gratitude. And my ecstatic response, well-reflected in the photograph below – reflects my pure joy. It was an incredible and emotional evening celebrating wonderful stories from talented Canadian writers.
Congratulations to my talented fellow winners and nominees. And to all who work hard to tell meaningful and memorable stories worth telling.
Sincere thanks and gratitude to Kristy Hoddinott of Go Western Newfoundland, Gillian Marx of Tourism Newfoundland and Labrador, Travel Yukon for sponsoring this award category, and to Adrian Brijbassi of Vacay Canada for publishing the story.
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