In this newsletter:
- Intro from Chris
- Events & Conventions:
- Website: the Connect and Profile features
- Board updates
Intro from Chris
AGM
We are delighted to see so many people attending the AGM next month, either in person or online. For those coming in person there will be a Guild social event after the business meeting and a chance to relax together. If you haven’t registered yet but want to come then please do so before 22nd February if you want to eat! (see below) The costs of this event are being covered by the Guild.
Modernisation & Rebranding
The year ahead is an important one for the Guild and will define its importance within the industry for years to come. As you know the travel industry has changed a lot in recent years and for many of us this has meant learning a new skillset to sit alongside our strongest one. Fewer and fewer of us solely pursue just one skill, whether that be writing, broadcasting, blogging or photography.
With the industry now looking for more from anyone they commission, it is important that we show them all the skills amongst our members. So it’s time for change – a word many of us find scary. But it doesn’t have to be. It’s progress and it’s time we presented a fresher, more contemporary face of the Guild to the travel industry and media.
With this in mind, the Board has put forward a motion to change the name of the Guild in its 65th year. After discussions with PRs and industry colleagues, plus a review panel which incorporated members’ views (available in the AGM documents), the modest recommendation is that the “W” in BGTW is inverted to “M’ for media. The British Guild of Travel Media. This is now far more representative of our membership, is much less radical than some of the suggestions, retains the essence of the organisation, preserves our heritage in the 65th year and doesn’t prevent us from still being referred to as “The Guild”.
Representing our professional membership
Over the last year we’ve worked hard to rebuild the Guild’s reputation and to stress that what differentiates us from businesses like TravMedia and Travel Connections is that we are an ACCREDITED ORGANISATION OF PROFESSIONALS. There are standards for our membership to meet and a press card is not automatic for anyone who wants one. You have to earn it. You have to be skilled at what you do to get it and to be a member. This distinction sets the Guild and its members apart.
If the resolution passes we would like to rebrand with a new, much more contemporary and professional logo and a new website which showcases our members and our activities for all to see.
We need your support
I cannot stress how important this vote is for our future and the Guild’s ability to represent you. The vote requires a 75% majority to pass, so we need your support. Before the vote there will be an opportunity to discuss this, but this motion comes with the strongest recommendation from the Board representing you – a minor name change will significantly enhance the Guild’s and your reputation, and represent you all better.
If you would like more information then please read the Modernisation Review Panel’s report and if this doesn’t address any concerns you may have then please feel free to contact me.
Conventions
Below you will find information on the new conventions. Yes, they are really happening! 10 days in Sri Lanka in May and 7 days in China in June. There are also two more trips to China and one to Portugal this year under discussion, and we’ve already been approached by three more destinations for next year, so watch this space.
Chris Coe,
On behalf of the BGTW Board
EVENTS AND CONVENTIONS
AGM & Post-AGM Social: 10th March
All members should have received the formal AGM invite and agenda earlier this week. If you are a Full or Honorary Member, or an Associate Representative, and haven’t yet confirmed your attendance at the AGM please do so on this link before February 22nd to guarantee a seat and lunch. We will try to accommodate any late sign-ups after this date (up until the Friday before the meeting) but, we will be unable to guarantee catering after the 22nd when final pre-orders and arrangements must be made.
Date: Monday 10th March 2025
Time: 11.00am to 6.00pm
Venue: International Students House, 1 Park Crescent, London, W1B 1SH
Evening Social: 6.00pm to 10.00pm
Social Venue: The Union Regents Place, 11 Triton Street, London, NW1 3BF (5 minutes’ walk from AGM venue)
Around the World in 65 Years
Celebrating the 65th anniversary of the BGTW, the book will cover 65 great travel stories and 65 extraordinary travel experiences. With a publication date of Monday November 3 (the BGTW Gala Dinner), we need your input. Articles can be from 500 to 1,200 words, either published or new. Experiences will be detailed with relevant information.
More information at the AGM, including how this can promote you as a writer or photographer. If you are interested in contributing or helping with the overall production of the book, please contact Mary Anne Evans or Juliet Coombe.
CONVENTIONS
The plans for this year’s Conventions are now taking shape. The Conventions are not press trips. They are much slower trips with a focus on culture, communities and traditional crafts, rather than tourist itineraries. There will be time for you to meet people and explore more in-depth features, photography and broadcasts.
Photographers and broadcasters often have different approaches to securing commissions so, where possible, we are negotiating spaces to include them.
These are the dates so far:
Sri Lanka Convention: 13th – 23rd May
- We will travel out on a Sri Lanka national holiday and have a day or two a a beach resort to acclimatise after the journey.
- This convention will end in style with a Gala Dinner on 22nd May.
- The FINAL deadline for applications for this convention is 11th March.
A provisional itinerary will be available soon and if you have a specific ideas which you’d like us to try to incorporate then please add these to your application form or inform Charlotte as soon as possible.
If you need another copy of the application form, please contact Charlotte who can send it to you. Thank you to those of you who have already submitted your form – we’ll be back in touch with you soon.
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China Convention : 9th – 16th June
Changsha, Hunan Province
This is likely to be the first of three China Conventions each to a different province. Dates for the other two are currently late June and September. We now have a confirmed date for the first (of three) conventions to China.
This trip will focus on an in-depth look at traditional culture and crafts. We will be special guests at the Changsha cultural festival at the end of the trip. Commissions are not a condition of joining this trip, but our hosts have an expectation of coverage where possible.
All these China Conventions will have places for photographers and broadcasters.
If you are interested, please complete the Expression of Interest form. Further information will follow as soon as it becomes available.
Website
The Connect and Profile features on the BGTW website are currently undergoing an upgrade and testing ready for a new, fully searchable database of members to launch in March.
We will share more details on this shortly, as well as the date the current Connect feature will be depreciated. For now, we suggest not updating any elements on your account as these new features are rolled out.
Board updates
Chris sent an update on the 2025 Board and their portfolios last week. If you missed it, you can view the details here. In addition, here is an update from Valery:
Valery standing down from the Board.
As some of you might know, I have decided to stand down from the Board forthwith but my commitment to the Guild remains unwavering.
In the past, I’ve served in various capacities, including as a legal advisor to the Board. In my recent role as Press Trip Coordinator, I’m pleased that I managed to set up so many successful trips (from China to Denmark) along with setting up much-appreciated events closer to home (from Kew Gardens to out of town events in Bristol). Neil Taylor entrusted me with this role and I was proud to deliver on many fronts and appreciate the members who’ve thanked me for my work for the general membership.
I won’t be elaborating on the reasons behind my decision because the Guild has endured enough tumult in recent years. I can only say that I have enjoyed serving the membership to the best of my abilities, that I loved my most recent role and appreciate the support and friendship of many members.
