In:House #8

Posted on in Announcements by Mark Bibby Jackson

In this newsletter you will find:

Confirmation of AGM and Convention Venue

We are delighted to have been invited by Visit Isle of Man to hold our 2024 AGM and Convention on the island. The details are being sorted out as we speak but we can confirm that outward travel over to the island will be on Monday 5 February. Members attending for the AGM element only will return on Wednesday 7 February with everyone else returning on Friday 9 February. We are currently finalising the accommodation, fam trip, dining and transport options and putting together a full set of Q&A covering who can attend, who can stay for the full week, and everything else you will want to know. We aim to have all that in place and be ready to invite applications later in November once the forthcoming Annual Gala Awards Dinner and all the associated activity is completed.

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Request for details of Malta coverage

Please Inform Us of Your Coverage of Malta
As we look ahead to 2024 we are still waiting for updates from a handful of members who, in applying to go to Malta back in March, stated they had commissions. If that’s you, we need an update now please. Ideally details and links to coverage you’ve obtained, or, noting that coverage could well be happening early next year, an update when the coverage is likely. Send your updates to stuart.render@bgtw.org

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Information on the BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner

We are glad to announce that this year’s BGTW Annual Gala Awards Dinner (AGAD) promises to be a spectacular event at Middle Temple Hall in London on 5 November (6pm to 11pm).

There may be no fireworks, but thanks to the wonderful support of Explore Charleston and Discover South Carolina, who have generously sponsored the event, we have managed to heavily subsidise members’ tickets for what promises to be the travel event of the year.

Members tickets are £95 and member-plus-one tickets are £140 (both including VAT). The actual pre-subsidised cost is more than £300 per head. Tickets (£199 plus VAT) to our industry friends will be going on sale in two weeks. So, to secure your ticket make sure to beat the rush. The event will include a Champagne reception, three-course sit down dinner, announcement of the BGTW award winners, music and surprise entertainment.

To purchase a ticket, email charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org.

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Guilded News

Following the publication of the first issue of Guilded News in June, we’re now working on the next issue. The purpose of the newsletter is to act as a key point of contact and essential networking tool for the travel industry and the BGTW and its members. It is a forum for BGTW members to update the travel industry on their activities and to act as a conduit for the travel industry to contact our members with commissions and other pieces of work. Please send your updates and news that you would like to share for inclusion in the next issue of Guilded News by 31st October via the from in the email you should have received last week. If you did not receive this email, please contact charlotte.copeman@bgtw.org

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Israel / Gaza

As you know the BGTW is not a political organisation and as such does not put out any message that might be conceived as political in nature. During the AGM in Tenerife, there was a lengthy discussion between members as to the response the Guild should make concerning the Ukraine War, or any other war, or conflict. At the meeting it was decided by the members that the BGTW should not make any such statement. Consequently, we do not feel it would be appropriate for the BGTW to make any such public announcement on the current situation in Israel and Gaza.

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WTM Antigua Media Invite

BGTW members are invited to join a media event at the Antigua stand where Caribbean-inspired rum cocktails will be served.

When: Tuesday 7 November, 4 PM – 5 PM

Where: Stand #S3-420

Special guest Keisha Schahaff, who made history with her daughter when they became the first Caribbean astronauts in August 2023, will also be in attendance.

Please RSVP: rachel.santacruz@finnpartners.com

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It is true the Board have received threats that legal action will be brought against us but no notice has been received that any legal action has been commenced. Should we receive notice from any court or tribunal that legal proceedings have been set in motion we will issue a statement. Meanwhile we have a legal team in place which is not incurring any charges on the Guild’s finances.

Anyone with particular concerns is welcome to contact Valery here valery.collins@bgtw.org

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Open Forum

At our General Meeting Mark Bibby tabled the idea to have a couple of open fora for members to improve communication between members and the Board. We suggest that this is discussed at the next AGM.

Mark welcomes your feedback at mark.jackson@bgtw.org.

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BGTW on Social Media

We’re always up for sharing your work, events, news, projects etc.

Social media is managed by a small team. If you’re not being followed by the BGTW, email us.

Twitter: Tag @travwriters in your tweet/photo if you want us to see/share. You can also follow fellow members on this BGTW members list.

Instagram posts: Select ‘Tag people’ then tag @travwriters.
You can use the #bgtw hashtag or tag@ us in post copy/comments, but they’re harder to track. Tagging IN the pic guarantees we see it.
Stories/Reels: Use the ‘@mention’ function to tag us.

Facebook: We can promote your work/news on our public Facebook page. Send links via FB Messenger to that account.

LinkedIn: You can ‘@’ British Guild of Travel Writers in posts and we’ll like/share/comment when possible/appropriate.

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Mark Bibby Jackson
By: Mark Bibby Jackson Editor, Freelance Journalist, Travel Writer