BCATW Annual Symposium 2010
“BROADENING OUR HORIZONS:
Learning to Write in Various Travel Genres.”
After President Rick Millikan welcomed over 55 participants to the eighth annual Symposium on May 8th at the historic Listel Hotel in Vancouver, BC, Program Chairman John Geary introduced our five exemplary Travel Media panelists:
 | JOHN LEE ~ cultural travel writing An award-winning travel writer, John’s work has appeared in the Lonely Planet Travel Guides, National Geographic Traveler, the Globe and Mail, Chicago Tribune and US Airways in-flight. As well, he has written the books Walking Vancouver and Drinking Vancouver. |
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RANDALL SHIRLEY~ cruise/luxury travel writing
Randall’s work has appeared in Bon Appetit, Air Canada OnAir, Travel+Leisure, the Boston Globe and Calgary Herald. He is also the travel editor of Outlooks, Canada's gay national lifestyle magazine and is editor of the gay cruise website, meetmeonboard.com. |
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LORI HENRY~ ecotourism and adventure travel writing
Lori is the Western Canada Travel Writer for Suite101.com Her guidebook work includes publication in Fodor's Nova Scotia & Atlantic Canada. She has also written for Reader's Digest, Western Living, VIA destinations, West and FLARE. |
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JOANNE SASVARI~ culinary travel writing
Joanne was the inaugural travel editor for the National Post. Currently, she writes for Western Living, the Vancouver Sun and CanWest News Services and occasionally for other publications such as Alive!, Wine Access, Calgary Herald and Taste. She is also author of the 2006 culinary-travel-memoir Paprika: A Spicy Memoir from Hungary. |
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CHRISTINE POTTER~ seniors travel
Christine is a veteran travel journalist and founding editor of HolidayMaker, a travel magazine she ran for 15 years before selling it to Carlson Wagonlit Travel. She also writes about business travel for the Ontario based Business Executive, is a frequent contributor to Canadian Traveller and its web-daily TravelHotNews and writes a travel column for the seniors’ publication Independent Times. |
Each writer addressed the audience for 10 minutes about writing in their genre, followed by general questions from the audience.
At two in-depth breakout sessions participants had an opportunity to sit with the writers of their choice and pick their brains further about writing in that travel-writing genre. These five motivating speakers provided personal anecdotes and helpful tips, as well as humorous and practical suggestions from their broad and varied experiences.
The Symposium climaxed with drawings for prizes. Rick Millikan first thanked board members and the volunteer committee for their solicitations. Special kudos were given to past president Jane Cassie for pitching in and arranging several very “Grand” prizes! As prize chairperson Jan DeGrass pointed out the generosity of this year's donations from tourist industry businesses and she encouraged all our lucky winners to write about their terrific travel awards.
We extend our further thanks to the following prize sponsors and congratulations to travel media winners:
Non-members and Members DRAW:
 The Burnaby Village Museum (www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca) Complimentary 2 admissions plus 2 carousel rides Laurie McConnell |
 The Burnaby Village Museum (www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca) Complimentary 2 admissions plus 2 carousel rides Mari Kane |
 Vancouver Trolley (www.vancouvertrolley.com) 2 passes to enjoy the company's sightseeing tours Jett Britnell |
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 Museum of Anthropology Two complimentary admissions Chris Millikan |
 Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria- Complimentary High Tea for Two– Darlene Foster |
 Vancouver Playhouse tickets for two to the play, “Dangerous Corner” (Use by May 22) & Drinking Vancouver Book (donor writer John Lee) Karoline Cullen |
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 Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, Victoria Complimentary Green fees for Two Jane Cassie |
 Kenyan Dress & Beaded Bag (donor Sandra Harper) Chris Herbet |
 Malaysian Handicrafts & Umbrella (Malaysia Tourism) Jason Cressey |
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 Capilano Suspension Bridge 2 Passes & "Pacific NW" Book Margaret Deefholts |
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Capilano Suspension Bridge Two Passes Caroline Jackson |
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 Vancouver Island Wine Tours (www.vancouverislandwinetours.com) Cowichan Valley complimentary wine tour for 2 Robert Scheer |
 Day Trip Drea Adventure Tours www.daytripdrea.com Guided hike on Vancouver Island. Includes lunch and transportation John Geary |
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BCATW members only DRAW |
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 Powell River's Manzanita Restaurant (www.manzanita.ca) (& Old Courthouse Inn offer overnight stay) & meal voucher Chris Millikan |
 Butchart Gardens, Victoria (www.butchartgardens.com) Entrances for Two Sally Bennett |
 Sunset Inn & Suites www.sunsetinn.com in Vancouver’s West End Two night's accommodation in an Executive One Bedroom Suite for 2. Hamish Jackson |
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 Painted Boat Resort and Spa in Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast One night's stay for two courtesy of Canadian Rocky Mountain Resorts (www.paintedboat.com) Darlene Foster |
 Sakinaw Lake Lodge Sunshine Coast www.sakinawlakelodge.com 2 night's stay in the Cedar Suite, Boat transportation included Jan DeGrass |
 Heritage Bonniebrook Lodge (www.bonniebrook.com) near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast 1 night's stay for 2 + $25 credit to dine in their gourmet restaurant, Chasters. Randi Winter |
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 Adventure B&B in Powell River (www.adventureb-b.com) offers 2 night's accommodation, breakfasts, supper & kayak/hiking plus Desolation Sound excursion with Footprint Nature Explorations Jett Britnell |
 New Crown Mansion (www.crownmansion.com) 2 nights stay courtesy Oceanside Tourism Association, passes for Milner Gardens, lunch + complimentary BC ferry passes Lenora Hayman |
 Sunshine Coast package: 2 nights on Texada Island in a cabin with hot tub at the Sand Dollar Log Cabin (www.sanddollarlogcabin.com) While waiting for a ferry to Texada, a one night's stay at Sunlund by the Sea (www.sunlund.ca) in Lund in their Discover Cabin with beach and hot tub. Liz Clark |
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 B.C. Ferries vouchers for round trip for 2 + underweight vehicle, courtesy of Tartan Group (Travelosophy.ca.) Jane Cassie |
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 Echo Valley Ranch (www.evranch.com) near Clinton, BC: an overnight stay & meals for 2 Rick Millikan |
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Predator Ridge, Vernon (www.predatorridge.com) 1 night in a 1 bedroom suite Georgina Montgomery |
 Galiano Oceanfront Inn Spa and Resort offers 2 nights in oceanfront villa suite, + 1 hr. massage at their spa, use of Smart car for island tour & $25 in dining at the Oceanfront restaurant for each day (www.galianoinn.com) Jason Cressey |
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 Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa offers 1 night's West Tower accommodation, a Copper Room dinner for two, buffet breakfast for two and 2 massage treatments in the Healing Springs Spa (www.harrisonresort.com) Sandra Harper |
 Wake Up Furlong Award Breakfast with VANOC head John Furlong Mari Kane |
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 Our Director of Communications and Buzz Editor Irene Butler again organized our popular raffle. |
 Darlene Foster won this year’s spectacular Basket of Goodies! |