2020-2021 President Elect Candidates

Elizabeth Harryman

I’d like to serve you as your president elect because I think my management skills, my consensus-building abilities, and my unflappable confidence in the future will be valuable in guiding SATW through these difficult times. Today I work as an editor, supervising travel coverage in seven AAA publications with a combined circulation of more than 6 million from Hawai‘i to New England. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve fought hard to maintain fees of $1 a word and more and payment on acceptance.

I previously earned my living as a freelancer, so I understand the needs of both groups. I’ve also been involved in the digital world since putting up a travel website including audio in 1994, and I’ve been active in travel reporting on radio and television since the early 90s, so I have a perspective on digital and broadcast media as well. Because I’ve worked closely with public relations professionals over the years, I recognize the enormous value our Associates bring to our industry and to SATW.

And I’m so grateful the Society has welcomed independent publishers, whose spirit of entrepreneurship has re-energized the organization. We all need each other and benefit from each others’ skills and perspectives. For two years, I served on the SATW Board as Editors Council Chair and worked on the committee that developed a simple, workable re-qualification process. I later served on the Ethics Committee, and have worked extensively on professional development.

I applaud the progress that the current Board and recent Boards have made to simplify processes, embrace new technologies, and engage new members. When the current crisis is over, I believe people will have renewed appreciation and respect for travel, and responsible travel journalism will be more important than ever. Strong professional development will be critical, to ensure that our members have the skills we all need to survive and thrive in today’s continually evolving media landscape. SATW faces unprecedented challenges, but by working together, sharing insights, and thinking creatively, we’ll all get through this crisis and come out stronger. Stay safe and well. We’ll conquer this – no question.

5 Questions for Elizabeth Harryman:

Q: The next few years will pose many challenges for our members — and in turn, for our Society. What specific ideas do you have for increasing membership value and giving members more bang for their buck?

My main focus throughout my SATW membership has been on Professional Development. Whatever the technology, quality will always be in demand. We can help our members remain competitive by:

Offering one-on-one coaching (editors and writers, veteran podcasters and beginners, social media experts and novices) of the kind that I’m planning and coordinating as part of the Milwaukee Annual Convention in October. We can offer these one-on-one coaching sessions virtually – via ZOOM or other technologies – throughout the year.
Offering webinars throughout the year on new technologies, similar to the recent SATW webinar on Gutenberg. The webinars have been fantastic, and as new products come onto the market, we can partner with different companies to offer training sessions to members.
Offering more opportunities for freelancers and editors to meet and interact. Even if print diminishes, editors at online publications will need freelancers. We can develop virtual cocktail parties or coffees, to provide opportunities to get to know one another.

Q: No one knows what the situation will be for travel communications 1-1/2 years from now, when the next President Elect takes office. But we likely will need to rethink the ways we do some things. What specific experiences have you had that demonstrate your ability to think flexibly and out-of-the-box?

During the pandemic, we on the Westways editorial staff have all been working from home and have changed the way we operate.

We put out the July/August 2020 issue of Westways entirely digitally. (The magazine will come out in print, but the process was completely digital – no paper manuscripts or proofs.)
As news developed about the pandemic, I rethought travel editorial for upcoming issues – not knowing what the situation would be a few months out, I pivoted quickly, pulling some stories and changing the focus of others to armchair travel or virtual travel. I worked with the other editors to be sure our editorial content was COVID-19 sensitive.
I quickly pivoted to holding interdepartmental meetings virtually via Zoom or on other platforms. I can see SATW holding many meetings virtually in the future.

Q: The digital transformation of our business and the world at large is continuing at a rapid pace. How has your own business changed in the digital age, and how will that help you lead our organization and its members?

At the Auto Club, we’ve moved increasingly into digital content.

Although Westways and the other seven magazines the Auto Club publishes remain in print, they all also have an online presence and several also have regular eNewsletters.
I regularly assign, write, and edit articles for the Auto Club website, and I work closely with our Digital Content Editor on ongoing projects. Currently, we’re developing content for special landing pages on the website dealing with Travel During COVID-19. Post-pandemic, I see us moving more and more into the digital realm.

In radio, my husband, Paul Lasley, and I have shifted from live broadcast to global digital satellite with daily travel shows for the American Forces Network, and we started an audio travel website in 1994. Today, we also do regular podcasts.

All this experience will help me lead SATW at this time because I understand these digital technologies and how an organization like SATW can benefit from their use.

Q: What specific business experience have you had that will help you in this job, (such as team leadership, strategic planning, financial forecasting, marketing, project management?)

As Westways/ACE Publications Travel Editor & Editor of Two AAA Magazines, I’ve:

Planned editorial calendars and coordinated travel editorial among all seven of the AAA magazines the Auto Club of Southern California publishes.
Managed annual editorial budgets of many thousands of dollars, doing monthly forecasting and always coming in under budget while insisting on maintaining freelancer fees of at least $1 a word.
Coordinated with other Auto Club departments including Travel Products and Marketing, holding regular meetings among those staff members and the magazine editors to explore opportunities for synergy.
Assisted in planning AAA Travel Shows: organizing speakers and panels and acting as travel show MC.

As SATW Editors Council Chair for two years, I’ve:

Planned two very successful Editors Council meetings (in Los Angeles and New Orleans), working with CVBs and organizing speakers and panels and keeping the meetings under budget and on schedule.
Revised the Editors Council Operations Manual for future Editors Council Chairs to follow.
Created a Timeline for future Editors Council Chairs to follow.

As an SATW member, I’ve:

Planned the Professional Development for two national conventions, in Wenzhou, China, and in Portland, Oregon, getting stellar panelists and speakers while adhering to limited budgets.

Q: Partnerships with other travel organizations have become increasingly important. But all successful partnerships involve boundaries. In your opinion, what SATW values, traditions and practices should be most closely safeguarded?

Editorial Integrity. Our motto is “Inspiring travel through responsible journalism.” When travel comes back after the pandemic, responsible journalism will be more important than ever. Readers, listeners, and followers will need accurate information they can trust about how and where to travel safely. We SATW members can provide that, and we must never betray the trust that those people place in us. SATW can be a powerful, responsible leader in the new age of travel.
Strong Membership Qualification. We should maintain the highest standards, so that membership in SATW always carries with it a reputation for professionalism and excellence.

Anna Hobbs

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Being asked to run for SATW President-Elect was an honor. Saying ‘yes’, a commitment. My decision was based on much thought, many discussions, and the endorsement of several past presidents. It was also based on a desire to continue to give back to the society that has given me so much. Before you vote, – and please be sure to vote – here’s what I would like you to know about my experience, my priorities and my commitment.

Experience:

I joined SATW in 1997 when my responsibilities at Canadian Living involved establishing a travel section. It was a smart move and a wise decision.
Since then I have served as Chapter Active-at-Large, Treasurer, Sites Chair and Chair which involved four years on the SATW Board.
25 years as a magazine editor followed by 19 years freelancing.
Proven management and team-building skills gained as a partner in a successful family business, with a firm but kind hand to get things done.
Volunteer experience on the Boards of local, national and non-profit organizations.

Priorities:

Help guide SATW through a ‘new normal’ following the carnage of Covid-19. We have a role to play in rebuilding a devastated industry, and together, I believe, we can contribute ideas, strategies and energy toward making a difference.
Better meet the needs of all members working in different ways across our ever-changing media landscape, traditional and digital, while continuing to ensure our journalistic values and standards.
Provide outstanding PD.
I believe that future opportunities lie with the Global Travel Media Alliance and am excited about working together.
Given the new by-laws and Board structure, I would work to ensure that two-way communication pathways are in place between the Board, Councils and members.
Work to help the travel industry and media outlets appreciate the value of what SATW can offer.

Commitment:

Being involved has always been a priority, and I am now in a position to fully commit to the time and energy this position and that of President, require.
As we deal with the devastation of Covid19, to put members needs and concerns first.
To listen carefully to Board colleagues, Chapter and Council Chairs.
To support the best ideas to secure and improve the future of SATW.
To provide a Canadian voice at the Board level.

For now, this is ‘listening and learning’ time for me when I would like to hear from members who wants to share thoughts and ideas. I believe that with enormous challenges come exciting opportunities.
#SATW stronger together.

5 Questions for Anna Hobbs:

Q:The next few years will pose many challenges for our members — and in turn, for our Society. What specific ideas do you have for increasing membership value and giving members more bang for their buck?

One of the first things to consider, after the inevitable fallout from COVID-19, is increasing membership numbers. Critical mass is vital, particularly when you want your association to be seen as a leader. Why not challenge members to bring in new members, with the opportunity to win a year’s free membership? With more members come more funds and more membership value.

The majority of members indicate they joined SATW to network. I would encourage small, regional meetings, online kitchen table discussions or happy hour events in smaller communities. These are relatively easy and inexpensive to organize and provide an excellent networking opportunities.

Exceptional PD is more important than ever and not only at conventions. I would ensure that members are aware of the resources of the digital PD library. And investigate partnering with another travel media organization to host a Marketplace.

Keeping PD front and center: I organized virtual One-on-One coaching sessions with LA Times Travel Editor Catharine Hamm following the successful event at our November 2019 Chapter meeting.

Engaging from the get-go: When volunteering with another professional organization, I added to the application form: “With which committee would you like to share your time and talents?” It was an up-front commitment to engage which gave us immediate access to a pool of enthusiastic newcomers.

Making do with less: On two occasions (a 2016 Chapter meeting and this month, a Chapter webinar) I engaged the head of accounting firm to host a tax information hour, and waive their usual fee.

Adding a smile in dreary times: I created a custom COVID-19 SATW mask!

While increasingly engaged in social media, I am primarily a print journalist. However I am delighted SATW now has a Digital Council, I wholeheartedly endorse that SATW needs to be at the forefront of new media. I know from that great teacher, Experience: if you are lacking in a specific skill set, gather the best, most creative, knowledgeable people around and become the team leader. The process has never let me down.

Q: What specific business experience have you had that will help you in this job, (such as team leadership, strategic planning, financial forecasting, marketing, project management?)

The first thing I did as Chapter Chair was to schedule a strategic planning session with an independent consultant. This charted our course for the next four years, with the executive and committees working towards the same goal. A year and a half from now could be the ideal time for a Society strategic planning session.

As a partner in a wine-importing business, my responsibilities included public relations, wine club sales and translation during buying trips to France. Prior to joining the editorial staff of Canadian Living magazine, I established my own boutique marketing company. At Canadian Living, in addition being a section editor and then associate editor, I established Marketplace, the mail order arm of the magazine.

I have served on the Boards of Governors of a 450-bed hospital where I chaired the health promotion committee; and a $5 million international equestrian and agricultural show where I chaired the food and educational committees. Each came with its own set of challenges. All were great learning experiences.

But this position is not about me and what I have done. It is about the ideas and initiatives that I, and the SATW team can implement to assure the success and continuity of our society and, by extension, our profession.

I believe the future lies within partnerships such as The Global Travel Media Alliance. There has never been a better time for collaboration, to become global, to work in partnership with organizations that have the same or similar standards to SATW. By not doing so, we become an island.

Travels Most Trusted Voices would still say who we are and what we stand for.

Protecting this commitment includes the standards for qualification and requal, and adherence to the Code of Ethics, which, as times change, should be reassessed on an on-going basis.