SATW Elects New Leadership
25 Sep

The SATW is thrilled to introduce Mary Jo Manzanares as the incoming President-Elect and first digital publisher elected to the SATW presidency. Mary Jo began her blogging career in 2005, long before travel content creation became the powerhouse it is today. With a passion for exploring the world and sharing practical tips on value luxury experiences through her platform, Traveling with MJ, she’s built a successful small business that resonates with everyday travelers seeking attainable luxury.

Mary Jo is ready to lead with a focus on embracing change, advocating for digital publishers, and ensuring that SATW remains a thought leader in the ever-evolving travel media landscape. In this interview, she shares her thoughts on the future of SATW, her top priorities, and how she plans to support the organization in navigating the changes and challenges ahead.

What is your professional background?

I started blogging in 2005, the early days when digital publishing was touted as new media. I had a love of travel and sharing recommendations and tips with friends and colleagues, but I had no journalism training nor any publishing technology skills. I found a mentor, took courses and classes, read everything I could, and made a lot of mistakes. But out of that process I’ve been able to grow a small business doing something that I love. 

Today, I focus on value luxury destinations, experiences, and products (luxury for real people) at Traveling with MJ. 

Prior to blogging, I worked as a flight attendant for Alaska Airlines (33 years), which gave me lots of opportunities to see the world. I am also a licensed attorney (1981) in the State of Washington.

What are your thoughts heading into the President-Elect position in the fall of 2023? How do you think SATW can best position itself going forward when there have been so many changes in the travel media landscape?

No matter the changes in the tools of media – AI, search, technology, etc. – readers (and listeners, viewers, and followers) will always be looking for reliable, trustworthy information. SATW members provide that.

As an organization, SATW can help our members navigate the murky waters of change. We can learn to manage, if not embrace, new tools and processes. SATW should be seen as a thought leader in the travel industry, and our members seen as experts who provide reliable information using the best available tools.

What will be your top priorities as President-Elect working with current President Lydia Schrandt, incoming President Chez Chesak, and the SATW Board?

At the top of the list is working to support the initiatives already in process, and the hard work of  Lydia, Chez, and board members. It often takes more than one term to implement new ideas, and I’m here to make sure their work doesn’t get lost in transition.

As the first blogger to be elected SATW President-Elect, it’s probably not surprising that another one of my priorities is to be an advocate for digital publishers within the industry and the Society. While I may be the first elected to this role, I will work hard to make sure I’m not the last.

What initiatives do you see as paramount for SATW to focus on in the next few years?

It’s a good time to evaluate all of our revenue-generating activities, including sponsorships, the Convention, and other fee-based events. There are creative ways to keep prices low and value high once we look beyond the status quo. Let’s see where modification or expansion would help create additional value for our members, sponsors, and other partners. Let’s demonstrate more clearly the ROI (return on investment) of SATW membership.

We must also foster an environment that increases volunteer participation at all levels within the organization. It makes the load lighter for all of us, creates an engaged membership, and establishes leadership succession and continuity in a way that ensures SATW continues to thrive.

What is the one thing you wish members took more advantage of with SATW?

Benefits – attending events like our Convention or Council or Chapter meetings, participating in our outstanding Professional Development webinars, taking advantage of the many discounts offered to members, or using the SATW press card for admission at museums and sites. And more! These benefits more than pay for the cost of membership.

What do you want members to know about you as a journalist and a leader?

At the heart of it all, I believe in servant leadership – focusing on serving members, encouraging diversity of thought and opinions, fostering creativity, and mentoring leadership successors and volunteers.

Despite the often dreary headlines and conversations, travel publishing and travel content creation is not all gloom and doom. It may be different than what we expected, but I believe the path ahead of us is still bright. I’ll be here for it.