The Travel Blog Exchange Conference (TBEX) 2012 was held in June at the Colorado Mountains at Keystone Resort. This year's conference was incredible, it was recently acquired by Blogworld and they did an outstanding job organizing with conference.
The breakout sessions gave valuable information, the networking speed dating produced numerous contacts, and the sponsors gave away hundreds of dollars in gifts and prizes. The Taste of Vail showcased the chefs of various lodges with gourmet cuisine.
The most eye-opening takeaway from the conference for me was the multitude of the people of color. Last year at the TBEX Vancouver 2011, there were maybe ten Black Travel Bloggers and one Tourism Board Representative. This year at Keystone there were not only Black Travel Bloggers, but there were Black Hotel Reps, Black Public Relations Reps, Black Convention & Visitor's Bureau Reps, Blacks Travel Consultants, and Black Reps for Travel Companies. I was blown away by the diversity of the Black Travel Industry Representation. We need more of this.
During a chat with a Black Convention & Visitor's Rep, we discussed what was missing from TBEX Keystone 12. She mentioned a breakout session to actually discuss black travel was really needed at the conference. She said she would like to see more Convention & Visitor's Bureaus represented at TBEX.
She suggested that BlogWorld contact PRSA Public Relations Society of America to host breakout sessions on "How Brands Can Better Work With Bloggers?" at the PRSA conferences and events.
We also chatted about how difficult it was to find Black Bloggers. All TBEX attendees worn the same badge. One could not discern if a person was a blogger or an industry representative. I mentioned to her that one hotel director was seeking a Black/ Editor to offer them a position. He said he had a hard time trying to find Black Bloggers. A light bulb went off in my head, I was surprised by that statement. We as Black Bloggers know who we are by avatar or reputation. I had never considered it from the outside point of view. We did not have an organization for Black Travel Bloggers.
Last year at TBEX Vancouver 2011, the Black Travel Bloggers talked about creating a group. We took a group photo but that was the extent of organizing ourselves. I shared this with CVB Rep. She said that we really need a group. She asked me to organize one. I agreed. Now is the time to fill this void. This is the birthing of the Black Travel Bloggers.
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| Black Travel Bloggers TBEX Vancouver 2011 (L to Right Janice Temple, Joi Roberts, Jason Guy, Patricia King, Brian Peters) |
We are adding ourselves to the diversity of the travel industry to be inclusive with the Latina Mommy Bloggers and the LGBT Bloggers.
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| TBEX Vancouver 2011 Black Travel Bloggers (l to r Joi Roberts, Jason Guy, Tracey Friley, Janice Temple) |
By Janice Temple "Skychi"
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Introduction
BTB Black Travel Bloggers Daily
BTB Black Travel Bloggers
This group of Professional Black Online Travel Journalists in New Digital Media is seeking to create social media sponsorships and partnerships with Public Relations Companies, Convention Visitors Bureaus, Tourism Boards and Hotels. Our partnership comprises Travel Bloggers who are Mommy Bloggers, Food & Wine Bloggers, Fashion Bloggers, Beauty, Health & Fitness Bloggers. We cover Romance, Girl Getaways, Guy Getaways, Family Travel, Spa Vacation, LGBT Travel and Boomer Travel. We are available for sponsorships, partnerships, press trips, fam trips, and sponsored tweets.
BTB Black Travel Bloggers BlogRoll
Contact info
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Contact infoEmail - blacktravelbloggers@gmail.com
- blacktravelbloggers@gmail.com