Blog - TBEX USA

Travel Blog Exchange: TBEX Conference Director on This Week in Travel

May 12, 2013 by Jessica Leave a Comment

TBEX Conference Director Mary Jo Manzanares was on the This Week in Travel podcast recently talking about the upcoming TBEX event in Toronto. You can listen to the audio on the bottom link, or watch all the participants chat on the video. We’re particularly excited that veteran TBEXer and travel writer Jen Leo had to say about it:

This is the first time I’ve been psyched about a schedule. The workshops and content that you’re bringing this time is just a step up for veteran bloggers. I think everybody is going to ramp up their game after this TBEX even more than they have before. It’s difficult for someone in this sphere for more than 10 years to learn something new that’s not from a keynote speaker or from an advanced level panel, but I was going through the schedule and thinking, “Oh, I want to go to that one! Oh, I want to go to that one!” That’s what makes me especially excited about this year.

Are you excited about the schedule, too?

Video

Audio

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: podcast

TBEX Speaker Post: Get Your Travel Blog Site Critiqued at TBEX

May 11, 2013 by Mitch Canter 5 Comments

Greetings and salutations! I’d like to be the first to congratulate you on your courage and bravery. It takes guts to be able to lay it all out there for us to observe and critique, but stepping forward is the first step to a better blog or website.

This year marks a first for the TBEX conference: a live website critique. You’ve heard throughout these conferences about all of the theoretical things you can do to your site to make it harder, better, faster, stronger; now it’s time to take what we’ve learned and see the transformation of a site.

So, what will I be checking for?

We’ll start with the overall design – how do the colors, fonts, and layout work with the content being presented? Is it easy to read on all devices and screens? Is it responsive, or does it have a mobile layout (either a separate one, or one at all)?

Then we’ll move into the back-end coding – does the theme effectively use the right HTML tags to best display the content? Is the site responsive? How quickly does the site load?

And finally, a good ole fashioned Google Search. We’ll take a few select keywords that the authors want to rank for and see how that actually plays out in a Google search result.

Would you like to have your website reviewed?

Of course you would!

I’ll have time to review 3-4 sites during the session, but YOU can make sure one of them is yours. Here’s how you can get your blog reviewed:

Send a tweet to @studionashvegas with the hashtag #tbexcritique.
You have until May 28 at 11:59 pm (Pacific Time) to send the tweet.
You can enter as many times as you want – within reason, of course.
On the 29th, I’ll choose 3-4 lucky ~~victims~~ participants to display their site live for the world to see at TBEX.
Participants will be chosen by ”http://www.twitterdraw.com/” to ensure fairness.

Have questions about WordPress?

If you have questions about WordPress, blog design, usability, how to make your site the very best that it can, please ask. Any and all questions can be tweeted to @studionashvegas on or before the day of TBEX! I’ll try to cover and answer as many questions as possible during the course of the live critiques.

Good luck, and (once again) I salute any and all of you that put your name forward. The first step to a better blog is knowing you want to make the changes necessary.

Filed Under: Speaker Interviews Tagged With: WordPress

Travel Blog Exchange: A Newbie’s Guide to TBEX

May 10, 2013 by Jessica 8 Comments

audience at tbex 12 keystone

Who goes to TBEX?

Do I have to be a blogger to attend? What if I’m a podcaster?
TBEX is about “the future of travel media” – and that’s media of all kinds. We welcome bloggers, podcasters, videographers, photographers – as well as people who want to learn more about any of those things. TBEX attendees also include travel industry representatives such as destinations, PR agencies, tour companies, travel products, and more.

What level of experience do I need to have for TBEX to be worthwhile?
TBEX welcomes attendees at all levels of experience. With sessions and topics focused on different skill levels, you’re sure to find something that’s just right for you – wherever your skill level or interest area might be.

How can I find out who else is going to the conference and connect with them?
When attendees fill out Twitter names during registration, giving us permission to use it, we create Twitter lists of attendees for each conference, which you can follow and scan for people who interest you. Not everyone fills out a Twitter name during registration, so although these lists don’t represent 100% of the attendees, they’re a great place to start. You can use and search through the #TBEX hashtag on Twitter to find other people talking about the conference, and check our other social media channels for discussions among fellow attendees.

The Twitter lists for Toronto are:

TBEX Toronto Attendees 1 (we hit Twitter’s 500-person list limit!)
TBEX Toronto Attendees 2
TBEX Toronto Sponsors
TBEX Toronto Speakers

What happens at TBEX?

I’ve never been to any sort of conference before. What should I expect?
TBEX has become a multi-day event that combines workshops, inspirational keynotes, and educational breakout sessions, with business networking opportunities. Our blogger sessions are built upon three core components: Content, Community, and Commerce. We also offer TBEX Business, a series of educational tracks for the travel industry.

Besides the keynotes and classroom sessions, what else happens during a TBEX conference?
We give attendees and sponsors as many opportunities to network as possible, during both Speed Dating and the Open Marketplace as well as coffee breaks, lunches, and evening events. Our host destination works with their partners to create tours, activities, and press trips before and after the conference. That list of events changes with each conference. There’s all the learning and networking going on during the conference, the special events in the evenings, and tours in the days before and after the conference. In short, TBEX is both serious – and seriously fun.

What is “Speed Dating” at TBEX? How does it work?
Speed Dating is a structured networking activity that’s become fairly common in the travel industry. Bloggers and sponsors create a custom schedule of meetings in timed eight-minute segments, each of which provides a chance to meet, start a relationship, and consider future business opportunities. Speed Dating is open to all bloggers, but only industry attendees who are sponsors or who have purchased a Speed Dating table may participate. Here’s the TBEX Toronto Speed Dating Guide, with links to specific guides for bloggers and companies at the bottom of the page.

What’s the difference between “Speed Dating” and the “Open Marketplace?”
Recognizing that the Speed Dating appointments won’t meet everyone’s needs, we’ve created the Open Marketplace as an unstructured session when bloggers and sponsors can network outside the pressure of timed meetings. We hope you’ll take advantage of the Open Marketplace time to meet with people with whom you were unable to schedule an appointment during Speed Dating.

Are there opportunities for press tours while I’m in town for TBEX?
The availability of press tours before and after TBEX varies by conference destination, as these tours are put together by each host destination. In order to make sure you don’t miss an announcement about applying for a press trip, be sure to sign up for the TBEX email newsletter and stay tuned to the TBEX blog and our social channels.

How do I choose which sessions to attend? I don’t want to miss anything.
With multiple sessions going on concurrently, you’re going to have to make some tough choices. This is where a buddy system can come in really handy. Divide the sessions you and your friend(s) really want to attend (so you’re not all going to the same ones), take copious notes, and then swap notes afterward.

How should I prepare for TBEX?

What should I do BEFORE I get to TBEX to make sure I’m properly prepared?

Think about your goals, for your blog and for the conference. What do you want to get out of attending TBEX?
Stay in the loop about possible press trips, tours, or other activities that require applications and/or advance sign-up. The best ways to do this are to sign up for the TBEX email newsletter, subscribe to the TBEX blog, and follow our social media profiles.
Get business cards, and make sure they’ve got your social networks on them as well as site URLs and an email address.
Consider preparing your “elevator pitch” and a media kit.
Complete your profile in the TBEX Toronto Blogger Bridge system and browse the lists to see who you might want to connect with at Speed Dating. (You can learn more about Blogger Bridge, setting up your profile, and making appointments via the links to guides on this page.)

What should I bring to a TBEX conference?

A willingness to both learn something new and share what you know, and a friendly attitude!

Other things that can be really handy to bring along:

Business cards
Media kit
Fine-point Sharpie – This is so you can jot down notes on the business cards you collect, either descriptive information to jog your memory about who someone is or a reminder that you promised to send or do something. Any old pen may work, but with a Sharpie you know you’re covered regardless of what fancy card stock someone’s using on their business cards.
Refillable water bottle – Yes, we work really hard to make sure you’re fed and hydrated, but it’s always good to bring a refillable bottle if you’ve got one.
Notebook and pen – We also make every effort to have WiFi available during TBEX conferences, and many people prefer to take notes directly on their laptops or iPads. But keep in mind that when WiFi is burdened with a conference full of bloggers who are all logging in at once (and some of whom are doing things like uploading big videos) it sometimes gets slow or becomes inaccessible. So having a backup note-taking method is recommended.
Camera and/or video camera – Even if your medium is writing, we’re pretty sure you’ll want at least a camera on hand.
Power strip – Want to make friends at TBEX? Bring a power strip to the conference venue and share all those extra outlets you’re creating. We all need to recharge our phones and laptops midway through the day (especially given the extensive tweeting, Instagramming, and note-taking going on during the conference), and there never seem to be enough outlets. Attendees with power strips are welcome additions to any mass of bloggers huddled around an outlet, hungrily waiting their turn.

What should I make sure to do AFTER I get home from TBEX to get the most out of my time at the conference?

Organize the information from all those business cards you collected. If you don’t already have a system for managing blogging contacts, this is the time to create one (or find an app that works for you).
Follow up with the people you met. This is especially important when it comes to the companies with whom you are most interested in working.
Did you go on a press trip or any tours while at TBEX that you need to cover on your blog? Did you review restaurants or hotels or anything else during your trip? Did you learn something so incredibly valuable that you can’t bear to keep it to yourself? Did you stumble on a story in the host city that you simply have to tell? Do you want to write a “what I wish I knew before I went to my first TBEX” post for the next newbies? Make a content plan for the posts you want to write – and if it helps you to create a schedule of when you’ll publish things, do that, too.
And don’t forget – put what you learned into action!

Logistical Questions

How important is getting lodging close to the conference location?
It’s entirely up to you where you stay when attending a TBEX conference (lodging is not included in the conference pass). Many people find it easier to stay relatively close to the conference venue itself, especially when coming in from out of town and not renting a car. Wherever you stay, be sure to take transit time into account so you don’t miss morning sessions. Note that we’ve got accommodation partners listed under “Attendees > Lodging” on the main page of the TBEX website, many of whom have special discounts for TBEXers.

Are all the TBEX events within walking distance or should I rent a car?
The locations for various parties, tours, and meet-ups vary with every conference – but they are not always within walking distance of one another or the conference venue. We work with our hosts to make getting from point to point during TBEX as straight-forward and easy as possible.

Is there some kind of TBEX dress code?
Nope! We encourage you to be comfortable (you’ll be sitting in sessions for two days) and weather-appropriate (Dublin in October probably won’t require the same attire as the Costa Brava in September, for instance), and if you’re signed up for extra activities you’ll need to dress appropriately for those (it’s probably not a good idea to wear high heels on a walking tour, after all). We also think it’s smart to dress in a way that tells potential industry representatives you’re professional. What that means, exactly, is up to you.

How can I make sure I get all TBEX-relevant news?
The best thing to do is sign up for the TBEX newsletter (you’ll find the sign-up form on the right-hand margin of the TBEX website). It comes out weekly via email, and includes the latest from the TBEX blog, reminders about upcoming deadlines for things like press trip applications and ticket price increases, and other information we think is useful to the TBEX community. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to follow TBEX on our social channels, too.

What do attendees say about TBEX?

Okay, obviously we think TBEX is worthwhile. But what do our attendees think?
Here are some round-ups of what attendees had to say about past conferences.

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: newbies

TBEX Speaker Post: Post-TBEX Follow Up & Organization

May 9, 2013 by Amy Moore 2 Comments

If you have been to a travel conference or trade show of any kind, you know that you will walk out with stacks of business cards. Everyone you meet gives you one. So if you are like me, you put a rubber band around them and throw them in your luggage. Then what do you do with them?

First, you need to spend a few minutes organizing them. Pull out the handful of cards you need to follow up on right away. These high priority cards are obvious. Maybe you discussed specific plans with them when you met them at speed dating, or you talked to them at a party and you know you want to pitch them quickly. Set those aside to work on as soon as possible.

The sheer amount of business cards remaining can be intimidating, so let’s break them up into groups. You don’t have to spend a lot of time thinking it over. Break them out into manageable groups by whatever way makes sense to you. My suggested groups would be other bloggers, brands, and destinations.

Because you are a travel blogger, I’m going to make the assumption that you do not want to continue to carry around an ever growing stack of business cards, even if they are in manageable groups. That’s ok! They are hard to deal with in this form anyway. You need to digitize them!

There are all kinds of ways to do this. You could buy software made for content management, scan them or photograph them and keep them as image files. I found that these options weren’t the best option for me and went a different way. I set up spreadsheets in Google Documents. Not only are they easily accessible to me from any computer anywhere, but I can share them easily. You need to do what will work best for you, but maybe my method will help you get started.

My Spreadsheet Method for Contacts

I have one spreadsheet specifically for brands and one for other bloggers. To handle organization of destinations, hotels and PR companies, I need a more complex system. I have a spreadsheet for every region of the world (e.g. Africa, Pacific, Middle East). I also have separate spreadsheets for the US and Canada. I set up tabs for the countries in the region (or states/provinces).

Within each country tab, I list the contacts for that country. I list their name, title, what type of agency they are with (e.g. hotel, DMO, tour operator), the name of their agency, their location within the country, their email address, comments and whatever else I feel might be necessary. If they are a PR company that reps multiple clients in multiple countries, I copy and paste their information into all applicable tabs.

It might be a little work on the front end, but I have found this to be time well spent. When I need to access contacts later, I can do so easily with this method. If I’m planning a press trip, I can quickly pinpoint the people I have met and I can contact them personally to assist me.

Next Steps

You can choose to hold on to the business cards or toss them after digitizing them in whatever method you choose. I hold on to them, but I’ve yet to physically access the ones I’ve kept in my files. I’ll most likely throw them out in the near future.

Don’t forget that the most important rule of networking is to build relationships. If you place a contact in your spreadsheets and never reach out to them, when you do need them they might have moved on. Taking the time to follow up can help you gain opportunities you might otherwise have missed.

Amy Moore is the General Manager of Everything-Everywhere and blogs about family travel. Hear about “Creative Pitching for Experienced Travel Bloggers” in Amy’s session with Ryan Levitt.

Photo credit: SXC

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: guest post

TBEX Toronto: We Broke the Speed Dating Server

May 8, 2013 by Jessica 7 Comments

Many of you logged into Blogger Bridge on Monday to fill out your profiles, and even more of you logged in today to schedule appointments for speed dating. So many, in fact, that we broke outgoing mail on the server. This was, of course, the critical piece at the root of sending and receiving invitations for appointments as well as messages.

Of course.

In order to fix it, we’ve turned off the scheduling function for the moment. We are simultaneously thrilled at the obvious level of interest and sorry we weren’t ready to deal with it!

We are now going to re-launch scheduling for speed dating on Thursday, May 9th at 5pm Pacific Time.

We really appreciate your patience – we’re working as quickly as we can to resolve this. Please stay tuned to the blog and our social media channels for updates. In the meantime, you can continue to do housekeeping on your profiles.

Filed Under: News

Travel Blog Exchange: What to Know About Bringing Children to TBEX Toronto

May 8, 2013 by Mary Jo Manzanares Leave a Comment

Packed Conference Session at TBEX

Are you planning to bring your family along with you to TBEX? Whether you’re a family travel blogger or you’re just taking advantage of an opportunity to explore our host city before or after the conference, here’s some information that you’ll need to know to help you decide how to best situate your family.

Spouses and partners are welcome at TBEX. They can be registered at the blogger rate and attend sessions and events. Bring them along and let them see what you do.

If you’re traveling with children, the following policy applies:

The TBEX atmosphere is both a learning environment and a busy networking event designed for adults, so we strongly advise that you keep that in mind when deciding whether your child is of an appropriate age and activity level to accompany you.
Infants and young toddlers under the age of five (5) will not be required to have their own conference registration. Children five (5) years of age and older will need to register and have their own badge in order to attend the sessions and events.
At evening parties and other events, all registered attendees, including children, may attend unless the venue prohibits it. Alcohol is served at many of the events, and legal requirements for access vary by destination. The laws and regulations of the host destination and specific venue will apply. The only non-registered participants permitted at TBEX parties are infants with a registered parent/guardian, and again, subject to the laws and regulations of the host. Children must be supervised at all times.
Children and infants are generally not allowed on press trips or tours, as per the requirements of sponsors and hosts, unless specifically noted.
We do not offer an on-site babysitting service at the conference location. If you need child care you will need to make personal arrangements. There are strict laws and regulations about providing child care and they vary based on the destination. Our hosts in Toronto provided us with links to Christopher Robin Babysitting Service and the Toronto listings on Help We’ve Got Kids, and offer these as a starting point for your research. You can also check with your hotel’s guest services desk or concierge, as they often have a list of hotel-approved babysitters.
Please note that some of our sessions may contain mature subject matter and/or language.
We ask that you remove noisy or disruptive children from sessions.
Strollers are not permitted in the speed dating and open marketplace sessions.

If this is your first time attending a TBEX event and you would like to talk to other parents for more tips or advice on attending the conference with your children/family, use the #TBEX Twitter hashtag. Many of our attendees are parents and can give you insider guidance.

Filed Under: Community, Tips

Travel Blog Exchange: Food Blogger Andrew Dobson Recommends Toronto Restaurants for Every Occasion

May 7, 2013 by Mary Jo Manzanares 2 Comments

I met Andrew Dobson during a site visit to Toronto. His energy, love for the city, and fabulous food recommendations convinced me that he would be a great addition to our TBEX line up, as we expand our reach into the food and culinary niches. With the theme of “Eat Well, Travel Hard, Live Better”, Andrew’s blog Dobbernation Loves serves up slices of life and food around the world.

We have over a thousand people coming to Toronto for TBEX, many of them spending some extended time in the city. I know that everyone is looking for some great finds when it comes to food and drink, but everyone has different taste preferences and budget range. Since Andrew is my to-go food guy, I thought I’d ask him for some restaurant choices in a variety of different categories. Here are his recommendations:

For Bar Food: Real Sports Bar and Grill has been ranked as North America’s best sports bar located right downtown beside the Air Canada Centre. The massive complex features hundreds of screens, a resident DJ and the world’s best wings. The space is absolutely massive, you really have to see it to believe it!

For Street Food: The city’s top foodie fans gather once a month at The Don Valley Brickworks for an adult only food and beverage bonanza at the Toronto Underground Market (affectionately referred to as TUM). This popular community food initiative has created a space for home cooks and budding culinary champions to sell their Pop Up bits and bites to an eager crowd.

For Late Night Dining: Party goers in the West End (and insomniacs with hunger pains) line up at the Toronto’s top poutine emporium into the wee hours of the night. Poutini’s has become somewhat of an institution focusing their efforts on feeding fry fans into the wee hours of the morning. The perfect spot to indulge in Canada’s signature dish courtesy of greasy spoons across Quebec.

For Irish Food (in preparation for TBEX Dublin): In Toronto’s East End locals proudly promote their love for The Ceili Cottage. The cities most authentic Irish Pub features a fantastic ambiance with a bounty of brews on tap and Emerald Isle focused menu. Their Sticky Toffee Pudding is addictive. I made a point of popping by for a pint a day before I flew to Dubin for St. Paddy’s Day. A perfect way to inspire the taste buds before adventuring across the pond.

For Brunch: Toronto is obsessed with brunching. There are loads of great offerings throughout the city and I know by selecting just one here I will surely cause a riot. One of my favourite spots is at celebrated Origin where they mix up old school favorites with creative new creations. Brunch highlights include Buffalo Mozzarella everything, Singaporean Laksa and a to die for French Toast featuring duck confit, blueberries, hoisin, sesame seed brittle and sour cream.

For Vegetarian: Fresh offers up the cities most innovative vegetarian and vegan offerings. My favourite starter combination is the sweet potato fries with miso gravy. The crowds come here for energizing quick fix lunches featuring bowls full of salad, sprouts, nuts and tofu. Their location at Spadina and Richmond in the heart of the Entertainment and Fashion District is always bustling and a great place to people watch.

For Ramen: In 2012 Toronto underwent a ramen craze. I spent most of the Fall and Winter running around the city reviewing each new business as it popped open its doors. Reports were rife with long line ups worthy of a hearty bowl. My two favorites are in Baldwin Village at Kinton Ramen and across from the Four Seasons Centre at Chef David Chang’s Momofuku Noodle Bar.

For Diner Food: The most iconic diner in Toronto is actually located a stone’s throw from the flashiest intersection in the city, Dundas Square. Avoid the crowds and ho-hum restaurant franchises along Yonge Street and make a visit to The Senator. The house at 249 Victoria Street that has become The Senator is Toronto’s oldest restaurant and dates back to the 19th century. I first visited the place with my dad and we both commented on how we felt as though we were in a NYC-themed Woody Allen film.

For a Special Splurge: Afternoon Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel in the heart of swanky Yorkville offers one of the cities most phenomenal tea and scone experiences (with all those dainty sandwiches you are craving). This hotel is filled to the brim with celebrity sightings during the Toronto International Film Festival. Come here to appreciate the boutique properties unique ambiance and be sure to dress up while you’re at it.

To be Entertained: Over the past year hospitality pioneers have opened up unique gaming spaces offering up top notch cuisine for those who like to nibble while they play. Bowling fans with a penchant for good food and libations head to The Ballroom in the Entertainment District while Ping Pong aficionados grab a paddle at King Street West’s SPiN.

Andrew Dobson will be on the “A Taste of Place: Defining a Destination Through Its Food Culture” panel at TBEX. Have you registered yet?

Photos courtesy of Andrew Dobson

Filed Under: Speaker Interviews Tagged With: Toronto

Travel Blog Exchange: Erik R. Lindbergh to Keynote at TBEX in Toronto

May 6, 2013 by Mary Jo Manzanares Leave a Comment

We’re very excited to announce that adventurer Erik R. Lindbergh, grandson of aviators Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, will be a keynote speaker at TBEX 13 in Toronto.

A commercial rated pilot, artist, entrepreneur, and master storyteller, Erik’s story is one of triumph over adversity. Erik won the all-around Washington State Gymnastics Championships at age 11 and excelled in water-skiing, and alpine and telemark ski competitions during his teens. After climbing and skiing Mount Rainier at age 21, he was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and by age 30 he could barely walk. During the late-1990s, knee replacements and a breakthrough biotechnology drug gave him a second chance at having an active life.

Armed with a degree in Aeronautical Science, Erik recreated his grandfather’s historic 1927 solo flight, leaving from Republic Airport on Long Island and landing at Le Bourget Airport in Paris on May 2, 2002. The journey taught him and his team valuable lessons about preparation, risk management and teamwork, while illustrating the human spirit’s ability to dream, innovate, and achieve one’s goals against many odds. This epic personal journey, documented by the History Channel, raised over one million dollars for three charities and prompted a call from the President of the United States for inspiring the country after the tragedy of September 11th.

Erik’s life experiences – excellent physical health shattered by debilitating illness, then miraculously restored – have sharpened his awareness of how precious and limited his time really is. In addition to inspiring and entertaining audiences, his lessons apply to all facing daunting and difficult challenges including: managing risk; project planning; training to improve the chances of success; overcoming adversity; teamwork and resource management.

Living a life of service to future generations, Erik currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Aviation High School in Seattle, Washington, and on the Board of Directors of NatureBridge – Olympic National Park. He also served as Vice President and Trustee of the X PRIZE Foundation and on the Board of Directors of the Lindbergh Foundation. Erik also worked in public relations for Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing, and served as the national spokesperson for AOPA’s project pilot mentorship program. Erik is an accomplished artist, and creates unique sculpture and furniture designs out of wood and bronze.

Erik Lindbergh may have inherited his love of travel and adventure from his pioneering parents and grandparents, but he’s shaped it into a creative life that is uniquely his own. Whether you’re an adventurer in body, mind, or spirit, his message of positive intention, creativity, and optimism will be a great way to start our Sunday TBEX program.

Registration is still available for TBEX 13. Blogger passes are $127, industry passes are $897, open marketplace tables are $750. Industry tables for speed dating are sold out.

Photos courtesy of Erik R. Lindbergh

Filed Under: News, Speaker Interviews

TBEX Sponsor Post: Ontario Fan Picks for your TBEX Trip

May 5, 2013 by Ontario Travel Leave a Comment

With the TBEX countdown on, we know many of you are figuring out how to make the most of your time in Ontario and we want to help! We’re lucky to have a great community of Ontarians who are always happy to share their favorite parts of the province, from the iconic attractions to the hidden gems. We’ve collected their suggestions in a handy list to help you plan your trip. Here are just a few of Ontario Travel fan picks for your TBEX adventure:

The Icons

Niagara Falls, Ontario (Submitted by Kimberly A, Marilyn S, Mihai F, Frank D, Manon F, Terri G, Cecil C, Raquel C, Ruthann K, Clayton E, Imran H, and ReAnn W.)

With more than 168,000 cubic metres (6 million cubic ft.) of water flowing over the falls every minute, a visit to Niagara Falls in an awe-inspiring opportunity to see a natural wonder up close and personal. It has lured daredevils and sightseers for centuries, and just last year attracted the eyes of the world as Nic Wallenda became the first man in more than a century to cross Niagara Falls on a high wire. How you view the falls is up to you – there are helicopter rides, boat adventures, the Journey Behind the Falls, and the beautiful scenic walkway, which are all great ways to experience the falls. An added bonus? Niagara Falls impresses no matter what the time of year! While the falls are most often photographed in the summer, Frank D. told us, nothing beats “…the extraordinary winter beauty of Niagara Falls”.

Distance from TBEX Toronto: About 1.5 hours by bus, train or car.

Toronto, Ontario (Submitted by Seth M, Paul A and Phil T.)

It’s the same latitude as the French Riviera, is transformed into Hollywood North each year during the Toronto International Film Festival, and is home to the iconic CN Tower. During your time at TBEX you’ll be at the heart of it all – the conference is at the foot of the CN Tower, the beautiful Lake Ontario waterfront is just steps away, and some of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods are moments away by transit. Make sure to take advantage of the huge list of Toronto tours offered during TBEX or get great suggestions from local bloggers on the Tourism Toronto blog!

Distance from TBEX conference: You’re already here!

Ottawa, Ontario (Submitted by Robert V, Sarah M, Jorge C, Ed W, Shirley P, Patricia R, Mary G, Alisa M and Ottawa Bev)

What better way to round out your Canadian experience than a visit to Canada’s Capital in Ottawa? Home to Canada’s Parliament Buildings, Beaver Tails, and some of Canada’s most famous galleries and museums, you’ll have some busy days ahead of you! Mary G. recommended a tour of the Peace Tower and Alisa M. told us that her favorite time to visit is Canada Day, on July 1st. As she says “Have been many places and Ottawa on Canada Day tops them all. Be prepared for the whole day. Never a lack of things to do and see!” This crowd sourced video of fan favorites will help you find your own Ottawa favorites.

Distance from TBEX Toronto: Approximately 3 hours by train, 4 hours by busor 1 hour by plane.

The Local Favorites

Kakabeka Falls, Ontario (Submitted by Linda F.)

Kakabeka Falls, known to many as the Niagara of the North, plunges 40 meters over sheer cliffs and some of the oldest fossils in the world. Viewing the falls is just the beginning. You can also explore Kakabeka Provincial Park, managed by Ontario Parks. It surrounds the falls and extends along the Kaministiquia River, which was used centuries ago by Voyageurs.

Distance from TBEX Toronto: Flight to Thunder Bay, plus drive to the falls is approximately 5 hours.

St. Jacobs, Ontario (Submitted by Maria B. and Lorna B.)

Just to the west of Toronto, you’ll find some of Southern Canada’s most beautiful farmland and rural communities. St. Jacobs is a fantastic destination for a day trip from the city. It features a year-round farmer’s market, and is home to a population of approximately 4,000 Old Order Mennonites who farm the surrounding countryside. Make sure to pick up some of the local maple syrup, and if the conditions are right you’ll be just in time to try some of Ontario’s most delicious produce, fresh strawberries!

Distance from TBEX Toronto: Approximately 1.5 hours driving, by 2.5 hours by train/transit, 3 hours by bus/transit

Manitoulin Island, Ontario (Submitted by Renee R.)

It’s the largest freshwater island in the world, and it’s one of Ontario’s best kept secrets! Manitoulin Island is home to the beautiful Cup and Saucer Trail with cool caves and lookouts. It also has something for the water lover – long sandy beaches, such as Providence Bay or dramatic Canadian Shield shorelines like Misery Bay. If you love waterfalls you’ll want to check out Bridal Veil Falls, easily one of Ontario’s most photogenic sights. A must for your time on the island is the Great Spirit Circle Trail, where you can discover Ontario’s rich Aboriginal heritage. Tours are hosted by Aboriginal people who have planned itineraries that offer a true reflection of the history and culture of the region and its original inhabitants – the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples.

Distance from TBEX Toronto: Approximately 3 hour drive plus 2 hour ferry ride or 6 hour drive via Sudbury

Muskoka, Ontario (Submitted by Elizabeth M and Amy J.)

In the past few years it’s become a little harder to call Muskoka a “hidden” gem. Ontario’s cottage country has been a summer home to celebrities like Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and it was recently named by National Geographic Traveler magazine as one of the Top 20 Best of The World – Must-see places. But the over 900 lakes, numerous villages, and Canadian shield landscape make this beautiful corner of the province feel unspoilt and undiscovered. During your visit you can shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs in small communities like Huntsville or Bracebridge, paddle some of the region’s most famous lakes, or relax after a busy week at the TBEX conference at one of Muskoka’s many spas. A must during your stay – be sure to get a great photo in a Muskoka Chair!

Distance from TBEX Toronto: Approximately 3 hours by bus (driving necessary once in Muskoka) or 2.5 hours by car

We can’t wait for you discover Ontario favourites of your own, and to remember your time with us we want you to take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake from your visit. Share your favourite Ontario photos with the #OntarioWithLove tag while you are here, and keep an eye on our twitter handle, @ShareOntario for more info about what you could win!

This is a guest post from Ontario Travel, a TBEX Toronto sponsor.

Filed Under: Sponsor Highlights Tagged With: guest posts

Travel Bloggers Podcast: TBEX CEO & Conference Director on the Future of Travel Blogging

May 4, 2013 by Gary Bembridge 5 Comments

Rick & Mary Jo toast to a successful ITB conference in Berlin (photo by Chris Gray Faust)

During ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel show, Rick Calvert (TBEX CEO) and Mary Jo Manzanares (TBEX Conference Director) were interviewed by Gary Bembridge for the Travel Bloggers Podcast. In the interview Rick and Mary Jo spoke candidly about the history of TBEX, the conferences, and what bloggers attending TBEX in Toronto and Dublin this year can expect. They also discussed what travel bloggers need to be doing to be better bloggers – a discussion that is very topical as it builds on Rick’s provocative analysis of the state of travel blogging that had just been posted the day before the interview.

You can listen to Rick and Mary Jo talking about TBEX, the current state of travel blogging and their vision of the future online using the player below, or using this link.

Code to embed the player

In the podcast you can hear Rick and Mary Jo talking about 4 main topics. If you want to listen to a particular section the start point is noted below):

The history of TBEX, and how it grew from an expected informal meeting of about 6 people into the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers. (From start)
The objectives and format of a TBEX Conference, including the pre-event, 3 main content streams at the event (content creation, content distribution and monetizing) and post event activities. Including more details of the next North American (Toronto) and European (Dublin) events. (From 4 minutes in).
Their view on what bloggers need to be focused on to be better and more successful (From 12 minutes in).
Their view on the future of travel blogging. (From 18 minutes in)

You can also subscribe for free to the Travel Bloggers Podcast on iTunes or via RSS feed in your favourite podcast app to hear this and future episodes.

Guest Post Author Bio: Gary Bembridge has been podcasting and blogging at Tips For Travellers since 2005. He launched the Travel Bloggers Podcast to help travel bloggers and writers to be a more valued and trusted resource for travellers, and so more attractive to travel brands looking to reach their audiences.

Filed Under: Community Tagged With: guest post, podcast