Celebrate the Best of TMAC — Submissions Open March 14!
The 2025 TMAC Membership and Chapter Awards recognize the incredible talent, creativity, and contributions of our members — from outstanding stories and photography to the behind-the-scenes work that strengthens our community.
This year, we’re excited to introduce a new award:
🌟 Best Itinerary of the Year — celebrating the industry pros who craft press trips that inspire unforgettable storytelling.
Award Categories Include:
- Nathan Fong Memorial Award – Highlighting stories that celebrate the contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.
- People’s Choice Photo of the Year – Your best shot from 2024, voted on by fellow TMAC members.
- Host Destination Award – For media who attended the 2024 St. John’s conference and created great Newfoundland & Labrador content.
- Industry Member of the Year – Recognizing exceptional partners in the industry who support and collaborate with media.
- Volunteer of the Year – Honouring the TMAC members who go above and beyond to support our organization.
- NEW: Best Itinerary of the Year – Celebrating thoughtfully planned press trips that help media craft meaningful stories.
Key Dates:
Submissions Open: March 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM EDT
Submission Deadline: April 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT
Start the entry process early! Deadline to submit is April 4th at 5 PM EST. Please note that no questions will be answered after 11:59 AM on April 4th.
Let’s come together to recognize the talent and teamwork that makes TMAC thrive. Whether you’re submitting your own work, nominating a colleague, or celebrating an industry partner, this is your chance to shine a spotlight on excellence.
Full submission guidelines and award criteria can be found [here].
Membership and Chapter Awards
NATHAN FONG MEMORIAL AWARD
Established in 2021, this award is in memory of long-time TMAC member Nathan Fong, who served on the BC & Yukon Chapter Board and was president at the time of his passing. Nathan was a Vancouver legend, an award-winning food stylist, a media personality and a chef for the British Columbia government. He tirelessly promoted chefs through his various media platforms, which included 27 years on Global BCTV News, columns for the Vancouver Sun and a weekly radio show, Fong on Food.
The award, which is open to all TMAC members across Canada, was created to raise awareness and highlight the many contributions Canadians of Asian descent have made to Canada. Stories submitted for this award can be inspired by anything from the best places to eat in Chinatown to historical places of interest, to modern-day attractions, culture, festivals, unusual distilleries, chef profiles and more. The stories must include both an Asian and Canadian connection.
All forms of media storytelling are welcome in this category, from the written word to podcasts, video, immersive and interactive media.
All submissions will be provided to the BC & Yukon Chapter for review by a judging panel of community experts. Winners will be announced during the Awards Gala in Saskatoon.
The BC & Yukon TMAC Chapter ‘Nathan Fong Memorial Award’ is fully sponsored by his family — Lori, Brian and Justin Fong.
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
- Submission time frame for this award welcomes works published/created from Jan. 1, 2024 to the submissions deadline of April 2025.
- TMAC members may submit up to 2 entries.
- Any submissions above and beyond the first two will be disqualified.
- You can use work that you have already submitted for the Judges Awards.
- There is no fee for submissions.
First Place: $250
Second Place: $150
Third Place: $100
*The Ann Britton Campbell Family Travel Award has now concluded. We wish to thank the Campbell family for their years of support.
TMAC CONFERENCE HOST DESTINATION AWARD: Newfoundland & Labrador
All media delegates of the 2024 TMAC Conference & Media Marketplace in St John’s, are invited to submit your stories – created and shared on any platform/communication channel – about your experiences while in Newfoundland & Labrador.
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
- Submission time frame for this award welcomes works published/created from June 2024 to the submissions deadline of April 2025.
- TMAC members may submit unlimited entries.
- You can use work that you have already submitted for the Judges Awards.
- There is no fee for submissions.
These submissions will be shared with our Host Destination for their review and selection of the winner. The winner will be presented with a certificate and a prize selected by the past host at the Awards Gala.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE PHOTO OF THE YEAR
Give it your best shot!
The always popular people’s choice photo of the year invites you to share your favourite photo from 2024. Your photo can be of anything you like—but the goal is to wow your colleagues and earn their votes.
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
- This award welcomes photos shot in 2024.
- Only one photo per member is permitted.
- Photos do not need to have been published.
- All TMAC members and staff may submit a photo.
- You can use work that you have already submitted for the Judges Awards.
- There is no fee for submission.
- There is no cash prize for this award.
Judging: The People’s Choice Photo of the Year Award is presented annually. TMAC members will have the opportunity to view all submissions and vote for the winner. The award recipient will be presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a small gift of acknowledgement from TMAC.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Volunteers are the heart of TMAC – let’s say thanks!
This award is presented to an outstanding TMAC member, in good
standing, who has demonstrated an instrumental role as a volunteer, including
dedication, leadership and commitment to service and support of the association.
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
- This award is open to both media and industry volunteers.
- Any member may make a nomination.
- There is no entry fee for this category.
- Nominee should be a champion for TMAC and a positive representative of the association.
- Nominee must have been a member of TMAC for at least 12 months.
- Nominee should make a significant impact on the work TMAC does by taking initiative to create professional development opportunities, foster industry connections, propel TMAC to be more inclusive, open or forward-thinking or contribute to the general management of TMAC as a professional organization.
- There should be something unique about the work the nominee does, the way they do it or their overall attitude that sets them apart from other volunteers.
Please submit your TMAC volunteer nominee’s name along with a 75 to 250-word explanation as to why you’re nominating this outstanding member.
Judging: The Volunteer of the Year Award is presented annually, with nominations coming from TMAC membership. The winner will be chosen by a panel of peers. The award recipient will be presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a gift of appreciation from TMAC.
INDUSTRY MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD
All of our industry members are stars – let’s show them some love!
The Industry Member of the Year award is presented to a TMAC industry member who distinguishes themself as a highly skilled and respected colleague to both industry and media members.
This award highlights the work of a member who consistently demonstrates excellence. This industry member shows a deep understanding of and appreciation for the ever-changing needs of travel media. Nominees have a track record for developing unique story opportunities, facilitating successful partnerships and collaborations, curating tailored itineraries, and connecting media with expert voices. In other words, this is the industry member EVERYONE raves about.
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
•There is no entry fee for this category.
•Nominations are welcome from both TMAC media and industry members.
•Multiple nomination submissions are welcome.
• Industry may not self-nominate for this category.
Please submit your TMAC nominee’s name and position, along with a 50 to 250-word explanation as to why you’re nominating this outstanding industry member.
Judging: The Industry Member of the Year Award is presented annually, with nominations coming from TMAC membership. The top five finalists are chosen by a panel of industry experts, with TMAC members voting for the winner. The award recipient will be presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a gift of appreciation from TMAC.
(New in 2025) INDUSTRY AWARD FOR BEST ITINERARY OF THE YEAR
Perfect planning makes for memorable press trips!
This new award recognises the extreme care and effort that goes into a well-executed itinerary; one that helps TMAC media members bring partner destinations’ stories to life.
TMAC media members may nominate industry members (industry members may also self-nominate) who created a press trip itinerary in 2024 that went above and beyond. This is the itinerary that inspired multiple stories, or a trip that people will be talking about for years to come.
Please submit your TMAC nominee’s name and position, along with a 50 to 250-word explanation of how the press trip supported successful destination storytelling. Include details about the itinerary and story links if you’d like (but not necessary).
Submission Guidelines/Criteria:
•There is no entry fee for this category.
•Nominations are welcome from both TMAC media and industry members.
•Multiple nomination submissions are welcome.
•Nominee must be the TMAC member responsible for creating the 2024 itinerary.
•Industry may self-nominate for this category.
Judging: The new Best Itinerary of the Year Award is presented annually, with nominations coming from TMAC membership. The top five finalists are chosen by a panel of industry experts, with TMAC members voting for the winner. The award recipient will be presented with a certificate of recognition as well as a gift of appreciation from TMAC.