SATW: Good Riddance!
For years I’ve been on trips with travel writers who include “Active SATW” in their email signatures. This stands for the Society of American Travel Writers, a very old association of travel writers that likes to think of itself as the be all and end all in travel writing. Being a member of this group, which costs $250 a year, supposedly honors you and gives you great credibility among your peers. Many of these writers have told me I should join.
I just got my third and final rejection letter from their president, Bea Broda. The letter informed me that although at first they rejected me (and GoNOMAD) for membership based on their belief that we had less than 25,000 monthly visitors, which is 10 times too low, now comes their final decree: “we found cause to deny it based on documented past conduct not in keeping with the Society’s Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.” Harrumph!
Ms. Broda didn’t bother to explain exactly what this offense consists of, just that they’ve decided I am not worthy, and my phone call to her went unanswered. From all reports, SATW’s membership is mostly print journalists, many of them retired, and many of whom who rarely even write about travel any more. I’ve heard stories of retired Travel Editors who love to go to their meetings all over the world and then don’t bother to write about the destination. They have chapter presidents whose job it is to bug the travel writers to actually contribute articles about the host destinations. Many don’t care and are in it to hang with their buddies at the meetings.
I’m sorry SATW, that I won’t be able to join your esteemed ranks. Sorry that we earn a living from travel, employ eight people, have made money over the past ten years and aren’t in any danger of going out of business. Sorry that unlike so many print publications, we’re not cutting our travel coverage, firing our staff, and cutting our budget. Sorry that we are not in danger of extinction as most of the member’s own newspapers and magazines are.
No, we just publish great travel writing, send writers out on stories all over the world, are recognized by the New York Times, Arthur Frommer, The Travel Channel and nearly every one else for quality, responsibility and reputation. I’m glad I won’t be contributing any dues to a ridiculously clueless bunch like SATW.
October 2, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
That's CRAZY!!!
October 2, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Hmm…that is crazy. Maybe we should start a new organization for today's travel journalist??Lisa Bergrenwww.FamilyTripster.com
October 2, 2009 @ 8:02 pm
Let Ms Broda sit on her high horse while she still can… Jealousy, i'd say š
October 2, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
I never even thought of them as I really do think they are so passe. I was also asked by some to join and they would sponser, never took up the offer, we got our own org and that is the best!
October 3, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
I traveled with Bea on one of my first press trips. It was in Quebec City. She gave me a business card that had her listed in Toronto, Ontario. She's not even from the states but she decides who makes it into a society of "American Travel Writers"?That doesn't make sense!
October 4, 2009 @ 1:06 am
I will get to the bottom of it
October 26, 2009 @ 12:05 am
It's their loss Max—as usual—and just another sign that this is an organization with both feet firmly planted in decades past. "Sponsored by Depends" as one frustrated member once described it. I'm not sure what purpose they serve anymore since they treat electronic media as something they wish would just go away.
November 5, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
There's a big debate going on within SATW over "new media". The fact that they don't understand the internet is just the tip of the iceberg.I'm astonished that you were turned down. And, as a semi-reluctant SATW member myself, I'm ashamed!
November 9, 2009 @ 2:02 am
Max, I have traveled with you and with another Go Nomad staffer. You were both professional, timely and kept with the program. This denial surprises me. Why weren't you told the reason so you could defend yourself — or get a few of us to stand up for you.
January 12, 2010 @ 5:12 pm
Max, In a fit of annoyance I just googled Why join SATW? and stumbled upon your post here. For years I keep asking members, What's the point? I know I am a horrible tightwad but really, what do I get? "Well, you can go to the conventions?" Really? I can spend money on a trip I won't have an assignment for or earn money from? Even their little writing awards require submission fees. Help me understand. And then that they would deny a recognized successful member of the working community?? People are goofy.