NATJA Conference Celebrates Travel Writing

The North American Travel Journalists Association met for its annual conference in Cleveland last week. The above video was produced by Cleveland+ - the area's convention and visitors' bureau. You may get a glimpse of NATJA's newest member, Stacey Wittig, in some of these shots.

Good internet marketing, Cleveland+!
______________
Stacey Wittig is a marketing consultant and freelance writer based in Flagstaff, AZ.

Wittig Honored as 1000th Member of Climbing for Christ

Stacey Wittig was recognized as the thousandth new member of Climbing for Christ this week. She was awarded special prizes and gifts. The NY-based organization announced, "We praise God for the growing membership and pray that those who join Climbing For Christ will seek to serve the Lord through prayer, giving, and/or going."

The Christian organization of climbers and mountaineers announced the folowing list of new members in their monthly newsletter:

* Stacey Desrosiers of San Jose, Calif.
* Janine Diekmeijer of Groningen, Netherlands
* Brandy Everts of Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
* Daniel Manahera of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Stacey Wittig of Munds Park, Ariz.

"We rejoice and offer thanks that all of these climbers have been moved by the Spirit to join us on this great adventure as we climb in His direction," added Gary Fallesen, President and founder of Climbing for Christ.

Wittig was thrilled to be recognized as the 1,000th member of the organization. "It was exciting to see my name listed with other new members from places like Groningen (Netherlands), Alberta and Jakarta," she said. Learn more at www.ClimbingForChrist.org
___________________________________
Stacey Wittig is a freelance writer and internet marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. She enjoys sharing FREE travel tips and zany travel deals with her readers and friends. Subscribe to this blog for fun travel stories and more FREE travelers advice.

Follow the travel tipster on TWITTER: Travelwriter

Writers and Hikers Converge at Grand Canyon

Writers and hikers gathered to tell tales of Grand Canyon escapade at the annual Grand Canyon Hikers Symposium this past Saturday. Fifteen presentations kept the audience in shock and awe as those in attendance laughed, listened and gasped in unison.

PowerPoint presentations including maps and photo shots of 'exposure' (to tall heights) seemed to compete to tell the most thrilling adventure. Authors of books on the Grand Canyon, friends of Grand Canyon legendary characters, macho rope-totting canyoneers as well as a quippy 10-year-old girl shared their Grand Canyon backpacking exploits.

A fun day of story telling and photo sharing. If you, too, have been bitten by the Grand Canyon obsession, don't miss next year's symposium. Go to www.gchba.com for more information.

_______________
Stacey Wittig is a freelance writer and marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, AZ. Subscribe to this blog to get FREE marketing advice and up-to-date information about Flagstaff, Northern Arizona and the American Southwest. She writes website copy, email campaigns and blog posts for small businesses.

8 Tips for Getting Good Audio

from Peter Stevenson
2009 Museum-Ed Conference
Museum Audio Tours

Rule #1: Find comfortable and quiet place.

Listen for HVAC, doors, ringing phones

Rule #2: Interview in Presence of object

Phrased as if standing in front of work.

High-quality color copies are sufficient

Try in-gallery interviews

Rule #3: no sit ins

Rule #4 record room tone

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

Rule #5 use good equipment

Zoom H2 Handy Recorder - $159-179

Rule #6 Mic correctly

Below and to side of mouth

Rule #7 set your levels

Ask "What did you have for breakfast?" Then as they answer, increase until you get distortion, then back off slightly

Rule #8: record room noise!

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

_______________________

Birdchick Selects Wittig as Guest Blogger

Birdchick, Sharon Stiteler of Birdchick.com has selected Stacey Wittig of wittigwriter marketing and sales as a guest blogger. Wittig's essay "What is the Difference Between Crows and Ravens" which appears on February 24, 2009 was selected from over 50 entries.

Read more at http://www.birdchick.com/blog.html


Photo of Stellar Jay by Stacey Wittig
__________________

Presidential Suite up for Grabs?

Well, Barack may not be able to get one of those presidential suites at The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa in Phoenix tonight. (See yesterday's blog.)

Although there is "room at the inn," it seems that Obama-rival Senator John McCain has reserved space for a fund-raising event to kick off his campaign for a fifth senate term. It is not known whether the long-planned McCain fundraiser is being held in either of the presidential suites at The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa.

______

Obama Slept Here: The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa

That Judy Hedding at Phoenix.about.com! She is a true insider... How the heck did she learn that President Obama is going to stay at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa in Phoenix tomorrow night?

I wonder if they'll put him in the 3,000 sq ft Camelback 2-bedroom presidential suite with the private event lawn? Or the 3,000 sq ft Andalusian 2-bedroom presidential suite with private pool and spa?

I'm sure he'll love it. I was in heaven with my 465 sq ft guest room --#528. After sleeping on the InterContinental Montelucia's custom-made mattresses, Obama will probably order a "Divine Bed" for the White House.

Learn more at http://phoenix.about.com/b/2009/02/16/barack-and-i-have-the-same-taste-in-resorts.htm