Society of American Travel Writers Foundation

29/02/2024

The SATW Foundation 2023-2024 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition is open, and the foundation invites print and digital writers, photographers, videographers, book authors and social media journalists to enter their best works for consideration in the prestigious contest. The deadline for entries is Sunday, March 31, 2024. www.satwf.com

The SATW Foundation will award more than $25,000 in prize money to winners at the SATW Convention in Istanbul, Turkey, in early November 2024. The contest is managed electronically, using the BetterBNC Sanctioned Awards Platform (https://betternewspapercontest.com/).

Again, this year, the entries will be judged by the faculty from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, whose communication, journalism, writing and media program is regarded as among the best in the U.S. www.satwf.com Missouri School of Journalism Society of American Travel Writers SATW

OPEN FOR ENTRIES Information on entering the 2023-24 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition is available here. 2023-24 Lowell Thomas Competition You can now enter the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition for 2023-24. Entry deadline is March 31, 2024. LEARN MORE RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN....

15/12/2023

Dear Friends and Colleagues -

Happy Holidays!

As you consider end-of-year charitable gifts, I hope you will include a donation to the SATW Foundation, presenter of the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards.

The Lowell Thomas Awards are the most prestigious in travel journalism with good reason. They are judged by professional faculty of one of the nation’s most honored journalism schools, the University of Missouri. And unlike most awards, the Lowell Thomas Competition pays substantial cash prizes. This comes at a cost that far exceeds competition entry fees. That is why we ask for your support.

This year, we have a special reason to celebrate. As the Competition turns 40, we are seeking to raise $40,000 to honor our esteemed record and ensure future success. All contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you are of “a certain age,” you can make your contribution from your minimum required distribution from qualifying retirement investments.

Please help us celebrate this landmark anniversary with a contribution of any size. If your company or organization is interested in a sponsorship of $10,000 or more, please contact me with details about recognition opportunities.

You can make your donation by going to our website and donating through PayPal or sending a paper check to our Administrator, Victoria Larson.

Thank you for your consideration, and for your ongoing dedication to maintaining the highest professional standards in travel journalism.

Sincerely,

Jane Wooldridge
Board Member, SATW Foundation
Past President, Society of American Travel Writers

09/09/2023

Big Congratulations to all of the winners of the 2023 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. From 1,430 entries, judges in the 39th annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition awarded 117 editors, writers, photographers, podcasters, social media experts and videographers Friday for their outstanding work in helping to make the world of travel accessible, understandable and achievable. Pictured here are the members who won awards this year and attended the SATW Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Society of American Travel Writers SATW Discover Puerto Rico Missouri School of Journalism

08/09/2023

At the SATW Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this afternoon, the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation (SATW Foundation) announced the 2023 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards. In the premier professional recognition for outstanding work, travel journalists and communicators earned 117 awards and more than $25,000 in prize money given by the SATW Foundation.

“If there’s one word to describe the mood of travel writers and the work they produced this year, it’s optimism,” said John Fennell, professor emeritus at the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism and coordinator of the 25 judges who evaluated articles, photography, videos, podcasts, and websites, among other work. “Another important theme that emerged is consciousness, especially about the environmental effects of travel. Sustainability became a buzzword.”
Please go to our website for information about the winners and the 2023 awards. www.satwf.org Missouri School of Journalism

07/08/2023

SATW Foundation is keeping its eye on the excellent reporting from The New York Times about AI and travel guidebooks. Rick Steves is a well-known travel writer and won a silver award in the Travel Book category in the SATW Foundation’s Lowell Thomas Travel Awards in 2022. Rick Steves Missouri School of Journalism Society of American Travel Writers SATW The New York Times - Travel

Shoddy guidebooks are flooding Amazon. Their authors claim to be renowned travel writers, but are they A.I. inventions? And how big is the problem?

19/06/2023

Today, June 19, America is celebrating Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, and declared that more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state were free by executive decree. The National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. is a place where historical events like Juneteenth are shared and new stories with equal urgency are told. https://nmaahc.si.edu/ Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

13/06/2023

SATW Foundation mourns the passing of Robert Clark Cross, a recipient of the Gold and Silver Lowell Thomas Awards from the SATW Foundation in 1996, 2000, 2004. In 1996, Cross received the Gold Award in the category for Self-Illustrated article; in 2000, Cross received the Silver Award for Travel Journalist of the Year; and in 2004, he won Silver for his article on U.S. Canada Travel for the Chicago Tribune. During his career, Cross served as a writer and researcher at Newsweek magazine in 1962; he was a reporter and editor at the Chicago Tribune from 1962 to 1966 and then served as associate editor of the Chicago Tribune magazine from 1973 to 1982. He was a writer for the Chicago Tribune since 1982 and a travel writer since 1992. Chicago Tribune

31/05/2023

For the second year in a row, the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation will present a scholarship to one student to cover tuition for the prestigious Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference in August in Corte Madera, California.

The 2023 SATW Foundation Paul Lasley Scholarship, honoring the longtime journalist and Book Passage faculty member, is designed to assist an emerging travel writer in learning more about the craft through classes and networking with established travel journalists and writers.

This is the 31st year of the conference, which is chaired by Don George, a renowned travel writer and editor and an SATW member. Speakers this year include Pico Iyer, the well-loved author of 15 books whose four TED talks have received more than 1 million views, and Andrew McCarthy, the actor who has gone on to write travel articles and books, winning the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award for Travel Journalist of the year in 2010.

Don George, Elizabeth Harryman Lasley, the former president of SATW, and Catharine Hamm, the president of the SATW Foundation, evaluated the applications from last year's conference and are pictured below with last year's recipient, Amy Choudhury.

The deadline for the tuition application scholarship for the August 10-13 conference this year is 11:59 p.m. June 30. For details on the scholarship and the application process, visit SATW Foundation Paul Lasley Scholarship (https://rb.gy/uy9as).

Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe Elizabeth Harryman Travel Classics Authors Guild Travel Media Association of Canada North American Travel Journalists Association Catharine Hamm Mary Lu Abbott Larry Bleiberg Elliot Gillies Jill Robinson Tom Adkinson David G. Molyneaux Spud Hilton Jane Wooldridge World Footprints Vani Rangachar Gary Arndt

31/03/2023

Last Call! The deadline for the SATW Foundation’s 39th Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition is tomorrow night, April 1, at Midnight ET. In its 39th year, the competition is the premier contest recognizing and rewarding travel journalism that serves the public by providing unbiased information and enhancing the understanding and appreciation of a destination or experience. The University of Missouri School of Journalism will oversee the judging of the competition. Travel journalists may submit entries in 30 categories for print, digital and multimedia work, travel photography, audio, video and digital publishing. To enter, please go to our website: https://satwf.com/ Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe Society of American Travel Writers SATW New York Travel Writers Association Missouri School of Journalism Travel Media Association of Canada Travel Classics Midwest Travel Network Outdoor Writers Association of America Authors Guild

OPEN FOR ENTRIES Information on entering the 2022-23 Lowell Thomas Competition is available here 2022-23 Lowell Thomas Competition You can now enter the Lowell Thomas Competition for 2022-23. Deadline for entries is April 1, 2023. LEARN MORE RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE IN TRAVEL JOURNALISM SINCE 1984 SAT...

07/03/2023

This is a wonderful article on the life and accomplishments of the groundbreaking disability rights activist, Judith Heumann. It is written by Christina Ianzito who, in addition to writing and report for AARP The Magazine, is also a longtime travel writer and editor. She received a 2020 Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. Christina Ianzito AARP https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/history/info-2023/judith-heumann-obit.html

The ‘rolling warrior’ whose efforts led to the Americans With Disabilities Act spent her life fighting for justice

01/03/2023

We are pleased to announce the opening of the SATW Foundation’s 39th Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition honoring excellence in the field for the 39th consecutive year. Travel journalists may submit entries in 30 categories for print, digital and multimedia work, travel photography, audio, video and digital publishing.

The competition is the premier contest recognizing and rewarding travel journalism that serves the public by providing unbiased information and enhancing the understanding and appreciation of a destination or experience. The University of Missouri School of Journalism once again will oversee the judging of the competition. To enter, please go to our website: https://satwf.com/

Missouri School of Journalism Society of American Travel Writers SATW New York Travel Writers Association Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe

30/12/2022

To: Lovers of Great Journalism
From: Admirers of Same
Re: Supporting, Celebrating and Sustaining Same

The SATW Foundation has, as its mission to support, celebrate and sustain excellence in travel journalism. The Foundation administers the annual Lowell Thomas Awards, which this year honored more than 120 winners in categories as varied as Best Instagram story, Best Video and Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year. The Foundation awarded more than $25,000 to these hardworking winners.

Travel journalism opens and unites our world. It strengthens bonds and weakens biases. It remind us that family is who we’re related to biologically and also the family we choose, whether that’s next door or the next continent over.

Please take a moment to consider donating to the Foundation in support of what those writers, photographers, digital publishers and videographers do to bring this world together. We make it easy: Check out https://satwf.com/donate/ to donate by PayPal or by mail.

Thank you.

Catharine Hamm
President, SATW Foundation

Make a Donation to the SATW FoundationThe SATW Foundation sponsors the annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, each year honoring outstanding work with more than $25,000 in monetary prizes and awards. The Foundation pays for judging of entries done independently by faculty members at an....

21/12/2022

Nolen Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, and Nina Ozlu Tunceli, executive director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, released this statement in response to Congress’ FY 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill:

13/09/2022

2021-22 Competition The winners of the 2022 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards have been announced by the SATW Foundation. 2021-22 Lowell Thomas Competition Congratulations to winners of the 2022 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, and thank you to all of this year’s contest entrants. Chec...

29/08/2022

Amy Choudhury of Sterling Heights, Michigan, was selected as the 2022 recipient of the SATW Foundation Paul Lasley Scholarship to attend the Travel Writers & Photographers Conference at Book Passage in Corte Madera, California. The annual seminar, held this year from August 18 to 21, focuses exclusively on travel writing and photography.

The scholarship honors longtime SATW member Paul Lasley, who died in September 2021. Lasley, who served as SATW president and was also a board member of the SATW Foundation, a nonprofit association associated with SATW (Society of American Writers), was widely known as a gregarious, accomplished storyteller who was willing to share his knowledge with anyone, especially newcomers to the craft. With his wife, Elizabeth Harryman Lasley, he produced and hosted radio shows for the American Forces Network, where their stories and advice on travel were broadcast to a million listeners in 167 countries.

Don George, the chair of the conference, Elizabeth Harryman Lasley, the president of SATW, and Catharine Hamm, the president of the SATW Foundation, evaluated the applications and are pictured below with the recipient.

Book Passage, which describes itself as the “Bay Area’s Liveliest Bookstore,” offers a variety of events and classes for many kinds of writers. The travel writing and photography conference is in its 30th year.

Inquiries on 2023 scholarships: [email protected]

Catharine Hamm Elizabeth Harryman Book Passage Bookstore & Cafe

15/02/2022

Dear Friends of the SATW Foundation,

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I write to you to let you know that Ed Stone has died.
Ed had been dealing with some medical issues and had been at Vanderbilt but was released to recover at home.

I spoke with Mary Lu this morning, who worked four decades with Ed and who was a dear friend, and she will keep us posted on services. We will share that with you.

Ed’s work for the Foundation was significant. He was helping us slog through the website redesign, even having looked at some of the pages while he was in the hospital. So typical of Ed, who never hesitated to work to move this Foundation forward.

Ed also was a bright spot for all of us who worked with him. He was a diplomat, shuttling between parties who were not quite seeing eye to eye, a statesman who encouraged people to think outside their own views, an achiever who never shirked the hardest tasks and a great colleague who always, always played well with others.
It is that last quality that made Ed so special. His voice and its gentle accent were like honey; the smile, the laugh always reminded me of a hot buttered biscuit—you just couldn’t wait for the next one. He was a gentleman and a gentle man.

My enduring memory of Ed will be our last Zoom call. He was at home and had his dachshund, Scotchee, on his shoulder. That was his magic: He could be human and businesslike simultaneously, and just to have him in a meeting meant you could tap his depth of knowledge and feel his confidence that, together, we would find a solution.
Please keep his family close in thought. I will find solace in knowing he will be with us long beyond his earthly presence.

In sorrow,

Catharine Hamm

25/11/2021

A SALUTE TO MARY LU ABBOTT:
Mary Lu Abbott served the SATW Foundation for some 37 years as president, board member, trustee and administrator. Members of the board and trustees share their personal thanks and appreciation for her service. CLICK HERE TO WATCH A SHORT YOUTUBE VIDEO https://youtu.be/Q8S-X_D9zVw

05/10/2021

Check out the 2020-2021 SATWF Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Winner's video https://youtu.be/63zuNv2l-Fc

The SATW Foundation’s Lowell Thomas awards are recognized as the most prestigious in travel journalism. This 37th competition drew 1,278 entries for work fro...

05/10/2021

The Lowell Thomas awards, recognized as the most prestigious in travel journalism, were announced Oct. 4 during the 2021 Annual Convention of SATW, the premier professional organization of travel journalists and communicators.

The 1,278 entries in the annual contest, overseen by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation, were noteworthy for their style, scope and service to readers who struggled to make sense of a travelscape turned upside down by the pandemic. The University of Missouri School of Journalism oversaw the judging, which involved 27 judges this year.

Katherine LaGrave, digital features editor for Afar Media, was honored as the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year. Judges praised her storytelling and reporting as well as her focus on what readers needed to know to navigate today’s travel challenges.

BBC Travel brought home nine awards; The New York Times earned eight awards; and Travel + Leisure won seven awards.

Jacqueline Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, earned the Gold Award for Travel Magazines; Outside Magazine got the Gold Award for Travel Coverage in General Magazines while The Plain Dealer gained the top spot for Newspaper Travel Coverage. Judges cited editor Susan Glaser’s “laser focus on readers” who sought closer-to-home destinations in the wake of the pandemic.

Matt Crossman earned the Gold for the Robert Haru Fisher Award for Travel Health/Safety Coverage, the first time this award has been given. A generous bequest from Robert Haru Fisher, a journalist and guidebook editor, funds the award. Fisher helped start the SATW Foundation and the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition.

For full details, www.SATWF.com