It’s been a week since we began taking membership applications for Seattle Travel Bloggers, and so far we’ve received applications for membership in three of the categories:  Primary (bloggers, writers, photographers), Associate (PR and travel industry), Supporters (out of area, non-travel bloggers, and supporters of travel).

So far, we have 18 members signed up!  It’s been amazing to sort through all the information and get to know so many travel fans here in the Seattle area.

I’ve received lots of helpful suggestions for meeting locations and later this week I’ll be visiting a few of them to see if they meet our needs.  So look for information about our September organizational meeting to be sent out toward the end of the week.  If you have additional ideas feel free to send them my way as we’ll be varying the meeting location around the greater Seattle area.  Free wi-fi is a must!

If you want to get involved at the grass roots level, here are a few things you can do:

• Invite your friends to join.  A membership application will be sent out, upon request, and they can become a founding member of what is sure to become the best professional organization for travel bloggers, writers, and photographers around the country!  We welcome locally based travel bloggers as full members, and offer associate membership to those out-of-the-area and those working in the industry.
• Volunteer for some tech work.  We have a list of things on the to-do list and will rely on volunteers to sign up for a project that meets their skills and available time.  We’re waiving the membership fee and annual dues because we’re relying on volunteers to do the things that we would otherwise have to pay for.  Volunteers will be rewarded with opportunities to promote their business and projects.
• Chair a committee.  Any organization needs committees and every committee needs a passionate leader.  Committees needing chairs include:  Membership Development, Membership Benefits, Education, Public Relations, Website, and Scheduling.  Please let me know what interests you.
• Follow us on Twitter at @SeaTravBloggers, and tweet and re-tweet our news.
• Link to us.  We all know the importance of links, and you can rest assured that as our website shapes us we’ll be linking back to you.

Thanks for all your interest and support in start this group.  I couldn’t do it without you!

Now hear this!  Now hear this!

I’m very excited to announce that the dream of launching Seattle Travel Bloggers is no longer a dream.  We’ve done the research, surveyed potential members, assessed the interest, and as of TODAY we are accepting applications for membership.

We have four categories of membership, so you’re sure to find a category that’s just right for you.  While primary membership is open only to Seattle area (broad geographic definition) Travel Bloggers, writers, journalists, photographers, reporters, etc. (we are not going to split hairs over the label you prefer to use), there are also membership categories for travel industry professionals, PR representatives, media, out-of-area bloggers, supporters and students.  Membership benefits will depend on your membership category.

Currently the membership fee has been waived as is the first year of dues, although that is subject to change.  To apply for membership use the contact form to introduce yourself and request an application.  You will receive an application form by return email.  Sorry about the layers of administrative processes, but it’s apparently a necessity to keep groups from going sideways when you least expect it.

We’ll have our first meeting in September, details to be announced, which will be a casual get-to-know-one-another meeting.  Starting in October we will have a more structured program with a short educational session or presentation. Meeting locations will be moved around the greater Seattle area.  When possible, we will strive for FREE meeting locations with FREE wi-fi, although we do ask that you patronize the business offering space by making a purchase.  And don’t forget to tip your waitperson.   If you have suggestions, we’re listening.

This website is evolving, and we’ll be adding features as our membership expands.  Bookmark the site, add it to your feed reader and check back often to watch how we grow.  If you’ve got knowledge, resources, and enthusiasm to spare, and would like to be a part of shaping the formation of this volunteer group, please let us know.  We’re all volunteers and many hands make for light work.

Please join us!  The best is yet to come.

Image credit:  SXC

Seattle has a thriving travel blogging community.  We’re home to SCOOT (Seattle Consortium of Online Travel), Passports with Purpose, and we have bloggers speaking at SXSW, BlogHer, TBEX, and Blog World Expo.  And when we’re not busy traveling around the world, we even try to get together on our own home turf.

When we get together we have food and drink, talk travel — where we’ve been and where we’re going, talk blogging — from monetization to technology to ethics, celebrate milestones, learn from one another and laugh.  Every time we walk away saying that we need to do it more often. . . and then after a few months go by, someone mentions getting together again. . . and then after another few months, someone makes it happen.

When I found that the domain SeattleTravelBloggers.com was available, it seemed like I was supposed to make it happen.  So, I’ve been noodling around with the idea, trying to figure out how to structure a travel blogging group that can focus on sharing information and ideas, and learning from one another and other experts, while still having a good time networking and supporting one another.

I’d like it to start out as something simple, leaving room for us to grow and evolve, so that means putting a few administrative pieces into place and the beginning to avoid pitfalls of other groups.  So I’ve got some ideas, and I’m hoping that you want to join up with the idea with some ideas of your own.  Because this only works if YOU want to participate at some level — whether that’s attending meet ups, sharing your knowledge, promoting the group work, or starting a committee of some kind.

If the idea interests you as much as it does me, please take a few moments to take a brief survey.  Bloggers of all experience levels, students of the craft, PR representatives, hoteliers, anyone connected with the travel industry.  Your answers will help me set things up in a way that meets your needs, thereby ensuring success, as well as to make plans for a first meeting — hopefully in August.  And if you’d like to help in the organization process, please use the contact form located on the Membership page of the website to get in touch.

This site is a work in progress.  I have a few of the big pieces in place, but still have much to do to make it a dynamic and exciting place to hang out.  Check back often to see what’s changed.

I look forward to hearing from you!