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MTJA Member Benefits

  • Networking Opportunities
  • Professional Development Opportunities
  • A listing in our Membership Directory
  • Member Newsletter
  • Access to the Members-Only Section on the Website

Midwest Travel Journalists Association Membership Categories

Associate Members
Associate Members are persons engaged primarily in public relations and destination marketing within the travel industry who work and reside within the Association’s membership area and have worked regularly with travel media for a minimum of one year.

Alternate Associate Members
Associate Members may designate an alternate to represent them at any MTJA Inc. meeting the Associate Member cannot attend (both cannot attend the same meeting or conference). Alternate Associate Members pay separate dues and do not have voting rights.

Exempt Members
Exempt Members enjoy the privileges of Associate membership and may serve on most committees; the board of directors; and task forces excluding the Nominating Committee, the Membership Committee or the Membership Renewal Committee. Exempt Members may include state tourism representatives from within our designated 13-state area; representatives of major domestic and international airlines, rail transportation services and international tourism destinations with a base of operations in the United States; and/or travel-related businesses with operations in multiple states. These members are not considered in the Active-to-Associate ratio. Exempt members without an office or division in our designated 13-state area will not have voting rights and may not serve in an elected position.

Associate Membership Application

Active Members
Active members are on-staff and independent editors, writers, online content producers, bloggers and photojournalists residing in the Association’s membership area who earn their income from the creation of travel-related editorial content for newspapers, magazines, books, websites, radio or television.

Excluded work includes advertorials and copy for promotional brochures, (i.e., content that is paid for and approved by advertisers or sponsoring organizations).

Active Member Types: 

  • Editor
  • Staff Writer/Freelance Journalist/Online Content Producer
  • Book Author
  • Broadcast Journalist
  • Travel Photographer
  • Blogger
Active Membership Application

Membership Applications

  • Omission of any required items will result in the return of your application and prolong or negate the consideration process.
  • Each application is considered in the context of MTJA’s current needs, size, geographic distribution and determination of quality.
  • Acceptance is based upon review and recommendation by the Membership Committee with final approval by the MTJA Board.
  • Membership is not automatically awarded when the requirements on the application form are met and is at the discretion of the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors.
  • Applicants should be aware all applications receive a thorough and careful review, a process that can take anywhere from three to eight weeks, depending on receipt of all materials and the ability of the Membership Review committee and board to review, verify, evaluate and act. We will confirm receipt of applications as quickly as possible and move expeditiously to maximize opportunities for new members to attend upcoming MTJA Inc. meetings, but applicants should plan to apply at least four months ahead of conference dates to allow time for application processing and approval.
  • Those accepted will be considered MTJA members in good standing only after payment of prorated dues through the end of the calendar year. Membership renewal thereafter is effective for a one-year period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.
  • All applicants will be notified of the results of the review process in as timely a manner as possible.

”“MTJA has been the most welcoming industry organization I’ve joined. Besides enjoying the professionalism and friendliness of members during conferences and tours, I’ve found great mentors and trusted peers I can reach out to year-round. I’ve also made excellent DMO contacts I can count on when on deadline.”

MeLinda SchnyderFreelance Writer and Editor and Active MTJA Member

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