The North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA) is the premier professional association of writers, broadcasters, photographers, and editors covering travel topics.
NATJA was founded in 1991 by New Jersey travel writers Bob Nesoff and Dan Schlossberg as a non-political organization. Nesoff was elected its first president, with Schlossberg as vice president. In 1994, when other responsibilities called him away, Nesoff resigned and was succeeded by Schlossberg. Dan was also editor of its award-winning Wayfarer newsletter from 1994-2009.
To join NATJA, applicants must prove only that they are legitimate working travel journalists but do not need “sponsorship” from incumbent members.
NATJA’s programming and services include the annual Conference & Marketplace focusing on professional development, the annual NATJA Awards travel journalism awards competition, Travelworld Magazine (affiliated with MSNBC Travel and featuring stories from NATJA members), in-depth media intelligence found in the member extranet Resource Center, and an exclusive eWire service.
NATJA’s inclusiveness and focus on meeting the demands of the changing travel business have enabled the organization to grow to more than 500 members. Today, NATJA is America’s second-largest association of travel writers, authors, editors, photographers, broadcasters, and publicists.
The Garden State Journalists Association (GSJA) traces its origins back to the Hudson County Press Club, founded in 1927. The original press association became the North Jersey Press Club and it merged with the Working Press Association to become the GSJA. With an 80-plus-year history, the organization seeks the advancement of journalism in New Jersey and promotes the education, professional betterment and interaction of its members.
Membership is open to those who live or work in the State of New Jersey and earn their living, full- or part-time, in the field of journalism in all its forms, including news and public relations.
Independent non-fiction writers. Our membership consists of more than 1,300 outstanding freelance writers of magazine articles, trade books, and many other forms of nonfiction writing, each of whom has met ASJA’s exacting standards of professional achievement. ASJA brings standards, and in recognizing and encouraging the pursuit.
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.
Weekend editor and columnist for Here’s The Pitch: the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) newsletter.
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) had its beginnings in Cooperstown, New York. It was the brainchild of L. Robert Davids, who in August 1971 gathered 15 other baseball researchers at the National Baseball Hall of Fame to form the organization.
From this modest start, SABR membership has broadened steadily. A decade later, it had reached 1,500; today, it totals more than 6,000 worldwide. Who belongs to SABR? Many major and minor league baseball officials, broadcasters and writers, as well as numerous former players. Primarily, the membership consists of “just plain fans” — anyone interested in baseball can join. While the original purpose of SABR was to band together baseball historians, statisticians and researchers, it is not necessary to engage in research to become a member.
DAN SCHLOSSBERG 