AdventureELEVATE delegates have the opportunity to meet our official 2018 media delegates throughout the event, and specifically at AdventureExchange and MediaConnect. All delegates will have the opportunity to pre-schedule dedicated one-on-one meetings with fellow delegates—including media—at Thursday’s AdventureExchange through the event networking platform. Wednesday’s MediaConnect session gives delegates the opportunity to seek out specific individuals from this impressive group of travel journalists, editors, and influencers to directly pitch stories or campaign ideas related to their adventure travel business through a series of first-come-first-served timed meetings over the course of two hours.
Exerk - Active Adventure
Traditional Media
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: Evening Standard Online
eXerK exists to spread the joy of being outdoors and active. Through her writing and social media, she shares fresh ideas for outdoors fitness and adventure travel written with busy people in mind. She has been a fitness columnist at the Evening Standard Online since September 2015 and contributes to Red Bull and Huffington Post, amongst other publications.
Freelance Writer and Photographer
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Overland Journal, Expedition Portal, UpShift Magazine, Bikepacking.com, Singletracks.com, Gear Junky, Bike Rumor
I'm an adventurer, writer, and photographer. Fueled by my personal mantra––the Earth is cool––I have dedicated my life to exploring as much of it as I can. From my backyard trails to the far-flung regions of the world, my wanderlust is without limits. As a traveler, I experience new places with a fork in hand, pen to notebook, and through the clear glass of a camera lens. My work has appeared in Overland Journal, Expedition Portal, Bikepacking.com, Singletracks.com, Conde Nast Traveler, Nepali Times, Travel Age West, The Economist 1843, and other outlets. My images have been included in catalogs and promotional campaigns for Salsa Cycles, Sea to Summit, James Baroud, and many others. And it all starts with getting off the couch and into the big wide world.
Freelance Reporter and Editor
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Men's Health, Men's Journal, Rolling Stone, Entrepreneur
Clint started in journalism as a reporter and editor for the New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That!. He transitioned from that role to a senior editor position for Men's Health, where he worked on stories across all lifestyle categories: adventure, travel, business, relationships, money, nutrition, and health. His reporting sent him to the Sochi Olympics, and allowed him to ride motorcycles with Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnam. Clint was also a senior editor at Men's Journal magazine, where he covered gear and adventure. His television appearances include Today show, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, Live with Kelly and Michael, Bloomberg TV, and others. Now he's a freelance reporter, working across several brands and covering a wide range of subjects.
Owner/FlowingStreamMedia.net
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: http://www.aarp.org
Writer, photographer and broadcaster Crai S. Bower contributes scores of adventure-based articles and images annually to more than 25 publications including Sierra, AARP, Delta Sky, Virtuoso Life and AFAR Media, where he is the Whistler, B.C. Insider. An adventure travel specialist, his August Delta Sky feature, “Sacred Paths” described in images and words his experiences trekking in Japan. His social media collaborations average 40,000 likes. Crai’s photography has appeared in dozens of publications including Private Clubs, The SF Chronicle, American Way, Celebrated Living and Delta Sky. He is profiled in Seattle 100: Profile of a City (Voices that Matter).
Hecktic Travels
Influencer/Blogger
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: HeckticTravels.com
Dalene is the chief storyteller behind HeckticTravels.com - a narrative travel blog focusing on adventure and romance. She has been honored as National Geographic Traveler of the Year, twice a BlogHer Voice of the Year, and a NATJA medalist for Best Travel Blog.
Freelance Writer
Traditional Media
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: BOLD Magazine, Canadian Traveller, Canadian Geographic Travel, Explore-Mag.com, WestJet Magazine, Travel Life Magazine, Urban Guides Canada, RootsRated
Doug O'Neill is a seasoned travel and lifestyle writer with a 25-year career in print and digital publishing in Canada. He's also published in U.S.-based publications. A seasoned long-distance hiker, O'Neill completed the 800-km Camino de Santiago in late 2015. Doug is heavily involved with the Bruce Trail Conservancy and holds is Ontario Hike Leader Certification. Doug writes for Explore Magazine, Canadian Traveller, Urban Guides Canada, Ignite, RootsRated and also guest-bloggers for The Kawartha Insider.
Host of Epic Trails
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Backpacking TV, GearJunkie.com, EricHanson.tv
I am the host of Epic Trails, a television show exploring the world's best hiking and trekking destinations. I got my start as a wilderness guide in Utah, then worked into the media world writing for magazines and photographing people more athletic than me. I consider myself lucky to be able to travel the world's most beautiful places and sharing my adventures with the world. I live in Flagstaff, AZ.
NOMADNESS Travel Tribe
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Nomadnesstv.com, Travel + Leisure
In September 2011, Evita Robinson created the NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, an online social community primarily for travelers of color. Nomadness was the first of its kind targeting diverse millennials, in the newly coined 'black travel movement'. The group currently surpasses 17,000 international members, with over 100,000 passport stamps, and nearly 100 meet ups a year, all across the globe. From the success of the online group, Evita has garnered partnerships with Airbnb, Etihad Airlines, GoPro, Facebook Stories, Hyatt, Skift.com, Cantu, and Issa Rae, who she Co- Executive Produces The NOMADNESS Project web series with on YouTube. Continuing to innovate the travel space has landed Nomadness in the print and digital pages of The New York Times, Inc., Entrepreneur, The Daily Beast, EBONY, and ESSENCE Magazines. Evita can also be seen between news panels and business features for CNN, BBC, MSNBC, truTV, The Root, NewsOne, and Oxygen Channel. Evita was also invited to the White House under the Obama Administration for their meeting of world's creative changemakers, for SXSL (South By South Lawn). She now serves as a keynote/seminar speaker, TED Resident, and consultant for Destination Marketing Organizations.
Freelance Journalist
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Travel + Leisure, Delta Sky, the Boston Globe, Sierra, National Geographic Traveler, Afar, Hemispheres, Virtuoso Life
Gina DeCaprio Vercesi is a New York-based adventurer, storyteller, and nature girl. Chronicling journeys on land, water, and snow, her words and photographs have appeared in Sierra, Delta Sky, Travel + Leisure, Virtuoso Life, The Boston Globe, Islands, Yankee, Lonely Planet, and more. Ever curious, Gina’s recent travels include hiking ancient forest in British Columbia, exploring the jungle near an abandoned Panamanian penal colony, and shucking bivalves with oyster farmers in coastal Maine. She is a writer for Ski Vermont’s family ski and ride guide, All Mountain Mamas, and also created the blog Kids Unplugged with the mission of helping families abandon their screens in favor of exploring the world. Gina lives in a friendly village on the Hudson River with her husband, three daughters, and a very good dog.
The Joy Trip Project
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: National Geographic Adventure, Rock & Ice, Alpinist, Elevation Outdoors, Park Advocate, High Country News, Land & People, On the Land, Outside and The Guardian
James Edward Mills is a 2014 Fellow of the Mountain & Wilderness Writing Program of the Banff Centre in Alberta Canada. As a freelance journalist and an independent media producer in a career that spans more than 20 years he specializes in telling stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living. Working in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer and photographer his experience includes a broad range of expeditions that include mountaineering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing and kayaking.
Jeff Bartlett Media Inc
Influencer/Blogger
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: 250 000 social media followers
Jeff Bartlett focuses on the art and craft of adventure, blending photography, filmmaking and writing with a keen passion for story. He's driven to inspire his audience to get outside and explore.
Freelance Journalist
Traditional Media
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: Postmedia's Canada.com, Paddling Magazine, enRoute, Frommer's, TravelAge West, Outside Magazine, Verge Magazine
Jessica Wynne Lockhart is a Canadian freelance journalist who resides in New Zealand. An outdoor enthusiast, she has covered everything from heli-fishing in Australia's outback for the Toronto Star, to cycling across Tasmania for Toronto Pearson Airport's AWAY magazine. She is a regular contributor to Postmedia's travel site, Canada.com. Her award-winning travel writing and photography has also appeared in Chatelaine, the Globe & Mail, enRoute, TravelAge West, Paddling Magazine and more. A former international development practitioner, she is the contributing editor of Verge Magazine, a publication devoted to "travel with purpose," which covers issues related to ethical and sustainable travel.
Freelance Journalist
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: AFAR, National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Outside, Men's Journal, Sierra, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Hemispheres, American Way, Delta Sky, Alaska Beyond, Robb Report, Virtuoso Life, Saturday Evening Post, AARP.
Jill K. Robinson writes about travel, adventure, food, and drink for the San Francisco Chronicle, AFAR, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Every Day With Rachael Ray, Saturday Evening Post, Robb Report, Private Clubs, Sunset, Coastal Living, American Way, Delta Sky, Celebrated Living, Rhapsody, Sierra, and more. Her essays have been published in Travelers’ Tales books: The Best Travel Writing and The Best Women’s Travel Writing. She’s a tequila expert and professional athlete.
Walking On Travels/Twist Travel Mag
Influencer/Blogger
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Walking On Travels. Twist Travel Magazine, WalkingOnTravels.com, Thrillist.com, Verge, TravelAge West Family Getaways, Family Travel (Australian), Trivago
Keryn Means is a freelance writer and digital influencer living outside of Washington, DC. whose work gives hope to parents who see kids as a roadblock to travel, instead of an excuse to explore. In 2016, Keryn launched Walking On Media, LLC, a parent company to her two sites (WalkingOnTravels.com and WalkingOnMom.com), and Twist Travel magazine, a digital magazine directed towards active, stylish millennial traveling parents, as well as digital influencer projects where Keryn works with destinations and brands to create an authentic message that resonates with millennial and Gen X travelers, especially moms who don’t want to let go of their travel dreams. Keryn has laughed at the naysayers by bringing her boys to far off lands like China, Hong Kong, Japan, Hawaii, back and forth across the USA, Mexico, Canada and Europe. Keryn loves to encourage families to take that first step out the door, the hardest step of all.
Travel Blogger
Content Creator/Influencer
Country: United States
Media Outlets: www.kirstenalana.com, www.kirstenalanaphotography.com
Kirsten Alana is a travel photographer and former nomad with an audience of more than 200K online who has worked in all 50 states, in more than 60 countries and on six continents for some of the most awarded campaigns in digital and social media. Her portfolio of clients has included brands in travel, fashion and lifestyle ranging from Four Seasons and SPG to Ted Baker and Amarula. Her expertise in mobile photography, photography, social media, and travel has led her to speak at conferences around the globe. She focuses on travel that does not harm people or planet and that is culturally curious. Her followers regularly share that it is her authenticity, despite trends on social, that ensure they continue to value her perspective. She resides in Los Angeles when she is not traveling on assignment.
Border Free Media
Influencer/Blogger
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Border Free Travels, Domino.com, Glamping.com, Rosetta Stone
Exploring rugged to refined, filmmaker, digital storyteller, and travel expert Kristen Kellogg is an adventurer at heart using creative content to build meaningful connections between brand and consumer. She has produced work for the Travel Channel, Visit California, the Outer Banks, Up Norway, Thailand Tourism, Skype, and Rosetta Stone among others. Kristen has been featured in a variety of outlets such as Women's Health Magazine, Yahoo, Daily Mail, AFAR, MSN, Huffington Post, and Microsoft. A Nantucket Island resident, when she’s not on the road, she finds inspiration by literally running around exploring her own backyard.
Journalist & Producer
Traditional Media
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: Adventure.com, MonteCristo Magazine, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, Metro Toronto, Oxygen Magazine, Outdoor Photography Canada and more.
Hi, I'm Kristin Kent, a writer and photographer based in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. About 100 years ago, I was a food editor. Then, a financial columnist. Now, I cover travel. Unconventional, yes. But I’ve never been the conventional type. Journalism is my constant. It's taken me to the 72nd parallel where I slept on sea ice in polar bear country. I've sailed around tiny atolls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to swim with reef sharks. I've summited Mount Nimbus. I’m not one to pass up a quest.
Freelance Travel Journalist
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Cosmopolitan magazine, www.cosmopolitan.com, 62 million
Kristy Alpert is a freelance travel and lifestyle journalist on the hunt for the obscure and untold stories around the world. See her bylines in Cosmo, Men’s Health, Food & Wine, Esquire, AFAR, & more
HikeBikeTravel.com
Content Creator/Influencer
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: https://hikebiketravel.com/
HikeBikeTravel.com is frequently cited as one of the top outdoor adventure blogs. Leigh is the author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures and the co-author of the Globe and Mail bestseller - 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, published in April 2018. Her next book - 200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta is due out in spring 2022. A true adventurer, Leigh prefers wilderness experiences, camping and glamping in unique locations, long hikes, multi-day bike rides and paddling trips where few people go. She also loves to inspire both men and women of all ages to conquer their fears, get outside, and live life to the fullest. She doesn’t ever plan to fully retire.
Freelance Travel Writer
Traditional Media
Country: Chile/United States
Media Outlets: Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic Travel, Lonely Planet, Hemispheres, Atlas Obscura, CNN, BBC
Mark Johanson is an American travel writer who splits his time between the US and Chile. His articles about adventure, food, culture and sustainability have appeared in dozens of global publications, including Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, Food & Wine, Men’s Journal, The Economist, National Geographic Travel, Atlas Obscura, Dwell, CNN Travel and BBC Travel, among others. He is the co-author of a dozen Lonely Planet guidebooks and works frequently with the iconic travel brand to produce coffee table books and online content.
Freelance Travel Writer
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: https://gearjunkie.com; 2M+ monthly page views
Home is the wilderness-rich Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte, Colorado, next door to where Morgan Tilton grew up in the San Juan Mountains. She’s an adventure journalist with a focus in travel, outdo
Norie Quintos Media
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-the-philippines-came-to-virginia
Norie Quintos is an Editor at Large for National Geographic Travel Media, contributing content and representing the iconic brand. She is also an independent freelance writer/editor, and consultant for the travel industry on editorial packaging, communications, media relations, and custom content. She is the former executive editor of National Geographic Traveler and was an editor at U.S. News and World Report and Caribbean Travel and Life. She is on the advisory board of several travel companies and organizations.
Hecktic Travels
Influencer/Blogger
Country: Canada
Media Outlets: hecktictravels.com - 20k-PVM roadtripalberta.com 100k-PVM
Pete Heck is the co-owner at HeckticTravels.com and RoadTripAlberta.com, which he has been running with his wife Dalene for over six years. Together they have been named National Geographic Travelers of the Year and won a bronze medal for Best Independent Travel Blog as awarded by the North American Travel Journalist Association.
Freelance Journalist
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Bicycling, Outside, Indianapolis Monthly, Men's Journal
After spending nearly a decade as a reporter for The Indianapolis Star, Robert Annis finally broke free of the shackles of gainful employment and now freelances full time, specializing in cycling and outdoor travel journalism. Over the years, his byline has appeared in numerous publications and websites, including Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Bicycling, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics, Bike, Midwest Living, Dirt Rag and Velo News. When he's not hunched over a keyboard, you’ll likely find him either pedaling the backroads and trails of the Midwest on his bicycle or hopping around the globe with his beautiful wife, Dee.
Outside Contributing Editor, Writer
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Wired, regional Minnesota publications
Stephanie Pearson is a freelance writer and contributing editor to Outside magazine. After earning her master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medical School of Journalism, she served on Outside‘s editorial staff for 12 years. Pearson has also logged many hours in the field. Pearson’s assignments have taken her to Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Polynesia, South America, and throughout North America. Her work has been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing and has also appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Wired, O, The Oprah Magazine, Men’s Journal, Lonely Planet books, CNN.com, NationalGeographic.com, Travel + Leisure.com, Discovery.com, and others. Pearson splits her time between northern Minnesota and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Tegra Stone Nuess Photography
Traditional Media
Country: United States
Media Outlets: The New York Times, TegraStoneNuess.com channels
Tegra is an editorial, documentary and commercial photographer specializing in travel. After growing up in Spokane, WA she attended Connecticut College receiving a BA in photography and French. She learned the most from an incredible experience living and studying in Paris. It was in Paris, as she traced the footsteps of Henri Cartier-Bresson, that her real passion of being behind the lens was realized. Now based out of Seattle, she strives to live her life with integrity and mischief, seeking out adventure and connection. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Backpacker Magazine, Saveur Magazine, Journey AAA, Stern Magazine, Buick's B Magazine, AFAR, USAA Magazine, Trust for Public Land, and Getty images.
About Us
Established in 1990, the Adventure Travel Trade Association is the largest global network of adventure travel leaders. Our community is made up of ~30,000 individual guides, tour operators, lodges, travel advisors, tourism boards, destination marketing and management organizations, outdoor educators, gear companies and travel media who share a belief and commitment to sustainable tourism. The connections and creativity of this vibrant community come together both virtually and in person to create and deliver the solutions that propel our businesses and our communities toward a responsible and profitable future.
