We can’t believe it’s already a year!

Toronto Travel Massive was born one year ago this month

It was last August, during a meet-up of travel bloggers that I (Mariellen Ward) organized on The Spice Route patio. At the exact same moment, Alicia Taggio and I said, “We should start a travel tribe here in Toronto!” That was the moment Toronto Travel Massive (formerly Tribe) was born. Over the past year we have held meet-ups all over the city, and have hosted some of the best and brightest travel writers, travel bloggers and travel industry people, from Toronto and around the world. Our out-of-town guests have included star bloggers Nomadic Matt, Gary “Everywheretrip” Arndt, Andrew “Brooklynnomad” Hickey and J.D. “EarthXplorer” Andrews.

And for our one-year anniversary party we hosted many of the leading lights of the Toronto travel scene. The party, at The Planet Traveler, was a blast. Thanks to everyone who came, everyone who helped us organize — especially Natalie “Nearafar” Taylor, Lindsay Tessis of LMA PR and the team from Flight Centre, including Lara and Jason — all of our sponsors and Anthony Aarts, owner and manager of The Planet Traveler. The Planet Traveler, if you don’t know, is a very cool new hostel in downtown Toronto, right near Kensington Market. It’s the greenest hostel in Canada and has, hands-down, the best roof-top lounge. We were blessed with a gorgeous evening for our party, a stellar sunset and a spectacular turnout — about 40 people, a new record for us.

Two of our sponsors really made the night super-special. Besides a great turnout from Flight Centre Canada — that included president Greg Dixon, known as Dicko, who was in town from Vancouver — the company offered prizes and sponsored our food and drinks. Intrepid Travel gave is our grand prize — a trip in Peru, to see Machu Picchu. This kind of support is what makes Toronto Travel Massive a success. To enter, attendees had to have their picture taken in front of an Intrepid banner featuring a massive photo of Machu Picchu, and then Tweet it out.

The grand prize winner of the Peru trip is talented travel blogger Red Hunt, of Red Hunt Travel. “Big thanks to Intrepid, Flight Centre and Toronto Travel Massive!” Red said. “Peru is the one destination I haven’t been too that everyone always LOVES, so I can’t wait!” We’ll be looking forward to some blogs about his trip.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Flight Centre and Intrepid Travel!

Past sponsors were well-represented at the shin-dig. Maureen Wright from LMA PR was in attendance; so was Kattrin Seiber and Jen Curtis from Ontario Tourism. Jennifer Zed and Michelle Elmaleh from Edelman PR — who sponsored Breathedreamgo’s Tilley Hat contest — was in the house; and we were very happy to see Pracheer Saran from TourismToronto. Also very happy to meet some newcomers:  Angus Robinson and Candice Lee and from Jaunt; Hetal Modi from iTravel2000; the glamorous Melanie Coates from The Fairmont Royal York Hotel; Amy Smithers from Trufflepig Travel; and the well-connected Christine Korda from She’s Connected.

Lots of great travel peeps from Gap Adventures at the party including Attit and Sean Russo. And so wonderful to see old-timers Greg Hayes, Katy Rockett from Intrepid Travel and Lindsay “Lindsontheroad” Young.

And of course, loads of travel writers and bloggers, including TMAC members Sherrell Purcell, Carol Perehudoff and Michele Peterson. A full list appears below.

Some of our staunchest members missed the party — but they all had a good reason. Evelyn “Journeywoman” Hannon was on a cruise ship, Janice “Solotraveler” Waugh was at Travel Blogger’s Union in Europe and Dave and Deb of ThePlanetD were in Mongolia, finishing the Mongol Rally.

It was, all around, a magical night and a great way to start our second year.

Here’s who attended our one-year anniversary party:
Mariellen Ward @breathedreamgo
Alicia Taggio @taggio
Greg Dixon
Natalie Taylor @nearafar
Lindsay Tessis @lindsaytessis
Michele Peterson @atastefortravel
Attit @Attit
Eric Floresca @clickeric
Rohan Ramesh @druid007
Ian Ord @globe_trottah
Gregg Tilston @greggtilston
Greg Hayes @greghayes
Rebecca @HiTorontoHostel
Enzo Maraventano @ItsEnzo
Ryan Joseph @itsryanjoseph
Jason Rundell @jasonrundell
Jennifer Zed @jenniferzed
Kattrin Sieber @kattrinsieber
Katy Rockett @katyrockett
Katie @intrepid_travel
Lara Nicotra @laranicotra
Lindsay Young @lindsontheroad
Lynnette @LVisaya
@Meeshbeer
Red Hunt @redhunttravel
Sean Russo @srussoGAP
Amy Smithers @TrufflePigTweet
Michelle Elmaleh @michelmaleh
Carol Perehudoff @wanderingcarol
Christine Korda @christinekorda
Ruth Lor Mallory ruthlor@hotmail.com
Hetal Modi @digitalhetal
Jennifer Curtis @shareontario
Maureen Wright pr@lma.ca
Carol Muxam Eventbootcamp.com
Melanie Coates @fairmontryh
Candice Lee McCaulay @candicelee
Paul Hynds
Steph B.