Meet Seattle Travel Massive Chapter Leader, Valerie

It’s time to meet Valerie Stimac, Travel Massive Seattle chapter leader and travel writer/blogger at Valerie & Valise, and learn more about what she is planning for the Seattle chapter.

Valerie started blogging back in 2013 and transitioned to add in freelance writing in 2014. She also works on freelance marketing projects, and several of her clients are working in the travel industry.

We asked Valerie a few questions about her role in Travel Massive and what she hopes to do with the Seattle Travel Massive chapter. Interested? Read on!

How did you first get involved with Travel Massive?

I attended a Travel Massive event in Seattle about six months after I moved to Seattle, and loved it. We went into a bit of a dry spell after that – it was almost a year before our next event, but I was motivated to join the chapter leaders team to help get our events up and running again.

What motivates you to be part of Travel Massive?

I have a two-fold motivation: the first is to connect with fellow travelers who love to talk about traveling, share advice, and speak the same language. The second is to network for my freelance writing and blogging.

What kinds of current or emerging startups, travel companies, and tourism initiatives exist?

Seattle is a great city for Travel Massive because the city is home to so many travel companies – both startups and well-established corporations (like Expedia and Holland America!). Visit Seattle works hard to bring lots of travelers to our city, but for those of us who are based here, it’s great to have a way to connect with others in the industry.

Are you planning on doing anything unique at your meet-ups?

Our goal is to build up a consistent schedule of events and encourage repeat attendees at our events.

How has Travel Massive helped you professionally?

I’ve been involved with an influencer campaign as a result of a Travel Massive event, and was able to work with a fellow Seattle chapter member to get her company featured in a major travel publication.

Do you have a past event that was your favourite?

I really enjoyed the meetup that we did in partnership with FlightSpeak. They helped us find a great venue at their coworking space with fantastic views of the city; they also provided all of the perks (drinks and appetizers) that help lubricate a meetup/networking event like Travel Massive.

What is your best advice to a newcomer who wants to attend a Travel Massive event for the first time?

Go into it with an open mind – Travel Massive isn’t necessarily for networking, but that can happen (so be sure to have a few business cards on hand). Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself, and if you meet someone who does something you think is cool, be sure to tell them that! (I often geek out when I meet bloggers I follow or people from companies I love.)

Leader of the pack is a monthly series that profiles organizers from Travel Massive meet-ups around the world. You can follow Valerie on Travel Massive, Facebook and Twitter.