WordScapes

Call Me “Columnist!”

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:37:46 +0000

A long-standing professional goal of mine has been to write a column. What surprised me is where the opportunity ultimately presented itself — Hudson Valley Wine magazine. Wine is not a specialty of mine, and I’m as “casual” a wine drinker as you can get. However, I do love to tell stories of the people and places of the Hudson Valley, and this column lets me do that. In “Talking Terroir,” I’ll interview my region’s tastemakers, trendsetters, culinary champions and wine pros to find out what they’re drinking now, and get their take on the area’s wine scene.

You can read my first column from the spring 2013 issue here.

News: I’ve Won Two 2013 Hermes Creative Awards

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Sun, 05 May 2013 20:33:15 +0000

I’m proud to share the news that I’ve received two 2013 Hermes Creative Awards, which are granted each year by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP) to recognize excellence in the concept, writing, and design of traditional and emerging media.

First, I received a Gold Award in the “E-Mail Blast” category for the copywriting I provided my client, the New York International Gift Fair, on this piece announcing its new name, NY NOW.

The second, an Honorable Mention, I received for my family travel blog, Go BIG or Go Home, in recognition of its success as a platform for my expertise in family travel writing.

A Corporate Blog Case Study: NYIGF

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:25:13 +0000

When the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF), one of the nation’s largest trade shows for the gift, home and lifestyle industry, wanted to establish its preeminence as a sourcing destination for design-driven products, it launched a blog. And asked me to write it. For the past year, I’ve contributed weekly posts on 100 Days of Design, and I’ve completely enjoyed it!

Each week, the blog focuses on a different product category, such as handmade craft, home décor, juvenile resources, and personal accessories. Three superlative products offered by NYIGF exhibiting companies are highlighted with copy and images.

Attention is also given to New York City attractions, restaurants, and stores which fit these categories, because the city is part of the appeal which draws 35,000 buyers from across the globe to this trade show.

This blog is promoted through email to all registered and prospective NYIGF attendees, as well as on the show’s facebook page and Twitter feed. It serves as a weekly marketing tool to sell the show, build attendance, promote its exhibitors, and encourage conversation. And yes, in addition to all that, it does what it intended to do: support the event’s standing as a design-driven market.

Some of my favorite posts include:

Making a Case for “Made in the USA”

On-Trend Textiles

Seeing Green

If you are thinking about how a blog can set your business apart, let me help you craft your message.

Abaca Pillows by NYIGF exhibitor John Robshaw

News: I’ve Won a 2012 Gold MarCom Award

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:57:03 +0000

I’m pleased to share that I’ve won a gold 2012 MarCom Award in the advertorial writing category. The MarCom award is presented annually by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals to honor excellence in marketing and communications.

My submission was this article and time line which I wrote on behalf of the New York International Gift Fair to promote the history and participants of the Handmade product division. It appeared in the August 2012 issue of The Crafts Report, a trade publication for fine craft artisans and retailers.

CraftsReport-August2012

You’re Invited to Attend My Travel Blogger Seminar at the ASJA Conference

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 14:54:16 +0000

I’m excited to share that I will be producing and moderating a four-person panel seminar at the 42^nd Annual ASJA (American Society of Journalists and Authors) conference, April 25-27, 2013.

The session, tentatively titled “So You Want to Be a…Travel Blogger?” will introduce writers to alternative travel blogging business models which can generate supplemental revenue. Professional bloggers will share how they have created various revenue streams, i.e. blog ads, sponsorships, brand ambassadorships, social media consulting, etc.

I hope to see you there! For more information about attending the 2013 ASJA Conference, click here.

Let’s Go To…Virginia Beach

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 13:21:34 +0000

Westchester Family Magazine

August 2012, pages 38-39

With thirty miles of shoreline, Virginia Beach is a great summertime travel destination! My latest submission for this regional parenting publication describes the highlights.

Read the full story…

Copywriting: An Integral Part of This Tourism Marketing Award

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 01:36:19 +0000

The bulk of my 20-year professional career has been involved in some way with the travel and tourism industry. I enjoyed many years in marketing positions, promoting the benefits of various tourism destinations. I now draw upon this experience as a copywriter. Working with my client, BBG&G Advertising, we created a marketing campaign which recently won the Excellence in Tourism Marketing award from The New York State Travel & Vacation Association.

Print and online ads targeting various travel markets all reflect a unifying slogan: “Simple & Sophisticated. You Deserve Dutchess.” More of this award-winning campaign can be seen here.

Traci L. Suppa Receives Two NATJA Awards

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:37:29 +0000

What an honor! Recently, I was awarded with a Gold award in the 2011 Annual NATJA (North American Travel Journalists Association) Competition in the “Intergenerational and Family Travel – Internet” category. This awards competition, now in its 20^th year, honors the “best of the best” in travel writing, photography and promotion that cover all aspects of the travel industry worldwide. This year, NATJA received more than 500 submissions from all over the world.

My winning entry was for this post, the “World’s Largest Traveling Amusement Park, at the Big E”, for my Go BIG or Go Home family travel blog. It’s about the state fair of Massachusetts and several other New England states, where you’ll find the world’s largest traveling amusement park, and of course, the “Craz-E” burger!

I also earned a Bronze award in the “Historical or Hobby Travel – Internet” category for this post I wrote for Go BIG or Go Home about the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. The club, an Art Deco gem which opened in 1923, is the world’s largest shuffleboard club, and the nation’s oldest.

For more information about NATJA or a complete list of 2011 award winners, visit www.natja.org.

let’s go to … LEGOLAND® Florida

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:11:48 +0000

Westchester Family January 2012

Westchester Family Magazine
January 2012, page 38

If you have pre-school children, LEGOLAND is worth the trip from anywhere. This park caters to kids ages 2-12, and even the coasters are sized appropriately.

Read the full story…

Chocolate Spa…Aaah

Traci LaRosa Suppa — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 16:34:17 +0000

Girlfriend Getaways – Ladies Who Lounge – Chocolate Spa | Hershey Pa.
Long Weekends
Fall-Winter 2011

When you think Hershey, you typically think “kid stuff” — a slab of chocolate nestled between two marshmallow-y grahams, a surprise Kiss hidden inside a Valentine’s Day card, a chocolate reward for a job well done. But at the luxurious Chocolate Spa in Hershey, Pennsylvania, you’ll find treats that are a little more grown up.