TravMedia has announced that respected world commentator on travel and tourism and National Geographic Traveler Editor-in-Chief, Keith Bellows, will be flying in as Guest of Honour for the inaugural Australian International Media Marketplace (IMM) being held at Hilton Brisbane on 3 May.

A major addition to Australia's tourism calendar, IMM will be bringing together top-flight Australian and international media with key tourism destinations and brands for this full-day exhibition-style event being hosted by TravMedia and including Destination Partners, Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane Marketing, and Event Sponsor, Hilton Worldwide.

In addition to his long-standing role in Washington DC with the iconic U.S. magazine, Mr Bellows is also Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of National Geographic Travel Media.

Under his stewardship, National Geographic Traveler has become the world's most widely read travel magazine, maintaining the mantle of the travel media's top newsstand performer as well as picking up numerous media accolades including more than 60 Lowell Thomas Awards for Best Travel Writing and Best Magazine, 10 Folio Awards for Best Travel Magazine and National Magazine Awards.

Individually, Mr Bellows was recognised for overall achievement in travel journalism, named as winner of the North American Travel Journalists' Association's inaugural Spirit of Kalliope Award in 2011.

Prior to joining National Geographic, Mr Bellows launched BabyCenter.com as its Creative Director and was Executive Producer of Excite.com and Founding Partner of WestWorld Media.

He created and edited more than 30 magazines for Whittle Communications and has written for Esquire, Sports Illustrated, Parenting, AARP and others.

Mr Bellows wrote 'The Canuck Book', lectures extensively around the world and has appeared on television more than 200 times on programs including the TODAY Show and Good Morning America, along with his regular segment on National Geographic Today.

During his visit to Australia, Mr Bellows will be doing a select number of print, radio and television interviews promoting his latest book, '100 Places That Can Change Your Child's Life', part of a program he is developing to encourage parents, corporations, and schools to view travel as a critical learning tool.

TravMedia CEO and Founder, Nick Wayland said Mr Bellows' attendance at IMM is a "major coup" for everyone involved with the event.

"We have a fantastic line up of media and exhibitors, and having someone the calibre of Keith Bellows taking time out of his incredibly busy schedule to attend this event, is brilliant for the Australian travel industry."

Meanwhile, bookings continue to flow in for IMM in Brisbane with excellent representation by media and tourism product providers.

The first-ever Travmedia International Media Marketplaces was held at The Dorchester, London last month to a packed house.

To view the IMM Event program visit http://www.travmedia.com/immaus

For further information please contact:

Lauren Michod - lauren.michod@travmedia.com or Sally Morgan - sally.morgan@travmedia.com

Telephone -  +61 2 9262 2369

EDITORS NOTES 
Originally created by a travel journalist seeking a better way to research and report travel news, TravMedia is dedicated to creating thriving online communities which connect journalists and public relations professionals according to their industries of focus. The company currently operates in ten countries: Australia, Germany, Dubai, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, India, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Africa accounting for more than 37,000 journalist and PR members.

TravMedia has become the engine powering major global trade show media marketplaces and press rooms, such as International Pow Wow, Australian Tourism Exchange, AIME, the annual convention of the Society of American Travel Writers and many other white-label solutions for organisations around the world.

The technology used by our sites has become an essential tool for registered journalists and PR professionals in their day-to-day activities, as they connect and share information to report on travel news worldwide.