Dear NLGJA Members & Friends,

Writing and journalism organizations have become a sort of alphabet soup for me. I'm in ASJA, IAWA, NWU, SPJ and many others, but the one that is dearest to my heart is NLGJA.

Sure it’s about professional development and networking with business contacts, but NLGJA's National Convention is the one place where I find I can really be myself, where I have an instant connection with everyone I meet, even before I have met them.

Professionally speaking, some of my best contacts were also made networking at the NLGJA conference. I freelance for a broad range of publications, but two of my highest profile outlets, The New York Times and Bloomberg News, came after speaking with recruiters at their convention booths.

Beyond the work aspect, I really feel that with NLGJA, I have developed an important friendship and support network. It’s easy to call up other members and bounce ideas off them, or get the real inside scoop on a new freelancing outlet. As a travel writer, I also have an instant network of contacts across the US and beyond whenever I'm curious about a place.

Joining NLGJA almost seven years ago was one of the best things I ever could have done.

Sincerely,

Michael Luongo

Freelance Travel Writer & Photographer
Chair, NLGJA's Travel Writers Caucus
New York, NY