What is the SATW Foundation?
The non-profit, tax-exempt SATW Foundation was begun in the early 1980s by a group of SATW editors who were concerned about the future of travel journalism. They wanted to generate higher standards and prestige for the field. The Foundation's mission is to improve travel journalism through recognizing and rewarding excellence in the field. To accomplish this goal, the Foundation began the first broad-based independent competition for travel journalists, the SATW Foundation Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. The Foundation funds its work through donations, which are tax-deductible under the IRS Code Section 501 (c) (3). The identification
number is 52-1269215. Please see this page for more information.
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What is the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
The SATW Foundation sponsors the annual Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. The competition began in 1985, and today awards nearly $20,000 annually in prize money for outstanding work in print and on the Internet. It is the premier competition in this field, like the Pulitzer Prizes for travel journalism. It has gained its stature for several reasons, most notably: 1) it does not promote any particular destination or travel product, 2) it is open to all North American journalists, not just SATW members, and 3) it is judged independently by the faculty at top U.S. schools of journalism.
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Who are the judges of the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
From its beginning, the competition has been judged by the faculty of outstanding university journalism schools. One school usually judges the competition for five or six years. Currently the faculty at the University of Missouri School of Journalism judges the competition.  In past years, the journalism faculties at Northwestern University and the University of Florida have judged the competition. While the Foundation establishes the competition categories, sets the rules and pays the judges, it plays no role in the judging; all entries go directly to the university faculty, which handles all the processing and judging. The Foundation pays the schools for their work.
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How do I enter the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
The annual competition is open to all North American journalists. All work must be published in English within the time frame specified each year. Entry guidelines and forms are online at www.satwf.com (click on Lowell Thomas Awards) and are mailed each year to approximately 2,500 journalists, including past entrants and all SATW members.  See complete details on the http://www.satwf.com/ website, Lowell Thomas Awards.
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Is there a cost to enter the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
Yes, there are entry fees. Most are $15 per article. A few categories that allow multiple articles/issues in the entry-the Grand Award, Best Newspaper Travel Sections, Best Magazines, Guidebook, Travel Book, Internet Publication/Website and Special Packages/Projects-have an entry fee of $50. These fees help pay the costs of judging the competition.
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What awards are given in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
These are the most-coveted honors in the field, like the Pulitzer Prizes in travel journalism. Awards are given in 27 categories, including a Grand Award and the title of Travel Journalist of the Year for the best portfolio by an individual journalist, Best Newspaper Travel Section awards in three circulation categories, Best Travel Magazine, Best Travel Coverage in General/Special Interest Magazines, Best Internet Travel Publication / Website, Best Guidebook and Best Travel Book (other than guidebook). There are 19 categories for individual travel-related articles and photography.
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How much money do winners receive in the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
The Grand Award, for the best portfolio of work by an individual journalist, is $1,500 Gold, $750 Silver, $500 Bronze. A plaque also is given for each of these awards. The categories for Best Newspaper Travel Sections, Best Magazines, Best Special Packages/Projects  and Best Internet Publication/Website do not carry monetary prizes; plaques go to the Gold winners and framed certificates are given for Silver and Bronze winners. The remaining 19 categories carry awards of $500 Gold, $250 Silver, $150 Bronze. The Gold award winner in each also receives a plaque, and the Silver and Bronze categories are given framed certificates.
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How do I get on the mailing list to receive Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition entry forms?
Materials are sent to entrants from the past three to four years and to all SATW members. If you are not receiving materials, send your name, address, phone number and e-mail contact to Liliane Opsomer, SATW Foundation secretary, at media@visitbelgium.com . She is the press/public relations manager for the Belgian Tourist Office in New York City. Mailings go out about 2-3 months before the deadline for sending in entries.
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Where do I get more information on the SATW Foundation and its Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
If your questions are not answered on the www.satwf.com Web site, then contact the SATW Foundation administrator, Mary Lu Abbott at MaryLuA@satwf.com or 713-532-6461 in Houston, Texas.
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How does the SATW Foundation fund the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition?
The Foundation funds the competition through entry fees and donations. Fees and donations are tax-deductible under the IRS Code Section 501 (c) (3). Our tax-deductible number is 52-1269215. The Foundation welcomes donations from individuals, companies and other entities with an interest in fostering better travel journalism. Among donors: The British Tourist Authority, the Belgian Tourist Office, Boyne USA, Inc., Carnival Cruise Lines and Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, William R. Angell Foundation, Bill Muster Foundation, American Automobile Assn., SATW Central States, Western and Atlantic Caribbean chapters and SATW Foundation board members. Many individuals donate to the Foundation. The Foundation appreciates all donations, small and large. Contributions may be mailed to the treasurer, Jeanne Westphal, President, Jeanne Westphal Associates, 1717 N. Bayshore Dr,   # 3046,  Miami, FL 33132. All contributions are tax-deductible.
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Who runs the SATW Foundation?
A board of directors, all serving as volunteers, governs the SATW Foundation. From the directors, a board of up to 10 trustees is elected to serve as officers and oversee day-to-day business. These trustees also serve on a volunteer basis, donating their time and talent. No one is paid any fee/salary to serve. The current president is David G. Molyneaux, editor of TravelMavens.net. For names of other trustees and directors, click here.
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