As a member of five years’ standing, I regularly attend Guild meetings, but have never had any desire to go to an AGM.

In fact, to be honest, I really couldn’t have imagined anything worse – a dull, droning meeting surrounded by (dare I say it) the more ‘senior’ members of the guild, with whom I felt sure I would have little in common. And, as for networking, I always thought: who needs it?

How wrong I was. This year I decided to go to the AGM in Tenerife, tempted by some much needed winter sun, but certainly not expecting to have fun or to make any useful contacts. I am now kicking myself that I didn’t go years ago.

I was blown away by the friendliness and generosity of pretty much everyone I met, in marked contrast to my many press trips I’ve been on. I laughed a lot, was surprised by the beauty of the island, and made face-to-face contact with colleagues whom I’m only ever known by their email addresses.

As well as host of leads, ideas and contacts, I took away inspiration from the integrity of the other writers I met with. The experience has made me – pompous as it may sound – very proud to be both a travel writer, and a member of the Guild.

Two writers I know (one in wine, the other in food) are both members of their respective guilds and were both incredibly envious of our AGM, saying ‘we don’t have anything like that’.

At the recent Yearbook Launch, a month after Tenerife, I was met by a sea of familiar faces and felt like I was catching up with old friends – a far cry from my experience at last year’s launch, when I knew only one or two people.

My advice to any recent guild member considering the AGM 2011? Just do it.
 

www.hackneyhome.blogspot.com (latest post mentions Tenerife trip and has a link to the Guild)
travelwriteruk.blogspot.com
www.bgtw.org/jane-egginton.html