February 15, 2012 – 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Presidio Branch of the San Francisco Public Library

Thanks go to Lakshman Ratnapala for presenting this stellar evening (first evening meeting of the year!) and securing all the prizes; also to Erin Caslavka for arranging the venue, a Carnegie treasure originally built in 1898, now renovated. Refreshments will be served.

Presidio Library: 3150 Sacramento St. (between Baker and Lyon streets), San Francisco; 415-355-2880. Here’s the info for the February meeting location: http://sfpl.org/index.php?pg=0100002801. For directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&daddr=3150+Sacramento+Street%2C++San+Francisco%2C+CA

Members, click here to register.

Meeting details and invitation:

BATW cordially invites you to join a voyage of discovery to Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, described by Mark Twain as “a dream of fairyland and paradise” and extolled by Friar Marignolli, Papal envoy to the Emperor of China, as so near to paradise, “the sound of the waters falling from the fountain of Paradise is heard there.”

The presenter will be Board Member Lakshman Ratnapala, Emeritus President & CEO of PATA and previously Sri Lanka’s Director of Tourism for the Americas based in New York. Lakshman is now Chairman of Enelar International, a global tourism management and marketing consultancy.

We hope to have a host of door prizes including:

• A round trip air ticket London – Colombo – London, courtesy of SriLankan Airlines
• 5-nights stay for 2 at Jetwing Blue beach hotel, Negombo, courtesy of Jetwing Hotels, Sri Lanka
• 3-nights stay at Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy, courtesy of Mahaweli Reach Hotels, Sri Lanka
• Gift packs of the world’s finest pure Ceylon Tea, courtesy of Sri Lanka Tourism and Ceylon Express International 
• National Geographic’s Visions of Paradise and Great Journeys of the World, courtesy of Lakshman Ratnapala         
• Great American Travel Writings: A Journey Around America, courtesy of Lakshman Ratnapala 
• Sunset Magazine’s A Century of Western Living: Historical Portraits, courtesy of Lakshman Ratnapala
•  …… and more …… and more …….

Don’t miss out! RSVP today!

[Ed. Note: Be sure to read Georgia Hesse’s article on Sri Lanka, published in the Foreign Travel Club of San Francisco’s December newsletter—a teaser of what’s to come for BATW in February!] 

January 21, 2012  – 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Spinnaker Restaurant, Sausalito

Thanks go to Lee Daley, who has planned the January 21 meeting at one of Sausalito’s most notable restaurants. We plan to meet and greet at 11 a.m., followed by the general meeting and a presentation by Sausalito’s Sister City, Vina del Mar, Chile. Also included: an empanada tasting and possibly a Chilean wine tasting. Seating for this event is limited to the first 35 BATW members who sign up, so don’t delay in responding!

Spinnaker Restaurant, 100 Spinnaker Drive, Sausalito. Tel: 415-332-1500

Parking is on-site by valet or self-parking in a nearby parking lot off Bridgeway, near the restaurant. Public transportation is available by bus from San Francisco and by ferry from the Embarcadero, S F.

Members, click here to register.

For more information, contact Lee Daley. (415) 331-5156

Associate Members’ Media Marketplace at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco (at Embarcadero Center)

Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Join us for a special Associate Members meeting, arranged by Molly Blaisdell of Hook, Line & Thinker and Lauren Eastman of Lauren Eastman & Associates, at host hotel Hyatt Regency San Francisco (at Embarcadero Center).  After the general meeting, hosted luncheon and panel discussion on travel blogging, headed by San Francisco Chronicle Travel Editor Spud Hilton, we will enjoy a Champagne dessert reception in the hotel’s iconic (Guinness Book of World Records “Largest”) lobby, followed by a BATW Media Marketplace where members will meet with Associate Members and potential new members to learn more about their clients.

This event is limited to members only (no guests) and reserved for up to 50 members and up to 30 Associates.  For those not included in that maximum capacity number, you are invited to the dessert reception at 1:00 p.m. and/or the trade show, which will be held from 1:45-3:00 p.m.  Public transportation is very convenient. Parking will NOT be provided, but nearby lots include Embarcadero Center.

Members, click here to register.

For more information:

Contact: Erin Caslavka

Phone: 760-912-1767

Email: erin.caslavka@gmail.com

Hyatt Regency San Francisco, 5 Embarcadero Center

Saturday, November 19, 2011 – 10 a.m.

Associate Member Molly Blaisdell, of Hook, Line & Thinker public relations, has arranged a special Associates Meeting at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Following our general meeting, BATW will host a Media Marketplace where members can meet with our Associate Members and potential Associates to learn more about their clients and their needs.

Sevengill shark, largest predator in San Francisco Bay, at the Aquarium of the Bay

October Meeting: “Using Social Media to Market Your Work”

Aquarium of the Bay, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf

Thursday evening, October 20, 2011

 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Our October 20 meeting is a Thursday evening mixer (5 p.m.-8 p.m.) at the Farallon Room at Aquarium of the Bay – Pier 39. Guest speaker will be David Perry of David Perry and Associates, an expert on using social media to market your work. (Co-president Ginny Prior has graciously arranged this very topical program.) The Aquarium is providing wine, beer and light appetizers.

Parking: There is convenient public parking at the Pier 39 garage, directly in front of the Aquarium, if members wish to pay to park.

Directions: Aquarium of the Bay – Pier 39, at The Embarcadero and Beach Street in San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Ample public transportation is available (the historic F Line stops right across from the front door).

Please note: This is a Members Only event. Space is limited, so reserve your seat early!

Members, click here to register.