TravelAge West, a trusted brand in the travel industry for more than 50 years, has announced significant promotions within its content team, underscoring its ongoing commitment to providing travel advisors with best-in-class editorial content, events and professional development opportunities.
Mindy Poder has been elevated to Editor-in-Chief of TravelAge West. Poder, who started as an intern and has been with Northstar for 13 years, will now take on full content responsibility for print and digital platforms, manage event content, oversee the editorial staff and develop industry relationships.
Emma Weissmann, another former intern with nine years of experience at the brand, has been promoted to Executive Editor. In her new role, Weissmann will lead the day-to-day management and implementation of TravelAge West's digital initiatives, including podcasts and other projects.
Ken Shapiro, who has been promoted to VP/Editorial Director of TravelAge West and TravelPulse, expressed confidence in Poder and Weissmann's abilities.
"I have been privileged to have a front-row seat to Mindy and Emma's evolution as editors over the years,” Shapiro said. “Now, as we make this change, I have full confidence in their abilities and feel they are ready to take this next step in their careers. They have shown they are excellent content creators, great editors and I know they will work hard to represent TravelAge West's special audience."
Excitement about new leadership surrounds the promotions of Mindy Poder and Emma Weissmann and gives Northstar the opportunity to spread Ken's talent and leadership to other brands in our portfolio.
In his expanded role, Shapiro will oversee content strategy and SEO strategy for both TravelAge West and the TravelPulse portfolio, in addition to his existing publisher and content roles at TravelAge West.
"I'm looking forward to this next challenge and being able to work closely with the great TravelPulse and TravelPulse Canada content teams,” Shapiro said. “They have such strong brands in our industry and I'm so happy to now be a part of that."
Mary Pat Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Northstar Travel Group, commented on the promotions.
"Ken Shapiro has led the TravelAge West voice into the new age of today's travel advisor,” she said. “He leads a talented team of professionals that are dedicated to understanding the complexities of the products and destinations advisors sell and assuring the right content is available to help move the markets forward. Excitement about new leadership surrounds the promotions of Mindy Poder and Emma Weissmann and gives Northstar the opportunity to spread Ken's talent and leadership to other brands in our portfolio."
Sullivan expressed her gratitude to the entire TravelAge West team for their hard work and dedication to the travel trade audience.
"This sentiment echoes throughout the organization as TravelAge West continues to evolve, innovate and serve as an indispensable resource for the modern travel advisor," she said.
These promotions reinforce TravelAge West's mission to be at the center of the travel advisor community. The brand is dedicated to providing modern advisors with tools to enhance their business, from industry research and professional development to immersive storytelling and first-person reviews.
TravelAge West's commitment extends beyond print and digital content to include prestigious industry events such as the annual WAVE Awards Gala, the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat, the Napa Valley Leadership Forum and the Trendsetter Awards. The brand also produces the popular Humans of Travel and Trade Secrets podcasts.
