Michael Hodgson is known as an expert in the outdoor industry, a subject that has become a main focus of his work and life. Michael is credited as a travel writer, author, photographer, an award-winning journalist, and creator/owner/co-owner of various outdoor industry websites. He has written 18 books and his articles have appeared in many notable outdoor publications. He has taken on various leadership roles within the outdoor industry, including a stint as the president of SNEWS (www.snewsnet.com), an online newsletter catered to covering fitness, outdoor, and winter-sports industries. Michael was also the senior editor for Outdoor Retailer magazine from 1990 to 1999 and is noted for launching the magazine’s website on the internet. In 1995, he collaborated with Wendy Geister to create a daily paper for the Outdoor Retailer’s trade shows titled the Daily Exposure, later renamed the Outdoor Retailer Daily in 2004. Michael also wrote for the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America (ORCA), which changed its name to the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) in 2002.

Therese Iknoian was trained as a news journalist but began to concentrate on travel writing and photography after developing a passion for travel adventure while on a short trip to Europe during her teenage years. Therese is fluent in German, French, and English and works as a translator for various outdoor industry companies through her own translation business (ThereseTranslates.com). She is also a member of the North American Travel Journal Association (NATJA) and the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). Like Michael, she has been involved in the outdoor industry, serving as a board member for the Outdoor Industry Women’s Council (OIWC) in the early 2000s.

Michael and his wife, Therese Iknoian have collaborated on outdoor industry projects, such as their website HI Travel Tales where Michael and Therese share their travel experiences and offer travel advice. HI Travel Tales was named one of the top independent travel blogs in 2018 by NATJA. Michael was also awarded the silver medal from the NATJA for travel writing excellence in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Therese won a gold and silver medal from NATJA for travel photography excellence, and received an honorable mention in 2018 from NATJA for her online Illustrated Story.