Who is Carrie McLaren?
With seven years experience as a travel PR pro and thirteen years as a travel writer/influencer - my work has been featured in various national magazines, newspapers and websites. (Check out more of my writing portfolio at www.CarrieMcLaren.com)
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, I am the former VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider and an active member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the Family Travel Association (FTA).
I am available for on-site visits, third-party content creation, writing projects, influencer campaigns, on-camera work and more. Have another idea in mind? Let’s chat – I love stepping outside the box.
Past and present clients include: Carnival Cruise Line, VISIT FLORIDA, Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Visit Jacksonville (FL), Florida Marriotts, Westgate River Ranch, Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and more.
Written Work
Porthole Cruise Magazine
Orbitz.com
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
USA TODAY Travel: Experience Food and Wine
VISIT FLORIDA, VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider
- Family Dining in Apalachicola
- Seaside for Families
- Into the Story at Walt Disney World
- One Vacation, Multi Generations Making Memories Together
VISIT FLORIDA Magazine, 2015 and 2014
- Go Educational – educational attractions and destinations around Florida
- Unplug and Unwind – technology-free vacation getaways
Carnival Cruise Lines, Away We Go
- What You Don’t Need to Pack For a Cruise
- Vacationer Tips for Taking Better
- How to Pack for Kids for Vacation
- Seeking New Food Adventures While on a Cruise
WHERE Magazine
- Spend the Day in Jacksonville’s San Marco Neighborhood
- A Weekend Getaway on Amelia Island
- Experience Jacksonville Like a Local in Downtown’s Hemming Plaza
Ruby: A Blog by Virgin Atlantic
Florida Marriotts and Resorts, The Florida Buzz
Third Party Content Creation
As a contractor with Digital Edge Marketing and Connect Travel, I create content for destinations via the marketing agencies. Target audiences include meeting planners, golfers, multigenerational travel, family travel and more.
Levy County Visitors Bureau
• Top Things to Do for Intergenerational Families in Levy County
Southeast Idaho High Country
• Four Season Guide to Idaho’s High Country
Visit Sioux Falls, South Dakota
• Look Beyond the Boardroom in Sioux Falls
Florida’s First Coast of Golf
On-Camera Work
With experience in front of the camera for on-site interviews, in-studio appearances and online travel videos, I am available for on-camera work featuring your destination. Some of my on-camera work includes
Carnival Cruise Line
VISIT FLORIDA
Social Media Campaigns
With a strong, online following I am available for Twitter chats, Facebook promotion, sponsored blog posts, Instagram programs and even in-person meet-ups.
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- The Florida Times-Union – social media coverage of Florida Country Superfest, a two-day music festival
- #FLTravelChat – a monthly Twitter chat with VISIT FLORIDA about Florida destinations, events and attractions
Workshops and Speaking Appearances
With a background in travel public relations, I have seen both sides of the blogger/public relations relationship. From discussions on how to interact with bloggers to creating your own social media presence – I’m available to speak on these and related topics. Past presentations include –
- Jacksonville Florida Public Relations Association -presentation on working with bloggers
- Florida Public Relations Association, Jacksonville – panelist on social media relations
- Visit Jacksonville – panelist on how to work with local media
Explore the History of Gatorade at Gainesville’s Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention
Invented in Gainesville, Florida - explore the history of Gatorade at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention.
Family Fun Awaits in Ponce Inlet, Florida – Things to See, Do and Eat!
As a native Floridian, it is a thrill to continue discovering 'new to me' destinations throughout the Sunshine State. On a recent visit to the Daytona Beach area, I made my way to the small village of Ponce Inlet, Florida. Located about 20 minutes south of the...
Review: The Commodore Hotel – Linden, Tennessee
Small town charm and history are what come to mind when I think back to my hotel stay at The Commodore Hotel in Linden, Tennessee. Located 1 1/2 hours west of Nashville and a short drive off of Interstate 40, the Commodore Hotel was built in 1939, then rescued and...
A Look Inside: Little Rock’s ESSE Purse Museum
Known to be one of only two purse museums in the world (the other is in Amsterdam), the ESSE Purse Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas is owned by Little Rock entrepreneur, Anita Davis.
5 Racing-Related Places To Visit in Daytona Beach (Besides an Actual Race!)
When I was a kid, every Christmas my grandfather would breakout his VHS collection of past Daytona 500 NASCAR races and even though he'd already seen the race, it was always like the first time watching to him. He loved racing and from those Christmas memories and...
Resort Review: Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Music and travel - two of my favorite things, so it makes sense that anything under the Hard Rock brand piques my interest. On a recent visit to the Daytona Beach area, I had the opportunity to spend two nights at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach. Located directly...