BBC Radio 1 Presenter to headline major media and influencer event in region
26th May 2026
BBC Radio 1 Presenter and local lass Maia Beth will help welcome more than 100 travel journalists and content creators to the region next month.
The Washington-born DJ and presenter has been announced as a special guest at Media Getaway, a 3-day event promoting the region to UK and European travel writers and influencers.
Media Getaway, organised by Travel Connection Group and led by Experience North East England (formerly NGI), in partnership with Newcastle International Airport and Ad Gefrin, is a travel industry networking event connecting travel PR companies and destinations with key travel media. It will take place between June 15th and 17th.
It is the only event of its kind outside of London and in previous years it has been held in Glasgow, Leeds and Chester. It attracts major names in the travel writing industry as well as key travel editors including Lonely Planet, BBC, The Sun, Conde Nast Traveller and National Geographic Traveller.
Maia will be attending a welcome evening at Tyneside Cinema and Fire Bar, Hotel Gotham to showcase the region’s music scene, in particular highlighting this year’s Mercury Prize Awards, being held in Newcastle for the second year in a row. She will also be performing a DJ set for invited guests and media as part of the event.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness will be the keynote speaker at the event as she set’s her ambition to double the scale of the visitor economy through the formation of Experience North East England and £7m of new funding to transform the way the region is marketed worldwide.
As well as networking opportunities Media Getaway will also see delegates taken on a series of press trips around the region focusing on different themes including food & drink; film and TV; Art & Culture; outdoor activities and regional highlight tours. The main networking event, the Connection Zone, will be hosted at St James’ Park. This marketplace-style event will see exhibitors conduct 15-minute meetings with journalists.
The event will culminate in a special show at Kynren on Tuesday evening, giving media a sneak pre-view of the outdoor extravaganza’s new Lost Feather Show and Time Traveller’s Feast.
As well as media there will also be delegates from international travel companies at the event including Meet Boston; Algarve Tourism; Destination Canada; Tourism Ireland and Visit Orlando, as well as representatives from regional tourism businesses including Bamburgh Castle, Beamish; Raby Estates; The Biscuit Factory; Newcastle Tour Company, hotels from around the North East and LVEPS NewcastleGateshead Initiative; VisitNorthumberland and Visit County Durham.
Kelly Gleadow, Director of Communications at Experience North East England, said: “We are always looking at ways to promote North East England to media and work to bring journalists and content creators here on press trips. To have the opportunity to host some of the top writers in the UK and further afield all at once is huge in terms of raising the region’s profile and establishing contacts.
“Not only will we be able to showcase everything we can offer visitors but we’ll also secure fantastic coverage in key news outlets and online. We have been overwhelmed by the support from our regional partners and businesses who have all jumped at the chance to be involved in this prestigious and important event. Now to also have Maia involved is the icing on the cake. She is a real ambassador for the region’s thriving music scene and give her first-hand experience as to why the North East is the place to be!”
Alice Andreasen, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Newcastle Airport, headline sponsor of Media Getaway Newcastle 2026, said: “It is fantastic to have Maia on board and we are excited to welcome leading travel journalists and content creators from around the world to the North East for this prestigious event.
“It is a great opportunity to showcase everything that makes our region so special, helping to inspire future visits and drive inbound tourism.
“As our route network continues to grow, the Airport plays a vital role in raising the North East’s profile and attracting visitors. We are proud to support events like this, which help to strengthen the region’s reputation as a must-visit destination.”
Director of Experience for Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum & Whisky Distillery, Chris Ferguson added: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Media Getaway 2026. We have so much to offer here in the North East of England and it is all so accessible. Our heritage, our culture, our landscape and our growing reputation for great produce, food and drink. Most importantly, we offer a timeless welcome and great hospitality.
Howard Salinger, Managing Director of Travel Connection Group, who host Media Getaway said: “Bringing Media Getaway to North East England is a great opportunity for travel PRs and media to see a part of the UK they may have not seen before but will want to return to. We’re excited about hosting the event in Newcastle and showcasing the region, as well as seeing all the fantastic coverage produced by the media at the event.”
To find out more about Media Getaway Newcastle 2026 go to https://travelconnectiongroup.com/media-getaway-2026/