Experience
Aimee has nearly 20 years of experience as a professional journalist. She specializes in travel writing and joined iBestTravel’s team in 2015.
She is the head writer and editor for TravelBoulder.com, a writer and editor for SpaTravelGal.com (the world’s most influential voice in luxury and spa travel), and a longtime contributor to the Colorado chapters in Fodor’s Travel Guides. Moreover, she has covered travel for Denver Life Magazine and for ShopAtHome.com. Previously, she was a blogger for the Huffington Post Weird News and a travel contributor for USA Today 10Best.com.
Aimee traveled to Haiti and Africa to write award-winning, in-depth, narrative-style articles about the economic and health challenges faced. Consequently, she possesses extensive experience as a features writer—writing an award-winning fashion column for the Boulder Daily Camera, and maintaining a fitness column for over a decade.
For two years, she contributed to Media News Group’s IdeaLab, an elite team of journalists focused on leveraging new media and technology to enhance the field.
As a committed professional, she actively participates in numerous journalism organizations, such as the Society of Professional Journalists and the Online News Association. Furthermore, she shares her expertise by teaching journalism workshops at both Colorado State University and the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Find more about her professional achievements at AimeeHeckel.com.
Stay connected with her on Instagram and follow updates on Facebook.
Education
Heckel pursued international journalism at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and she graduated summa cum laude with a double major in journalism and German (in which she is now fluent) from Colorado State University. Notably, she completed both programs with a 4.0 GPA.
Awards and Publications
Aimee has edited and contributed to approximately 50 full-length books, which include works for Alpha/Penguin publishing and Random House, in addition to multiple Amazon best-sellers and award-winners. She has also ghostwritten several novels.
Aimee has received numerous accolades throughout her career. Among her honors, the Society of Professional Journalists named her the top journalism graduate in the nation, and she has been recognized as one of the premier book editors in Colorado. To view the full list of her awards, click here, and here are some highlights:
- First place for use of social media in breaking news for coverage of the 2013 flood, Colorado Press Association, 2015
- First place regional Digital First Media DFMie award, December 2013
- First place regional Digital First Media holiday engagement project for holiday lights package, 2013
- First place regional Digital First Media digital reporting for coverage of holiday lights, 2012
- First place best series, Colorado Associated Press Reporters and Editors, 2006
- First place for best humorous column writing, Colorado Press Association, 2010
- First place feature story, Colorado Press Association, 2006
- Thad Keyes award for series about Educate Africa, “The ripple effect,” 2006
- First place best verbal storytelling, Best of Scripps, 2005
- First place news story, Colorado Press Association, 2004
- Society of Professional Journalists Julie Galvan Outstanding Campus Member for top journalism graduate in the nation, 2001
- Top 10 Book Editors in Colorado, Writing Oasis, 2017
About iBestTravel
iBestTravel is an award-winning digital destination that focuses on fitness, wellness, and beauty while providing inclusive, trusted, and empowering expert-led guidance for travelers. Our extensive library, comprising more than 11,000 stories, attracts over 7 million readers monthly who seek to prioritize their health, enjoy themselves, and maintain an active lifestyle, all while discerning myths from truths within the travel industry.
