The Source - from Bellingham Whatcom County WA Tourism

A monthly newsletter from a proactive destination marketing organization. A great resource for travel writers, including press trips.

Taos, New Mexico: The Writer's New Haven

Writer's New Haven
This July and August, hundreds of writers from all over the US will flock to Taos to participate in dozen of seminars, workshops and retreats.... Read Here

IFWTWA Regional Mixer

Dear Members,

Please see what our Regional Membership Director is doing in Southern California. With the help of local member Kathy Zelasko, they have put together a great function.

If you are in the area and would like to attend, please contactAlexa@temeculaoliveoil.com.

If you would like to set up this type of event in your own area, please contact John Lamkin-- John@ifwtwa.org.

WHO: International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA)
WHAT: Southern California Regional Membership Mixer
WHEN: Thursday April 29, 2010 5:30 to 7:30 pm
WHERE: Cafe des Artistes
103 South Main Street (at Alvarado St)
Fallbrook, CA 92028
760-728-3350

WHY: Join local members and non-members of IFWTWA in an informal mixer for professional networking and camaraderie among writers.

Experience a special evening in Cafe des Artistes, located within the Fallbrook Art Center amid the ambiance of a Mediterranean art village, open normally only for breakfast and lunch.

Savor complimentary appetizers and a tempting optional menu including wine. Community members interested in potential membership within IFWTWA are welcome to attend and learn more about the benefits of joining.

R.S.V.P. and Contact:
Alexa Hokanson – Associate Member
IFWTWA Regional Membership Director--Southern California
Temecula Olive Oil Company
951-693-0607
Alexa@temeculaoliveoil.com

I encourage any of you in various regions to contact John Lamkin and get set up as a Regional Membership Director. Having small networking groups regionally will allow us to get more individual feedback from our members. Plus, it's always great to network with others in the area.

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

Homemade Confections, Delectable and Decadent

Our group of 38 International Food and Wine Travel Writers Association participants received the sweetest little package from old friend and master chocolatier, Judith Galindo of Homemade Confections in Medford, Oregon.

I am not sure everyone knows what a variety of taste temptations we have on the Holland American Line Cruises. We do have a little will power, but their food is difficult to resist. There is even a Holland American gold wrapped chocolate on our pillow each night. I nearly saved the lovely little package I found while leaving Grand Turk, until I saw who it was from, Judith of Homemade Confections. Who could resist? Certainly not us. We have tasted her delectable confections.

Maralyn, Norm and I first met Judith and her husband at the Oregon Chocolate Festival nearly a year ago. Since Maralyn and I were wearing our Tandem Tasters aprons, as food judges, we simply had to try everything. I remember pulling Maralyn away from a booth to say - "You must try these chocolates right now." She did, and became hooked.

Judith's business was so new that she did not have a website. Despite that, she was a winner. We were not the only judges who tasted something delightfully decadent. Norm, the true chocoholic on our team, was an unofficial judge, and he knows his chocolate. Plus, two other judges from Oregon agreed with us.

Since Maralyn and I had recently returned from tasting and learning about the finest chocolates in the world at Bocuse d'Or in Lyon France, we could have been spoiled. However, our taste buds burst back to life discovering the excellent artisan chocolate makers at the Oregon Chocolate Festival.

So, Thank you Judith, for your vision, perseverance, and marketing skills. Most of all, we all appreciate your sharing your delicious products with the International Food and Wine Travel Writer's Association food loving members. I am privileged to have participated in the 2010 IFWTWA Conference at Sea.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

POM Wonderful Thank You!

What a wonderful gift our group from International Food and Wine Travel Writers Association received from POM Wonderful. It is a large pomegranate shaped cutting matte (dishwasher safe) visual called: How to Open A Pomegranate.

This was the perfect pillow present to give a group of foodies who were on a sea cruise to the Caribbean.

First of all, the simple instructions are easy to read and to follow. Secondly, it was light and flexible for easy packing. I thought I knew how to open a pomegranate, one of my favorite foods in the world. However, now I have the proper techniques right in front of me.

We have already written about the many ways of enjoying pomegranates in our articles and recipes published in Where and What in the World, and in The Big Blend Magazine. Three of our favorite cocktails are the POM martini, POM in sparking wine and those Caribbean rum drinks turned into the color of a sunset with healthy pomegranate juice.

There is no end to the uses of this delectable ruby red gem in drink making and food preparation. We also find the Pomegranate arils to be a colorful and tasty garnish.

Thank you POM Wonderful, for a wonderful surprise.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

Cuzzin's in St. Thomas--What a Find!

How lucky for me to find one of the best cafes in the Virgin Islands of the Caribbean.

Cuzzin's conch, creole, and curry creations are full of Calypso crunch and spice. I felt right at home when served a surprise side of authentic Johnny Cakes.

But first, our small, hungry group of IFWTWA food, wine, travel writers, and photographers, gathered at the busy bar.

By noon, the Cuzzin's landmark bar was full of visitors and locals -standing room only. This made for a jolly beginning. We sipped delicious rum punches made with fresh citrus and island rum. The locals advised us what to order - conch and more conch.

We also had to try the local lobster. A large half of tender lobster meat on the shell was stuffed with fresh seafood and served with warm sweet butter. We all dug in and had some to spare. I am a Maine lobster lover, yet Cuzzin's prepared one of the best lobsters I have ever tasted. My mouth waters when I picture that delectable lobster. Another adventurous food lover ordered stewed island style mutton, with a Jamaican twist.

Cuzzin's is that perfect combination of flavor, local ambiance and a professional staff of mixologist, waiters and managers. The owner was visible at every table of happy diners.

I do not know how I missed Cuzzin's on my many visits to St.Thomas. Thanks to our knowledgeable guide, Keezi Pinney, a local from the St. Thomas Tourist Bureau, we discovered many new delightful spots on this beautiful island.

I am on a quest to try the new, before the tried and true. However, I cannot wait for my next journey to St. Thomas. I will call Keezi and ask her to meet me for another memorable feast at Cuzzin's.

Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success LogGlobal Log

Homemade Confections

First place in the 2009 Oregon Chocolate Festival for Chocolate Candy (Best Marriage of Chocolate and Candy) went to a new company, Homemade Confections of Medford.

In addition to their English Toffee being exceptional, I liked their Gourmet Crumbles, bits and pieces of English Toffee, Peanut Brittle, Milk Chocolate covered Macadamia Nuts and Semi-sweet chocolate. I used some of this in a cheesecake and it was fantastic.

Owner, Judith Galindo developed a magic combination that works. When Brenda and I were judges at the Oregon Chocolate Festival in March 2009, we met Judith. Brenda discovered Homemade Confections first while I was sampling another entrant's chocolate. She took me over saying, "You have to taste this." She was right.

Judith had recently started her company. Now, it is growing like crazy with a lot of hard work, marketing and people loving the taste.

She was eager to share her product with the International Food Wine & Travel Writers on its Conference at Sea. She made our batch of treats, the night before shipping so we could experience it fresh.

Thank you Judith, we all thoroughly enjoyed having your treat as a pillow gift. We hope you do well again this year.

For more information on Homemade Confections, you can call or write Judith. She welcomes your questions.

Judith Galindo, Owner
Homemade Confections
2009 Oregon Chocolate Festival Winner
Homemadeconfections.medford@yahoo.com
541-690-9751

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where & What in the World

The Perks (Benefits) of Being a Food, Wine & Travel Writer AND of Being a Member of IFWTWA

To help potential members (and those who are members already) IFWTWA's president, Maralyn Hill, has included in her President's Column in the upcoming issue of Press Pass this list of benefits:

Some Benefits of Belonging to IFWTWA

2009 New Benefits

Annual Conference with Professional Development

Culinary Division
New chef profiles have been added and all of our chefs' profiles have been added to Global-Writes chef category.

IFWTWA Home Page Member Profile
This is an area to showcase yourself, with your bio, websites, books and clips. You update and keep this current yourself so it always reflects the image you want. Both regular and associate members have the benefit of this page.

IFWTWA Home Page Regional Membership Directors (RMDs)
In order to encourage regional networking opportunities and a time for prospective members to check out what we are about, RMDs have been established. There is room to expand the number of RMDs. Since a kick-off in Phoenix in the spring, we just had another event in Temecula. IFWTWA RMDs are going to be there to act as liaisons to assist members and prospective members in their areas.

On-line Networking Groups: Linkedin, Facebook & Twitter
Due to the popularity and ease of using online networking, many of our members like to have discussions on these sites. These groups are open to non-members so they can see what we are about. We have many PR group members, so it is a great place to throw out your questions.

On-line Press Kit
We now have media rates in our on-line press kit with a reduced, reasonable rate for Associate Members. The data for our website page views are updated daily in our online press kit under About Us.


YOUTUBE Video Channel
This feature was just set up in August by our new board member, Trisha Miller. After you upload your food, wine or travel video, sent it to Trisha@IFWTWA.Org and she will add it to our channel.

WiFTy Scholarship
This is the first year we are offering a scholarship for aspiring food, wine and travel writers. We plan for this to be an annual offering.

Partnerships:

Food4Media.Com and TravMedia.Com .
All of our general press releases are published to their data bases of over 10,000 journalists. We are listed in the calendars of these partnerships. Also, they send out a press release when new stories post on Global Writes. Associate members get a 30% discount on their releases as long as they indicate their membership in IFWTWA.

Travel4Press.Com (Members Only sign-in page)
Designed to meet the needs of the professional travel writer, Travel4Press offers free, fast and easy access to all the latest travel news sources. Travel4Press is continually monitored by our team of travel researchers to bring you the most up to date news releases, contact details, upcoming worldwide events and online coverage. In addition to standard benefits, IFWTWA members have additional benefits shown on our members only page.

Special Contacts:

US Embassy for Mexico

Vice President Michelle Winner convinced John Palmerin, U.S. Consular Agent in Mazatlan, mazagent@prodigy.net.mx to be our liaison if we are not getting the clearest answers from www.usembassy-mexico.gov.

2008 Added Benefits

IFWTWA On Line Magazine Global Writes
We have an Editor, Kim Rahilly, who is professionally editing member's articles and sending them to our webmaster, Tim Lack, to upload on a regular basis. We try to have a minimum of one new post a week, sometimes more. So keep the articles coming. Global Writes showcases our members' articles and automatically updates to your profile.

IFWTWA Home Page Blog
Use this as a spot to say thank you or ask questions. Only members can post questions, but anyone can make comments.

IFWTWA Website and Global-Writes Website Updated
Our webmaster, Tim Lack, did all of this and keeps working with us to improve what we offer.

Ongoing Benefits

Media Trips
Our goal is 2-4 media trips a year plus a conference. In 2008, we had two media trips and in 2009 we featured three plus the conference.

Membership Referral Fee
When you are responsible for bringing in a new member and the person names you on their application, your dues for the following year will be credited 20% of the amount of their membership fee. They must put your name on the application. This is an incentive for you to bring in new members.

Official Press Card
This assists you with your media credential for media rates and benefits.

Press Pass (for members only)
Editor Marilyn Green makes sure each monthly issue of Press Pass is filled with association news, upcoming trips, markets looking for writers, contests, story opportunities and new member information. In my own first two years of membership, Press Pass alone was worth my investment in the nominal annual dues. I know many people who get their writing assignments from Press Pass. Regular Members: You can announce your attainments: new books out, awards, recognition, to your peers and to the public relations community in Press Pass. Associates: You can have any new story angles, press trips or new clients announced in Press Pass.

As a non-profit organization, with one employee, our Executive Director, Patricia Anis, your Board of Directors is continually striving to keep bringing you benefits and staying current with today's trends. I'm sure I've overlooked some benefits, like the wonderful friends you make through exceptional networking and shared experiences, but these were the basics I could list. I'm confident the list will keep growing.

Associate Members
In addition to those listed above, here some additional benefits for Associate Members
You can send a profile of yourself for Press Pass, but you can also make it public on our member profile page and keep it updated there.

You can link your site to ours on our links page.

You can have our Executive Director send out an e-mail blast every couple of months announcing what is happening in your area to all of our members—advise them of new story opportunities.

You can network with our Regular Members on line and at our annual conference or on our media trips.

You can participate in our professional development.

Press Page - We now have media rates in our on-line press kit with a reduced, reasonable rate for Associate Members. The data for our website page views are updated daily in our online press kit under "About Us. "

We will work with you to arrange media trips or regional luncheons.

You will have access to all of our members, public and private.

You can also submit articles to Global-Writes.

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So, if you are a food, wine and/or travel writer (or aspiring to be one) or a PR person working in this field, I would recommend joining the IFWTWA.
The next IFWTWA press trip will be to Mexico's Copper Canyon in November.

Posted by
John Lamkin
Freelance Travel Journalist & Photographer
Board Member and Chairman of Membership Committee of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association
Website
Suite 101
Examiner.com