I have started interviewing authors, writers, publishers, bloggers (food, wine or travel) on Success with Writing Blog. Liz Palmer requested her interview also go on the IFWTWA blog. I am happy to do this for any of the members I interview. I’ll put the introduction here and a link to the complete interview.

Following Liz Palmer of Boutique Champagne Houses is new for me. When I put a request out to interview, authors, writers, bloggers, publishers, and especially those who enjoyed food, wine and travel, Liz responded. I’m delighted she did as she covers one of my favorite sips, champagne.
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1.  How do you want your name to appear in the title of this post?

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Liz Palmer [Boutique Champagne Houses]

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2. Please introduce yourself: provide some background, i.e. where are you from, how did you start writing, is there anything specifically interesting about you? If you had another career first, how/why did you switch to writing?

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My initial career was a Law Clerk, and during the past three years (because of my love of wine and writing) I slowly fazed into my second career as a Travel and Wine Writer.

I am currently an Apprentissage Sommelier, Chairman of PCYC Wine Committee, a wine consultant, educator, trainer and writer. I currently write monthly wine columns on news and trends for Credit Notes, Rob Roland & Associates, “Rob Report”, GAM on Yachting, wineandleisure.com, and monthly wine articles for HEART Business Journal for Women®, Toronto Waterfront Magazine and is International Correspondent for China Wine News. I taste thousands of wines annually at various events around the world.  I am a member of The Society of Wine Educators, Writers Net, Wine Writers Network, Immedia, TravelWriters.Com, International Sommelier Guild member, a member of Women in International Trade, a member of French Wine Society and most recently became a member of the American Media Photographers, Inc.

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3. What type of writing do you write?

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Travel and Wine.  I am currently working on an ebook, Champagne App and a series of books on boutique Champagne houses.

For the rest of Liz’s interview, please click here.

If you would like to be interviewed, please let me know which type of questions you’d like, author/writer; writer/blogger; publisher, etc.  Email: MDHill@noralyn.com. When I get your completed questions and jpg of you, I’ll put them in cue for publication.

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

Downtown Phoenix Arizona - Courtesy of the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau

Arizona Food, Wine and Travel Writers are Invited to Attend an IFWTWA Luncheon

Our last luncheon for the International Food Wine & Travel Writers was so successful that the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau has offered to host us again this year. This invitation is for members as well as non member writers.

Where: St. Francis, 111 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012, Phone: 602.200.8111.
What: Hosted luncheon by the Greater Phoenix CVB.
Why: To mingle with other food, wine and travel writers and learn a little more about the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
When: Thursday, August 19, 2010 at noon.
How: RSVP Trish Hendrickson, thendrickson@visitphoenix.com no later than August 13, 2010. Earlier would be nice.
We are excited that this event will be in the St. Francis. It will give us an opportunity to experience Chef Aaron Chamberlin’s restaurant while we network.
A little history on the restaurant is shown below:

St. Francis
A celebration of sustenance may best describe Chef Aaron Chamberlin’s restaurant, St. Francis. Located in a historic building on Camelback Road, just east of Central in uptown Phoenix, the family-owned, family-built and family-run restaurant welcomes patrons to a neighborhood gathering place. The repurposed space was transformed with a comfortably modern and rustic sensibility that echoes the honest, spontaneous “wood fired cuisine. St. Francis is for everyday nourishment for families, couples and even for special occasions. It’s for connecting with the community and sharing the simple pleasure of simple, honest and good food. The name “St. Francis” was derived from the neighborhood land deed that dates back to 1936. It was originally owned by the Brophy family. In addition, the name “St Francis” is Spanish for San Francisco, a city that figured largely in Chef Chamberlin’s background.

St. Francis: 111 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012; 602.200.8111; www.stfrancis.com
RSVP Trish Hendrickson,thendrickson@visitphoenix.com no later than August 13, 2010.

‘REINVENTION’

IFWTWA Southeast Regional Conference

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl. (JULY 2010)       Please join us October 26 and 27, 2010 for the first Southeast Regional Conference of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association. Our theme is ‘REINVENTION’ ~ from how we channel and re-direct our own energies and businesses to how the travel industry is quickly evolving in new directions every day. How can we keep up and on what track do we focus our course?

Meet fellow IFWTWA members throughout our region as well as potential new members.  We are very excited about bringing you together as we grow to a new level of enhanced information and educational opportunities. We’re excited to present a star-studded lineup of travel, food/hospitality industry leaders:

IFWTWA President Maralyn Hill: discussing IFWTWA’s process of reinventing itself since 2007 – an evolution due to changing technology and markets.www.ifwtwa.org

Mr. Thierry Roch, Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and the National Trust for Historic Presentation: insights into niche marketing and how HHA seeks to access 100+ million domestic travelers who consider themselves cultural/heritage travelers. www.historichotels.org.

Amanda Drake, PR Director, ~ YPartnership – America’s leading source of market intelligence on emerging business and leisure travel trends. Get the scoop about strategic usage of Facebook & Twitter and gain insights into ‘Portrait of the American Traveler’. www.ypartnership.com

What makes a legend? Phyllis Geiger, creator of Peterbrooke Chocolatier shares secrets about reinventing a successful company and product line from year to year. 27 years later and 20+ stores strong in the Southeast, Peterbrooke Chocolatier is a tough contender in the confectionary world. Flex your Chocolate Appetite; we’ll provide your apron! www.peterbrooke.com

Photographer Hookey Hamilton ~ “I have no earth-shaking mystical, convoluted, complicated, evolutionary reasons that I photograph. I love beauty. I have to express it, share it and make everything I see come to life”. www.hookeyhamiltonphotography.com

Casa Marina Hotel

The conference is being held at the historic Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. General Manager, Mr. Mark Vandeloo will take us on a tour of this distinctive oceanfront boutique hotel that opened its doors onto the Jacksonville beaches in 1925, when every postcard of the era announced ‘world’s finest beach’.

‘Reinvention’ is the topic of a Panel discussion featuring:

Joe White – Jacksonville Magazine – Editor/Publisher www.jacksonvillemag.com

Mark Pettus – Ponte Vedra Recorder and the Register www.pontevedrarecorder.com

Barbara Ryan – St. Marys Magazine – Editor/Publisher www.stmarysmagazine.com

Tracy Jones – skirt! – Editorial Reporter www.skirtjacksonville.com

The International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) is a global network of journalists who cover hospitality and lifestyle fields and the people who promote them.

In 1956 a group of prominent Frenchmen started rating restaurants. This small group, along with an American, conceptualized an international version of their organization. It became the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), when formally created as a non-profit organization in California in 1983.

With members in Europe, Asia and Australia, the association is comprised of journalists, broadcasters, photographers, public relations specialists, tourist boards, convention & visitors’ bureaus and epicurean professionals. IFWTWA is a non-profit organization that is run by and for the benefit of its members.

DATE: October 26, 27, 2010

LOCATION: Casa Marina Hotel & Restaurant

691 N. 1st Street, Jacksonville, FL.

904-270-0025

COST: $239/PP

INCLUDES: All Conference presentations

2 night’s accommodations at Casa Marina Hotel www.casamarinahotel.com

2 breakfasts, lunch, dinner at Casa Marina Hotel

Dinner at TENTO Churrascaria www.tentochurrascaria.com

DEADLINE FOR

RESERVATIONS: August 15, 2010

Space at the Casa Marina Hotel is limited to first 22 paid reservations.

Please send check to:

Leigh Cort

4325 Blue Heron Drive

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl 32082

904-806-3613

www.leighcortpublicity.com

A Member of the Board of Directors for IFWTWA since 1999

leighcort@bellsouth.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 26, 2010

CONTACT:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331 or info@maynelymarketing.com

BOOMERS HAVE THEIR PRIVILEGES IN SEPTEMBER AT HISTORIC INNS OF ROCKLAND, MAINE

S is for September, Savings and Savoring the Coast of Maine for 50+ Travelers

Rockland, ME: We’ve heard it over and over; today’s 50+ traveler is looking for active, “edutaining” getaways.  Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine say if that’s what they want that’s what they’ll get in September, 2010 when boomers rule in this Midcoast, Maine town. Throughout September, 50+ travelers will be treated to everything from museum admissions to a ride aboard a working lobster boat and guided lighthouse tours.  To prove that Baby Boomers rock, Historic Inns of Rockland’s “Boomers Have Their Privileges” Package has been constructed with a 25-percent discount for September travelers.

Respecting the need for value which today’s 50+ travelers seek, Historic Inns of Rockland have packed this package with a rich itinerary including plenty of choices for enjoying the area’s attractions, natural beauty, history and premier accommodations. Rarely are 50+ travelers offered so many choices at such affordable rates, starting at $515 for the three night midweek inclusive package.

The “Boomers Have Their Privileges Package” is packed with adventure including:

• Three nights luxurious accommodations with a variety of amenities and three sumptuous breakfasts at any of the Historic Inns of Rockland offered at 25% off rack rates.
• Two tickets each for admission to six of Maine’s greatest cultural treasures including the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center; the Gen. Henry Knox Museum; the Owls Head Transportation Museum; the Penobscot Marine Museum; the Maine Center for Contemporary Art and the Maine Lighthouse Museum.
• Use the tickets to the Maine Lighthouse Museum for a self-guided tour at your schedule or take advantage of the special guided tour with docent of the museum on Thursday at 10:00 am throughout the month of September, just for package guests.
• Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of Rockland’s Historic Breakwater Lighthouse with one of Breakwater lighthouse volunteer staff every Wednesday at 10:00 am (weather permitting) throughout the month of September, just for package guests.
• Receive a copy of Ted Panayotoff’s book “The Lighthouse at Rockland Breakwater Then and Now”.
• Two tokens for the All Aboard Trolley for a tour of downtown Rockland’s Business and Residential Historic District at 10am on Tuesdays.
• Head out to sea: Choose between two tickets to Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure cruises, where you learn firsthand about lobstering with a real lobsterman or two tickets (pedestrian access) on the Maine State Ferry to Vinalhaven Island, the largest inhabited island in Penobscot Bay and enjoy the afternoon exploring a fishing island community.
• Join other guests of the Historic Inns of Rockland for a tour of the Sail, Power & Steam Museum and a presentation of Rockland’s rich history for shipbuilding.  Held every Tuesday afternoon 3-5 pm exclusively for inn guests.
• Enjoy a self-guided tour of  local lighthouses on your own schedule by following the Historic Inns of Rockland’s driving lighthouse locator.
• Enjoy an inn to inn tour of the four premier inns of Rockland every Monday afternoon in September from 1-2pm (reservation required).

All this for $515-$1,075, single or double occupancy. Many of the components of this package, such as private tours and discussion groups, are not available except through this package.

Concerned because there is too much to do and too little time?  Don’t worry you can add a fourth night (Sunday through Thursday) at the same 25% discounted rate.  Note: discounted rates are only offered in conjunction with this package, not separately.  Package is not available September 5^th and 6^th of Labor Day weekend.

Once children have returned to school, and summer vacations have waned, September presents the ideal time for sojourns to Maine’s Midcoast and the lobster capital of the universe, Rockland, Maine.  The days are still warm, perfect for exploring the lighthouses along the coast or the many renowned galleries and art museums in Rockland.  Evenings, each of these inns is an easy stroll into downtown, celebrated for its fabulous restaurants.  To book the Boomers Have Privileges Package, call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667).  For more information about Historic Inns of Rockland Maine, or Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn or Captain Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.

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High-resolution photos available.