To start off 2012, IFWTWA wants to thank all of out hosts. You enable us to make our wonderful media trips happen. We realize it is not just the CVBs, tourism bureaus, or individual properties, that are responsible. Every representative involved provides us with grand experiences and different story angles.

As the current president of IFWTWA, I’m in the fortunate position of saying, “Thank you,” to our hosts. When a destination puts together a press trip, we attempt to gather names of those involved and present them with “Certificates of Appreciation,” as we certainly do appreciate their individual generosity.

IFWTWA member, Tom Plant, of Wineormous and Why Local Matters has been kind enough to put together a slide show of presentations he has photographed. This does not begin to cover everyone, just those where Tom attended and captured the moment. There are many more, and we appreciate each and every one of you. We hope our articles have resulted in great publicity for you. You can see some of them on our Press Trips Results Blog.

When 2013 starts, we hope to have a new video, with current activity.

The International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) announces its participation in the January 14-15, 2012 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show.

The Travel & Adventure Show returns to the Long Beach Convention Center showcasing more than 400 exhibitors, amazing trip giveaways, cultural entertainment, renowned travel experts, show only specials, plus a new culinary stage. NEW for 2012, event goers can test their taste buds at the International Fiery Foods Challenge. The biggest show of its kind in the West, this is THE place for the serious traveler. It opens at the Convention Center on Saturday, January 14, from 10
a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday, January 15, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The IFWTWA is pleased to announce that it will be hosting a booth at the show as well as participating in several culinary and travel related seminars.  Ticket holders are encouraged to stop by booth #1153 to meet with IFWTWA Board Members, learn more about the organization, and  understand the benefits it provides to professional  journalists. Lots of destination brochures will also be available.  Author Michael Cervin will be there promoting his newest travel book. Linda Kissam will be there with her newest travel related cookbook.

Attendees are encouraged  to stop by the following culinary seminars, featuring IFWTWA board members Michael Cervin, Maralyn Hill and Linda Kissam.

Saturday, Jan. 14

4:00pm – 5:00pm

Destination Culinary  ~ Current Trends and Destinations (Trade)

Moderator:  Juergen Thomas  Steinmetz, publisher, eTurbo News

Speakers:Stacey Mitchell, Director of  Sales, Florida Keys & Key West

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

Trust Lin, Director, Taiwan Tourism Board

Sunday, Jan. 15

1:15pm – 2:00pm

Drivable Destinations ~ Vacations Within Reach (Consumer)

Moderator: Michael Cervin, International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association

Speakers:

Jeffrey Hentz, Yosemite / Mariposa County Tourism Bureau

Kady Fleckenstein, Santa Ynez Valley Visitors Association

Sunday, Jan.  15

2:30 – 3:30

Travel for Foodies: Tips, Trends and Tools for the Culinary Traveler (Consumer)

While traveling with a culinary focus, you need to understand the fundamentals of food; from pairing local foods with local beverages, to knowing the best foods to increase your metabolism and increasing your energy on the go to searching out the farm to table experience, this panel discussion will provide you with valuable, useful information to make sure every trip is a tasty trip.

Moderator: Michael Cervin, International Food, Wine &
Travel Writers Association

Speakers:

Dr. Kathy Gruver, PhD -
(Author, speaker) – Staying healthy, understanding organic/GMO local foods as you travel, best foods for metabolism, etc.

Chef Michael Allan Cragg (Temecula CVB) – Ritz Carlton trained chef discusses farm-to-fork foods and how you can eat the best while traveling

Free tickets to the event – a $10 value – can be obtained (while they last) at  http://www.latravelshow.com/lbtix . Type in promo code: EXHFREE267.

I received the email below. I want to share it. I do not have more details. If you want more information, please contact them directly. This is a great opportunity.

Dear Maralyn Hill:

The Canadian Tourism Commission and Food Day Canada have launched a new Culinary Journalism Award and I would like to share this opportunity with the members of International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association.

Please find the news release here: http://smr.newswire.ca/en/canadian-tourism-commission/canadian-tourism-commission-launches-culinary-journalism

Let me or Anita Stewart know if know if you would like further detail on this generous award. The closing date for entries is January 31, 2012. Thanks!

Carol Horne

Social Media Officer / Agente des médias sociaux

Canadian Tourism Commission / Commission canadienne du tourisme

Tel / Tél  604 638 8371

Fax / Téléc  604-638-8431

horne.carol@ctc-cct.ca

www.canada.travel

Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa

— [ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ] —

Travel Writing Contest: Win a 7-day Vacation at Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa in Mexico

Wanderlust and Lipstick & AMResorts Present 4th Annual Travel Writing Contest

SEATTLE, WA. October 1, 2011 – Wanderlust and Lipstick, the ultimate resource for women travelers, announces the fourth annual WanderWomen Write Contest for female travel writers. Participants may enter their original travel stories for a chance to win an Unlimited-Luxury 7-day stay for two at Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa in Conejos Bay, Mexico.

The contest is open to women, whether they are newly-emerging or seasoned travel writers. Wanderlust and Lipstick founder, Beth Whitman, says, “This year we are thrilled to be partnering with Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa in Mexico for the Grand Prize and Briggs & Riley Luggage for our category winners. We’re confident that with such high quality prizes, we’ll far exceed the more than 400 entries we received in last year’s contest.”

The contest runs October 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011, and the winning writers will be announced in mid-February. Entries may be submitted under one of the following categories: Adventure, Food & Drink, Off the Beaten Path or Spiritual.

The Prizes
Grand Prize: A one-week vacation for two to Secrets Huatulco Resort in Conejos Bay, Mexico (value $3,800), where they’ll enjoy the pleasures of Unlimited-Luxury? which is your all-access pass to limitless gourmet food and top-shelf beverages while exploring the golden sand beaches, sapphire waters and Mayan ruins of this stunning area of Mexico’s southern coast.

Category Winners: Each category winner will receive a Briggs & Riley BRX Explore 22″ Upright carry-on bag in lava (value $290). For the adventurer who takes packing light seriously, this bag is built to maximum carry-on dimensions, with a zippered expandable main compartment.

Contest Judges
Harriet Baskas – Travel Writer
Pam Mandel – Freelance Writer and Editor
Angela Nickerson – Writer, Photographer, Traveler

About AMResorts
AMResorts is North America’s fastest growing luxury leisure resort company. They have reached a decade of unparalleled success providing sales, marketing and brand management services by offering high quality Endless Privileges?, Unlimited-Luxury and Unlimited-Fun vacations to the luxury leisure market. For more information, go to www.AMResorts.com

About Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley Travelware provides a wide variety of innovative, high-quality luggage and business cases with smart designs and exclusive features combining maximum durability and superb value. For more information, visit www.briggs-riley.com

About Wanderlust and Lipstick
Wanderlust and Lipstick is THE destination for women travelers. This growing media company includes a series of comprehensive travel guides for women, adventure tours and a website featuring tips and extensive information to ensure safe and enjoyable travel. Founder Beth Whitman, has nearly 25 years of travel experience. For more information, visit www.WanderlustAndLipstick.com

Media Contact: Beth Whitman
EMAIL: beth@WanderlustAndLipstick.com
TWITTER: @Wanderluster
WEBSITE: www.WanderlustAndLipstick.com

###

submitted by:
John Lamkin
Travel Journalist & Photographer
Board Member & Global Membership Chair of the
International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association
and member of NATJA, ISTW & ITWA

http://TravelWritingAndPhotography.com