In September 2010, IFWTWA was invited to visit Switzerland. Starting in Appenzell, then down to the Lake Geneva region, our writers discovered the delights of this beautiful and diverse country.

Host Quote: “My experience with IFWTWA could not have been better. As a matter of fact it was one of my best experiences with media ever. The members of IFWTWA were a breeze to work with, super professional, always on time and very pleasant to work with. I am thrilled with the outcome, thrilled about the articles that have been posted on Switzerland and am looking forward working with IFWTWA again!”  ~Maja Gartmann, Coodinator Media Relations.

Writers in Attendance (click name to view their profile): Michael Cervin, Linda Fasteson, Joanna Haugen, Maralyn Hill, Norman Hill, Stephen Mirsky, Amy Sherman, Mark Spivak, Melanie Votaw, Michelle Winner, Kurt Winner.

MEDIA LINKS

On-Line: Food & Beverage World,  Into the Soup,  LuxuryWeb, Ride Magazine, Ride Magazine (Swiss fondue), Kaleidoscope Wandering, Exploracation,  Frommers (Le Richemond), Frommers (Lausanne), Cooking with Amy, Palm Beach Illustrated (Swiss Wine), Palm Beach Illustrated (Cheese & Chocolate), Palm Beach Illustrated (Appenzell),  Into Wine,  BootsnAll, Examiner.com 1, Examiner.com 2,  Culinary Traveler, Ride Magazine-Pasta with Minced Beef, Just Luxe, Palm Beach Illustrated-Cheese & Chocolate, Luxury Web (French Switzerland), Notable Travels, Notable Travels-Appenzell, Notable Travels-Lavaux, Global-Writes, Gastro Traveling-Ebenalp, Gastro Traveling-Chocolate, Gastro Traveling-Alpine Food, Matador Abroad, Global-Writes: Hof Weissbad,  Global-Writes: Appenzell, Vacation Station Magazine, Eat, Drink & be Merry! , Where and What in the World-Solothurn Soup, Where and What in the World – Fondue Way Back When Magazine, Where and What in the World–Bratkase,    

Print: Santa Barbara News Press, Epoch Times-Lugano, Epoch Times – Lugano Travel,  Living Well,  Epoch Times-Culinary Travel, Epoch Times–Culinary Lugano,  The Epoch Times–Lugano,   

Radio: Around the World Radio (Sept. 16, 2010-track 3)

Video: YouTube, Your Tube-Yodeling,

IFWTWA Press Trip and Conference Chairs Maralyn D. Hill and Michelle M. Winner have long realized the value of committment and connection.

They make it a priority to form lasting relationships with the CVBs , Tourism Bureaus and Press Trip hosts around the world. It is a valuable relationship both entities have nurtured during the trip planning phase sometimes for over a year or two! So why not stay in touch? As Maralyn says: “We develop a strong loyalty to our hosts when they are representing such outstanding talent/product and continue to do all we can to keep promoting them. They invested time, effort and money in us, and we want to make sure they get all the publicity they can.”

A scant two weeks ago, Maralyn ‘s associate Joan Joffa, a great friend of the IFWTWA and one of the stellar product placement reps. that fill the IFWTWA “Conference at Sea” goodie bags, asked if the IFWTWA knew of some specialized product for the recent Matt Damon fete in Hollywood.

Well the rest was easy. Both Maralyn and Michelle immediatly contacted Sue Price at SOMARK PR and she took the lead it and ran with it. They were delighted that Sue responded to this opportunity for Southern Oregon and her clients so rapidly and contacted Joan. Sue also organised the production schedule and shipping to Joan in what is best described as a “quick and dirty” turn around!

As Maralyn says so eloquently,”Joan Joffa is a gem for supplying gifts for exceptional occasions–Inaugural to Oscar parties. Her events prove to be exceptional investments for those she selects to use. Congratulations to Southern Oregon for seeing the need to market.” Sue also commented that Joan waived the usual placement fees for product and Southern Oregon.

Yes, congratulations to all of you! The story was covered by The World newspaper business reporter Nate Traylor and you can read at
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2010/03/29/news/doc4bad9f3087ab0094329940.txt

Michelle M. Winner, Vice President and Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

2010 Winner for the second year in the Oregon Chocolate Festival.

Category: Best Chocolate Candy (Best Marriage of Chocolate and Candy)

Best: Homemade Confections – English Toffee

Judith and all of her hard work has paid off again. I’m sharing this with our IFWTWA members because those of us on the 2010 Conference at Sea had the opportunity of tasting this delicious treat.

Judith makes English Toffee with bittersweet chocolate and hand roasted almonds. This is Homemade Confections signature product.

Her Peanut Brittle is made with hand roasted peanuts and sweet cream butter which is cooked until light, airy and crisp!

Homemade Confections Gourmet Dessert Topping is another favorite made from bits and pieces of English Toffee, Peanut Brittle, milk chocolate covered macadamia nuts and semi-sweet chocolate covered cashews. I’ve folded this into cheesecake and sprinkled some on top. It is also great on ice cream.

Judith always welcomes custom orders and challenges. She is great to interview.

You can call her at 541 690 9751 or
e-mail: homemadeconfections.medford@yahoo.com

Judith Galindo, Owner