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IFWTWA - Int'l Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

Information

IFWTWA is a global network of journalists covering the hospitality & lifestyle fields & those who promote them. IFWTWA is a non-profit organization run by & for the benefit of its members. Group membership is not association membership.

Website: http://www.IFWTWA.org
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Members: 127
Latest Activity: Sep 14, 2021

About IFWTWA and Various Trips we offer.

The International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA.org) is a global network of people involved in the hospitality and lifestyle fields and the people who promote them by informing others about them. We are a non-profit organization, run by and for the benefit of our members.

This is a link to our Members' Benefit Brochure. This spells out what we offer plus we keep adding new features all the time.

One of our latest benefits is our Members Profile Page. This allows hosts, pr firms, etc. to see our members' profiles to determine if they are suitable for press trips. It also gives our members a place to showcase their bio, books and clips. It provides are Associate Members a spot to do the same.

This year we offered a WiFTy scholarship award for the first time. It was so well-received, we hope to be able to offer more than one for 2010. Naturally, we depend on the hospitality industry and suppliers for assistance. In turn, we promote them with press releases and a lot of coverage. Plus the items are promoted on EBay.

Check out IFWTWA and see what we're about. Members and non-members are welcome to join the Tripatini Group and learn more about what we do.

This is just 2009 and does not cover it all. The Copper Canyon is not shown yet as we just returned. Plus, we've many more chefs.

We'll start 2010 with our Conference at Sea on Holland America's Eurodam in January; Rockland, Maine in June; Switzerland in September; and we are confirming dates for Nova Scotia, Alabama and Temecula, CA.

We are an organization on the move. Our journalists are expected to produce if they go on ANY trip--and we are in the 90+ percentage. If they don't produce and send clips, the hosts do not need to invite them. Our hosts have the final say on attendees. We aim to please and get great stories at the same time.

This is one of several videos we will have from our November 09 visit to the Copper Canyon area of Mexico.

IFWTWA visits Charlottesville, Virginia. We took in the history, culture, wine and food. Recipes and more videos will be featured on www.whereandwhatintheworld.com. You can find out more about Charlottesville at www.charlottesville.org.

While the Tandem Tasters, Maralyn Hill & Brenda Hill were on an International Food, Wine & Travel Assoc. (IFWTWA) trip, they were fortunate to have brunch at the Boar's Head Inn in Charlottesville, VA www.BoarsHeadInn.com, and met the talented Executive Chef Terrence Sheehan. You can check http://WhereAndWhatInTheWorld.com for recipe posts from Chef Sheehan

While the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association(IFWTWA.ORG) was visiting Richmond, www.visitrichmond.com, they got a jam packed overview of how much the city has to offer. It is vibrant, growing, historical, active and just plain interesting.

Thornton Winery, Temecula, CA www.ThorntonWine.com was gracious enough to host an IFWTWA Regional Luncheon for members and prospective members. President Steve Thornton, along with Winemaker Don Reha and Executive Chef Steve Pickell welcomed us into the Champagne Caves. We started with champagne followed by Roasted Tomato, Artichoke Proscuitto Tartine served on Grilled Sourdough with Herbed Ricotta Cheese & Baby Arugula Salad paired with Thornton 2006 Sangiovese & 2006 Thornton Sauvigon Blanc. Dessert was Giger and Peach Tartlet with Moscato Sabayon & Blackberries paired with Thornton 2008 Moscato. It is easy to see why they have award winning wines and Cafe Champagne is a 5 star award winning restaurant. Recipes will be on the Where & What in the World Blog on www.NoraLyn.com by the 8-24-09 Special Thanks to Linda Kissam for arranging, and our welcome gifts from Thornton and Temecula Olive Oil Company.

This shows inside and out of the Woodstock Farmers Market in Woodstock, Vermont. If you go to June Blog posts for the Where & What in the World Blog: http://bit.ly/vxVTw it will post mid month and feature the story and the recipe for the Bow Thai Pasta salad. As Patrick Crowl says, "I think what sets up apart is we really take this job of 'bringing the food to the people' very seriously. We're concerned about the process: what we charge for our products, what ingredients we use in our food, how clean we are, who our vendors and farmers are, where our fruits, vegetables and ingredients come from and how e treat each other an our guests." Retailer of the Year for 2009. www.woodstockfarmersmarket.com. They have a great mail order business. 802 457-3658. This is a Where & What in the World Production by Maralyn D. Hill, www.noralyn.com. Music provided by Fred Haas, from "Telling Stories" album, segment of "Infite Vista." You can reach Fred at www.interplayjazz.com

Manager/Owner Amy Martsolf prepares Chef/Owner Teresa Tan's Lychee Ginger Ice Wine Martini for The Tandem Tasters, Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill at Mangowood at The Lincoln Inn, Woodstock, VT. www.mangowood.com. The recipe is posted on the Where & What in the world blog in a June post.

The Deer Brook Inn dates back to 1820. The hosts, David Kanal and George DeFina, exceed expectations with their decor, food and overall experience. The recipe for blueberry muffins is on www.noralyn.com/blogger/blog1 posted 5-25-09. The music is a portion of "Midnight Whispers," from "Telling Stories," by performing and recording artist & clinician, Fred Haas, www.interplayjazz.com.

Chef/Owner Teresa Tan and Manager/Owner Amy Martsolf prepare Teresa's Leek and Mushroom Goat Cheese Brulee for The Tandem Tasters, Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill. This is a favorite dish at Mangowood at The Lincoln Inn, Woodstock, VT www.mangowood.com, www.lincolninn.com. The recipe for this dish is featured in a June 2009 post on the Where & What in the World Blog.

Discussion Forum

Started by Tripatini Aug 1, 2012.

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Comment by Mary Jo Manzanares on December 5, 2009 at 1:21pm: Hi Maralyn,

I'm a big believer in transparency, in my writing, on press trips, and in pricing. As a member of IFWTWA, I basically like the idea of tips being included in the pricing, if they aren't provided by the host. Of course, I think negotiations with the host is important, too.

But what I'd really like to see is a full listing of what FAM "fees" cover. I have no quarrel with the pricing, but want to know what it covers. Is it for handling fees, a meal that isn't covered by a host, a special event, upgraded rooms, taxes, or tips.

I also don't understand additional charges for late registration or single supplement. I've been on lots of trips, and have never been told that I have to have a roommate (or bring my own) nor pay more because of a date. This seems more like a business model to make money, rather than creating a sense of urgency in filling up a trip.

I think everyone is leery of unspecified "fees" in the travel industry. Just as we are demanding that airlines, hotels, resorts, etc., itemize all their fees, I'd like to see us do the same and lead by example. Please understand, I think the costs are quite reasonable, I'm just asking for transparency in what they cover.

(Honestly, I thought the fees specified were to cover tips. But in no way should you or any other member have to subsidize tips for someone else. I haven't been on one of the FAM's yet -- I always seem to find out too late to make it work -- but am hopeful to make one in 2010.)

Comment by Maralyn D Hill on December 5, 2009 at 1:04pm: For numerous press trips together, Michelle and I have subsidized the tips. We've determined we are going to research with the host, the minimum acceptable gratuity for those that are not covered and list them on the application so our members prepay. That way, tips will be covered. When the host covers everything, there will not be an additional charge. When the host is in an area where they do not have it in their budget, we will note the additional cost.

What I'd appreciate from our members here on Tripatini, and I know we only have a few so far, are your supportive of this or are we going to be dealing with a lot of resistance.

Neither of us believe in overtipping or tipping when service is not to standards, but in general, on a press trip, we do not encounter that problem.

So, please let me have your comments. We've not sure we can make everyone happy, but we want to have a solution that is good for members and good for hosts.

Comment by Maralyn D Hill on November 30, 2009 at 10:19pm: You're right John. Our members are producing such great articles, especially with our emphasis on everyone being expected to produce. We've entered into a different era for writers, and fortunately our members appreciate all that the pr firms and our hosts do and they in turn appreciate us. That's what is making it so good for everyone.

Comment by John Lamkin on November 30, 2009 at 9:13pm: The trips get better and better! And, the PR, properties, and all get more and more exposure.

Comment by Sandra Kennedy on November 30, 2009 at 8:24pm: Thanks for the information, Maralyn.

Comment by Maralyn D Hill on November 30, 2009 at 7:27pm: This is to both Barbara and Sandra's comments. Sandra, as each new trip is up for registration, it is on the home page of www.ifwtwa.org as well as announced in Press Pass, TravMedia, Linkedin, Facebook, and now Tripatini. We also send an e-mail announcement to our members. You do have to be a member of IFWTWA to go on the trips, but both of you are.

Barbara, I know you will enjoy meeting my friend Herve. He is absolutely great.

Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me that these additional trips come through.

Comment by Barbara Hansen on November 30, 2009 at 6:31pm: Maralyn, I like your suggesting about possibly visiting El Salvador. I would like to go there.

Comment by Sandra Kennedy on November 30, 2009 at 6:31pm: Thanks, Maralyn - Actually, I would like to be notified about all of the trips! I just wanted to be another voice in support of those particular trips!

Comment by Maralyn D Hill on November 30, 2009 at 6:28pm: Thanks Sandra. As soon as we have the dates confirmed for those two trips, I'll be sure to let you know. Michelle and I are working on so many trips to offer of regular members, we're quite excited about it. Sometimes it seems like too many, but we don't like to turn hosts aways, and we love out of the way places.
For El Salvador, we are working with the head of Tourism and my friend who has the School for Culinary Arts there, French Master Chef, Herve Laurent. So, it should be fantastic. Everything just takes lots of approvals. Maralyn

Comment by Sandra Kennedy on November 30, 2009 at 6:21pm: Maralyn, I am a new member of IFWTWA and amazed by the trips you are lining up. If you need help in anyway, let me know. My interests include El Salvador and Nova Scotia. Thanks!