The 2024 IFWTWA Professional Development Conference will take place September 8 to 11 at
the Radisson Hotel Corning in the heart of the ever-popular Finger Lakes region, an outstanding wine region in the US.
Schedule Highlights
Sunday, September 8
12:00 – 5 PM Registration
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM — Special Access to Corning Museum of Glass
On Sunday, September 8, the Corning Museum of Glass invites you to explore the world of glass for free. Simply present your IFWTWA conference name badge to the Admissions counter, and you can explore galleries packed with ancient relics, bright exhibition spaces for contemporary masterpieces, and live hot glass demonstrations. It’s on the house! (We will provide the museum with a list of registered attendees if you wish to visit the museum before conference registration is open.)
On the hunt for a souvenir? There are still complimentary Make Your Own Glass experience slots available, and you can reserve yours here. More information about our Make Your Own Glass program is available on the CMOG website. Registration closes at 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 1.
6:00 – 8 PM Welcome Reception at Corning Museum of Glass
Opening reception at world-renowned Corning Museum of Glass featuring a representative sampling of local cuisine from prominent area restaurants served by their chefs and matched with premium Finger Lakes wines. Known as the Crystal City, Corning has long been at the forefront of all things glass, from innovative technology to the remarkable creations found at The Corning Museum of Glass, the world’s largest museum of glass art and artifacts.
Wineries participating: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Weis Vineyards, Keuka Lake Vineyards, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, Boundary Breaks, Red Newt Cellars
Chefs/Caterers: Lake Life Catering (Keuka Yacht Club, 1886 Reserve Tastings at Dr. Frank’s, numerous events), Michael Lanahan (The Cellar – Corning restaurant), Christopher Bates (F.L.X. Hospitality – known for F.L.X. Table, F.L.X. Wienery, Element Winery, The Quincy Exchange), Brud Holland (head chef for café at Fox Run Vineyards, formerly at numerous places and is one of the region’s culinary icons/chefs), NY Kitchen, Michael Dean (Dean Lane Food & Farmstead)
Monday, September 9
9:00 AM Opening Session
9:15 – 10:30 AM “Speed Dating” with DMOs
Visit with more than a dozen DMOs in group “speed dating” sessions.
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM Destination Marketplace
Browse an array of destinations and speak with representatives at your leisure.
11:00 AM – 12 PM Culinary Panel
The Culinary Panel is always a highlight of the conference. This year we are honored to host acclaimed culinarians who are true pioneers of the dynamic food scene in Finger Lakes including Executive Chef, certified Master Sommelier and Winemaker Christopher Bates of the
award-winning F.L.X. Hospitality Group.
12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 PM Pitching in 2024
Susan Lanier Graham on Finding Markets, Connecting, and Creating a Productive Pitch Habit
2:30 – 3:30 PM The Ryes of an American Spirit: Pennsylvania Whiskey Past and Present
“American whiskey” today usually means Kentucky bourbon. However, in 1900, Pennsylvania produced 7.2 million gallons of spirits. Not bourbon. But rye. Southwestern Pennsylvania in particular boasted the largest rye whiskey distilleries in the world and the region earned a global reputation for its “Monongahela Rye.” This session will follow the peaks and valleys of whiskey in Pennsylvania from just after its most famous chapter, the 1790s Whiskey Rebellion, through its near disappearance in the 1990s, and on finally to its strong craft revival today. Along the way, sample four modern PA rye whiskeys from three distilleries across the state.
Optional Afternoon and Evening Activities
Spend a little time on Corning’s Historic Market Street and you’ll soon understand why it was named “one of the Top 10 Great Streets of the Year” by the American Planning Association, and why Travel & Leisure named Centerway Square one of “America’s Most Beautiful Town Squares.”
That beauty is only part of the appeal, though. Corning’s Gaffer District—named after a gaffer or master glassblower—is home to over 100 boutique shops, art galleries, studios, as well as craft beverage producers, restaurants serving fabulous food, and two world-class museums.
- Rockwell Museum Tours (two small group tours at 3:00 PM and two tours at 4 PM are planned). Upstate New York’s only Smithsonian Affiliate Museum. Details and registration. Deadline 8/30/24. First come basis.
- F.L.X. Provisions (two wine tastings, limited to 20 people each, 4:30 & 5:45 pm) Taste from a selection of exquisite Element Winery vintages and craft brews from F.L.X. Culture House. Element Winery is a boutique operation founded and run by Master Sommelier Christopher Bates and his father Bob Bates, focused on elevating the Finger Lakes as one of the premier cool climate regions on the international stage across three distinct labels. Details and registration. Deadline 8/30/24. First come basis.
- Gaffer District Highlights Tour (4:15-5:45pm) Approximately 90-minute tour, limited to 15 participants for a personalized experience. On this walking tour with resident artist, Meghan O’Toole, you will explore Market Street’s public artworks, landmarks, architecture, as well as Corning’s history and the small businesses that make our town thrive. Details and registration. Deadline 8/30/24. First come basis.
- Dinner at Quincy Exchange September 9th, 6:30 PM. One of the truly outstanding culinarians in the Finger Lakes is Chef, Restaurateur, Certified Master Sommelier, and 2nd generation Winemaker Christopher Bates. Chef Chris is a distinguished member of the upcoming Culinary Panel on August 9th. He is the only certified Master Sommelier to achieve this distinct honor as a working Executive Chef. Chef Chris has graciously invited our IFWTWA group to personally experience his flagship restaurant in Corning, The Quincy Exchange, is opening the restaurant just for IFWTWA. The cost is $63 including a price fixed meal, drink, tax and gratuity. This is not hosted but, surely, will be the “can’t miss” dining highlight of the Conference. The menu features dishes such as Cornmeal Crusted Calamari, Steak Frites, House-made Pastas, and decadent Desserts. It’s a moderate to moderately expensive establishment. Quincy Exchange is a short nine-minute walk from the Radisson. All payments are non-refundable.
8:30 – 10 PM Network & Nightcap
Gather in the hospitality suite for a nightcap and networking.
Tuesday, September 10
9:00 – 10:00 AM Using AI As a Writing Tool
Susan Lanier Graham on Ethics, Tools, trends, and Tips for Succeeding in a New World
10:00 – 10:45 AM Keynote Speaker – Maiah Johnson Dunn
Beverage Education Manager at New York Kitchen
11:00 AM – 4 PM Destination Marketplace
Browse an array of destinations and speak with representatives at your leisure.
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM Finger Lakes Winemakers Panel
Learn about the region’s acclaimed wine through a winemaker panel featuring Morten Halgren (Ravines Wine Cellars), Peter Becraft (Anthony Road Wine Company), Vanessa Hoffman (Knapp Winery), and Dave Breeden (Sheldrake Point Winery).
12:15 – 1:30 PM Lunch
1:30 – 2:30 PM Presentation: The Equal Rights Movements in the Finger Lakes Region of New York.
3:00 – 4:15 PM Wine Workshop: surprising Finger Lakes Style
There are more than 140 wineries in the Finger Lakes. The crisp and beautifully crafted Riesling ines
have propelled the region onto the world stage, but there is so much more to enjoy. The tasting workshop features four wines that display a range of styles. Featured wineries include Heron Hill Winery, Fox Run Vineyards, and Keuka Spring Vineyards.
6:00 – 8:00 PM Closing Reception at Glenn H. Curtiss Motorcycle & Aviation Museum
Dedicated to the memory of pioneer aviator, Glenn Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation as well as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. We’ll enjoy light, hearty appetizers with samplings from local craft beverage producers in this
extraordinary setting.
Featured craft beverage producers: Finger Lakes Distilling (first distillery in the region, located on Seneca Lake), Steuben Brewing (award-winning brewery, located on Keuka Lake), Lucky Hare Brewing (located on Seneca Lake), and South Hill Cidery (located near Ithaca and Cayuga Lake).
Catered by: Lake Life Catering
8:30 – 10 PM Network & Nightcap
Gather in the hospitality suite for a nightcap and networking.