The 2026 IFWTWA Professional Development Conference will take place October 18 to 21 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Preliminary Schedule, Subject to Change
Schedule Highlights
Sunday, October 18
9 AM to 3:30 PM: Registration
Noon to 1:15 PM: A Taste of Wisconsin Through the Eyes of a Master Cheesemaker: An Interactive Tasting with Chris Renard of Renard’s Cheese
Renard’s Cheese, home to Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker Chris Renard. Wisconsin is the only place outside of Switzerland to offer a Master Cheesemaker program, a certification that can take up to 15 years to complete and is considered one of the most rigorous cheese credentials in the world. Renard’s produces more than 100 varieties of cheese, and one of their cheeses was even featured in the 2025 holiday rom-com A Cherry Pie Christmas.
This session is being designed as a highly interactive experience that brings a bit of the creamery directly to attendees since we will not be visiting the operation in person. In addition to a guided tasting, the session may include cheesemaking demonstrations, video footage from the facility, and storytelling about the inspiration behind the flavors and varieties they create. The goal is to provide an immersive and uniquely Wisconsin experience.
1:30 to 2:45 PM: Professional Development Session TBA soon
Closing Reception
4:45 PM: Buses leave the hotel for the reception
5 to 8 PM: Opening Reception, Milwaukee Public Market
* Private Tour of the Market 5 PM
* Public Market Open 5 to 6 PM
* Bar Opens Upper Level 5 PM
* Taste of Milwaukee Food Stations Open Upper Level 6 PM
* Wisconsin Bloody Mary Bar Open 6 PM
* Buses Return to Hotel 8 PM
Monday, October 19
7:30 to 8:45 AM: Breakfast
8:45 to 9 AM: Welcome Address
9 to 9:15 AM: Meet Your IFWTWA Board Candidates Part I
9:15 to 10:45 AM: Inside the Industry: DMOs and Writers Discuss Today’s Industry, Moderated by Robin Smith
10:45 to 11 AM: Break
11 AM to 4 PM: Marketplace Open
11 AM to Noon: Culinary Panel Moderated by Andy Harris
Noon to 1:15 PM: Lunch in Harmony
1:15 to 2:15 PM: Media Kits That Work: Turning Your Journey Into Opportunity with Shannon DalPozzal
In today’s competitive landscape of food, wine, and travel media, a well-crafted media kit is more than a résumé. It’s a powerful business tool. In this session, best-selling author and travel writer Shannon DalPozzal breaks down what makes a media kit truly effective, from essential components and design to positioning your personal brand for partnerships and press opportunities.
Attendees will learn what to include (and what to leave out), how to present their experience with clarity and confidence, and how to tailor their media kit for different audiences, including tourism boards, PR agencies, and brands. Shannon will also share real-world insights from her own media kit, one that has successfully opened doors across the travel industry.
The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A, giving participants the opportunity to ask specific questions and gain personalized guidance.
2:15 to 3:15 PM: Dedicated Marketplace Hour, Meet with DMOs
3:15 to 3:30 PM: Break
3:30 to 4:30 PM: There Are No Stupid Questions: Ask the Experts Anything, Panelists: Kathryn Anderson, Teresa Bitler, Susan Lanier-Graham, and Robin Smith
Ever wish you could get a straight answer to your biggest writing, blogging, or content creation questions—without feeling like you should already know it? This is that session.
“There Are No Stupid Questions” is an open, unscripted, and highly interactive panel featuring four experienced writers from diverse backgrounds across food, wine, and travel media. Whether you’re refining your pitch strategy, strengthening your voice, growing your platform, expanding into podcasting, or figuring out how to increase your income, this is your chance to ask what’s really on your mind.
Step up to the mic and ask anything. No topic is off-limits, and no question is too basic or too advanced. You’ll hear real-world insights, honest answers, and practical advice drawn from years of experience in the industry.
Come curious. Leave with clarity, ideas, and maybe even the answer you didn’t know you needed.
4:30 – 5:45 PM: Break – get ready for dinner
5:45 PM: Shuttle leaves for dinner
6 – 8:30 PM: Exclusive dinner at High Stakes, the newest Bartolotta Restaurant, details coming soon (additional payment required)
9 – 10:30 PM: Networking and Nightcaps in the Hospitality Suite
Tuesday, October 20
7:30 to 8:45 AM: Breakfast
8:45 to 8:50 AM: Opening Comments
8:50 to 9:15 AM: Meet Your IFWTWA Board Candidates Part II
9:15 to 10:15 AM: Panel discussion on Milwaukee, details TBD
10:15 to 10:30 AM: Break
10:30 to 11:15 AM: Keynote Speaker, TBD
11:15 AM to 4:45 PM: Marketplace Open
11:15 AM to 12:15 PM: Dedicated Marketplace Hour, Meet with DMOs
12:15 to 1:45 PM: Lunch in Harmony
1:45 to 2:45 PM: Professional Development Session TBD
2:45 to 3 PM: Break
3 to 5 PM: Wisconsin Uncorked: A Taste of Place Through Wine and Cheese, Moderated by Rob Lewis, Wisconsin-based winemaker, certified sommelier, and wine educator, and Molly Browne, Cheese educator and industry leader, Education Director at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and creator of Cheese State University
3 to 4:15 PM: Turning Passion Topics Into Published Books, Kristine Hansen
6 to 8 PM: Dinner on your own; there are several restaurants inside the Potawatomi Casino Resort
8 to 10:30 PM: Networking and Nightcaps in the Hospitality Suite
Wednesday, October 21
7:30 to 8:45 AM: Breakfast
9 AM to 4 PM: Experience Milwaukee Day (half-day and full-day tours listed above)
5:45 PM: Shuttle leaves for closing reception
6 to 8 PM: Closing Reception, Women’s Club of Wisconsin
* Docents Available for Mansion and Art Tours
* Dinner and Final Presentation
8 PM: Shuttle returns to Hotel
8:30 to 10 PM: Networking and Nightcaps in the Hospitality Suite