Top Eight Reasons for Associates to Join IFWTWA

Associates, Partner With IFWTWA

Connect with the Storytellers
Who Inspire Food, Wine, and Travel

You have a destination, brand, attraction, hotel, tourism organization, winery, restaurant, or hospitality business with a story worth sharing. The challenge isn’t creating great experiences—it’s getting those experiences in front of the right audiences.

Today’s travelers discover destinations through articles, blogs, podcasts, videos, social media, newsletters, and digital publications. Building awareness requires more than advertising. It requires authentic storytelling from trusted voices.

That’s where IFWTWA comes in.

Our community includes professional travel writers, editors, bloggers, photographers, podcasters, videographers, broadcasters, and digital publishers who specialize in food, wine, travel, and hospitality. We help Associate Members build meaningful relationships with the media professionals who create the stories, images, videos, and content that inspire travelers to take action.

Our members contribute to a wide variety of print and digital publications across the globe. Some even have their own food, wine, and travel websites; others run award-winning blogs. Many have engaged social media audiences that increase the reach and exposure of their articles.

Whether you’re promoting a destination, launching a new experience, increasing visitation, raising brand awareness, or generating media coverage, IFWTWA provides direct access to a network of experienced storytellers and industry professionals.

Through conferences, media marketplaces, webinars, networking opportunities, press trips, and year-round engagement, Associate Members become part of a community built on relationships, collaboration, and shared success.

If your goal is visibility, credibility, and authentic media coverage, IFWTWA can help you connect with the people who tell the stories that move travelers.

Sherrye Wyatt, PR and Marketing Manager for Whidbey and Camano Islands Tourism, describes how greater connections to international markets opened doors to new audiences: “International markets are a source of growth for our local tourism economy. When we hosted the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association annual conference and brought nearly 50 influencers from throughout the world to our islands. This was the first time this conference was held in the Pacific Northwest and it led to new coverage from the UK to Australia.”

As an Associate Member, you’ll gain valuable industry connections, year-round promotional opportunities, and direct access to professional food, wine, and travel media. Here are some of the many benefits of membership:

Reason #1: Showcase Your Destination, Brand, and Expertise

Your IFWTWA member profile is more than a directory listing—it’s an opportunity to introduce your destination, organization, or business to a network of professional food, wine, and travel media. Use your profile to share your story, highlight what makes your destination unique, and let members know how you can work together.

Share with our members:

Information about your destination, brand, organization, or clients
Story angles, experiences, and opportunities that may be of interest to media
Contact information and preferred ways to collaborate
Details about media resources, press trips, and partnership opportunities
Your expertise by guest hosting an IFWTWA webinar or roundtable discussion
Industry insights and destination updates that can help inspire future coverage

A strong profile helps members discover you, connect with you, and consider your destination or organization for future stories and partnerships.

Reason #2: Connect With Media Professionals at Our Conferences and Events

IFWTWA conferences are designed to bring destinations, brands, and media together in a meaningful, relationship-focused environment. Through our Media Marketplace, networking events, educational sessions, and interactive panels, you’ll have direct access to professional food, wine, and travel storytellers actively seeking new destinations, experiences, and industry connections.

As an Associate Member, you’ll have opportunities to:

Meet writers, editors, bloggers, photographers, podcasters, videographers, and digital publishers in person
Participate in our Media Marketplace, panels, and networking sessions
Build relationships that can lead to future media coverage and content partnerships
Share story ideas, destination updates, and media opportunities directly with qualified journalists
Connect with freelancers and digital publishers you may wish to host on future media trips
Continue conversations and collaborations long after the conference through IFWTWA’s year-round network

Many Associate Members find that a single conference can generate valuable contacts and relationships that continue to produce media opportunities for years to come.

Reason #3: Partner With Us on Media and Press Trips

One of the most effective ways to generate authentic destination coverage is to host qualified media professionals who can experience your destination firsthand. As an Associate Member, you’ll have opportunities to work directly with IFWTWA’s Media Trips Committee to develop media experiences that align with your goals and target audiences.

Our press trips are typically designed for small groups, allowing for meaningful engagement and deeper destination experiences that often lead to stronger storytelling.

As an Associate Member, you’ll have opportunities to:

Partner with IFWTWA to develop media trips tailored to your destination, attraction, or brand
Connect with professional travel writers, photographers, videographers, bloggers, and digital publishers
Reach media professionals whose audiences and specialties align with your marketing objectives
Receive information about participating media members to help identify the best fit for your destination
Showcase unique experiences, attractions, culinary offerings, and local stories to qualified media
Build long-term relationships with travel media who may continue to cover your destination in the future

Our goal is to help create meaningful partnerships between destinations and media professionals that result in authentic storytelling, increased visibility, and lasting industry relationships.

Reason #4: Connect With Media Professionals Year-Round

Building relationships shouldn’t be limited to conferences and events. As an Associate Member, you’ll have access to IFWTWA’s active community of food, wine, and travel media professionals throughout the year.

Our online community provides opportunities to stay connected, share news, discover potential collaborators, and build relationships with writers, photographers, bloggers, podcasters, videographers, and other content creators.

As an Associate Member, you can:

Join our private member community and engage with media professionals year-round
Share destination news, events, story ideas, and media opportunities
Connect directly with writers and content creators interested in food, wine, travel, and hospitality
Participate in social sharing opportunities that help increase visibility for your destination or brand
Stay informed about member activities, industry trends, and association programs
Build relationships that can lead to future media coverage, partnerships, and press trip opportunities

Many of the strongest connections within IFWTWA begin online and grow into long-term professional relationships that benefit both media members and industry partners.

Reason #5: Be a Guest Host for a Webinar and/or Roundtable

Position your destination, brand, or expertise in front of a targeted audience of food, wine, and travel media professionals. IFWTWA webinars and roundtables provide an engaging platform to share your story, highlight unique experiences, and build meaningful connections with the media professionals who influence travelers.

Whether you’re showcasing a destination, discussing emerging trends, promoting a new attraction, or sharing industry insights, these sessions help put your organization directly in front of qualified media.

As a guest host, you can:

Present your destination, brand, attraction, or area of expertise to IFWTWA members
Showcase new experiences, events, initiatives, and story opportunities
Engage directly with writers, bloggers, photographers, podcasters, and other content creators
Answer questions and provide valuable background information that can inspire future coverage
Increase awareness of your destination among media professionals actively seeking story ideas
Build relationships that may lead to articles, media visits, press trips, and long-term partnerships

These interactive sessions often serve as the first introduction between destinations and media professionals, helping create connections that can lead to future visits and coverage.

Reason #6: Increase Your Visibility Through Social Media

Your destination or brand deserves to be seen. IFWTWA’s social media community provides year-round opportunities to share news, events, experiences, and story ideas with both media professionals and industry colleagues.

Our members actively engage across multiple social platforms, creating opportunities to increase awareness and expand your reach through authentic community engagement.

Take advantage of our weekly social media promotions:

Toot Your Horn Monday — Share your latest news, accomplishments, campaigns, and announcements
Travel Tuesday — Highlight destinations, attractions, itineraries, and travel experiences
Wine or Wellness Wednesday — Showcase wine, spirits, wellness, and lifestyle experiences
Thirsty or Throwback Thursday — Feature beverages, culinary experiences, or memorable moments from the past
Foodie Friday — Celebrate restaurants, chefs, culinary events, and food-focused experiences

As an Associate Member, you can also:

Share destination updates, events, and story opportunities with members
Participate in social sharing initiatives that help amplify your content
Connect with media professionals and fellow tourism industry members
Collaborate on content ideas and promotional opportunities
Access our private member community to ask questions, exchange ideas, and build relationships

These ongoing social media opportunities help keep your destination, organization, or brand visible throughout the year—not just during conferences and special events.

Reason #7: Expand Your Reach Through Radio, Podcasts, and Multimedia Exposure

Looking for new ways to share your destination, brand, or expertise? IFWTWA’s partnership with Big Blend Radio & TV Magazine provides Associate Members with opportunities to reach engaged audiences through radio interviews, podcasts, and multimedia programming.

Whether you’re promoting a destination, highlighting a special event, showcasing a unique attraction, or sharing industry insights, these appearances can help increase awareness and connect your message with travelers who are actively seeking inspiration.

As an Associate Member, you may have opportunities to:

Apply to participate in Big Blend Radio interviews and panel discussions
Showcase your destination, organization, attraction, or hospitality business
Share travel trends, seasonal experiences, special events, and unique story angles
Reach audiences beyond traditional marketing channels
Increase brand visibility through trusted, content-driven media exposure
Position yourself as a knowledgeable voice within the travel and hospitality industry
Support your marketing efforts with additional multimedia content and promotion

Radio and podcast appearances offer a powerful way to tell your story, build credibility, and connect with audiences in a more personal and engaging format. For destinations and brands seeking authentic exposure, these opportunities can become a valuable addition to your marketing strategy.

Reason #8: Reach Engaged Travelers Through Food Wine Travel Magazine

Put your destination, brand, attraction, or organization in front of an audience actively seeking travel inspiration, culinary experiences, wine destinations, and lifestyle content. As an Associate Member, you receive a rotating advertisement in Food, Wine, Travel Magazine, IFWTWA’s consumer-focused digital publication.

Through targeted advertising and additional sponsored opportunities, you can increase awareness, highlight special experiences, and connect directly with travelers who are planning their next adventure.

Advertising opportunities can help you:

Showcase your destination, attraction, hotel, restaurant, winery, or tourism organization
Reach an audience interested in food, wine, travel, culture, and lifestyle experiences
Increase visibility for seasonal campaigns, special events, and new offerings
Support broader marketing and public relations initiatives
Build brand recognition among travelers seeking trusted recommendations and inspiration
Align your organization with a respected publication focused on experiential travel

Whether your goal is increasing visitation, promoting a special event, or building long-term brand awareness, Food, Wine, Travel Magazine provides an additional platform to share your story with an engaged travel audience.

We Don't Just Talk About Connections—We Create Them

Building meaningful relationships with media professionals takes more than a directory listing or a one-time networking event. At IFWTWA, we provide opportunities for destinations, tourism organizations, hospitality brands, and industry partners to connect directly with the writers, photographers, videographers, podcasters, bloggers, and digital publishers who tell the stories that inspire travel.

When you join IFWTWA as an Associate Member, you become part of a collaborative community dedicated to promoting food, wine, travel, and hospitality experiences through authentic storytelling and professional relationships. From conferences and media marketplaces to webinars, press trips, social media engagement, and year-round networking, we create opportunities that help raise your visibility and expand your reach.

Whether your goal is generating media coverage, building industry relationships, increasing destination awareness, or connecting with trusted media professionals, IFWTWA provides the platform, community, and resources to help you succeed.

Associate Membership is $255 annually, plus a one-time $50 application fee for new members.

Join us and start building relationships that can help tell your story to travelers around the world.