IFWTWA hosts an annual Professional Development Conference in destinations throughout North America and occasionally internationally. These conferences bring together credentialed media professionals, destinations, and travel brands for several days of education, networking, and destination immersion. Attendees enjoy professional development sessions, a media marketplace, culinary and beverage experiences, destination showcases, attraction tours, and opportunities to explore the host region through curated pre- and post-conference experiences.
Benefits for Media, Writers & Digital Publishers
Our annual Professional Development Conference provides exceptional opportunities for food, wine, and travel media to discover new story ideas, build industry relationships, and experience destinations in ways most travelers never can. Through curated destination experiences and hosted tours, attendees gain firsthand access to the people, places, and stories that inspire compelling content.
- Meet the destination leaders, innovators, chefs, winemakers, and tourism professionals shaping local and regional narratives
- Explore beyond the typical visitor experience, uncovering hidden gems, unique attractions, and authentic stories
- Learn from accomplished speakers and industry experts who share practical insights and real-world experience
- Benefit from carefully planned destination experiences developed in partnership with local experts, providing exclusive access to distinctive food, wine, travel, and cultural opportunities
Every conference is designed to help attendees return home with fresh ideas, valuable contacts, and a wealth of new stories to share with their audiences.
“When I signed up for the IFWTWA conference held on Whidbey Island, Washington, I was a brand-new member of IFWTWA. I was thrilled to also be part of a pre-conference press trip to San Juan Island.
The conference was filled with great networking, educational sessions, a tourism marketplace and excursions throughout the island. It was my first time to visit Washington State and I came back to my home state of Indiana with a new appreciation for the Pacific Northwest. I returned having made new connections and friendships, which have developed over the past year. I have become more involved in the organization and helping out with FWT Magazine as an Assistant Editor. I also enjoy participating in social media sharing days via the IFWTWA Members group on Facebook.”
Debbra Dunning Brouillette
Caribbean Travel Specialist & PADI Certified Diver, Tropical Travel Girl
Benefits for DMOs & Hosts
IFWTWA conferences provide destinations, DMOs, attractions, hotels, wineries, restaurants, and travel brands with direct access to experienced food, wine, and travel media professionals. Our events are designed to foster meaningful relationships that lead to authentic storytelling and long-term partnerships.
Through our dedicated Media Marketplace and networking events, hosts can connect one-on-one with writers, bloggers, photographers, podcasters, and other media professionals whose audiences align with their goals.
- Meet qualified media professionals and identify the best storytellers for your destination, venue, or brand
- Build relationships through structured one-on-one appointments and informal networking opportunities
- Discuss story ideas, press trips, partnerships, and future coverage opportunities directly with food, wine, and travel media
- Coordinate hosted experiences, accommodations, dining, and destination support to help writers develop compelling, accurate stories
- Connect with a diverse group of media professionals representing a wide range of specialties, audiences, and geographic markets
- Develop a network of trusted media contacts that can provide value long after the conference concludes
Associate Members are encouraged to attend conferences and events—both in-person and virtual—to maximize their membership benefits, strengthen industry relationships, and showcase their destinations and organizations to IFWTWA’s professional media community.
“This was the first IFWTWA Conference I attended, and as a 17-year travel writing veteran, I’m pleased to have made this investment in my career. The one-on-one conversations I had with exhibitors and destination representatives are invaluable to building relationships in this industry. While I made numerous connections, all of them memorable, two that stand out are Tony Alexander from Visit Kansas City and Taos as an overall destination experience.
Tony and I were able to have a conversation that we took off-site to continue. She’s a lovely representative for Kansas City and while I had visited there in years past, I was able to get a grasp on some of the newer and over-overlooked places that are worth a revisit. She even took the time for an interview for my new podcast, Field Notes with Shannon D.
Taos, as a conference post-trip was just magical. After being at the hustle of the conference, it was a pleasant few days to not only process what I learned at the conference, but also the opportunity to soak in the “enchanting” side of New Mexico. The accommodations were phenomenal at El Monte Sagrado, and the itinerary was filled with unexpected moments that will be finding their way into my destination coverage, including visiting Taos Pueblo with Angelisa of Heritage Tours, riding horseback at night in the foothills to end at a dinner with local farmers, and ending my visit with a Sound Healing session with Patrick Shendo.
Thank you to IFWTWA, the conference organizers, and all the sponsors who have recharged my creative energy once again with the sharing of their own stories, their wines, and their love of travel overall. I hope we all cross paths again on this infinite and beautiful journey.”
Shannon DalPozzal
Lifestyle & Travel Writer, Romantic South.com and ShannonTravels.com