IFWTWA’s 2016 Professional Development Conference took place October 31 to November 3 at the beautiful Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Coronado peninsula, just minutes from San Diego. Attendees experienced a full day of fascinating educational presentations, including an impressive keynote presentation on branding; a riveting chefs’ panel with topnotch Southern California chefs; and workshops on social media, writing about wine, finding publishing outlets, and tourism.
We also enjoyed an outstanding Tourism Marketplace where we explored enticing new destinations to visit. The following days of the conference were highlighted by a trip to the Marriott Coronado Island Resort where we were treated to an innovative and healthy lunch and an inspiring presentation by Food Network star, Melissa d’Arabian; delicious dinners in La Jolla at the Marine Room and Georges at the Cove; a trolley tour of San Diego; and a scrumptious lunch, historical tours, and s’mores on the beach at the iconic Del Coronado Hotel.
Thank you to the following people who contributed their time and talents:
Conference Committee Co-Chairs:
Susan and Todd Montgomery
Keynote Speaker:
Jenifer Thompson, Monkey C Media
Chefs’ Panel Participants:
- Drew Deckman, Deckman’s en el Mogor
- Andrew Gruel, Slapfish Restaurant Group
- Bernard Guillas, The Marine Room
- Duane Owen, Pechanga Resort & Casin
- Maeve Rochford, Sugar & Scribe
Presenters:
- Mary Lansing
- Hilarie Larson CSW,FWS
- Susan Lanier-Graham
- Melissa d’Arabian
- Executive Chef, Michael Poompan, Marriott Coronado Island Resort
IFWTWA extends its sincere appreciation to the following organizations and businesses for supporting our Conference:
Tourism Improvement District - City of Coronado
- Todd Little, Executive Director
- Melissa Jacobsen, CTID Assistant
- Claudia Ludlow, CTID Chairperson
- Sean Clancy, Managing Director
- Lisa Himebaugh, Conference Manager • Chris Aguirre, Executive Chef
- Nusrat Mirza, General Manager
- Executive Chef Michael Poompan
- Sara Baumann, Public Relations Manager
- Wayne Harth, Director of Catering
- Christine Donovan, Hotel Historian
Tourism Marketplace
A special thank you to Whidbey-Camaro Tourism for sponsoring the purchase of our lovely tote bags and lanyards, to the contributors to our tote bag and door prizes, and to all our presenters and participants.
— Susan and Todd Montgomery, Life Uncorked
2016 Conference Committee Co-Chairs
Thank you to our Tourism Marketplace participants:
Todd Little, Tourism Improvement District – City of Coronado
Barbara Marrett, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau
Sherrye Wyatt, Whidbey and Camano Island Tourism
Jo Duncan, Beenders-Walker Group
Gustavo Rivas-Solis, Puerto Vallarta Tourism
Laura Kath, Solvang Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ron Antonette, Discover Claremont
Vickie Ashford, Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau
Writers in Attendance:
MARIE-ANNICK ARAUJO
TERESA BERGEN
TERRI BREWSTER
ALLEN COX
KAY DOUGHERTY
FREDERICA DUNN
JACQUI GIBSON
KRIS GRANT
ANDREW HARRIS
MICHAEL HIGGINS
BRENDA HILL
MARALYN HILL
M’LISS HINSHAW
SHERRY JACKSON
LAURA KATH
LINDA KISSAM
SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM
ROBIN DOHRN-SIMPSON
MARY LANSING
HILARIE LARSON
DEIDRE MICHALSKI
LINDA MILKS
SUSAN MONTGOMERY
TODD MONTGOMERY
SUSIE NORRIS
MAURIE O’CONNOR
ROGER PAIGE
CATHERINE PARKER
RAQUEL PINEIRA
JOLIE PINK
TOM PLANT
RICK REINERS
LISA RICHARDSON
CHRISTINE SALINS
AURELIA SMELTZ
LINDA STEWART
Media Placements:
Living the Dream: Aurelia’s Odysseys
S’mores for the Luxe Mom at San Diego’s Hotel del Coronado
Coronado, California: An Insider’s Guide
Dining in Coronado
Book Review: Flying Pans by Ron Oliver and Bernard Guillas
Dining Perfection, The Marine Room, La Jolla, California
Best Beaches for Families in the US
The Lady By the Sea: San Diego’s Hotel Coronado
Blueprint for planning an exceptional conference
Charming Coronado, California
Premier Cocktails from Preeminent Chefs
Social Media:
IFWTWA Media Trip participants utilize Twitter, Instagram, Insta Stories, Facebook, Facebook Live and Facebook Stories in addition to social media promotion by IFWTWA and its pages.
