INTERNATIONAL FOOD, WINE AND TRAVEL WRITERS ASSOCIATION INCREASES PRESENCE IN AUSTRALASIA

Most of you who read our blog on a regular basis know that Brenda, Norm and I, The Hill Team,  are all members of the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association. As President, I’m delighted to say our entire Board is on board in promoting our higher presence in Australasia. This is a copy of the press release that Board Member and Chair of Publicity, Leigh Cort of Leigh Cort Publicity in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, just released.

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INTERNATIONAL FOOD, WINE AND TRAVEL WRITERS ASSOCIATION INCREASES PRESENCE IN AUSTRALASIA

Diamond Bar, CA (August 2010)        Membership of the IFWTWAhas experienced a sudden growth surge in Australia. New members are now located across the width of the continent and have joined the association, looking for the strength and support the international profile provides. (International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association)

Recent discussion at board level in California has ratified the establishment of the newly-formed group and agreed on a special division to be known as IFWTWA – Australasia.

Kevin Moloney, the chair of the new Australasian group, believes membership will swell to significant levels over the coming months and years. “The Association provides so much more than what has been professionally available to writers in Australia. Travel writers will now have the opportunity to interact with food and wine writers in the same association, giving us all greater scope and professional leverage” he said. “I’m sure when assessing the value of membership, new members will be impressed with the level of support and development they receive from the IFWTWA. We’re expecting to do great things in our region while being a part of an international association” he added.

Plans for the development of the Australasian group include the establishment of particular interest groups which focus on specialist writer market segments such as Business Events. The new group will provide a forum for business events/travel writers to exchange issues. As a special interest group it will be the model for establishing additional sub groups in the Australasian space.

Australian and New Zealand writers who are interested in joining the Association are welcome to contact either Kevin Moloney orGraeme Kemlo who are available to talk about the benefits of membership and the plans to develop a presence in the region.

Further details – Kevin Moloney or Graeme Kemlo

kevinmoloney@iinet.net.au

gkemlo@gmail.com

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For your information, Leigh Cort is a publicist who launched her company ten years ago. She specializes in historic hotels, inns, restaurants and international chefs. You can learn more about her at www.leighcortpublicity.com. Her contact information is leighcort@bellsouth.net Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 904-806-3613.

Thanks Leigh, for the great release. I’m personally so excited to have a group of enthusiastic writers in an area for a stronger international representation. Even though we have members worldwide, this region has the largest group so far. We do hope to establish other groups in other areas of the world.

The Hill Team is partial to IFWTWA as a writers organization. We feel the combination of food, wine and travel, bring the experience of the destination. Wether we write in tandem or separately, we all are passionate about cultures worldwide and cover domestic as well as international with an eagerness to share the essence of the destination.

Author: Maralyn

Maralyn Dennis Hill, The Epicurean Explorer, is president emeritus of International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, member of Society of American Travel Writers, and Society of Professional Journalists. She is Executive Editor of Luxe Beat Magazine and contributes to other publications. She also speaks and is a guest on many shows. The majority of Maralyn’s articles are now geared to the luxury market, spas, corporate retreats, business events, and culinary tourism, from simple to gourmet. Maralyn’s description of herself: I was born to travel and tell the tale. I’m energized by different cultures in every aspect of their lives, from food, wine, and destination, to how they conduct business. Travel represents a continual geography lesson.