From Attendee to Speaker: A Full Circle Moment with IFWTWA
There are certain organizations that feel like a natural fit from the very beginning, and for me, the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association has always been one of them.
Food. Wine. Travel.
Three things I have long been passionate about writing, experiencing, and sharing.
Over the years, I’ve attended several of their conferences, each offering a blend of professional development, meaningful connections, and memorable destinations. One that stands out in particular is Santa Fe, New Mexico—a trip that felt like a full circle moment in its own right. After the conference, I joined a press trip to El Monte Sagrado, one of the first luxury resorts I ever visited in the early days of my travel writing career. Returning there, years later, with more experience and a deeper understanding of this industry, felt quietly significant.
It’s also where time spent with dear friends—like Susan Lanier-Graham—reminded me how important community is in this work.
So when Susan, now part of this year’s conference organizing committee, reached out to ask if I would consider being part of the upcoming conference program, my heart genuinely filled with joy.
The timing of that conversation was not lost on me. I had just returned from the Seatrade Cruise Global Conference and was standing in the Brightline train station, reflecting on the sessions I had attended. I watched colleagues—friends—leading panels and sharing their expertise, and I felt a wave of nostalgia for a time when I was more active on the speaking circuit.
After my brain surgery, I stepped back.
There were many reasons, but the most honest one is this: I didn’t fully trust myself in the same way I once had. The recovery process, paired with intentionally slowing down my travel schedule, shifted my confidence in ways I wasn’t fully prepared for. I needed that time. But stepping away also meant stepping back from opportunities that once felt very natural to me.
Which is why this invitation felt like more than just a professional opportunity. It felt like a return.
The Session: Sharing What Works
This October, I’ll be presenting:
Media Kits That Work: Turning Your Journey Into Opportunity
In today’s competitive landscape of food, wine, and travel media, a media kit is no longer just a résumé—it’s a business tool. One that, when done well, can open doors to meaningful partnerships, press opportunities, and long-term collaborations.
Drawing from years of working with tourism boards, cruise lines, and brands, I’ll be walking through:
- What truly belongs in a media kit (and what doesn’t)
- How to present your experience with clarity and confidence
- Ways to tailor your kit for tourism boards, PR agencies, and brands
- Real-world insights from my own media kit, and how it has worked for me
We’ll also have time for an interactive Q&A, which I’m especially looking forward to. Some of the most valuable conversations happen in those moments.
More than anything, I want this session to be helpful. Practical. Encouraging.
Because I know what it feels like to be navigating this space and wondering how to present your work in a way that feels both professional and authentic.
Looking Ahead
This experience has already reminded me how much I value being part of conversations like these—not just as an attendee, but as a contributor.
It’s also encouraged me to begin saying yes again. To opportunities that challenge me, that stretch me, and that allow me to share what I’ve learned along the way.
If you’re attending this year’s conference, I would truly love to connect.
And if you’re a brand, organization, or conference organizer looking to collaborate or host a session, I’d love to connect. This is a space I’m excited to continue growing in.