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Newsroom - The lastest updates
| + Karen Urie to Speak at the
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
 Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, December 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine Experience
of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is proud to announce today that Chef Karen Urie will participate as a
speaker and presenter at its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in Downtown Charlottesville.
Karen Urie graduated from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island and served a postgraduate
apprenticeship in Chicago where she worked for two years at TRU under James Beard Awardwinning
Pastry Chef, Gale Gand. Her next culinary challenge was working at Charlie Trotter’s, where she
was Head Pastry Chef for two of her five years with the restaurant. In January 2008, Urie made her way
to Town House in Chilhowie, Virginia to join John B. Shields as an Executive Chef.
The Town House opened in 2002 in historic Chilhowie, Virginia by owners Tom and Kyra Bishop. Their
vision for a sophisticated, yet charming dining experience, Town House is a combination of appreciation
for historic architecture and design combined with the modern aesthetics and flavors of Chefs John B.
Shields’ and Karen Urie’s cuisine. Locals and outsiders alike travel far and wide to the tiny town of
Chilhowie to discover what bloggers and foodies-in-the-know have been raving about. Truly an enjoyable
dining experience, it is only a matter of time before the roads to Chilhowie become heavily traveled in
search of the spirited environment and innovative cuisine. The Town House, as described by Urie is an
“inviting, memorable, unique, and a diamond in the rough.” As someone who enjoys cooking with heightof-
season ingredients, she also focuses on cooking with local and organic products.
Urie thoroughly enjoys incorporating wild herbs and flowers into her dishes and most often runs out of
lavender in the kitchen. Hoping to offer each guest not only an unforgettable meal but also experience,
Urie believes that “Every dining experience is great in and of itself, from family meal to fine dining. I
love eating, and I love sharing that with others.”
Urie will satisfy that sweet tooth with a variety of scrumptious desserts at the Charlottesville Sugar Shack
Seminar presented by Kluge Estate. Joining Karen will be coffee guru Dave Fafara, owner of
Shenandoah Joe’s will match coffee with desserts and expose you to the world of blends. Champagne and
dessert wines are always fit for serving with top-notch confections, the allure of style, elegance and
beauty will be captured by a Cru Royale presented by Kluge Estate. The seminar is one of the events of
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville and will be held on Saturday, January 24 from
10:00 am to11:30 am at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel.
“Karen Urie’s pastry expertise and scrumptious deserts will treat the guests to a stunning gastronomic
experience and make this an unforgettable event at the first International Food and Wine Experience of
Charlottesville. We are thrilled to add her to our lineup for the Charlottesville Experience.” said Tim
O’Brien, President of IFWEOC.
Individual tickets prices range from $35.00 to $229.00, depending on the seminar or event chosen. The
Grand Tickets continue on sale and include the choice of 3 seminars, a champagne breakfast, the Grand
Tasting, the Blind Tasting, the Gala Dinner, and the Sunday Brunch. While supply lasts, the cost of the
Grand Ticket will be $735.00 that includes a 2-night room stay at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel or
$559.00 without a room. Tickets can be purchased at www.ifweoc.com. |
| + Todd Jurich Named Celebrity Chef for
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
 Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, December 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine Experience
of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is proud to announce today that Chef Todd Jurich will be the celebrity chef
that will design the menu and prepare the Gala Dinner at its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in
Downtown Charlottesville.
Jurich has more than twenty seven years of cooking in the Tidewater, Virginia area that has culminated in
the award-winning Todd Jurich's Bistro in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. Mostly a self-made chef, Todd
Jurich has been cooking professionally since 1976. He attended The Lausanne School of Cooking in
Lausanne, Switzerland and The Thai Cooking School at The Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.
Todd was cooking in his own venue, “The Iron Gate House” in Virginia Beach by 1983, when he won his
first of now twenty local Portfolio “Golden Fork” Awards. Todd's previous award-winning restaurants
also include “Crawdaddy's,” “The Coyote Café” and “Menus”, all in Virginia Beach.
In 1991, Joan Lang said in Restaurant Business, “It's one thing to take daring culinary risks in a
cosmopolitan town like Washington or New York, but it's quite another to follow your muse in a place
like Virginia Beach.”
Since opening Todd Jurich's Bistro in 1992, the restaurant has been a cornerstone in the revival of
downtown Norfolk, Virginia. It features a seasonal menu with the very best of the Chesapeake Bay
region including heirloom vegetable gardens and products from small producers from all over the state of
Virginia, as well as the expanding global market.
In 1998, Todd hosted a dinner at The James Beard Foundation in New York City where local New
Yorkers found that Norfolk was no culinary backwater. He returned in 2006 for an encore.
The restaurant has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Restaurant Business,
Nation's Restaurant News, Southern Living, Food and Wine, and Travel and Leisure Magazines. After a
visit in 1999, R.W. Apple Jr. said in The New York Times, “Norfolk's standout, Mr. Jurich is a wizard
with Eastern Shore shellfish.” Also in 1999 Todd Jurich's Bistro was featured on the show, “Dining
Around” on the Television Food Network.
The restaurant has received “The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence” since 1998. Santé Magazine in
2002 and 2003 awarded “The Best Wine Dinner Menu Southeast” citing, “Todd Jurich's Bistro, whose
extensive wine dinners prove their commitment to special events menus, boasts a unique concept that
flows with the menu and purchasing in the region.” The Bistro also holds the Triple AAA Four Diamond
Award for 2002 through 2006.
Todd Jurich is a member of The James Beard Foundation, The International Association of Culinary
Professionals, and The Council of Independent Restaurants Association.
Todd was recently featured on HamptonRoads.tv's "What's Your Story? Meet Bistro's own Todd Jurich"
“Todd Jurich’s menu along with Barbara Werley’s wine selections will treat the guests to a stunning
epicurean experience and make this an unforgettable evening at the first International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville. And, to top off the evening, we will have live entertainment by the
Unexpected Boys, WOW! We are thrilled to add Todd Jurich to our lineup for the Charlottesville
Experience.” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC.
The International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville will be one of the most distinctive
experiences for the serious epicurean and wine connoisseur. The Experience will draw wine enthusiasts
from around the world for this two-and-a-half day event. This year’s Experience will feature around 100
world-class wineries, numerous fine dining restaurants, gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, champagne
breakfasts, 14 wine tasting seminars, a live auction, and a silent auction.
Individual tickets prices range from $35.00 to $229.00, depending on the seminar or event chosen. The
Grand Tickets continue on sale and include the choice of 3 seminars, a champagne breakfast, the Grand
Tasting, the Blind Tasting, the Gala Dinner, and the Sunday Brunch. While supply lasts, the cost of the
Grand Ticket will be $735.00 that includes a 2-night room stay at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel or
$559.00 without a room. Tickets can be purchased at www.ifweoc.com. |
| + Barbara Werley to Speak at the
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
 Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, October 29, 2008: The International Food and Wine Experience
of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is proud to announce today that Master Sommelier Barbara Werley will
participate as a speaker, presenter, and advisor at its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in
Downtown Charlottesville.
Barbara Werley, MS, is the wine director for the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in Dallas, Texas. Werley is
one of 16 female master sommeliers in North America. Only 156 master sommelier diplomas have been
given, worldwide, since the inception of the Court of the Master Sommelier.
The Master Sommelier diploma distinguishes a service professional worthy of the title, and is known
throughout the hospitality business worldwide. It guarantees that the sommelier is among the most
qualified in the industry, with outstanding tasting and evaluation skills, wine knowledge and outstanding
abilities in service and beverage department management.
As wine director for Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Werley is responsible for more than 33,000 bottles of wine
in the restaurant’s extraordinary collection, including one $70,000 3.0L bottle of Romanée-Conti Grand
Cru, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Further, she is responsible for providing continuous wine education
and programs for both the wait staff and patrons.
Prior to joining Pappas Bros., Werley was the beverage director at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur
Springs, West Virginia, a luxury AAA Five Diamond resort with a rich 227- year history. She is a
graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and began her began her career in the kitchens of such
notable places as the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago and the Jockey Club at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington,
D.C., where she shifted her focus to her true love, wine. Werley has also served as the wine director at
Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and also has held positions at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona and
at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. Werley was an adjunct professor at Harrah’s School of Hotel
Management at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas.
“Barbara is one of the best wine professionals in the world who uses her expertise to pass along to guests
the nuances of quality that make for a stunning dining experience. We are thrilled to add her to our lineup
for the Charlottesville Experience,” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC.
The International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville will be one of the most
distinctive experiences for the serious epicurean and wine connoisseur. The Experience will
draw wine enthusiasts from around the world for this two-and-a-half day event. This year’s
Experience will feature around 100 world-class wineries, numerous fine dining restaurants,
gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, champagne breakfasts, 14 wine tasting seminars, a live auction,
and a silent auction.
Individual tickets prices range from $35.00 to $229.00, depending on the seminar or event
chosen. The Grand Tickets continue on sale and include the choice of 3 seminars, a champagne
breakfast, the Grand Tasting, the Blind Tasting, the Gala Dinner, and the Sunday Brunch. While
supply lasts, the cost of the Grand Ticket will be $735.00 that includes a 2-night room stay at the
Omni Charlottesville Hotel or $559.00 without a room. Tickets can be purchased at
www.ifweoc.com. |
| + Individual Event Tickets to the
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville
On Sale Now |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Thursday, October 24, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is pleased to announce tickets for the individual events
for the highly anticipated inaugural event are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at
www.ifweoc.com.The Experience will be held in Downtown Charlottesville January 23-25,
2009.
The International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville will be one of the most
distinctive experiences for the serious epicurean and wine connoisseur. The Experience will
draw wine enthusiasts from around the world for this two-and-a-half day event. This year’s
Experience will feature around 100 world-class wineries, numerous fine dining restaurants,
gourmet foods, celebrity chefs, champagne breakfasts, 14 wine tasting seminars, a live auction,
and a silent auction.
Individual tickets prices range from $35.00 to $229.00, depending on the seminar or event
chosen. The Grand Tickets continue on sale and include the choice of 3 seminars, a champagne
breakfast, the Grand Tasting, the Blind Tasting, the Gala Dinner, and the Sunday Brunch. While
supply lasts, the cost of the Grand Ticket will be $735.00 that includes a 2-night room stay at the
Omni Charlottesville Hotel or $559.00 without a room.
Featured seminars and events of the 2009 schedule include:
• Southern Hospitality—Fried Chicken, Grits, and Wines Sponsored by Stellar One
• A South African Wine Safari
• The Artist in Wine
• Fins, Zins, and Ray C Wines
• Tiny Bubbles—A Discussion of Growers Champagne
• D’Vine Divas
• It’s a Chessy Sponsored by Barboursville Vineyards
• Charlottesville Sugar Shack featuring Grand Cru by Kluge Estate
• The Perfect Pair: French Wines and French Food—ooh la la! Sponsored by Sweely Estate
• An American in Paris—One ChardonnayWhich Changed the World
• Red, White, and Barbeque
• Pinots and the movie Sideways Sponsored by Kabbash Business Brokerage
• Taste Wine Like a Sommelier
“The Experience will be a world-class gathering for the serious, and not so serious, wine
connoisseur and food enthusiast right here in Charlottesville.” said Tim O’Brien, President of
IFWEOC. |
| + Paschina Added to Line-up for the
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
 Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, October 1, 2008: The International Food and Wine Experience of
Charlottesville (IFWEOC) announced today that Luca Paschina will participate as presenters at its
inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in Downtown Charlottesville.
Luca Paschina, a third generation winemaker, is the General Manager and winemaker for Barboursville
Vineyards of Barboursville, Virginia. He has more than 30 years winemaking experience and has been at
Barboursville since May 1990 where he is responsible for all operations of the organization, including the
fine dining restaurant, Palladio.
Paschina has served as Vice President for Virginia Wineries Association and was appointed by Governors
Allen, Warner, and Kaine to serve as a Board member of the Virginia Wine Board. Other honors include:
2001 Orange County Business Person of the Year and 2002 Wine Person of the Year Award from the
Virginia Wineries Association. He was born in Torino, Italy and graduated from Istituto Umberto Primo,
Alba Italy with a degree in Oenology in 1983. Paschina is married to Patricia Yetman and they have 3
children.
Barboursville Vineyards has led in establishing the credibility of the Virginia appellation with an
array of vitis vinifera wine varietals, cultivating wines of a European heritage. Barboursville
2006 harvest production was 600 tons and 40,000 cases of wine. The vineyards efforts have
been recognized through the years by CNN, USA Today, Discovery Channel, The Washington
Post, The New York Times, The Financial Times, Travel And Leisure, Bon Appétit, Southern
Living, Decanter, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, National Geographic Traveler, La Stampa,
Civilta’ Del Bere, Corriere Della Sera, Il Giornale Di Vicenza, Ville E Casali, Il Gambero
Rosso, and many others.
“Luca Paschina is one of the most knowledgeable winemakers in the world and we are thrilled to add him
to our lineup for the Charlottesville Experience,” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + Gala Dinner Entertainment Announced for
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, September 24, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is pleased to announce that entertainment for the Gala
Dinner will be the Unexpected Boys. The Gala Dinner is to be held the evening of January 24th,
2009 at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel and is sponsored by the Charlottesville Daily Progress.
The Unexpected Boys, presented by Bella Notte Entertainment, a quartet taken only from the
world of Broadway, performs a musical tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.
Unexpected Boys was recently featured as the hottest new idea for corporate entertainment at The
Special Event Show (ISES) in Atlanta, and was named the Best Social Event of the Year at the
ISES Gala awards. They have opened for Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and Chubby Checker
and are featured in the finale of Housewives of New York on Bravo TV. The Unexpected Boys are all Broadway veterans and have performed have performed all over the world headlining on
cruise ships, country clubs and in shows such as Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserable, Tommy,
Cats, Jekyll and Hyde, Xanadu, and Hairspray. Don’t miss these four handsome Jersey wise
guys harmonizing your favorite tunes such as Sherry, Walk Like a Man, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and
more. Their first CD was released in July 2008.
Brian Noonan, Creative Director of Bella Notte Entertainment, said, "There is nothing quite like
the music of The Four Seasons...it's timeless and we're amazed at the visceral response we get
every time we gig."
“The Unexpected Boys are a fantastic group that play fun music and are real showmen. We very
happy to add them to our already impressive line-up of speakers, experts, sommeliers, and chefs
which will make the Experience a wonderful event.” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + Speakers Added to Line-up for the
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Thursday, September 18, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) announced today that Claude Thibaut and C. Matthew
Cain will participate as presenters at its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in Downtown
Charlottesville.
 Claude Thibaut’s, Master of the “methode champenoise,” career spans 25 years of expertise in
all aspects of winemaking. He spent many years in the major wine markets of his native France,
Australia, California, and now Virginia. Thibaut has received numerous local, regional, national,
and international awards bolstering his reputation for commitment to excellence,
professionalism, and making outstanding wines. In 2005, he started his own label in partnership
with Manuel Janisson of the Champagne Janisson & Fils. The first vintage of the new label was
released in November 2007 under the brand, Thibaut-Janisson “Blanc de Chardonnay.” He is a
graduate of the University of Reims and since has demonstrated a superlative ability to produce
premium sparkling wines internationally.
C. Matthew Cain is a wine marketing professional with more than 20 years of industry
experience. He is the owner of J. Soif, Inc., a global wine import company that specializes in
organic wines produced by those that operate under a sustainable business model. Cain is a
graduate of Eastern University and has the Advanced Certificate bestowed by the Wine and
Spirit Education Trust.
“By adding experts the likes of Claude Thibaut and Matthew Cain, who bring decades of
experience in the wine industry, to our speaker line-up, the Experience will be greatly enhanced
for all of the participants and attendees while raising the visibility of the Charlottesville
Experience,” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + Major Sponsor Announced for
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is pleased to announce the sponsor of the Gala Dinner
Sponsor is the Charlottesville Daily Progress for its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 to be
held in Downtown Charlottesville.
The Charlottesville Daily Progress has a circulation of 75,000 daily readers and is the leading
newspaper in Central Virginia. The Charlottesville Daily Progress is owned by Media General,
an independent, publicly owned communications company with newspapers, television stations,
and interactive media located in the Southeastern United States. Media General owns more daily
newspapers in the Southeast than any other company, including three metropolitan newspapers,
The Tampa Tribune, the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and the Winston-Salem Journal; 22 daily
community newspapers in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina; and
approximately 275 weekly newspapers and other publications.
Carolyn Cullen, Advertising Manager for The Daily Progress said, “We are proud to be a partner
with the International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville, and look forward to local
business support that the event will bring to the area.”
“We are really excited to have The Daily Progress as sponsor for the Gala Dinner. Their well
established and acknowledged leadership as a provider of up-to-date news in Central Virginia
gives the International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville another well respected
sponsor.” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + Business and Media Sponsors Announced for
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, September 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine Experience
of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) is pleased to announce its first business and media sponsors for its inaugural
event on January 23-25, 2009 to be held in Downtown Charlottesville.
In addition to announcing its kick-off with such great community partners as the Charlottesville
Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, the
International Food and Wine Experience is pleased to introduce its inaugural business and media
partners/sponsors:
- The hotel sponsor is the Omni Charlottesville Hotel at 235 West Main Street on
Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall. The Omni will be the sight of the Grand
Tasting, numerous food and wine seminars, and the Gala Award Dinner honoring to
an outstanding Virginia wine professional and an international wine professional and
will serve as the headquarters hotel. Director of Sales and Marketing Jennifer Mayo
said, “The Omni Charlottesville Hotel is delighted to be a partner of the International
Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville. This event will showcase not only the
burgeoning Virginia wine industry, but highlight the many attractions of
Charlottesville and the Downtown Mall. We look forward to hosting this historic
event!”
- The radio media sponsor is the Monticello Media Group which has 6 stations: HOT
101.9, WCYK Country 99.7, TOM 107.5, GENERATIONS 102.3 & 94.3, WKAV
Sports Radio 1400AM, and WCHV News Talk 1260 AM. Monticello Media will
bring wide exposure for the Experience. Jodi Reed Homaune, General Sales
Manager for the group said, “We are thrilled to be a sponsor for this event that will
bring in many people to our area.”
- The television media sponsor is Charlottesville Newsplex WCAV CBS19, WVAW
ABC16, WAHU FOX27, and My C’Ville TV. The Charlottesville Newsplex family
of stations will bring wide television exposure for the Experience. Ali Rothschild,
Non-Profit Marketing Partner for the station group said, “We are excited to be a part
of the first, of what promises to be many more, International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville.”
“Our sponsors place us into a position of success and strength in the production the International Food
and Wine Experience of Charlottesville.” said Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + Downtown Business Leader Named Consultant to
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, September 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) has named Downtown business leader, George
Benford, as a consultant to the organization, which will hold its inaugural event on January 23-
25, 2009 in Downtown Charlottesville.
George Benford is CEO of Siips Wine & Champagne Bar on Charlottesville’s Downtown Mall.
Prior to opening Siips in December 2007, Benford had been a business owner in the travel
industry since 1978. He has owned a travel agency, a travel consulting business, and a travel
agency brokerage business. He was also President and CEO of a travel incentive and meetings
company, Vice President of an incentive company, and President of an inbound tourism
business. Benford has vast experience in staging large meetings and conferences exceeding 1,500
attendees. George Benford’s ability to travel the world extensively and his love of wines have
allowed him to meet many vintners, wine makers, and world-renowned chefs. This combination
led to his opening of Siips Wine & Champagne Bar.
Benford has been extremely active in the communities in which he has lived. He has served on
national, state, and local government appointed commissions. He has been chairman of
numerous fund-raising efforts, including the Heart Fund, Cancer Society, Animal Adoption
Centers, Children’s Hospital, PTAs, among others. He has served as a leader in local civic
organizations such as the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), Ruritans, and numerous
business associations. In Charlottesville, Benford is a dedicated and active member of the
Downtown Business Association, serving on the board and numerous sub-committees.
“George Benford’s knowledge and relationships of the international wine industry will be
invaluable to the success of the International Food and Wine Experience,” said Tim O’Brien,
President of IFWEOC. |
| + New President Named for International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, September 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) has named Timothy P. O’Brien, MPAff., as its first
President of the organization, which will hold its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009.
Timothy (“Tim”) P. O’Brien moved to Charlottesville in March of this year from Austin, Texas,
where he was an Adjunct Professor in Political Science during the past year at St. Edward’s
University. For 23 years prior to that, O’Brien worked in corporate administration, management,
and sales management with the Fortune 5 telecommunications giant AT&T in Austin, Corpus
Christi, Dallas, and San Antonio, Texas, where he managed organizations of more than 300
employees and budgets in excess of $180 million.
Of his new adventure, O’Brien said, “The International Food and Wine Experience is a great
new opportunity to integrate the Virginia wine industry into the global wine world and to bring
an infusion of sales tax dollars and revenue to our city of Charlottesville at a time of year when
it’s most needed for businesses. I’m excited by this opportunity and about getting to work with
all the diverse groups and wonderful people of Charlottesville and central Virginia.”
O’Brien has a lifelong history of community involvement and service on numerous Boards,
commissions, and committees. He has been recognized for his performance and achievements
with numerous awards. Included in this service was more than 20 years of highly active
involvement with the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) on the local, state, national, and
international levels. In June of this year, O’Brien completed four years as Chairman of
President’s Advisory Council for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and the Shepperd
Public Leadership Institute, advising the President on University policy. He holds a Master’s
degree in Public Affairs (MPAff.) from the one of the most prestigious and oldest public policy
schools in the nation, The Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of
Texas at Austin. He holds a BA in Political Science from St. Edward’s University in Austin,
Texas. He is married to Anne Gilliam, a native Virginian and alumna of the University of
Virginia, and they reside in the city of Charlottesville. |
| + Travel Industry Veteran Named Consultant to
International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Wednesday, September 3, 2008: The International Food and Wine
Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC) has named travel industry veteran Patty Benford as a
consultant to the organization, which will hold its inaugural event on January 23-25, 2009 in
Downtown Charlottesville.
Patty Benford is a Certified Travel Counselor, a designation given to the most seasoned of travel
professionals by The Travel Institute. Throughout her 26-year career, she has enjoyed great
success in multiple roles in the travel industry. She began her career while serving the United
States Army in El Paso, Texas when assigned to the Transportation Division. Her job required
coordination of travel for military personnel to their next assignment. After her four years in
military service, she worked with travel companies planning trips for groups and business and
vacation clients. Throughout her travel career, Benford has handled many high-end travelers
such as Vic Damone, George Steinbrenner, and other well-known celebrities.
For the last nine years, Patty Benford has been involved in travel incentive programs, event
planning, project management, and high-end leisure travel. In addition, she has over 20 years of
experience in airline ticketing for group, vacation, and business travelers. Her duties included
airline reservations, coordination with the transportation companies, working with hotels on
events, preparing rooming lists, handling the registrations of the attendees, menu selections, and
preparation of travel documents, signage and the direct contact of the travelers. She feels
fortunate to have traveled numerous times to many parts of the world, while also experiencing
multiple cruises and adventure and luxury travel.
“Patty Benford’s experience in the meeting and travel planning business will be a tremendous
help in the production of the International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville in
arranging the necessary international and domestic travel, reservations, and ticket sales,” said
Tim O’Brien, President of IFWEOC. |
| + International Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville Announced |
Charlottesville, Virginia—Thursday, August 28, 2008. Today, the Charlottesville Regional
Chamber of Commerce and the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau
announce a Press Conference as follows:
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Omni Charlottesville Hotel
The purpose of the Press Conference is to announce an exciting new event, The International
Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville (IFWEOC), to be held on the Historic Downtown
Charlottesville Mall January 23 through January 26, 2009. The event will consist of a number of
seminars where fine foods will be paired with fine wines, champagne breakfasts, a Grand
Tasting, and a final evening Grand Banquet.
IFWEOC is a non-profit organization which dedicated to producing the first, of what is planned
to be an, annual International Food and Wine Experience for Charlottesville where for the first
time the Virginia wineries will be integrated into the global wine environment. Charlottesville
and the nearly 30 local vineyards has now become the “Wine Capital of the East,” making this
event a natural fit for the area. According to the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and
Visitors Bureau, the City of Charlottesville will benefit from this program by the infusion of
$500,000.00 to $1,000,000.00 into the local economy and will unite the many community
partnerships.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will fund scholarships to Virginia residents going to
Virginia colleges and universities. |
|
IFWEOC is a nonprofit organization that will produce the first annual International
Food and Wine Experience of Charlottesville. The event will include seminars during
which fine foods will be paired with fine wines, champagne breakfasts, a Grand Tasting,
and a final evening Grand Banquet. This will be the first time Virginia wineries will be
integrated into the global wine environment. Greater Charlottesville -- and its nearly 30
local vineyards -- has become the “Wine Capital of the East,” making this event a
natural fit for the region. According to the Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and
Visitors Bureau, the city of Charlottesville will benefit from this program by the infusion
of $500,000 to $1,000,000 into the local economy and will unite many community
partnerships. A portion of the proceeds from the event will fund scholarships to Virginia
residents going to Virginia colleges and universities. |
Media Contact
Tim O’Brien
434-296-0001 (o)
434-964-7733 (m)
tpobrien@ifweoc.com
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