Raising My Glass with Gallo Family and the Food and Wine Conference

Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards. 

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was heading back to the Food and Wine Conference in Orlando, Florida. This was my second year attending the conference, this time with huge thanks to Gallo Family Vineyards for sponsoring my trip! I wrote another recap post telling about my favorite sessions, and what I took away from the weekend, but I wanted to write this post in order to highlight some of the fantastic moments we enjoyed with Gallo.

I thought one of the highlights of the weekend was the Blogger Blend put on by Gallo Family on opening night. The Sunday Supper family has been working with Gallo on an ongoing basis since the beginning of this year, and this event was a chance for all of us to finally raise a toast to our times around the family table together - in person!

Become YOUR Brand at The Food and Wine Conference

The theme for this year's Food and Wine Conference was From Blog to Brand. I went in armed with pen, paper, and my phone (for pictures and social media).

"The minute you go one step out of your comfort zone, miracles happen." ~Michele Northrup

location:
This was my second year attending the conference in hot and sticky Orlando, Florida. It was once again held at the jaw-dropping Rosen Shingle Creek Resort. It rises in the distance and beckons visitors from the moment they turn off of Universal Blvd. to the long, winding drive. The scope of it all sort of takes your breath away. From the four lanes of cars, vans, and shuttles dropping off and picking up in front of the hotel, to the bustling lobby hidden just behind a tinted bank of doors, the feeling that "you've arrived" awaits you as you roll your bags inside.

Orlando Here I Come!

In a few short days I'll be in Orlando, ready for a weekend filled with amazing food, wine, friends old and new, time spent in a stellar resort, palm trees, and lots and lots of learnin'! Yes, I'm making a list and check it fifty times twice in anticipation of the second annual Food and Wine Conference!

I may be a bit biased since last year's Food and Wine Conference was my first-ever blogging conference...and the fact that it was started by Isabel Laessig, founder of something near and dear to me, the Sunday Supper Movement. Plus, I get to spend an entire weekend with so many of my Sunday Supper family members - some of whom I met in person last year, all of whom I already feel close to since we spend so much (virtual) time together already.

Margaritas on a hot and humid summer evening may also play into my excitement.

Win a ticket to the Food & Wine Conference! #FWConf13

I have been blogging for four and a quarter years.  And I have NEVER, ever, ever been to a blogging conference.

Like, ever.

It bums me out a little bit.  There have been plenty that I've wanted to go to.  But I know I'm not the only one out here in food-blog-landia who hasn't attended one.  The glitter and the glam have a way of carrying me away.  It amazes me how people...well, food blogging people...can afford to do all of these glamorous things.  I definitely get caught up in "the dream".  I've always been easily star-struck, you see.

But I am hoping that next month, I will be able to count myself among those bloggers who hop on an airplane and jet off to another state to be wooed and wowed by fabulous brands and informative learning sessions.  I am about halfway to being able to afford my first trip into "that world".

I'm talking about the 1st annual Food & Wine Conference in Orlando, Florida!  Have you heard of it yet?  There's going to be some fabulous speakers and sessions.  Here are the top 3 4 sessions on list (the ones I'm looking most forward to...though I want to attend them all):

1. The Zen of Blogging for Business with Jaden and Scott Hair of Steamy Kitchen
2. Writing that gets noticed by “the Media” | It’s more than just your blog! with Janet Keeler (Tampa Bay Times), Jeff Houck (Tampa Tribune), Gayle Guyardo (Tampa News Channel 8), and Pam Settle (Good Living Magazine)
3. The Process of Writing a Cookbook with Bruce Shaw (Harvard Commons Press), Katie Workman (the MOM 100 blog), Doe Coover (The Doe Coover Agency), and Mary Goodbody (Author)
4. The World Through Your Lens with Irvin Lin (Eat the Love), Carla Cardello (Chocolate Moosey), Cheri Alberts (The Watering Mouth), and Renee Dobbs (Magnolia Days)

Plus, I am dying to see The Perfect Cooking Demonstration by the amazing Sara Moulton!

These are just a few of the MANY fabulous things that the Food & Wine Conference has in their line-up.  There are also fabulous sponsors like #SundaySupper, Idaho Potatoes, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Colavita, and Mario to name a few.  Plus the stunning Rosen Shingle Creek, which is where the conference is being held.  Seriously, one look and you'll be hooked!

So, are you going?  Do you want to go?  Do you need a ticket?  Well, I just so happen to be holding a giveaway along 9 other fabulous bloggers - and we are giving away one ticket to the conference ($250 value)!  You have so many chances to win, it's ridiculous.  Simply enter through rafflecopter below.  You have from now until the end of the day on June 26 to enter!

Head on over to the Food & Wine Conference website and check out the schedule and all of the fabulous sessions, speakers, and sponsors on the roster.  What are you most excited for!?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good luck!  (Fingers crossed that I will see you there.)