Outdoor Writers Asso.

Media Relationships Part 1: Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) 2011 Fall Conference

Media relationships continue to be an important part of what we do at the Visitors Bureau and two major events have just recently taken place. In this blog and the next, I’ll share information about both of them.

Marketing Manager Sandy Gordon attended the 25th Anniversary of the OWAC fall conference in Redding with activities in various locations around the Shasta Cascades. The Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau (TCVB) has been a member of OWAC for over 5 years and Sandy has represented TCVB at many past conferences.

It was a very productive event for us in a number of ways.

Sandy was invited to be a participant at the Board of Director meeting along with two other people (Darla Cook from Forever Resorts which operates several local marinas in our area and Michelle Scheuermann of Sportsman Channel) to share input on the industry from an associate member’s perspective.

As an associate member, we participated in the marketplace for travel writers and offered some very nice local products as prizes. Many thanks to La Bella Rosa Vineyards, Mt Brow Winery, Sonora Port Works and Gianelli Vineyards. A very special thanks to Craig Mullins of Fun Cabin Rentals for donating two nights lodging as a price to raise funds for OWAC charitable project.s

OWAC continues to offer tremendous educational and networking opportunities for us to expand our market with outdoor-oriented visitors via the media. Sandy attended a number of classes and had the opportunity to talk with outdoor writers from media outlets throughout the state.

To celebrate their 25th anniversary OWAC held an awards banquet at the famous Sundial Bridge in Redding along the beautiful Sacramento River. Many of the original OWAC members were in attendance and are still members today.

Naturally outdoor writers and associate members like to get outdoors. Despite inclement weather on the final day, Sandy and many of the others enjoyed fishing, boating, biking and a little touring followed by an evening of fun at the Jones Valley Marina on Shasta Lake.

TCVB would like to convey a big thank you to Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association and the Redding Convention and Visitors Bureau for hosting this event.