IRVINGTON, NY. – Nov. 5, 2004 – November 18-21 marks the 11th annual Travel Writers Conference by Travel Classics and its first conducted outside of New York’s Hudson Valley, to be held at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The conference, among the nation’s most prestigious educational and networking venues for working writers, has consistently attracted top-quality editors as speakers and panelists to assist 35 pre-screened professional writers hone the craft of effective travel writing.

“For a decade, the ‘output’ of the conference – hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles – showcased the many experiences available in New York’s Hudson Valley. Now we are thrilled to expose the attendees to all that Arizona and Scottsdale have to offer,” said Maren Rudolph, Travel Classics founder and conference organizer.

This year’s keynote speaker is Melissa Biggs Bradley, who will share insights from her celebrated editorial career in her remarks, “Why Questing is the Next Nesting Phenomenon.” She is editor of Town & Country Travel, a quarterly publication magazine launched by Hearst Magazines in the fall of 2003 that has garnered numerous awards for the quality of its writing and photography in just one year. She is also features and travel editor of Town & Country, a position she has held for nearly 10 years.

“Americans are placing more value on their travel time today and are increasingly investing in how journeys contribute to personal growth,” said Bradley. “Travel experiences offer great opportunities for connection with family members as well as with people from other cultures. These kinds of experiences can transform us and affect positive social change.

As a journalist, I believe that the most effective travel writing features the first-person voices of real people sharing how they feel in a place. These articles, such as one by a former war correspondent returning to Vietnam as a tourist after 30 years, are powerful and touching and inspiring. But, of course, the bottom line is that a good travel story should motivate its readers to make a similar journey.”

Past conference keynote speakers have included Arthur Frommer, founder of the Frommer’s Travel Guide series and Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, and Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler. This year, joining Bradley at the conference are leading editors from American Style, Arizona Highways, Arrive, Art & Antiques, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, Food Arts, JoeSentMe.com, McMurray, More, National Geographic Traveler, SPA, Sunset, and Westways. Topics range from “Food in Travel” and “Art in Travel” to “Writing for Regionals” and “What Every Editor Wants You to Hear.”

Sponsors who are helping to underwrite the conference represent diverse aspects of Arizona’s tourism interests as well as other travel industry organizations that wish to network with travel media professionals. These include Grand Sponsors: Arizona Office of Tourism and Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau; Gold Sponsors: America West Airlines, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Arizona Rocks, Camelback Inn - A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, Cross Country International Equestrian & Walking Vacations, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, The Garrison - A River View Resort (NY), Hudson Valley Tourism (NY), Hyatt Regency Scottsdale, Mount Juliet Conrad (Ireland), Park Hotel Kenmare (Ireland), The Phoenician, Real Resorts, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon, Sheraton Wildhorse Pass Resort & Spa, Tourism Ireland, Troutbeck Inn and Conference Center (NY), The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Westcor (Scottsdale Fashion Square) and Wigwam Resort and Golf Club; Silver Sponsors: Stave Puzzles and the Thayer Hotel (NY); and Bronze Sponsors: Amara Creekside Resort, Glendale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau, Prescott Area Coalition for Tourism and Tempe Convention & Visitors Bureau.

“The articles that we receive as a direct result of the writers’ conference are worth so much more than advertising. We have been able to reach clients who would never have heard of us,” said Karen Lancaster, owner, Cross Country International Equestrian & Walking Vacations.

In 2005, Travel Classics will conduct its first international writers’ conference, at the Park Hotel Kenmare in County Kerry, Ireland, April 21-24, featuring keynote speaker Mark Orwoll, executive editor/International, American Express Publishing and senior consulting editor, Travel + Leisure. Registration is now open for this conference, which will be limited to 35 writers on a space available basis. The 12th annual U.S. conference, Travel Classics West Writers Conference, will take place November 17-20 at The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona; registration for this conference will begin April 1, 2005, with space again limited to 35 writers.

Travel Classics celebrates the best writing about the best places on earth by inspiring new works and by collecting and preserving classic stories through a series of prestigious writers conferences, a quarterly magazine and an archived library of timeless feature articles.

Travel Classics Travel Writers Conferences offer unmatched marketing, networking and mentoring opportunities to a small group of working writers at venues in the U.S. and Europe. Travel Classics: The Magazine delivers top-rate travel-related editorial and entertainment to armchair travelers on a quarterly basis by noted authors as well as up-and-coming writers, including the winners of the annual Travel Classics Writers Contest. Travel Classics: The Library archives more than 100 great travel articles, organized by author and region.

To become a member, register for conferences, subscribe to the magazine, search for archived articles or learn more about Travel Classics membership premiums or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.travelclassics.com or e-mail Maren Rudolph, maren@travelclassics.com.

Media Contact:
Joel Ann Rea
SDA International
845-265-5211 ext. 1