Along with destination representatives from communities, regions, provinces, and hosts from the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Kelowna’s Catherine Frechette attended the Canada Media Marketplace event in New York City this week. The goal was to network with, pitch, and promote Kelowna to media who write for US publications in order to generate travel stories throughout this market. A formal marketplace setting allowed Tourism Kelowna to connect directly with writers for US publications using customized pitches in 12 minute appointments as well as sessions during an open marketplace over the course of 9 hours of marketplace time. To further elevate the exposure for Kelowna, Tourism Kelowna was able to provide speakers’ gifts to the 22 panelists, professional development presenters, media judges and keynote speaker of the conference. Each speaker was officially thanked and presented with a personalized and signed copy of The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine And Cheese Maker cookbook by Kelowna author Jennifer Schell as well as a jar of signature Wildflower Honey by Arlo’s Honey Farm in Kelowna. The short presentations provided Tourism Kelowna with a stage to showcase the depth and diversity of food producers, chefs, winemakers, farmers, and specialty food products that Kelowna is being increasingly recognized for in front of varying group sizes of the conference’s 350 delegates.