Association of Food Journalists (AFJ) Conference

I know we have a fair number of journalists and food writers in this group, so I thought I'd post here about the AFJ conference. The three conferences I've attended so far have always exceeded expectations, so I expect this one to be as amazing as one might guess based on the agenda. Always a hefty dose of fun to go with the education and inspiration -- and awesome food, as well.

Also, since Jan Longone is being honored this year for lifetime achievement, I figured there were enough folks in this group who knew her that that might be an additional draw.

Here is a link to the agenda, and from there, you can link to the hotel(s) for the special rates. https://www.afjonline.com/2018-conference-agenda/

Here are the rates for members and non-members -- and of course if you're a professional food journalist you're welcome to become a member.

May 3 - June 1 - $375 for members; $425 for non-members
June 2 - July 13 - $400 for members; $450 for non-members
July 14 - Sept. 1 - $475 for members; $525 for non-members

Hi,

Former LTH moderator Dominic Armato (Dmnkly) now lives in Phoenix and is very involved in planning the food events related to this conference.

Regards,
Cathy2

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

Former LTH moderator Dominic Armato (Dmnkly) now lives in Phoenix and is very involved in planning the food events related to this conference.

Regards,
Cathy2

Good to know. If I run into him, I can bring LTH greetings.

The conference was really amazing -- outstanding food, amazing speakers, remarkable experiences. Opening reception was a buffet of foods (both wild and domestic) obtained from within one hundred miles of the place we were dining -- which was in the remarkable Musical Instruments Museum.

Lectures were on everything from freelancing to ethics to technology. At the awards ceremony, Jan Longone received a lifetime achievement award.

Dominic (the former Dmnkly of this site) was everywhere -- including doing a great program on how to improve your photography when you have to do your own. He had a good team to work with, but his energy was clearly a major force behind the outstanding event.

As something of an aside, just before we headed to Phoenix, we were sent a link to a series of videos Dom created -- Dom's Cooler Cuisine -- in which he shows up at a restaurant with a cooler and the chef gets to pick one ingredient and create a dish. Lots of fun. Of course, seeing this before I went made me smile when Dom walking into the conference wearing the "Yay, Food" t-shirt in evidence in a few of the videos.

But if you have any reason to go to Phoenix, you probably want to get in touch with Dominic -- because he'll know where and what you need to eat.

And here's the link to the videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYZKv90 ... 6xCw7TQvir