(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - A conference in October is going to explore the wine and culinary tourism industry.

Specialists from around the world in the wine and culinary tourism industry are coming to Kelowna to discover what's next, what's possible, and the role the industry plays. Wine and Culinary Tourism Futures is bringing speakers from 12 different countries to share their expertise at a four-day conference.

The specialists will take part in panel discussions, daily keynote addresses, sessions for academic and industry partners, and site visits to wine and culinary producers according to the Wine & Culinary Tourism Futures press release.

“Our hope, as a co-presenter of this conference, is to open a dialogue between academic, industry, and government stakeholders,” says Jonathan Rouse, Associate Dean Okanagan School of Business and Director of Food, Wine and Tourism at Okanagan College.  “Having this first ever conference in Kelowna is a natural fit because the Okanagan is truly emerging on the world food and wine stage - and at the college, we have been at the centre of that movement.“

Miles Prodan, President and CEO of the British Columbia Wine Institute says there is a focus for the conference, “As a global event for the wine and culinary tourism industry, the 3 day event is meant to deliver thought provoking professional education and discussion with our key note speakers open up dialogues and bring new perspectives on best practices and potentials as they relate to these topics.”

Speakers at the event will come from Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the US, says Wine & Culinary Tourism Futures. There will also be Canadian representation, with presenters from the East Coast and B.C.

The conference takes place October 17-20 and registration can be done online. There are multiple package options which are as follows:

• the full four days
• one day
• evening socials, and
• a two-day post conference tour of the South Okanagan

The Wine and Culinary Tourism Futures Conference goal is to promote and increase dialogue, foster communication, and increase collaboration between academics and the wine industry on a global scale.

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