Travel & Words will be held May 1-2, 2011, at Willows Lodge, a sustainable boutique hotel located near Seattle in Woodinville, Washington. The event theme is Sustainable + Green + Responsible Travel and Tourism, offering an opportunity for freelance writers, bloggers and journalists to explore these key trends in travel in the Northwest and throughout the world.

“Travel & Words provides a way for new and experienced travel writers to meet, network, and share resources and story ideas with regional travel and tourism organizations, industry professionals, editors and publishers, and other writers,” said Myrna Oakley. “The feedback we get each year from attendees is that our conference provides value in both connections and publishing results.”

Ten visitor bureaus and destination marketing organizations from throughout the Pacific Northwest are confirmed as exhibitors. Panels of freelance writers, travel bloggers, publishers, and magazine and book editors will offer guidance on pitching articles and building a freelance writing business.

The conference also will follow green meeting practices by reducing paper use and encouraging attendees to arrive by train, shuttle or car-share.

Registration includes conference materials, writers' resource table, authors' book table, Northwest wineries wine tasting, access to presenters and exhibitors, and refreshments and meals. Willows Lodge is offering a special room rate to attendees. For more information, visit: http://www.travelwritersconference.com/

About Pacific NW Travel Writers Conference: Travel & Words conferences are presented by Pacific NW Travel Writers Conference, an all-volunteer organization of regional freelance writers, travel bloggers and tourism professionals dedicated to providing a forum for freelance writers, staff writers and journalists who want to explore and expand their markets in new ways in a changing world.