NOT JUST ANOTHER SATURDAY NIGHT

    I spent last Saturday evening on a hilltop, sipping superior wine, tasting innovative fresh food and sharing a great Sonoma County view with representatives of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA).
The IGLTA is a membership organization, founded in 1983, to connect businesses in the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) tourism industry. The organization now has, according to their website, a 1,500 plus membership of “gay, lesbian and community friendly travel professionals.”

    The group of nine IGLTA members spent about three days getting to know Sonoma County at the invitation of the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau (SCTB) with the assistance of area businesses and visitor programs. Saturday evening’s event was conceived using a “roundup” theme, signaling to the visitors a time to “roundup” reflections on their Sonoma County experience and share them and to area businesses and visitor programs a chance to corral these guests (in the nicest possible way, of course) and find out what they thought of their tour.

  The Saturday evening “Travel Roundup” took place at Paradise Ridge Winery at sunset. It was a perfect place to gather with these visitors, enjoy fantastic food and wine and get to know each other better. Did I mention that the view at Paradise Ridge Winery is stunning? It gave us all (visitor and resident alike) a perfect perspective on the boundless natural appeal of Sonoma County.
  The group spent half a day or better in Petaluma on Thursday, Feb. 18 and made a stop at the Visitor Center at the end of the day, where the staff here welcomed them and passed out some gift bags donated by the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets. It was fun to say hello, but I was glad for the opportunity on Saturday to talk some more. 

  The tour of Petaluma began earlier in the day in Historic Downtown at Pelican Art Gallery. Gallery owner, Linda Postenrieder blogs about the group itinerary at Art Quest at Petaluma 360, so check it out to see all the places visited in Petaluma.
  Aside from all the great people I met, the best part of Saturday evening was the opportunity to find out what these visitors were taking away from this Sonoma County tour to share with clients, friends, neighbors and contacts.
  Petaluma, I am proud to say, made a profound impression. Everyone I spoke with remarked on the friendly welcoming atmosphere and the relaxed pace here.
  One person told me what a great alternative Petaluma provides to the crowded, sometime frenetic atmosphere in the city.

  This is a great place to come for a “getaway weekend,” he said. Petaluma seems like a good place to take your time, to be able to eat and shop without fighting crowds and to simply relax and let down the guard a little. It presents a perfect opportunity to chat with the local people and experience the art or the outdoors or whatever interests you as if there is all the time in the world, he added.
  I could not have said it any better myself, but then I am paraphrasing. This particular visitor happened to be interested in art and antiques. Some of the others on the tour wanted to know about kayaking on the Petaluma River and or the best cycling routes for scenery. It is all here, without the push, the shove, the hurry up and the wait in line. In Petaluma, there is time to ask questions, to savor, to seek, to relax and most of it is free. What’s not to love!
  Much of this appealing ambience relies on the spirit of the community, so thanks Petaluma people. You can help keep the welcome vibe alive by talking to visitors and by directing them to the Petaluma Visitor Center in the Historic Depot building on the corner of Lakeville and E. Washington streets for all kinds of inside information about where to stay, where to shop, stay, dine and play in Petaluma.