Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Press Secretary
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org
The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to participate in the 2014 South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival as a founding partner. The second annual charity event will be held Thursday, April 24th through Sunday, April 27th in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, located along South Walton’s picturesque Northwest Florida beaches.
As top winemakers showcase more than 800 flavors at the event, the FRLA is thrilled to feature Nashville’s top songwriters as a continuation of the Endless Summer Music Series in conjunction with BMI, a leader in music rights management. Throughout the weekend, the songwriters will perform and tell stories about their biggest hits written for the stars of the music business, including Tim McGraw, George Straight, Jason Aldean and many others.
“These top-notch songwriters are a perfect pairing for the world-class wines featured on the scenic Emerald Coast,” said Carol Dover President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are pleased to continue our participation in this event that entertains thousands of visitors, helps fuel the local economy, and contributes back to the community by benefiting children in need.”
The featured songwriters include nationally renowned BMI artists: Dylan Altman, Sherrié Austin, Aaron Barker, Steve Bogard, Jon Mabe, Kendell Marvel, Bridgette Tatum, and Will Rambeaux. The hit songs written by the songwriters include “She’s Country,” a #1 hit performed by Jason Aldean, “Baby Blue” made popular by George Straight, “The Climb” written for Miley Cyrus and Faith Hill’s “Wild One” to name a few.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and their beneficiary charities for Northwest Florida children in need.
Please go to www.sowalwine.com for the festival schedule and a full list of songwriters who will be performing.
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About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA’s mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s hospitality industry – which represents a $76.1 billion industry, 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees, making it the state’s number one industry. It is Florida’s premier non-profit, hospitality industry trade association. FRLA safeguards the needs of the hospitality industry, improves the business climate, promotes the highest levels of quality and safety for our patrons, provides legislative advocacy, and eases navigation of government regulation. The Association represents and serves more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go towww.FRLA.org.
About South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival is an annual charity event held the last weekend of April. The festival features a stunning showcase of the best wines the world has to offer. Celebrity wine producers and chefs will present fine wine and food pairings from the world’s most famous appellations. The Culinary Village presents the Savor South Walton Culinary Pavilion showcasing a sumptuous array of foods to taste, wines to pair, as well as wine and food seminars and cooking demonstrations. The event is a major fundraiser for Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, which benefits children in need in Northwest Florida. For more information, including a list of attending winemakers and to purchase tickets, visitwww.SoWalWine.com.