May 5, 2014 – Through the good efforts of Ronna Brand, of Brand Realty, Beverly Hills, California, Betty Graham, immediate past president of Coldwell Banker Previews International, will head an all-star team of speakers and panelists that are to be featured at the 2014 AREA Retreat to be held on the 13-15th of October in Napa, California.

The event, which is the 7th annual AREA Retreat, is being held at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Napa and will also feature Gordon McDermott, President of Auracom International; known, world-wide, as America’s preeminent language, linguistic and cultural training consultation firm.

Also attending the event, as a special guest, will be Monsieur Pierre S. Cargot, a noted French wine expert, a graduate of the Sorbet and a truffle cultivator. He will debate John Bergman on the relative merits of French vs. California wines. This event could be carried on the Food Network if they wish to pick it up. Negotiations are currently not underway.

Heading up panels will be Ken Libby of Stowe, Vermont; George Harvey, Jr. of Telluride, Colorado; Chris McElroy of Fort Collins, Colorado; Cynthia Carley of Lake Arrowhead, California and Gail Hartnett of Boise, Idaho. Topics will be specially created for audience participation as well as to be unique in nature.

Panelists will include Jay West of Los Cabos, Mexico; Cathy Travis of Victoria, British Columbia; Heidi Rickard-Rizzo of Marine County, California; John Bergman of the Wine Country; Ruth Kruger of Aspen, Colorado; Ron Phipps of Warwick, Rhode Island; Don Bullock of Orlando, Florida; Miriam Dunn of Scarsdale, New York; Susan Cohan of Naples, Florida; Iris Riley, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Ryan Asoa, Arcadia, California; Rod Woelfle, Aspen, Colorado; Laurie Wing; Park City, Utah; Jeanne Radsick, Bakersfield, California; Gary Brasher, Tubac, Arizona; Joe Malec, Waterdown, Ontario; Dave Pike, Denver, Colorado; Tom Wescott of Calgary, Alberta; Ellen Francisco of Malibu, California; Patricia Pipkin of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Meri Crandall of St. George, Utah; Steve Goddard of Los Angeles, California; and Hans Hansson of San Francisco.

Attendees will enjoy an extraordinary luncheon at Tra Vigne; St. Helena’s adventure in melding Tuscany with the wine country; a guided tour of the Culinary Institute of America, which is housed in the old Christian Brothers Winery; A wind tasting adventure at the world famous Chateau Montelena Winery and, the grand finale will be cocktails and dinner at the elegant Napa Country Club.

For information please contact Carl Bosse at Associated Realty of the Americas carl@areamericas.com or 1-520-625-9207.

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