What They're Saying About the Symposium
My time at The Greenbrier still stands as an oasis and launching pad, even after all these years. It's time for me to return, now that I'm back on the East Coast.
-Beverly Mills Gyllenhaal, Coral Gables, FL
There's no doubt with all the conferences and professional events it is sometimes necessary to pick and choose. The Symposium can be expensive, but there has not been one time since I've been attending that I have not had something happen that covered the expense. Last year it was the article for Eating Well through meeting Jessie Price. This year I met Kristine Kidd which is leading to an editorial visit in LA, I’m in contact with Dorie Greenspan and Dick Dace helped me tremendously while on my book tour in Houston. The rewards received are continually greater than the output.
-Virginia Willis, Atlanta, GA
I've got to say that going to The Greenbrier really made it possible. Being there gave me the confidence to even apply.
- Andrea King Collier, recipient of a 2008 Food and Society Fellowship
I didn't know what to expect going into this, or even exactly what I wanted to get out of it. I'm sure it will take some time to process all of the incredible insights I've compiled in just one week, but in the very least, I have the motivation to keep exploring and see where it takes me...The Symposium is a wonderful, wonderful idea/opportunity/growing experience.
- Dana Craig Zirkle, Richmond, VA
What a terrific experience The Greenbrier was again this year. I believe I'm addicted! The opportunity to meet the accomplished and the aspiring alike is a real treat.
- Jane Staley Boaz, Mason, OH
I've been to other conferences and expected this one to be better, but not THAT much better...I'll be back.
- Matthew Amster-Burton, Seattle, WA
I wanted to thank you for inventing such an incredible program for the symposium last week at The Greenbrier. It really reminded me how important and powerful having a network of people to think and work with can be. It is so easy to become a "lone ranger"and not tap into the resource of community.
- Suzy Farnworth, Menlo Park, CA
I found [The Greenbrier Symposium] to be one of the best experiences of my professional life....
- Allison Boomer, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
I left the Symposium feeling confident in my writing abilities and I am going to continue to work on my website as well as try to market some of my writings and ideas.
- Ruth Frydrich, Grove City, PA
I give it a 10, no questions asked!
- Nichole Accettola, Denmark
I cannot believe that I ever considered not going to the Symposium at The Greenbrier. Thank you so much for the encouragement, support, and the general ambiance of comfort and learning that the event allowed.
- Karen Solomon, San Francisco, CA
Man, what a great time!
- Pableaux Johnson, New Orleans, LA
Thank you for the chance to participate in the 2005 symposium. I've heard about the meeting for years, of course, but nothing could have prepared me for how truly great it was. It hardly seems fair to me to have had so much fun and have gotten so much from it when I was supposed to be working.
- Jennifer Griffin, New York, NY
What can I say? This was an amazing event. Every aspect of this event is memorable, learning so much, meeting such wonderful people generous with their information, even to the pampering by the staff at The Greenbrier.
- Trish Lobenfeld, Scarsdale, NY
...We had a chance to get to know each other in your trusted environment. The value of what you put together for the Symposium lies in this—not just the ‘business’ networking buzz, rather the careful nurturing of relationships that support and encourage us - give us heart, to pursue our dreams and goals.
- Kate Hill, France
I was finally offered the food writer job at Sunset about an hour ago! I am terribly excited - it is as close to perfect an opportunity for me at this time as anything could be. Although I had sent in my resume before attending The Greenbrier, I heavily credit my participation in the symposium with this job offer. Not only did I meet Amy (Traverso) and have her on my side during the interview process, but I gained a new view of myself as a writer and confidence in my skills that I'm sure came across in my interactions with everyone down there. So, in short, thank you so much for the time and energy you put into the symposium - it is a unique experience that helped me in ways I'm sure I'm only starting to discover and which I hope to experience (in new ways, I'm sure) again.
- Molly Watson
