Newly remodeled Inn at Morro Bay host for OWAC's spring conference.

Spruce up, Morro Bay! Guests are coming May 7-8 to stay, play and promote Morro Bay to adventure-seeking visitors.

The Outdoor Writers Association of California selected the newly remodeled Inn at Morro Bay for its spring conference.

Its board of directors meeting, a presentation by former Harbor Director Rick Algert, and an awards program for best piece honoring last spring’s host community are scheduled.

Plus a slew of outdoor activities have been arranged by the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce. Some members might witness Morro Bay’s biggest tourism event, the 16th Cruisin’ Morro Bay Car Show, May 3-6, when 500 classics cruise, shine and show.

Tom Wilmer, 25-year veteran travel journalist and KCBX-KSBX host of Audiolog, proudly calls Morro Bay home. He joined the writers association in 2005 to network with California’s best outdoor journalists.

“Our members have a shared interest and passion for active experiences — quiet experiences like hiking or kayaking or active adventures like ocean fishing and hunting,” he said.

“Morro Bay is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. I travel worldwide, and Morro Bay has it all. We’re a rare coastal environment — a marine sanctuary and world-class maritime community,” he added. “When I wrote ‘Romancing the Coast,’ I discovered the Inn at Morro Bay was unique, the only true bay-front inn on the West Coast.”

Morro Bay’s economy is dependent on tourism, so attracting a conference of travel journalists to the marketplace is golden.

Writers write, radio hosts talk and television commentators send videos of their experiences. Internet bloggers write, record podcasts and videos for You-Tube of instant reactions that influence worldwide.

They look for unique stories targeted for their readers, viewers and listeners. Serious journalists belong to associations and attend conferences to better their craft.

At one conference, Wilmer remarked he was able to interview “a stunning journalist who advocated clearcutting stoppage; an expert on fishing reports about the rainbow trout; and David Page, an icon travel author of Western guide books.” Wilmer’s peers honored him with a second best radio and magazine feature in 2006.

An associate member marketplace will feature companies such as Hobie Cat, Rapala, Sunbelt Publications, Vagabundos del Mar, Sportsman Channel, Bass Pro Shops and Ducks Unlimited demonstrating the latest products.

And members will experience hosted adventures by local conference supporters including Virg’s Landing ocean fishing, Sub Sea Tours, Central Coast Natural History Museum, Central Coast Outdoors’ kayaking, Morro Bay Oyster Co. and Stax Wine Bar, J&J Horseback riding on the beach and Ancient Peaks’ Zipline Touring.

Executive Director Yvonne Graham of the writers association scouted Morro Bay’s many outdoor opportunities. She thanks all who reached out to host the association’s publishing membership.

Reach Judy Salamacha at judysalamacha@gmail.com or 801.1422.

Read more here: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2012/04/15/2030977/outdoor-writers-to-besiege-bay.html#storylink=cpy