Back on Track
Greetings from Orlando, Florida! I write this letter from the Floridian hot spot as I prepare to attend the Global Business Travel Association’s annual convention, thrice postponed since the pandemic. We were originally supposed to gather here in August 2020, then again in July 2021, but now here we are in November 2021. Despite the hurdles, it feels great to be back at an in-person event among colleagues and friends we were used to seeing yearly (or more) and celebrating what signifies a return to business travel. It is possible to find ways to do all of this in a safe, smart manner. Some of the precautions included either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test and required mask wearing. My picture this month was taken last time I attended the GBTA convention, in Chicago in August 2019.
Speaking of in-person events, we’re preparing to return to The Peninsula Beverly Hills this month, our first time back to our hotel home away from home since December 2019. We’ll be celebrating the winners of the 18th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards as well as the Airline and Hotel of the Year. Who are the winners? We announce the long list of honorees on the following pages. I’m especially excited to introduce a new award this year: Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion in Travel, as selected by members of our various boards and our staff. We awarded airline, hotel and cruise line honorees. It’s important as travel moves forward to acknowledge those who recognize the changes that are needed to make the industry even stronger.
Aside from dreaming of all the places our winners inspire us to visit, we also jet off to Warsaw, Galway, Los Cabos, Chicago, California’s Central Coast and Banff in this issue.
I hit a personal milestone this October, celebrating my 15th anniversary with Fxexpress Publications, Inc. It’s hard to believe it’s been so long, and I’m proud of the brands’ evolutions over the past decade and a half. We continue next month as we introduce some changes to our regular lineup. Join us then to see the changes and as we welcome another exciting year of travel.
Until then, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year and safe travels! We’ll see you in 2022.