Steps That Will Make a Difference

Some know I am getting ready to send my oldest daughter off to college.  Lots of things come into play with that readiness, but the one that I hate is getting her ready for that big world where not everyone is your friend and not everyone can be trusted.  Sadly, we have spent a number of family dinners talking about the horrendous topic of human trafficking and I’m asking my readers to join me in putting one foot in front of the other to help.

This year at the GBTA annual convention, we are partnering with ECPAT-USA and American Airlines to raise money and awareness of the epidemic that is taking over the country, human trafficking.  According to ECPAT-USA, 1.2 million children are trafficked every year.  This inaugural 5K will work to bring awareness and raise funds for this issue which has deep implications for the business travel industry. 

Here is your call to action, I invite anyone attending the convention to join me in making a difference, one step at a time and walk or run the inaugural 5k with me on Sunday, August 12.  Registration information can be found at this link.  If you can’t be there Sunday morning, you can still make a donation to the event. 

Now, my personal commitment – for every 100 people registered, I will donate an additional $100 to the event.  So, 100 registered walkers/runners = $100, 200 registered walkers/runners = $200…you get the picture. 

Please help to be a part of the solution.  My hope is that by the time my youngest goes off to college, we won’t have to have the same dinner table conversations because our industry stepped up and made a difference. 

Chex Mix

You have all seen the commercial bags of Chex Mix.  You can buy them at any grocery, convenience or even big box stores.  Last week, I was in Costco and overheard a couple talking about “to buy or not to buy the bag of Chex Mix?”  The conversation went something like this:

Wife – I just wanna buy this and not have to worry about it.  The kids will eat it and that’s all I care about. 

Husband – Yeah, this is fine, but I like the stuff you make better.  They don’t add peanuts, I don’t like the pretzels in here and yours is less salty.

Wife – How about we buy this and I add peanuts? 

Husband – I just think you making yours makes more sense because in the end, we know it will get eaten. 

It was a small exchange and in the end, they didn’t buy the Chex Mix because the wife ended it with, “They’ll eat whatever we buy.” 

I was giggling a little bit during the exchange, but I realized this is the state of travel as we know it.  Let me explain. 

Some people want to buy what’s on the shelf.  They don't care about a bag, they can get their seat when they are ready and all that other "stuff" isn't needed.  It’s there, it’s easy, it gets me the basics of what I need and who cares that it’s not EXACTLY what I want? 

Some people want to get all the ingredients and pull it together for the perfect outcome.  They want flexibility in their purchase, their seat, the ability to use the lounge and they want to board first. They are happy to look at the options and create the best product that is more to their liking. 

Who’s right, the husband?  The wife?  BOTH!  The world of travel needs to be able to give people the options they want.  Easy route?  We got that.  More selective?  I think we are working to get to that point, but I think it needs to happen faster. 


Think of travel the next time you see that bag of Chex Mix and work with me to keep this conversation going.