Up in the Air, the movie

A while ago, I started thinking about expanding our sections, reorganizing them into topics that are most sought or read by our LatinasInBusiness.us (LIBizus). For many years, I had -and still do!- the passion for traveling, and used to combine work and pleasure in my trips so I was wondering if a smart business traveler section would be something our readers and followers would enjoy.

And then I was unexpectedly invited to participate at the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals Association Annual Conference in Atlantic City, NJ, this past October. I saw the event as a positive wink from “the Universe” to start our new section Travel and Work.

Depending on how you live your business travels, a world of opportunity and excitement awaits to those who are road warriors. You can have a miserable time going from one sordid hotel to another and one annoying meeting to the next, or you can combine it with a little downtime pleasure while on the road, which builds a positive mood and helps with your travel goals.

However, only knowing how to take advantage of the best resources, places and traveling tips can make your work on the go more enjoyable. As in the movie, “Up in the Air,” sometimes a little fun, meeting new people and creating more comfortable situations for yourself can compensate the most miserable of the jobs.

Being familiar with the array of hidden perks provided during flights, at hotels and in local restaurants might help you become the winner you need to be to close difficult deals or win hard negotiations. And why not, having the extra benefit of spending some “me” time away from family, children and other obligations, can be enjoyed as a mini-vacation that allows you to come back to them with a big smile!

As a consultant, and having clients in nine states, I used to travel quite a bit. Being on the road was always a challenge to my imagination and to my budget. Finding those little details that improved the experience were essential to my performance on the road. Who wanted to face a reluctant client after a bad night sleep? Or who was willing to stand five or six hours in front of trainees when you had been sick all night after an awful meal?

Hopefully, our Travel and Work section will help you find those amenities and benefits on the road that can lift your spirit and make the whole travel experience a real pleasure. We also encourage you to share those you already are familiar with or tell us about your bad or good stories while traveling. We also invite travel consultants and meeting planners to become contributor to our new section. So get your bags ready, LIBizus, we are on the go!