LAX: The first stop

Having survived the subcontinent for the "reset" phase of my gardening, it's time to head to the Americas for the "fun" part of my gardening. The dynamics of supply and demand have resulted in astronomical flight prices for direct flights to the US . As a result, we've had to fly indirectly to Los Angeles. First stop, Taipei. Second, stop Los Angeles, California. 

I've been looking forward to this trip, as it's been over 3 years since this group of people have been together. People living in Puerto Rico, London, Singapore, Los Angeles, Toronto and Hong Kong. Really good first stop in LA, Comedy store (saw Craig Robinson), some Mexican food, walked around West Hollywood, Farmers Markets at the Grove, lamb at Mother Wolf, Musso and Frank.

USI Roadtrip: Return to New York

People think "Oh you're going to the US for work, that's awesome!". It is and it isn't. I'm still not at that phase where I don't enjoy traveling for work, particularly with all the restrictions over the last couple of years it is nice to get out. But it's not all glamour. I think our busiest day was a 7 am start for client meeting 2 meetings throughout the day and the a final meeting at 9 pm. The days can be long, there can be a lot of dead time. The hotels where we stayed for one night, we barely unpacked and kept all our stuff inside the bag. The destinations where we didn't stay over night we had luggage with us. 

Despite all of this it was good to talk to clients, see colleagues as well as catch up with friends in New York.

 

USI Roadtrip: Minneapolis

Final destination. Final meeting. In and out, one last meal with Liam and back to New York. Client stuff completed!

Chia Lattes have become the drink of the trip.

USI Roadshow: Richmond

Into Richmond for a client dinner - probably should have stayed downtown for this one as there literally is nothing to do near the airport and the hotel was super depression. Decent donuts out here, no photo from dinner.

Mental note, do not eat at Richmond Airport restaurant, unless you want dry toast and clumpy soup. It's interesting to see how many flights are overbooked out here. Literally, paying patrons to get off the flight back to Chicago. 900 USD to forfeit the flight and take the same flight tomorrow. Makes for interesting viewing though, they needed four people to step down, before they started reading names off the stand by list. Murica.

USI Roadshow: Philadelphia

Last minute pivot, bit worried flying into JFK then rushing to train station. Ended up taking a direct flight from Boston to Philly, a quick lunch (and a Philly cheese steak) and we're on the 80 mins Amtrak back to Penn Station. Didn't really take any photos though.

USI Roadshow: Boston

What a frantic start to the trip, lost mobiles, lack of reception, it's a whirl. Off to Boston, not looking forward to the domestic flights. Second time here in Boston, felt a lot more productive and also controlled, these trips are always a blur of early mornings and late starts. Managed to have some classic Boston Seafood, chowders, oysters and lobster rolls as well as a Roast Beef Sandwich. Also managed to bang out a run, will try to run in each city now and give the heart something to do after 3 months of 'taking it easy'.

Tried to go to Bricc's, add to list of places to re-attempt when in a better mood.

USI Roadshow: New York City

Feeling pretty good right now, have been asked to be part of the East Coast Marketing Roadshow, see some clients, some prospects, colleagues and some friends. First stop, back in the Big Apple for Labour Day weekend.

Couple of last minute changes, was supposed to come in over the weekend but managed to pull a Thursday afternoon meeting with a client, so flying in a bit earlier.  Which means I get the WHOLE weekend here which is nice. 

Most people are out of town due the long weekend, but most is not all. Caught up with Matt, Subs, Kyall, JC and Jenna. Current obsession, sandwich shop across the road from hotel, warm sandwiches and fresh bagels. Finally got to try Peter Luger's and some Ethiopian food. Solid start to the trip. Real work starts on Monday. It's nice to travel again for work.

East Coast

The annual trip out to the East Coast, I'm grateful that this year's trip is earlier in the year. I still have (traumatic) memories of last year's post-Thanksgiving trip and being severely underprepared clothing-wise. The confronting reality that I'm a thirty-something year old profession who is incapable of keeping myself warm is concerning. The already positive of this year's trip is that it is earlier in the school semester so I'm less troubled about school and missing out on assessments.

Marketing trips, on paper sound glamorous. Business Class flights, Five Star Hotels, Client Drinks and Meals. However, there is a side to the travel when you're sitting in a bar trying to keep warm waiting for the next meeting at 10 pm. I can't imagine having to do this trip solo, so I'm thankful that I get travel with one of the more senior colleagues. Who admittedly, managed to keep me sane especially during the times of attrition, late night meetings, early morning flights. Our trip this time of the year was targeted, hitting up prospects and clients mostly in New York, Virginia, Washington DC and finally Chicago. Another successful trip, multiple clients, plenty of wins as well as some quality downtime around the East Coast.