I can't believe it's August already. The year is two-thirds over. When last I posted, I was majorly pumped about exhibiting at CruiseWorld. As I sit here right now, I am majorly pumped over going to Mexico City for a whirlwind four day FAM trip—leaving in two days.

But, today is one of those days. Right now I am waiting for my contact at CruiseWorld to finalize the details of my presentation. I am waiting for the FAM leader to fill me in on the details of getting to the hotel and checking in before the fun starts. I am waiting on my invitation to the Norwegian Escape Pre-Inaugural, which I have heard are going out "any day now." I am waiting for someone else to get back to me on a pre-cruise hotel stay before the Escape inaugural in November…

I was reminded of the power of "authenticity" this past week in an email arriving from a friend of mine who also happens to be the President of a speaker's bureau.

In a back and forth communication (email ping pong), I shared my story for when people find themselves fretting about competition. I remind them that in my business my competition is anybody with a mouth. This usually draws a few chuckles from my audiences... but I am stone-cold serious.

  — Travel Research Online
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I discovered the Keen Footwear company just as they emerged on the outdoor footwear scene. Needing a pair of sandals that I could wear in the water when kayaking, I liked Keen's oversized toe protection. I put them on, walked out of the store, and did not take them off for three years. Living in Asheville at the time, the casual nature of the town matched the footwear and for three years I wore those shoes everyday, hiking, kayaking, running, going to dinner, everywhere. I wore them hard.

Then the laces broke.

I emailed Keen and jokingly complained that after only three years of constant wear, the elastic lace on my right shoe broke. I had repaired the lace by tying it together and was actually pretty content. I forgot about my laces. Until my new ones arrived in the mail.

Someone at Keen had placed two new laces into an envelope and mailed them to me…

  — Travel Research Online
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by Elizabeth Cody
Tuesday August 04, 2015

Copenhagen is a big city with the heart of a small town. Despite its metropolitan flair, with contemporary restaurants, nightlife, and attractions, the city retains its cozy atmosphere and easy navigability. The city has plenty of surprises waiting, and Trans Am will show you everything Copenhagen has to offer!…