And Speaking Of... My End Of Year Recap

As cliché as this sounds, 2024 has truly flown by and moved at what felt like an accelerated pace. In speaking with many colleagues and friends, many share my observation that 2024 seemed like it moved at lightning speed.

And given that sentiment, it is so important that we take a moment to reflect. For my last LinkedIn article of 2024, I want to share my thoughts using the framework of my LinkedIn series: Reflections on life, leadership, and love of travel.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all my LinkedIn readers - I will cross over two years of this weekly newsletter in January 2025, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you!

Here are my highlights of 2024 for my life, my leadership journey, and my travels.

Life

My biggest reflection for 2024 can be summed up in the quote: "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime."

I saw many of my personal and professional relationships transform in 2024. I felt the season of specific relationships end or morph into new chapters, which gave me pause to honor what was and not dwell on what I may have expected a relationship to be.

I became more aware of my habit of trying desperately to control the outcome of various scenarios. I am hyper-focused on shifting away from those unproductive habits in my life. I've realized that other people's emotional reactions to my statements or decisions do not reflect on me. We're all on our own journeys, and while it can be challenging to accept, I am not responsible for how others perceive my actions.

On the family front, I am thoroughly enjoying this stage of life with my kids. Our recent trip to Paris reinforced the importance of experiences over things. The way we bonded as a family on our trip was honestly magic. This was the best part of my year.

Leadership

While working on this article, I asked a colleague to share an observation about how they feel I've grown as a leader in 2024. Their response struck a chord - they noted that I've become more aware of the importance of meeting people where they are rather than expecting them to meet me where I am.

In the early days of Gifted Travel Network , we operated as a scrappy startup. When you're in building mode, you wear many hats and take on a variety of tasks and roles. But as an entrepreneur, there comes a point when you need to let go of the reins and allow others to rise with you. This means nurturing their skills, trusting their abilities, and recognizing that their way of accomplishing a task may differ from yours.

Over the past few years, I've been intentional about embracing this realization. My colleague's feedback validated that my efforts to evolve in this way are taking root - a reminder that growth is indeed a journey, and we are never done learning.

Love of Travel

I had an amazing travel year! I experienced new destinations and visited tried and true favorites. I traveled to Europe many times in 2024 and felt so blessed by the abundance of opportunities that graced my calendar in 2024.

Here are the highlight experiences and properties from this past year, in order of when I experienced them:

January: Miraval Berkshires

My year started off with a moment of self-care and zen at the Miraval Resorts & Spas in the heart of the Berkshires. I highly recommend this, and I look forward to my next Miraval moment.

February: Rome

The return to the eternal city was a long time coming. I loved Rome in the off-season, and visiting the Vatican with our partners at Arno - Travel and Event Design when there were virtually no crowds was so special. I loved my stay at the W Rome and Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts Rome.

March: Amsterdam

I returned to Amsterdam for Gifted Travel Network's Symposium, our fully chartered river cruise event with AmaWaterways River Cruises . I stayed at the Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam as this is an exceptionally special property. Hospitality legend Kees Hogetoorn took care of me and my guests in 2022 when I christened the Emerald Cruises Emerald Luna, and he is now affectionately known as my "Godfather to the Godmother." Returning to Amsterdam and this iconic property is always a special experience.

May: Spain

I had the privilege of hosting our Top Producers Club reward trip with Made for Spain & Portugal . Virginia Irurita executed this experience perfectly. I am still dreaming of Marbella Club Hotel · Golf Resort & Spa and my return to this beautiful part of Span.

June: California

I was a guest of AmaWaterways River Cruises for the Travel Weekly Leadership Forum in Pebble Beach. A bonus highlight was that I was able to bring my husband as my guest, and afterwards we visited Napa for a much needed couples getaway.

July: Toronto

I co-hosted a GTN-exclusive FAM in my hometown of Toronto with Shannon Cunningham ; it was so amazing! I loved the The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto and the The St. Regis Toronto so much, and I especially cherish the new relationships we formed with these properties.

August: Ritz-Carlton Yacht

A true pinch-me moment of the year: The The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection shakedown cruise from Barcelona for Ilma was over-the-top amazing. I enjoyed learning about this product and experiencing the cruise with a dear friend and great colleagues.

September: Los Angeles & Wyoming

When The Emmy's call, you go! Thank you to our partners at 万豪酒店 Luxury Group for a once-in-a-lifetime experience walking the red carpet at The Emmy's. This was beyond, beyond!

From there, I grounded myself at the 四季酒店 Preferred Partner event in Jackson Hole, WY. The bike tour on the excursion day was what my soul needed.

October: South Carolina

My family and I enjoyed a quick trip to visit The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection . We loved the charm of the Lowcountry!

November: Italy and Slovenia

The IC Bellagio event in Imola was one of the best moments of 2024. Watching the travel industry come together to celebrate a remarkable achievement of 25 years was beautiful to witness. Congratulations again to Andrea Grisdale and her team on this amazing milestone!

Slovenia was magic. I fell in love with this country while attending the Virtuoso Travel Chairman's Event, hosted this year by Luxury Slovenia DMC , and I definitely plan to return with my family someday! Thank you to the Virtuoso Team for not only organizing this wonderful event, but for giving me the opportunity to finally cross this destination off my list!

December: Paris

As I mentioned earlier in my article, Paris was the jewel in my crown of 2024 travels. Having my family experience the industry I love was the best way to end a busy year. So many memories were made here, and my heart is full. A big dose of gratitude to our partners at 雅高 for our amazing hotels!

I hope you enjoyed my trip down travel memory lane! As I work in the best industry in the world, I always want to highlight the places I visit. There were so many more amazing highlights that I didn't mention, so thank you to every property and colleague for my travels in 2024.

As this is my last article of the year, I would like to take this moment to wish all my readers happy holidays! I am so grateful to everyone who reads, shares, and comments on my newsletter each week!

I would love to hear from all of you - drop a comment about some of your reflections from 2024, especially if you experienced an especially significant destination or property this past year!