NEW YORK (September 22, 2011) – Sitting at Miami International Airport while mechanics work on a faulty American Airlines Caribbean-bound aircraft, I recall how difficult it has been meeting my editor’s deadline for the weekly AmNews column over the past fortnight.
If I share the details of my grueling travel schedule over the past two weeks maybe she’ll be forgiving and include the following 360 words in this week’s edition.
I now am off to the United States Virgin Islands on company business (St. Thomas, then St. Croix) following a tough three-days on the road last Wednesday through Friday.
On Wednesday, it was for client meetings in Fort Lauderdale where I also had the opportunity to break bread and share some ideas with Caribbean video production powerhouse, Frame by Frame Productions, co-led by the unflappable Lukkee Chong. Frame by Frame produces Air Jamaica’s popular and award-winning in-flight video “Island Stylee”.
After a group dinner with a number of Caribbean hoteliers, it was time to put the final touches on my public relations presentation, followed by a spirited exchange the following morning with leaders across the regional hospitality landscape. Then, it was off to Miami to connect with my cousin and colleague before taking the skies to Orlando for an Air Jamaica event.
There, at the Bob Marley restaurant at Universal CityWalk, airline officials announced the return of non-stop flights between Kingston and Orlando.
“Reintroducing our non-stop service to Orlando—the fifth largest metropolitan area in the Southeast US—is an important milestone in our strategy to strengthen operations,” said Will Rodgers, Acting General Manager of Air Jamaica. “The flights, which originate in Port of Spain, will serve Orlando’s growing Caribbean Diaspora, as well as seasonal leisure travelers from the Caribbean.”
While there, for the first time I met the vivacious Sandy Isaacs of Break Away Moments with whom I have enjoyed a number of enjoyable marketing exchanges over the past couple of years.
Sandy updated me on plans for her Peek At Paradise Caribbean Travel Show to be held on Sunday at the Orlando Hilton Hotel, featuring New York-based celebrity Chef Nigel Spence, who will make a presentation about Jamaica’s culinary heritage.
After Orlando it was off to New York for the first annual Travel + Leisure Global Bazaar on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
And after a day of video editing, visiting the chiropractor and doing a number of chores, it’s back to the friendly skies for a visit to the islands.
Well not so friendly today, since our flight has now been delayed for three hours, but thank God, we’ll arrive at our destination in one piece.
CAPTION: Sandy Isaacs in Orlando last week.