TGA Industry News Briefs

July 07, 2022

It’s a Triple Play — But in a Good Way!

Manufacturers: Reserve your booth for The 2023 Travel Goods Show by July 15 and get a triple play:

An Early-Bird Discount off the cost of your booth;
Preferred Placement on the showroom floor; and
A free ad in TGA’s Industry News Briefs (a $200 value).

All this for joining the party in Las Vegas for the world’s biggest and best travel goods show. And it will be: We’re moving forward, together. Manufacturers will be showing their latest and greatest — which is exactly what interested buyers will be looking for. Book your booth today! Contact Cathy Trecartin at cat@travel-goods.org, 877-842-1938 x-702.

Attention Buyers: Badge Registration opens at the end of August. Click here to add your email address.

It’s a Triple Play — But in a Good Way!

TGA

Manufacturers: Reserve your booth for The 2023 Travel Goods Show by July 15 and get a triple play:

An Early-Bird Discount off the cost of your booth;
Preferred Placement on the showroom floor; and
A free ad in TGA’s Industry News Briefs (a $200 value).

All this for joining the party in Las Vegas for the world’s biggest and best travel goods show. And it will be: We’re moving forward, together. Manufacturers will be showing their latest and greatest — which is exactly what interested buyers will be looking for. Book your booth today! Contact Cathy Trecartin at cat@travel-goods.org, 877-842-1938 x-702.

Attention Buyers: Badge Registration opens at the end of August. Click here to add your email address.

TGA Urges Biden to Keep Parties at Table and Ensure No Disruptions in West Coast Port Labor Contract Negotiations

TGA

On July 1, TGA joined 157 groups in urging President Biden to keep the parties to the West Coast port labor contract negotiations at the table until a new deal is reached without engaging in disruptions. The current contract expired July 1. On July 1, the Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) announced, “While there will be no contract extension, cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement can be reached…”

U.S., China Talk Trade, Supply Chains as Biden Weighs Tariff Cuts

ALJAZEERA

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He discussed economic issues including international trade and supply chains, as the Biden administration considers lowering tariffs on Chinese goods to tame soaring inflation. READ MORE

The Fight Against Inflation Starts at Sea

VOX

Everything from children’s toys and furniture to guacamole has gotten more expensive, so it’s not surprising that inflation is top of mind for many Americans. But with the midterm elections drawing closer — and Republicans hammering the White House about rising consumer prices — President Joe Biden thinks voters should direct their frustrations elsewhere. He says they should be angrier at a critical, but often forgotten, part of the U.S. economy: the ocean shipping industry. READ MORE

An Easy Guide to Finding Your Ideal Luggage, Based on Size and Price

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER

A trusted piece of luggage is the cornerstone of any good travel uniform. Nothing ruins a journey quite like a broken handle, malfunctioning wheel, or busted zipper. Beyond a solid structure, though, there are myriad considerations to make when finding your ideal bag. We used those criteria to create what we hope is a handy guide to shopping for the right luggage. READ MORE

Social Shoppers Prefer Checking Out on Brand Sites

RETAIL CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

If you believed all the hype surrounding social commerce currently, you might think that social commerce will remove the need for an e-commerce platform completely. The reality though is e-commerce platforms aren’t going away. However, shopping has shifted to the edge. The edge is where consumers increasingly discover products away from the brand’s e-commerce store. READ MORE

Holiday Travel Wasn’t the ‘Disaster’ It Was Made Out to Be. Here’s Why.

BARRON’S

The Independence Day holiday was clearly not ideal for travelers as hundreds of passengers saw their plans disrupted, but neither was it the “flight cancellation disaster that it seemed.” READ MORE

Employees Already Unhappy with Pace of Returning Corporate Travel: New Survey

SKIFT

Business trips are starting to overwhelm employees, with many complaining they’re carrying the burden for those colleagues unwilling to travel. Some employees are experiencing a “continuing sense of unhappiness and uncertainty” due to the amount of business travel they are expected to do, according to SAP Concur’s latest survey. READ MORE

Paycheck-to-Paycheck Consumers Turn to Loans as Savings Safety Nets Fray

PYMENTS.COM

Personal savings serve key purposes, chief among them as a financial safety net. But runaway inflation has started to eat away at consumers’ cash reserves, which spiked when government stimulus was abundant — and are now getting more and more difficult to replenish. As credit tightens against the recessionary conditions expected in the second half of 2022, consumers will be on the hunt for lending products that help close the savings gap. READ MORE

Rimowa, Paravel and More: The Best Luxury Luggage in 2022

CBS NEWS

If you’re got a vacation coming up this summer or fall, consider upgrading your luggage before you leave. The following luxury luggage options from Rimowa, Paravel, Away and other top brands will have you flying the friendly skies in style — all while improving your overall travel experience. READ MORE

Reeling From a Sudden Job Loss? Here’s How to Start Healing.

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

Amid the anguish surrounding a job loss, it’s critical that you reach out for help so that you can regain your mental clarity and ability to take healthy, productive next steps. Consider these tips to help you stay whole through this process, reconnect to your purpose, and most importantly, heal. READ MORE

In a First, Airport Installs Mock Airline Cabin to Help Fliers with Disabilities

NBC NEWS

Travelers with physical, cognitive and other limitations can build confidence and reduce stress at the mock cabin at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. READ MORE

MARKETWATCH

Retail sales are a big part of consumer spending and offer clues on the strength of the U.S. economy. After adjusting for a 1% increase in inflation in May, real retail sales fell by more than 1% last month. For one thing, Americans are shifting their spending toward services such as travel and entertainment. Earlier in the pandemic, when they went out less, they bought more consumer goods such as cell phones, computers and home furnishings. READ MORE

Best Backpacks and Shoulder Bags for Travel In 2022

CBS NEWS

One of the most versatile pieces of travel gear, a great backpack or over-the-shoulder travel bag can serve a variety of purposes. We found the best, top-rated backpacks and shoulders bags you can buy for summer 2022. READ MORE

Here’s What It Might Be Like to Travel on a Double Decker Airplane Seat

CNN

Flying economy for any extended period is an experience usually endured rather than enjoyed, but one airplane seat designer reckons his design could revolutionize budget travel. READ MORE

TGA

Twenty-two percent of the workforce (36.2 million Americans) is expected to be working remotely by 2025, according to Upwork. Among their favorite cities to go online? Beachy Miami; artsy Asheville, NC; and nightlife-loving Las Vegas. But before these remote workers can live their best digital nomad life, they need to be equipped with the best travel gear to make it work for their work. READ MORE

So, Share Your Story Already!

TGA

Let us know what new products you’ve created, who you’ve hired, how you made a difference, what show your product starred in (we love celebrity gossip!). Share with us and we’ll share with those who want to be in the know. Make your mama proud! Please email your info and press releases to kim@travel-goods.org. READ MORE

TGA Urges Congressional Conferees to Include GSP Renewal, Shipping Reform, China Section 301 Tariff Exclusion Process in Competitiveness Legislation

TGA

On June 6, TGA urged Congressional conferees working to reconcile the House and Senate versions of competitiveness/anti-China legislation to ensure any final legislation includes key U.S. travel goods industry priorities, including renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and restart of the China Section 301 tariff exclusion process. Congressional leaders hope to reach agreement on a final competitiveness bill by July 4, although that timeline could slip.

TGA Urges President to Put Guardrails around West Coast Port Labor Contract Negotiations

TGA

On June 8, TGA urged President Biden to put guardrails on the ongoing West Coast port labor contract negotiations to ensure they do not lead to a work slowdown, strike, or lockout, and to encourage any resulting agreement to increase the productivity and efficiency of the ports. The two sides returned to the negotiating table on June 1 after the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) left the negotiating table on May 20 and put negotiations towards a West Coast port labor contract on hold with no explanation. The current contract expires July 1, 2022.

Business Groups Urge Biden to Help Resolve Labor Dispute at West Coast Ports

THE HILL

Retail, footwear and travel goods groups yesterday urged President Biden to facilitate a contract agreement between West Coast dockworkers and maritime shipping companies to prevent further port disruptions. “We urge you to encourage both parties to remain at the table until an agreement is finalized because even a relatively brief port slowdown or shutdown would compound current supply chain challenges and cause long-lasting damage to consumer confidence and American businesses,” the Retail Industry Leaders Association, American Apparel & Footwear Association and Travel Goods Association wrote in a joint letter to the White House. READ MORE

Summer Travel 2022: Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Pay for Vacation with Savings — How to Build Your Fund

YAHOO! FINANCE

Despite constant news about Americans overspending on their credit cards, when it comes to travel, they seem to prefer using their savings. This is according to an April survey by GOBankingRates, in which 62% of respondents indicated they used savings instead of a credit card or other source of funding for their travel expenses. This is a smart move because going into debt just to go on vacation can lead to long-term financial consequences. READ MORE

The Best Luggage for Travel, According to Flight Attendants

HUFFPOST

The only people who seem to be immune to clumsy baggage woes are flight attendants. Lucky for us, a few flight attendants shared their secrets and divulged some of their favorite brands and luggage options for everything from carry-ons, checked bags and personal travel, as well as some other suitcase-related tips and tricks. READ MORE

Top 10 Trends Driving Retail Growth

RETAIL TOUCHPOINTS

Ecommerce will soon eclipse brick-and-mortar, retail is facing an apocalypse, or delivery to home will become the norm in grocery shopping. None of these is true, but it doesn’t stop people from predicting them, and others from believing. When it comes to what’s ahead for retail, no one really knows. But if you’re interested in what’s driving retail growth right now, in 2022, you’ve come to the right place. There are 10 trends unfolding before us right now, very much worth watching. READ MORE

6 Keys to Becoming a Recognized Leader in Business

INC.

Most people I know in business begin by capitalizing on technical strength or passion for change, such as engineering, or focus on saving the environment. They don’t realize that it takes more to succeed in business or a career — it takes leadership skills to get people to follow you, including peers, a team, business partners, and customers. Luckily, you can learn needed leadership skills. READ MORE

Travel Is Back. And So Are the Influencers

CNN

Love them or loathe them, as the travel world re-opens, influencers are back on the move. That’s welcome news for some hotels like the Langham on New York’s Fifth Avenue. “Ninety percent of the people we work with are amazing, they are very diligent, this is their business and they do it well,” says Louise O’Brien, regional director of public relations for the Americas at the Langham Hospitality Group. But not all hotels share O’Brien’s enthusiasm. READ MORE

Trained Rats to Be Sent into Earthquake Debris Wearing Tiny Backpacks with Microphones

NEWSWEEK

Rats are being trained to be sent into earthquake debris wearing tiny backpacks outfitted with microphones so rescue teams can talk to survivors. The innovative project is being worked on by research scientist Dr. Donna Kean, 33, from Glasgow, Scotland. So far, seven rats have been trained, taking only two weeks to get them up to speed. READ MORE

Our members’ products solve universal problems that are often forgotten before you hit the road. Visit the HUB now to read more about Odorless Insect Shield® Bug Repellent Technology; a no-spill, no leak atomizer; and a days-of-the-week pill case to organize medications while on the go. Summer travel is calling. Are you ready? READ MORE

Travel: ‘We Don’t Have Enough Pilots,’ Analyst Explains Amid Cancellation Mayhem

YAHOO! FINANCE

Americans planning to fly this summer to a vacation spot of choice should prepare for annoying delays and cancellations as the airline industry grapples with severe staffing shortages. Travelers got a taste of the impending mess on the always-busy Memorial Day weekend when U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights from Thursday through Monday, according to data from Flightaware. READ MORE

Faster, Cleaner, Greener: What Lies Ahead for The World’s Railways

CNN

Faster, cleaner, greener and packed with advanced technology; rail is the only transport mode currently well placed to provide the backbone of our future mobility needs. But, while a few niche projects promise ultra high-speed travel, much of the industry is focused on keeping the world’s increasingly urbanized population moving while simultaneously limiting the effects of climate change. And then there’s the pandemic. READ MORE

Technology Company Makes U.S. Supply Chain More Efficient Through AI-Powered Digital Fleets

FOX BUSINESS

Technology company Baton helps truckers work around traffic, insulate drivers against rising gasoline and cut travel time in half. “Our mission is to eliminate waste of time in trucking,” Baton co-founder Nate Robert shared earlier this week. “We have software that aggregates hundreds of thousands of data points from warehouses, trucks, traffic so that we can accurately predict how long each load will take.” READ MORE

People Are Sharing the Travel Experiences That Seriously Underwhelmed Them, from Hyped-Up Restaurants to “Must-See” Attractions

BUZZFEED

When it comes to traveling, you’re bound to do some things that blow your mind and others that leave you feeling underwhelmed. So, I browsed through the subreddit r/travel and rounded up a list of destinations, popular attractions, and experiences that, according to travelers, sadly didn’t live up to the hype. READ MORE

How Dominant Leaders Go Wrong

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN

“Competitive,” “decisive,” “action-oriented,” even “intimidating”: many people invoke these words to describe good leaders. Indeed, several studies suggest extraverted, dominant individuals are perceived as competent, influential leaders in industry and politics. But such individuals have shortcomings as well. Dominant leaders sometimes seek to influence co-workers by fiat or force, and that has serious downsides for the companies, organizations and nations that they lead. READ MORE

Thousands of Social Media Users Aspire to Be Influencers, New Report Highlights the Remarkable Growing Trend

DIGITAL INFORMATION WORLD

New research by leading marketing firm IZEA is shedding light on the growing trend of influencers and how the marketing space for this role has enough room to welcome different creators arising from all niches. As stated by the company’s CEO, no matter what an individual’s interests or passion may be, those who adore the world of social media are being welcomed into a world where you can earn a great income while using your creativity. READ MORE

The Summer Worker Shortage Could Hinder Retail Growth

INSIDER

Roughly 30 million workers typically join the labor force over the summer for jobs in restaurants, stores, and hotels serving U.S. consumers taking breaks from work and school. But with roughly two jobs available for every unemployed person looking for work, the tight labor market is making it difficult for retailers and restaurants to add staff. READ MORE

Go Here, Not There: Vacation Alternatives for the Budget-Conscious

THE NEW YORK TIMES

As inflation puts a crimp in travelers’ plans, here are some affordable suggestions for trips focused on wine, culture, food, the outdoors and more. READ MORE

Ego Is the Enemy of Good Leadership

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

As we rise in the ranks, we acquire more power. And with that, people are more likely to want to please us by listening more attentively, agreeing more, and laughing at our jokes. All of these tickle the ego. And when the ego is tickled, it grows. David Owen, the former British Foreign Secretary and a neurologist, and Jonathan Davidson, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University, call this the “hubris syndrome,” which they define as a “disorder of the possession of power, particularly power which has been associated with overwhelming success, held for a period of years.” READ MORE

Consumers More Drawn to Products Than Brands When Ordering Online

PYMNTS.COM

At the start of the pandemic, restaurants realized that if they wanted to maintain their relationships with their customers through lockdown, they would have to make their menus available via online ordering platforms. Now, as online ordering has evolved into a long-term habit, consumers are no longer just looking for ways to access their favorite eateries. They now expect to be able to find the best deals on their favorite items. READ MORE

Forward. Together. 2023 Travel Goods Show — Here We Come!

TGA

Don’t get left behind! Reserve your booth for The 2023 Travel Goods Show, April 2-3, at the Las Vegas Convention Center and receive a FREE ad in TGA’s weekly Industry News Brief. The brief is delivered directly to the inboxes of buyers interested in your product. Act fast — this is a limited-time offer. Contact Cathy Trecartin at cat@travel-goods.org or call 877-842-1938 x-702.

Buyers can sign-up to be notified when registration opens.

PLEASE REVIEW — Draft TGA Priorities Letter to Congressional Conferees on Competitiveness Legislation

TGA

TGA has drafted a letter to Congressional conferees working to reconcile the House and Senate versions of competitiveness/anti-China legislation. The draft letter urges the conferees to ensure any final legislation includes key U.S. travel goods industry priorities, including renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and restart of the China Section 301 tariff exclusion process. Congressional leaders hope to reach agreement on a final competitiveness bill by July 4th, although that timeline could slip. Please provide any feedback/edits on the draft letter by Friday, June 3.

West Coast Port Labor Contract — Labor Puts Negotiations on Hold Until June 1

TGA

On May 23, TGA confirmed press reports that the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) has left the negotiating table and put negotiations towards a West Coast port labor contract on hold until at least June 1. On May 13, Harold Daggett, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), the dockworkers union at the East and Gulf Coast ports, issued a video strongly supporting the ILWU and strongly opposing automation at the ports. Many believe the negotiations will turn on the issues of pay and the future of automation at West Coast ports. TGA will ratchet up its ringing of the alarm bells on this issue and urge the White House to impose guard rails on the negotiations. Among the ideas discussed is assembling another company letter to President Biden. The current contract expires July 1.

Why Biden Hasn’t Killed Trump’s China Tariffs and Made Imports Cheaper

THE WASHINGTON POST

With the stroke of a White House pen, President Biden could lower the cost of thousands of consumer and industrial products and strike a blow in the anti-inflation fight that he calls “his top domestic priority.” All he has to do is lift the tariffs on imported Chinese products that President Donald Trump imposed starting in 2018. READ MORE

Peak Season Could Be Shanghaied by a 260,000-Container Surge

THE LOAD STAR

An estimated 260,000 TEU of Shanghai’s unshipped cargo is set to swamp the market this summer, making the peak season “even more chaotic” than last year. According to new analysis from Drewry, China lockdowns have stored up problems for a global container distribution system “already severely stressed and facing reduced capacity due to pervasive congestion.” READ MORE

Exclusive: Where the World’s Top Trouble Spots in the Supply Chain Are Right Now

CNBC

Lori Ann LaRocco unveils a new supply chain heat map, using exclusive data from the world’s top maritime and logistics resources, to show just exactly where the major logjams are keeping products from reaching shelves on time. READ MORE

Traveling for Memorial Day Weekend? Here’s How Much Gas Costs, and When You Should Fill Up

USA TODAY

It’s a Memorial Day weekend unlike any other, as holiday travel will be met with gas prices that continue to shatter records. Gas prices have been increasing for nearly two weeks, with the national average at $4.59 a gallon, according to AAA, a 42-cent jump from when the national record was initially broken in March. Yet despite the pain at the pump being felt nationwide, the holiday weekend is expected to result in more travel across the country compared to last year. READ MORE

8 Weekender Bags You Need for Your Next Trip

HUFFPOST

These carry-on bags have just enough space to fit all your most necessary travel items, and straps for easy transport. Many even have a compartment in which you can pack a few shoes, in case your trip includes multiple outfit changes. Here, we rounded up eight of the best, according to glowing reviews. READ MORE

A Flight Attendant Shares the 7 Biggest Mistakes She Sees Passengers Make When Packing Carry-on Suitcases

INSIDER

CiCi is a flight attendant who shares packing tips on TikTok. She told Insider about the biggest mistakes she sees passengers make when packing a carry-on. From overpacking to forgetting a reusable water bottle, here are common errors travelers make. READ MORE

Travel Trends Every Company Should Know

ENTREPRENEUR

After taking a 52% hit in the first months of COVID, the business travel industry is experiencing an unprecedented surge. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) projects industry spending to reach 2019 levels by 2024. The corporate travel agency TripActions says it has already seen pre-pandemic levels of “hyper-growth” within the first three months of 2022. Here are five trends to monitor for your upcoming team trips. READ MORE

To Get Results, the Best Leaders Both Push and Pull Their Teams

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW

When you see a task that needs to be accomplished by your team, do you “push” them to get it done or do you “pull” them in, giving them a say in how they carry it out and using inspiration and motivation to get them going? These are two very different approaches to reach a goal, and the latter is often the best one, but knowing how to combine these two paths is an important skill for managers and leaders. READ MORE

United Airlines CEO on Summer Travel, Masks on Planes, and Why You Need to Get to the Airport Extra Early

TRAVEL + LEISURE

Summer travel is off to a roaring start, but high demand and staffing shortages mean vacationers may have to add a bit of extra time — and perhaps even a dash of patience — to their travel plans, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby discussed during a recent interview. READ MORE

Help! The Airline Changed My Flight Itinerary (for the Worse)

THE NEW YORK TIMES

Airlines are within their contractual rights to cancel booked flights and place passengers on less-convenient routes with hours-long layovers. Our columnist investigates whether travelers have any recourse. READ MORE

Rare Moth Not Seen in 110 Years Found in Luggage at Detroit Airport

NEW YORK POST

An extremely rare moth species was recently encountered at Detroit Metropolitan Airport and is considered to be the first sign of the species since 1912. READ MORE

BUYERS: Sign-up now to be notified when badge registration opens and lunch is on us at The Show!

Questions: Contact Cathy Trecartin at cat@travel-goods.org or 877-842-1938 x-702.

If You Build It, They Will Travel

TGA

And you did. And they are. No matter what’s going on in the world, people have proven they simply gotta travel. Thankfully, travel goods manufacturers are giving them exactly what they need to put their dreams in motion. READ MORE

It’s a Girl Thing

TGA

From the new Betty Boop luggage line to touches of glam, dashes of gold, and generously spacious vanity cases, come to The HUB to explore what’s brand-new and fresh for women in travel. READ MORE

Ports Start Contract Talks with Dockworkers

LA BUSINESS JOURNAL

Contract negotiations are underway for workers at the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach. The talks between the Pacific Maritime Association, representing employers at 29 ports along the West Coast, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, which represents 15,600 dockworkers at those ports, started last week. The current contract expires July 1. READ MORE

China’s Continued Impact on the Global Supply Chain

CNBC

Lori Ann LaRocco discusses the new steps the Chinese government is taking to try to ease ongoing shipping bottlenecks at the country’s ports. READ MORE

Long Beach Sets Record but East, Gulf Coast Ports’ Gains Bigger

AMERICAN SHIPPER

“Cargo continues to move at a record-setting pace and may not slow down anytime soon,” according to Mario Cordero, executive director of the Port of Long Beach. The port on California’s San Pedro Bay recorded its busiest April ever. Its neighbor, the Port of Los Angeles, had the second-busiest April in its history even though it posted a year-over-year cargo volume decrease. But the strongest performances in April took place at ports on the Gulf and East coasts. READ MORE

The Best Carry-On Luggage for Your Every Travel Need

PUREWOW

Ready for your next trip? Make sure everything runs smoothly, beginning with packing the best carry-on luggage for your needs. Whether you’re renting a beach house, taking a mother-daughter bucket list trip or embracing a travel trend such as impact travel, you’ll want to opt for a bag that fits in the overhead plane compartment and has all the features that will make your travel easier. We searched among the top suitcase makers to come up with the 16 best pieces of luggage you won’t need to check. READ MORE

AAA Expects Busy Travel Weekend for Memorial Day

KWCH12

With Memorial Day weekend a week away, many are finalizing travel plans for the unofficial start to summer. AAA expects more than 39 million people to travel at least 50 miles this year for Memorial Day, on the ground and in the air. Eighty-nine percent of travelers are expected to drive to their Memorial Day destinations, but air travel will also be impacted with a jump in passenger numbers. About 3 million people are expected to fly for the holiday with air travel expected to jump about 25% from last year’s holiday. READ MORE

Here’s Why 2022 Is the Year of All-Inclusive Travel

CBSNEWS

For some travelers, all-inclusive hotels and resorts conjure up images of cafeteria-style food served in exotic settings where guests never actually leave the confines of the property. That image is changing, as hotel companies expand their offerings, and provide a fresh take on what all-inclusive means. READ MORE

The Rise of Servant Leadership

CIO.COM

The Great Resignation has ushered out command-and-control style leadership in favor of empathy and empowerment. These tech leaders put those principles into practice. READ MORE

How Long-Haul Travel Will Change Post-COVID

BBC

Today’s flyers want to fly further, faster, and in style, all while paying less. Catering to these demands requires innovative thinking and airlines are increasingly investing in products that will keep long-haul passengers happy. Here are three of them. READ MORE

A Travel Influencer’s Assistant on the Macarons and Dollar-Store Decorations She’s Bought on the Job

NEW YORK MAGAZINE

Assistant is a bit of a catchall term. Sure, they schedule meetings, take notes, and retrieve coffee, but they can also act as a quasi-concierge, sending fruit baskets to top clients and buying gifts for partners. In an effort to uncover the highly specific material needs of powerful people, we sat down with “Lisa,” 24, who started assisting her high-end-travel-influencer boss full time just over a year ago. We spoke with her about deceptive macarons, the six-foot green screen she schlepped on the train, and the off-season decorations she went on a wild goose chase to find. READ MORE

Summer travel is roaring back. Are higher prices and demand impacting your plans?

STAR TRIBUNE

Airfares are rising, as is demand for hotel and car rentals. Understaffed airlines and bad weather have canceled or delayed numerous flights. And gas prices continue to inch upward. READ MORE

Airbnb CEO: I Don’t See a Travel Recession Coming and We Won’t Freeze Hiring

SKIFT

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky was in New York City earlier this week for the launch of the company’s new curated search and homepage/app, their biggest product update in a while. Besides the very upbeat message with this radical change in its product and Chesky’s upbeat message all through last year on travel going through a revolution post pandemic, he also doesn’t see a recession coming to travel. READ MORE

How to Avoid Getting Duped By “Worthless” Travel Insurance Amid New Threat of COVID Cancellations

CBS NEWS

Holiday travel is expected to rebound this summer after two years of disruptions caused by the pandemic. But Americans heading overseas should be prepared for potential flight cancellations as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. To make matters worse, travelers may have more trouble getting their money back if they test positive. Airbnb, for example, said it is dropping cancellation exceptions for COVID starting May 31, which means a host’s original rules will apply. READ MORE

These Are the 2 Key Times to Demonstrate Your Leadership Potential in Meetings

FAST COMPANY

The founder of On Point Speaking notes that humans like to be told what to expect and what to do. Parameters and rules allow you to be the leader who takes the time to set them. READ MORE

Millennial Money: Save on Family Travel Without Stressing

THE ARDMOREITE

As an adult now, planning a trip with my own child, I fully understand how expensive — and hard — it is to travel with kids. Planning and packing requires accounting for naps, snacks, tantrums and blowouts. And you’re budgeting for extra airfare, a bigger rental car and additional lodging. You can save money on family travel and still have peace of mind. To find out how, I consulted two experts. Here’s what they had to say. READ MORE

Meta Partners with Adobe on New Social Media Marketing Training Course

SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY

As part of its promotion for its new Adobe Express creation suite, Adobe has partnered with Meta to launch a new ‘Express Your Brand’ training program, which is designed to help small business owners create more effective content, and digital marketing strategies, and maximize their business. READ MORE

How BNPL Upended Nearly a Century of Installment Payments

PYMNTS.COM

In a way, BNPL is nothing new. People have been buying things on installment plans since at least the Great Depression. But BNPL changed the game by allowing consumers to take their purchases home before they were done paying for them, something that would have been unheard of in the days of layaway. READ MORE

5 Places Around the World Where People Live the Longest

TRAVEL + LEISURE

While much of it boils down to genetics, getting to live into your 80s, 90s, and maybe even make it to the century mark is becoming more common. In fact, the United Nations expects the number of centenarians to grow eightfold by 2050. One way to know if you’ve got a higher chance of making it to 100? Just check your zip code to see if you live in a Blue Zone. READ MORE

The Future of Space Tourism Is Now. Well, Not Quite.

THE NEW YORK TIMES

From zero-pressure balloon trips to astronaut boot camps, reservations for getting off the planet — or pretending to — are skyrocketing. The prices, however, are still out of this world. READ MORE

Boeing Says Supply Chain Disruptions Hit 737 Max Production

ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH

Boeing Co. said earlier this week that supply chain disruptions slowed production and deliveries of its 737 Max cash cow narrowbody, but does not see its overall plan for the year being disrupted. The U.S. planemaker also said China was close to clearing the 737 Max to return to service, but progress with regulators and customers was delayed by stringent COVID protocols, not broader trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. READ MORE

TGA Urges Congress to Include Strong GSP Renewal in Any Final Competitiveness Legislation

TGA

On May 3, TGA and TGA members joined with other industry groups and companies to urge Congress to include a long and robust extension of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program in any final competitiveness/anti-China legislation approved by Congress. The House and Senate are moving to conference to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the competitiveness/anti-China bill. The Senate-passed bill included a long-term extension of GSP (through 2027) with some new requirements. The House-passed bill includes only a short extension of GSP with numerous new requirements that would make it hard for almost any country to remain in the GSP program. Neither bill includes much needed fixes that would allow U.S. travel goods imports to grow under the program. GSP expired on January 1, 2021. When in place, GSP allows U.S. travel goods imports from most developing countries (NOT China or Vietnam) to enter the U.S. duty-free. Thanks to GSP, U.S. travel goods imports have been able to start to move away from China.

Biden Administration Finally Starts Review of China Section 301 Tariffs

TGA

On May 3, in response to repeated calls from TGA and many others, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) finally launched a review of the China Section 301 tariffs. But it remains unclear whether the end result of the Biden administration’s review will lead to the removal of the 25% punitive tariffs on U.S. travel goods imports from China, or when the Biden administration will make a final decision. According to the timelines in yesterday’s announcement, no decision will be made until Fall 2022, at the earliest. Growing inflation fears seem to be the driver behind the decision.

April 2022 Logistics Managers’ Index Report

LOGISTICS MANAGERS’ INDEX

After reaching an all-time high of 76.2 in March, the overall LMI is down in April. This slowdown (which should be pointed out is still comfortably above the all-time average of 65.3) is largely driven by a shift in Transportation metrics. After 23 consecutive months of contraction, Transportation Capacity has finally shifted back into expansion, bumping up 11.2 points to a reading of 56.9. READ MORE

Terminal Automation Report on Long Beach, LA Ports Draws Attention as Labor Negotiations Near

DAILY BREEZE

With contract negotiations nearly underway, a report hailing the benefits of automated port terminals has brought opposing reactions from the two parties at the table, the Pacific Maritime Association, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Port automation is expected to be among the most contentious topics in the negotiations, which are set to begin on May 12. READ MORE

25 Travel Games That Will Keep Both Kids and Adults Entertained on Your Next Vacation

CNN UNDERSCORED

Whether you or your kids are prone to boredom or you’re on the lookout for the best travel gifts, the travel games that made our list could easily fit the bill. Before you pack up your suitcase, car or head to the airport for your next getaway, consider adding one of our favorite travel games to your travel arsenal. READ MORE

Social Media Marketing Is Costly and Far Less Effective Than It Once Was. Here’s What to Do Instead

INC.

Once upon a time, social media platforms were like jet fuel for consumer brands: You could pour a reasonable amount of money into a hyper-targeted ad campaign and watch your revenue skyrocket. That moment has passed. READ MORE

Here’s How to Navigate a Seamless Brand Marketing Presence

FAST COMPANY

Despite the thriving and evolving digital economy, leaders still need to strike a healthy balance between their company’s online and offline presence if they want their business to remain relevant to current and prospective customers. READ MORE

Ready for Takeoff: 7 Travel Tips for Remote Workers

ENTREPRENEUR

With U.S. travel expected to reach pre-pandemic levels this year and an increasing number of companies supporting remote working, it’s important to keep these travel tips in mind before your next adventure. READ MORE

Airbnb Says Record Bookings Signal Travel Rebound

TECH XPLORE

Bookings on Airbnb hit a new high in this year’s first quarter, the home rental platform reported earlier this week, in a fresh signal that travel demand stifled by the COVID-19 pandemic is being unleashed. READ MORE

How to Keep Your Travel Documents and Luggage Organized

THE SEATTLE TIMES

How do you keep all your stuff organized when you travel? That question is harder than ever to answer because travel has changed since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Now you have to juggle your ID or passport with your boarding pass and COVID-19 paperwork, including your vaccine documentation and PCR or antigen test, if they’re still required. READ MORE

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