Call it a strange coincidence. As I was thinking about subject matter for today’s blog, I started to think of the celebrities I have met while traveling. Then I clicked over to see what Alex wrote for her blog, and I saw she wrote about meeting Juan Martin del Potro.

Because of my hobbies, I have met a lot of celebrities. However, running into Jim Thome in the underbelly of the HHH Metrodome in Minneapolis (when the White Sox were in town) isn’t exactly happenstance. I have to eliminate all of those such encounters and concentrate strictly on random celeb sightings.

Earlier this year, at O’Hare Airport, I ran into talk show host Steve Wilkos. He was catching a very early flight and looked exhausted. I greeted him quietly, as not to announce his presence to the world. He thanked me appreciatively and seemed to go unnoticed the rest of the way to his terminal.

A few months ago, while in Novi, MI, for a convention, I saw former pitching great Denny McLain at a local restaurant. I didn’t want to bother him during his meal, so I just waved. I wrote about it on my blog and someone identifying himself as Denny McLain responded by joking that I should have bought him breakfast. I still don’t know if it was him or not.

Many years ago I was in line (for a Coke) behind Chris Zorich, then a member of the Chicago Bears. I wish I was wearing my shirt from his foundation that day, but I did talk to him for a moment anyway.

On a trip to Las Vegas, I saw actor-comedian Marc Price, best known for his role as “Skippy” on TV’s Family Ties. He was pretty cool, posing with me and signing a hat for me.

A few years ago I was staying at the Rittenhouse in Philadelphia and Jackson Browne was also there. My friend Jim ran into him in the elevator, but I missed him. I guess my luck was “running on empty” that day.

I probably have missed a few others, because I am pretty oblivious. It seems that my friends are always telling me about stars they see in Chicago. Somehow I miss them.  I guess I need to be traveling to meet any stars!

–John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

Another successful NBTA! Although attendance numbers were significantly less than in years past, the show this year was about quality, not quantity. The importance of business travel and face-to-face meetings was reaffirmed more than ever this year.

It was great to catch up with clients and meet new potential partners and friends.  Our party, as always, was a hit. Kim put together another great event. The beach theme was appropriate for the venue at the W San Diego — a rooftop bar and lounge area with a sandy floor.  Global Travelers and friends mingled to the laid-back beat of a steel drum band (my favorite part!). 

I will be reviewing the Hotel Indigo San Diego, a brand-spanking-new property and a great new boutique hot spot for the business or leisure traveler.  More to come later, but for now I must continue following up with all the great people I met this year!

– Courtney Centeno, account executive

I am writing from the Hotel Indigo San Diego while attending the 2009 NBTA Convention. Courtney Centeno and I flew out from JFK on the United PS Service to LAX and then down to San Diego over the weekend.  I was excited to experience the PS Service, as it is the only airline to offer a domestic cross-country premium-service-only flight — a lie-flat first-class seat, a business class and premium economy class.  The entire aircraft was spacious and comfortable, and we arrived in a quick five hours, nine minutes.

It was a pleasure to arrive in San Diego where the weather was in the low 70s and sunny, a welcome break from the heat and humidity of NYC.  I was anxious to attend the first day of the trade show on Monday to gauge the overall feeling of the travel industry looking ahead to fall 2009 and 2010.  People are overall optimistic, but there is no doubt 2009 has taken its toll on all industries, especially the world of travel.

During the general session Monday, we heard from senior executives and CEOs from NBTA and business travel corporations Sabre and Dav El Limos.  Each message incorporated and encouraged everyone. An upswing in travel is in motion.  They also noted the importance of business travel, not only for our own travel segments, but for the overall economy.  Business travel encompasses over $90 billion worth of business a year, and the more people are on the road for business, the better it is for the economy.

The general session  ended with a keynote speech from five-time Olympian Dara Torres, otherwise known as the 41-year-old mom who swam and medaled three times in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her motivational speech focused around her book, Age Is Just a Number. The message: With drive, persistence and passion, anything is possible.  Her story was truly inspiring. With the same drive and passion, we will be certain to see a positive change in both the arena of business travel and the economy.

–Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

It’s that time of year again — Global Traveler staffers are preparing to descend upon San Diego for the annual National Business Travel Association convention. Fran Gallagher, publisher, is en-route to Southern California as I type. I depart early (7:43 a.m.) tomorrow morning; and Dick Evans, Alex Young and Courtney Centeno join us on Sunday morning. The NBTA convention is a jam-packed four days of networking, exhibiting, making new contacts and partying. We are also looking forward to our stay at the brand new Hotel Indigo San Diego.

This year’s convention officially kicks off on Sunday night with a welcome address by Pilot Chesley Sullenberger of US Airways. The heroic pilot is sure to be a draw. The address is followed by the welcome reception at a nearby Hilton. Monday morning begins the press conferences, convention and meetings familiar to NBTA. Other speakers include Olympic medalist Dara Torres, comedian Jay Leno and former President Bill Clinton.

On Tuesday night, GT will celebrate the convention with clients and friends at our annual NBTA cocktail reception. This year’s venue cannot be beat. The W San Diego’s rooftop beach venue is truly unique, complete with sand and palm trees. San Diego is known for its perfect weather ,and we plan on celebrating among the star-filled sky while a Caribbean steel drum band plays in the background. Look for a complete recap of the event in an upcoming issue of GT.

Personally, I’m excited for the whole convention, from start to finish. It is never boring at NBTA, that’s for sure! I’m especially excited for my Wednesday afternoon spa treatments at the W San Diego AWAY Spa. I can’t think of a better way to unwind after all the goings-on at the convention. Something tells me I will have a very relaxing red-eye flight home Wednesday night. Check out my ‘Spa Report’ on the urban oasis coming soon.

Last year’s convention was in Los Angeles, where we all experienced an earthquake! I hope we have an earthshaking good time this year, without the actual earth shaking . . .

Stay tuned for convention and travel updates all week!

–Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

Last weekend, I was in Novi, MI, primarily for the Motor City Comic Con, although, technically, I was working. It is hard to call it work when it is as much fun as this event.

First, I made the rounds, distributing Global Traveler to all of the hotels near the Rock Financial Showplace. As always, the hotels were very happy to receive the copies.

The MCCC is a three-day event, featuring dealers, artists and celebrities. Over 15,000 fans attended this year. Carrie Fisher (of Star Wars fame) was the biggest and most popular celebrity, but the other 20 celebrities were also kept pretty busy by long lines of fans.

I laughed with the Honky Tonk Man, a pro wrestler who was disappointed that he was not the first person to tell me that I look like Jay Leno. I semi-saved actress Joyce DeWitt from a well-meaning but lingering, talkative fan. I joked with actor Gil Gerard, who somehow was stuck holding a fan’s purse while she showed him a small photo album. I talked business travel with Christy Hemme and Kevin Nash.

I met a new friend, Jack Odanovich, who was representing the Star Wars Society of San Antonio (SWSSA). The SWSSA was just one of many groups from all over the country. At the MCCC, Odanovich (in full Anakin Skywalker garb) attracted almost as many people as some of the celebrities. Odanovich is somewhat used to this, though, as the SWSSA has also been to hospitals to cheer up young patients.

The MCCC is a true success story. The former little comic book show has grown to be the best convention I have attended. I have never heard one complaint from anyone. It is smoothly run and somehow every celebrity seems to be in a great mood all of the time.

The hotels deserve special mention. The Doubletree is the host hotel, but all of the hotels welcome this convention. Despite the fact that they would all probably sell out anyway, each hotel goes above and beyond.

On Saturday evening, GT route manager JayHawk Evans and I trekked (just keeping with the sci-fi theme) over to Detroit to watch the Tigers thump the Oakland As, 9-1. Comerica Park is a beautiful baseball park. The park, which opened in 2000, is one of the biggest reasons for the revitalization of the downtown Detroit area.

On Sunday morning, I took a long and refreshing run. From my hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, I ran past Twelve Oaks Mall, where I saw all of the new development. I continued running past Ella Mae Power Park, where I resisted the urge to beg into one of the softball games. I finished the six or so mile run in decent time, but I’d have a lot of work to do to be ready for the Detroit Marathon in October.

I always enjoy this trip to Novi/Detroit. Unfortunately, the weekend ended on a sour note. I drove back to Chicago in time to catch the Chicago Blackhawks being defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in the first game of their series. I could have done without that little piece of the Motor City.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist