Volume 4 // Issue 3
Sports Tourism Business & Lifestyle 1
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Field Notes While traveling this year, as I typically do on most trips, whether they are personal or professional, I often find myself seeking out a destination’s prominent facilities. There is something special about playing tourist at some noteworthy places of interest, especially during longer conferences and trade shows. There are so many design features, products, and vendors on display that I’m always fascinated. When impressed, I’ll duck into a stadium or facility gift shop, if they offer one, and walk out with a piece of memorabilia or apparel. We all do this when we are off traveling, away from our everyday lives and office space. Our eyes wander to experiencing how other destinations, governments, facilities, and, let’s face it, design firms have crafted athletic facilities. We analyze specific features, how they have implemented history, or the character of a destination into the visitor experience. When we do so, we are soaking up this ineffable thing called style, and often, elements of what we absorb bubble up later in our creativity. That is if we are lucky enough during a career to have input and say into a facility’s design to better cater to a sport, the athletes, spectators, and the overall visitor experience. While every issue of PUSH touches on this idea in various ways, our content seeks to help every one of our subscribers build their style. From San Diego, CA, to Portland, ME, we explore how a destination’s culture can make a name for itself through storytelling and the visitor experience. Often, as we plan for the future of PUSH Magazine, emerging themes arise that you didn’t realize were there, and for me, this time, it is bold young colleagues who are pushing design, creative and destination experiences, and community enhancements into the future through their work ethic and passion. That is the story regarding Bri Seifert (Visit Fort Collins) and Alex Alston (City of Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment). Every destination is ever-evolving, so each return visit is an opportunity to discover a destination again. Thanks to the desire and hunger of authentic industry colleagues. We hope you enjoy Volume 4, Issue 3 of PUSH Magazine!
x Matt Dunn
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Industry Spotlight Alex Alston: City of Jacksonville, Sports & Entertainment
Health: How to Manage 14 PUSH Chronic Inflamation
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PUSH Money: 4 Reasons You Manage Money Well
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PUSH Tech: SEO is Declining, AO is the Answer
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Industry Spotlight Bri Seifert: Visit Fort Collins
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PUSH Mindfulness: Reduce Office Politics
Travel: Explanations for 36 PUSH Delayed Luggage
38 Cover Photo by: Visit Fort Collins
Industry Confidential
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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Alex Alston City of Jacksonville, Sports & Entertainment
What’s your current position? Chief of Sports and Entertainment; Manage and produce the City of Jacksonville Special Events, including Florida-Georgia football game, Jacksonville Jazz Fest, and Sea and Sky airshow, among others; primary liaison between City sports teams and administration; oversee ASM Global contract as venue manager; leading executive in sports and entertainment space for the City. What would you say most motivates you? Pride of being a Jacksonville native and wanting our destination to thrive in the sports and entertainment space. 9
What are you most excited or passionate about?
Where did you grow up?
Developing creative ways to do more with what we have and how we are structured. It’s exciting to do things people say aren’t possible or have never been done here.
I grew up in Atlantic Beach, a suburb of Jacksonville, a great place to grow up, and we rarely “crossed the ditch”, a term we give to the intercoastal waterway dividing the beaches from mainland Jacksonville. Graduated from Fletcher High School, then after one year at West Point, attended the University of Florida for undergraduate and graduate school.
What are the goals you most want to accomplish? Tough one, but like my first answer above, creating an atmosphere and destination known to attract and produce worldclass events. Help Jacksonville brand itself like it hasn’t been before. What attracted you to lead the sports tourism effort for the City of Jacksonville Sports & Entertainment Division? Working in the industry for a long time, I always wanted to be in a leadership role, particularly in my hometown. Spending seven years at ASM Global was invaluable; we were contracted by the City and worked closely with my current department. After spending a little over two years in the private sector at FIS, helping lead their foray into sports and entertainment, the opportunity came with a new administration to lead the City’s Sports and Entertainment Division, and I jumped at the chance.
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Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in, and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Personally, my grandfather was a huge influence. Longtime HS football coach and Duval County Athletic Director learned so much from him about how to treat people and work hard for what you want. Professionally, Bill McConnell was a big influence, working under him during my time
at ASM Global. He came with 25 years experience from the NFL, and I learned so much from him, particularly as it relates to taking a measured and strategic approach to deals and opportunities. What projects are you working on now? Over the past two weeks, our team successfully executed the Sea and Sky air show featuring the Blue Angels and the annual Florida-Georgia college football rivalry. Sea and Sky took place over Jacksonville Beach, so it took a multi-municipal partnership, as well as coordination with Naval Station Mayport, to execute. We welcomed over 100,000 throughout the weekend, and the event took an incredible amount of logistics and operational execution from our team due to the footprint and significant build. FL/GA is the biggest and most high-profile event we host annually. We play a crucial role, but it is also all hands on deck from ASM Global, JSO, JFRD, university officials, etc., to pull it off each year. Were there any surprises? Sea and Sky had significant resistance this year in indemnification and insurance rates. Multiple insurance issues, both with the base and the City, led to all seven civilian pilots backing out of the event. The event was still a success with the Blue Angels, but the issue caused a lot of last-minute adjustments to timing, scheduling, shuttle service, footprint, etc. Tell us about some of the memorable characters in this story. Each year, we induct four former players/coaches into the FL/GA Hall of Fame. One of the inductees this year
was Coach Mark Richt. All of the stories you hear about how great of a human being he is are true, and then some. I spent significant time with him and his wife, Catherine, and they are the most wonderful, humble, and gracious people I have ever met. He told a great story about the 2007 game when the Georgia team ran on the field to celebrate an opening touchdown. His intention was for all the players on the field to celebrate, but the team misunderstood and thought he meant for the ENTIRE team to celebrate, so he was as shocked as any when they all rushed onto the field. He received a standing ovation after the acceptance speech, and is a moment I’ll never forget, even being a Gator! What was most challenging? Managing staff working on an event being fresh into the organization and needing to learn the scope and responsibilities of each role made for some challenging moments. Not knowing exactly when to step in, make a decision, etc., is something that I look forward to not having to experience now that I’ve gotten the first few events under my belt. Did the work fail in some ways? How? What might you have done to prevent those areas of partial failure? I wouldn’t say there were any failures, just things that, while out of our control, can be managed more effectively in the future with more planning and thought in those areas. 11
What was most rewarding? Seeing the reactions of the thousands looking up at the Blue Angels and the thousands enjoying the FL/GA festivities is why we do what we do. Alex, you are now back in sports tourism, and so many of your colleagues are excited to have your enthusiasm and experience back in the mix. You previously left your mark in Gainesville, FL, Tulsa, OK, and with ASM Global, before a very successful stint with FIS Bank soliciting professional sports accounts with more than $1 Billion in spending… How will you use this impressive resume to lead the effort in Jacksonville? Having been on so many different sides of the sports and entertainment landscape, I can offer some perspective and big-picture thinking that may sometimes be lacking. With the division being under a municipality, there are some limits to what we can do.
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Still, I can bring some ideas and partnership recommendations that may help us operate more efficiently and innovatively. Also, the built-in network and understanding of how different entities operate should be an asset to the role and what our division is tasked with managing and executing. What gets you out of bed every day to continue your drive? What motivates your work ethic? A couple of things: It is easy to get out of bed when you love what you do. My family motivates my work ethic. Making them proud and positioning our family for long-term stability and prosperity keeps me going and wanting to be as successful as possible. It’s never been about me; it’s all about how I represent them and hopefully, provide them with a good life and opportunities to experience
the world in different ways. What would you say are your best skills? What do you bring to the table that helps you rise above the rest? Where and how did you learn those skills? I feel as though my interpersonal and relationship skills are number one. I enjoy interacting with all different types of people and feel it is so important to have genuine and impactful interactions. When you enjoy engaging with people, they can tell and immediately become disarmed and easier to work with. I learned this skill from having a large extended family growing up and we spent a lot of social time together, celebrating, arguing, playing sports, etc. You learn the value of those relationships when you interact with a bunch of Catholics on Thanksgiving, and there are 20 empty wine bottles on the table!
What’s next for you in your work? What are you looking forward to down the road in your career? In the immediate future, my goal is to raise the profile of our Sports and Entertainment Division through enhanced event experiences and more event recruitment to Jacksonville. In doing that, if it secures our position over the next few years, either through another four years for the current administration or surviving a transition with a new administration, that will be the goal. After that, if I have done everything I mentioned above, who knows…If there is one thing I’ve learned throughout this journey, it’s never say never!
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health
How to Manage Chronic Inflammation What do you think of when inflammation comes to mind? When thinking of inflammation, your thoughts are likely on pain and irritation. While true, these two topics only apply to short-term inflammation. When dealing with long-term chronic inflammation, your discomfort can cause unexpectedly vague symptoms, thus making them challenging to recognize. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, as it helps kill harmful bacteria and remove debris to allow for healing. Some signs of chronic inflammation are: • • • • •
consistent pain poor sleep being irritable or anxious more so than usual frequently becoming sick having a testy digestive system
If you suspect your symptoms are from chronic inflammation, schedule an appointment with your doctor. An underlying condition typically causes chronic inflammation; therefore, the only way to be sure you are battling it is to obtain a medical diagnosis. 14
Furthermore, relieving inflammation involves managing an affected condition. Doing so will usually include specific therapies or medications only provided by a doctor. Aside from your doctor’s treatment plan, you can adopt many healthy habits to aid in the reduction and management of inflammation in your body: Eat fruit and vegetables To reduce and manage chronic inflammation, you cannot go wrong by eating a rainbow of plant foods. They are anti-inflammatory in their natural state due to their high content of antioxidant combinations, which lower inflammation in your system. Concentrate on fiber. Fiber is excellent in feeding your healthy gut bacteria. High-fiber foods include whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. These bacteria overall help lower your body’s inflammation. Reduce processed, sugar-filled foods. Processed foods do not contain healthy antioxidants and fiber. They are loaded with artificial preservatives, flavorings, coloring, and sweeteners. Avoid or limit them, as these substances can activate inflammation.
Reduce your alcohol consumption. Alcohol produces inflammation in your system. Switch out an alcoholic drink for a mocktail or a glass of water from time to time to limit your intake. Drink consciously to steer clear of inflammation. Stay physically active. Recurring exercise routines and maintaining an active lifestyle will lower inflammation in your system. 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week is recommended for the average adult. Get good quality sleep. Not always easy, but emphasizing sleep is one of the best methods to practice for managing chronic inflammation. Sleep is the “doover” your brain needs to help reduce inflammation. Schedule an appointment with a doctor if you have made several healthy lifestyle suggestions but still experience symptoms. Chronic pain or discomfort in your joints, bones, and pelvis are all symptoms that justify a visit. Additionally, if you are experiencing increased bloating, bowel movements, or wounds on your legs or feet, see a doctor and discuss what tests may help identify your condition. A simple blood test can determine if inflammation is occurring in your body. Your doctor can then make a plan depending on your symptoms. 15
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money 4 Reasons You Manage Money Well At times do you have a low bank balance? If so, do not be discouraged. If you, honestly, possess these characteristics, you are financially on the right track. As we attempt to achieve goals, we must remember that fulfilling a goal is only a portion of the journey. What is included in the journey, and so very worthwhile, is the feeling of accomplishment. Often, because we must overcome hardships along the way, we separate these two distinctions. At times, we can all focus too much on hardships and the negative toll they take, thus underestimating the power of the journey. Highly successful individuals can become miserable by never celebrating success and consistently chasing another award or objective. The distance between your productivity and fulfillment can lead to dissatisfaction. To be concise, there is a disconnect between our success and sense of accomplishment. This is true when it comes to our finances as well. How do you know if you are good with money? Many believe it is simple to determine your financial stability. Bank and credit card statements and account balances display obvious accountability. However, money differs for us all as we are in different stages of life and have different goals. Our bank balance is better thought of as evidence of fact and current standing than your financial knowledge. Our current state of national and world affairs makes for trying times to achieve financial goals. Each day, we make financial decisions with more financial products and services at our disposal than in previous times. Steering through these options can be daunting. Therefore, how can you measure your success to determine if you are progressing with your finances and future planning? Here are a few signals: 1. You are aware of your bank balances. Depending on the month and your financial decisions, your cash flow may vary drastically from time to time. No matter the balance or your income and expense levels, we should all focus on a positive cash flow. 18
If you are in a consistent habit of monitoring your cash flow, you are more likely to ensure that your debits do not exceed your credits. As we hear all the time, “live within your means,” and earn more than you spend. If you are in a situation to always save for a rainy day, then you are on the right track. 2. You are aware of your flaws. Regardless of your financial skills, you do have financial flaws and weaknesses. Our past experiences shape our mindset when it comes to money, as emotions enter our decision-making. If you acknowledge your usual financial weaknesses, you are better positioned to put them in the past. Maybe you are prone to “retail therapy” when feeling blue. Or perhaps you make rash decisions when challenged with an obstacle when a bit of thought could place you in a better scenario. If you do not recognize your behavior patterns, it can steer you toward significant financial errors. 3. You understand debt types. Some people are petrified by debt, even the subject of it. Others may be more at ease using credit to fund their daily decisions. Both styles determine their financial future. Individuals who understand and are good with their finances have the wisdom that debt can be good or bad if you know how to play your cards right. There is a science to making debt work to your advantage, and it is a sign of financial knowledge. Good debt, such as your home mortgage, is debt that will improve your financial positioning long-term. Bad debt, in retail or dining out, leans on the side of consumption or perishable and, therefore, does not have persistent value. 4. You have created goals. Financial goals vary from person to person. One person’s plan to retire by a certain age could be very different from another person who wishes to pay off a personal loan by the same age. Our goals need not be similar; everyone has a different mindset, background, hobbies, and more. Though, if you wish to take control of your finances, a goal or set of goals is a must. Financially sound individuals have a plan for their money. These plans are surrounded by goals for saving, investing, increasing revenue, or increasing their annual salary. However, goals by themselves will not fulfill their objectives. True financially driven individuals implement habits and systems with their finances to accomplish their goals. The message is straightforward and convincing. Whether you are good or bad with your finances is not measured by how much you possess but rather by your common sense, self-awareness, and insight. If you consistently monitor your cash flow, have created goals, and are sticking to your plans, then you are much better with money than you often think.
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tech SEO Is Declining. AO is the answer. Are you adjusting your artificial intelligence algorithms? If not, you are behind. Lately, in meetings with sports tourism clients, I’ve been speaking with them about the behemoth transformations coming to their organizations over the next few years. Consistently, these conversations focus on artificial intelligence, and I always strive to eliminate their angst; it is all in the preparation. I have been researching Google and reading up on their artificial intelligence-focused search engine. While there are many kinks to work through, it is evident that their use of AI technology is the future, and every organization must plan accordingly. If you have yet to spend time with it, the significant change revolves around how search engine results are presented. Rather than the usual listing of results toward the top, Google AI works to answer your inquiry, provide valued background, allow for additional queries, and deliver effective results created by AI’s analysis of what you are seeking. Though the biggest takeaway is while links to websites are still listed, they are buried, thus resulting in no need to click on third-party links. Since the AI-generated responses are so helpful, there is no need to click on a website to seek the answer to your question. You know, your website! Based on the quality, search engine results generated by AI may turn the tide of future search traffic on your website. Therefore, meaning a decline in search traffic from Google due to users obtaining their answers from Google’s AI search engine rather than seeking a response from a website. So, this becomes a major issue for organizations in the tourism industry that depend on search traffic to make educated decisions. This is why SEO as a sole data 22
strategy will decline. Consequently, organizations must focus on taking the necessary steps to prepare enhancements on algorithm optimization (AO); otherwise, your effectiveness will diminish. What Is AO? To be clear, the days of building an SEO strategy have not gone by the wayside. However, an investment into sizable digital resources to optimize your website for increased search traffic is extinct. Moving forward, to drive more traffic to your website will require financing time and resources for optimizing across algorithms. This means you must build your website to be optimized for Google’s algorithm. To be more effective, you must optimize your creative, landing pages, calls to action, content, and more to algorithms like social media. SEO was the “King of All Data” when determining methodology to drive significant website traffic. In the future, we must optimize our digital marketing efforts
like social media, or expect your numbers to drop. As mentioned, Google search results will continue displaying websites directing individuals. However, now that, through AI, Google is directly providing answers to inquiries, they may not need to visit your website. Each organization’s traffic will ultimately decline, and a plan must be prepared to replace that traffic. Introducing AO. To continue traffic at your current levels will require optimization via algorithms. Your website team will be required to become experts in social media algorithms, like those on Instagram. Furthermore, be prepared and secure in trying out new content concepts. This will be a trial-and-error process before discovering the secret sauce for your organization’s website traffic levels. Whether we enjoy how algorithms impact our lives, they are here to stay, and now their importance will take on a more significant role within our organizational decision-making. 23
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INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT
Bri Seifert Visit Fort Collins
What’s your current position? I am the Sales Manager at Visit Fort Collins, and I’ve held this position for nearly two years. In my role, I proactively generate group meetings, sports tournaments, and event leads by engaging in prospecting, direct sales, and building relationships with sports organizers and meeting and event planners. What would you say most motivates you to do what you do? My motivation stems from various sources. I’m driven by the desire never to let anyone down or miss an opportunity, which energizes me to put in the extra effort to ensure successful outcomes. Competition is another strong motivator; I constantly strive to outdo my previous goals and achievements each year. My primary goal is to make a meaningful difference at Visit Fort Collins. The scale matters less than the impact. If my partners recognize me as their advocate and see that I’m dedicated to making their jobs easier and better, that’s a win in my book. 26
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What led you to this job? Before joining Visit Fort Collins, I worked as a contractor for the Colorado Tourism Office. As a contractor in the international department, my dream job ended abruptly in April 2020. After a brief stint as a recruiter, I knew my passion was in the tourism industry, and I looked for any opportunity to get back into it. When the Sales Manager position at Visit Fort Collins presented itself, I hesitated because it was a new side of tourism that I had little experience in. I didn’t feel that familiar spark and passion until I started attending sports shows, and I haven’t looked back since.
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on the intramural fields. In my sophomore year, I studied abroad in Adelaide, Australia, and it was there I decided to change my major from Computer Information Systems (I know, what?!) to a double major in Marketing and Natural Resources Recreation Tourism. Did you have any key mentors or people who profoundly influenced who you are, what you believe in, and what you’re committed to in your work and life?
Where did you grow up? What was it like to grow up there?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have a handful of mentors who’ve guided and encouraged me throughout my life and career. My “small group” at The Crossing Church in Fort Collins left a profound mark on me. They introduced me to the gospel in a way I’d never experienced and provided unwavering support during some of my most challenging moments.
I grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, known as “the bubble .”It was a comfortable life; I had great friends and played as many sports as possible. I went to college at Colorado State University. I enjoyed my college experience and found my people at a local church, The Crossing, and
More specifically, the name that came to my mind immediately was Janet Christopher. When the Colorado Tourism Office underwent significant changes, Janet Christopher became the Interim International Director for CTO. Janet’s impact on my life is something I’ll forever cherish. The moment I met Janet, I knew she was a ‘Get Shit
Done’ kind of person. She was forthright and highly efficient – just what the CTO needed at the time. Janet believed in me, bolstered my self-confidence, and coaxed me out of my comfort zone. My time under Janet’s wing was brief but invaluable. What projects are you working on now? While I’ll maintain my focus on booking tournaments and conferences throughout the year as part of my ongoing projects, a daily commitment will be dedicated to the continuous training and education of our entire community in Sports Tourism. Success in this market hinges on close collaboration and partnerships with key players in our community. We have many partners, and some of them include Parks and Recreation, Colorado State University, Poudre School District, the City of Fort Collins, and facilities. These stakeholders must be well-informed about our vision for advancing Sports Tourism. My primary goal is to boost spending in Fort Collins and create a meaningful impact for our community and residents. I want to ensure there’s never any doubt about my approach. Consistent collaboration and an ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, where we learn from one another and identify opportunities for shared victories, is vital.
Are there key turning points in this project? Maintaining open and candid discussions with my partners and stakeholders is my top priority. I’m here to gather insights from their experiences and to understand how Visit Fort Collins can align with their objectives and assist them in achieving their goals. In the process, I also aim to share Visit Fort Collins’ vision and goals. Have there been any surprises? There will invariably be resistance, questions, and divergent perspectives, but these are essential elements. They facilitate a deeper understanding for both parties and, in the end, pave the way for shared victories. Bri, you are quickly becoming recognizable and someone to conduct business with across the sports tourism industry. This has become evident over the past several conferences in 2023. How have you been able to maneuver through the process at a rapid pace? I have a sincere affection for people. My primary concern is the well-being and interests of those I collaborate with. In a market as abundant as this one, it’s easy to feel inundated. To navigate it successfully, I priori29
tize individuals I genuinely wish to partner with. I take time and make an effort to understand their requirements and explore avenues (occasionally unconventional) where our interests align. I won’t force anything, but when I trust someone and have a desire to collaborate, I leave no stone unturned in pursuing a feasible partnership. What gets you out of bed every day to continue your drive? While it is continually thrilling to secure a new tournament or meeting, what truly fuels my passion is the people. I thrive on the opportunity to
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cultivate meaningful relationships. What would you say are your best skills? My strong work ethic has consistently been one of my most valuable skills. I had to develop it early because school didn’t come naturally. I had to put in twice the effort to achieve what others might consider an average grade. I’m genuinely grateful for that experience because it instilled resilience and gave me invaluable life skills. I’m also “skilled” at cultivating and maintaining a broad network of industry-wide relationships. However, I don’t view it as a skill but rather something I genuinely love. I’ll never try to force an opportunity, but when there’s trust
between us, you can rest assured that I’ll invest my total effort to bring about the desired outcome. What’s next for you in your work? What are you looking forward to down the road in your career? I feel like I’ve barely begun to explore the potential in my role as Sales Manager in the sports tourism market. What lies ahead involves unwavering commitment and persistence in order to make a positive impact on the Fort Collins community. I thrive on setting and achieving goals, so as I look into the future of my career, I anticipate surpassing my previous year’s performance. My goal isn’t to take on everything but to excel in a select few areas.
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mindfulness Reduce Office Politics Four words can radically diminish office politics before they begin.
Mundane tasks and lack of pay increases are the usual responses when asking employees what they do not enjoy about their work life. Though, one of the more common responses is office politics. Status, closed-door conversations and deals, department tugs-of-war, and power struggles can damage even the most rewarding organizational missions and visions into a toxic environment that produces unneeded stress—also resulting in a loss of exceptional employees and productivity. Eliminating office politics from an organization is undoubtedly unattainable. Nevertheless, could we reduce the time, energy, and resources wasted on these plots and ruses? For leaders balancing demanding schedules, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is office politics. An office environment in turmoil can reduce pressure with one simple idea. Types of office politics Office politics exist on two levels: • •
Chaos created by toxic employees Differences in communication, opposing styles, or even performance and strategy.
Many examples involve mostly reasonable and skilled co-workers with different ideas on how a task at hand can be accomplished. However, suppose you are unlucky enough to deal with a challenging personality. In that case, there are methods to protect your future and achieve your objectives while seeking alternative ways to remove yourself from a situation. While everyday clashes for control can raise your stress levels to new heights, remember that you and your “not-so-favorite” co-worker still have one key thing in common. One of the best observations about work, separate from other experiences in your personal life, is that it all comes down to a straightforward fact: If your organization is not achieving success and objectives are not met, everyone will be terminated. This means that everyone in an organization wishes to see their goals accomplished. So, you and your adversary may argue about all sorts of other things. Still, you both presumably will want 32
to remain employed and continue to accomplish personal success through promotions and salary increases. Clear advice would be to use this necessary principle to your benefit. Rather than plotting to drive a stake further between the two of you, think about which of your stances is most likely heading in the right direction to create organizational success. This adjustment will help you look beyond any frustration you may be experiencing. While doing so, discover ways to alter your conflict to make your productivity stand out. One simple phrase Yes, yes, I know… You may object to this sound advice as it can be genuinely challenging to take a deep breath and pull off while in the moment. Suppose a colleague is diminishing your efforts or taking credit for your hard work. In that case, it can be a serious test of patience to look beyond your rage and realize that you are working toward the same goals and objectives.
What happens then? It is at this moment you should break out the magic phrase. Have you ever raised your voice in a meeting or taken fifteen or twenty minutes to draft a two-sentence response to a co-worker? If so, use the following phrase: “Let’s continue this later.” Feel free to add the following… “I have more to say on the matter,” or “I’m not feeling my best,” or even “I do not think we can solve this today.” Disagreements cannot be fixed constructively while you are annoyed or in anger. Taking some time away can help us “cool our jets” and allow logic to run its course. In an office environment and in life, you can avoid most encounters before they create an issue by forcing yourself to step back and take some time before things get heated. As challenging as a co-worker may be, using time to remind yourself that you and your colleague both wish success for your organization may be just the thing that leads to that achievement. 33
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travel
Explanations for Delayed Luggage Though you’ve exited your plane easily, that does not mean your baggage will arrive quickly.
Especially if you sit toward the front of an airplane and can get off quickly, your luggage may not be waiting at your designated baggage carousel. Many incidents can occur from the moment your luggage is loaded to the instant you see it coming through on the conveyor belt. Typically, all baggage is sorted into two groups: Those to be transferred to another plane and those that have found their destination. Bags that are terminating are placed into the baggage carts you see on the tarmacs and delivered to baggage claim, where they are assigned to a conveyor belt that delivers them to the correct 36
carousel. However, there are many variables, including the total number of passengers and airport size. Consequently, there are plenty of opportunities for problems to develop. When traveling next, before you allow your frustration to get the best of you, consider many of the main reasons your bag may be delayed. Terminal Size Remember the long walk we had once arriving at a mid-market or large-market airport for a conference? Well, just as it takes longer to maneuver through a huge airport, it will take your bags even more time to navigate the distance from your gate to the baggage claim area. Poor Weather Electrical storms are one of the more common reasons your luggage may take additional time to arrive at baggage claim. When severe weather, such as lightning strikes, occurs, the ground crew is instructed to find shelter for obvious safety reasons. This means the crews will need more time to load and deliver your luggage to the indoor baggage claim area. Airport Conditions Many airports across the country are under construction. This construction can undoubtedly create a longer route or other slower processes to ensure bags are delivered promptly. Many airports have the baggage process down to a science using security checks, belts, and manual labor hand-offs. However, there are some airports with minimal technology to assist with the luggage process. This may be something to keep top of mind when traveling to smaller, isolated areas where only a little traffic exists at the airport. Traveler Capacity Can you remember when your flight was full, and you had to wait for your bag? Full flights equal more bags to move through the airport. Some of us have been fortunate enough to experience an essentially bare flight. When that happens, you probably received your luggage quickly if it was not already there when you arrived at baggage claim. During high-capacity flights, one method to drop your wait time is to check in early. Many airlines use a system where those bags that check in first are loaded in such a way that they are then first removed. So, arriving earlier and setting yourself up among the first in line may save waiting time at your destination.
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INDUSTRY CONFIDENTIAL Check in every issue for the unfiltered thoughts of our guest writers and contributors as they discuss the hottest topics in sports tourism. In this issue, our guest writer discusses the subject of auditing before goal setting. Are you living a life with intent? What are your goals for 2024? Have you started thinking about them yet? 2023 has thrown many obstacles at all individuals and organizational teams. However, overall, individually and in group environments, we all have risen to the occasion. Going through the process of an internal audit will show how worthwhile our journey has been, and given some honest reflection, the knowledge gained can set up future success. How many times a day do you hear yourself ask someone, “How are you?” But when was the last time you asked yourself? For most, it has been a while. Typically, when asking a friend this question, our reasoning is to connect deeper by strengthening a relationship, getting to know someone better, or genuinely seeing if we can help make their day or life better. We routinely ask others how they are doing but do not take the time to focus on ourselves. One theory for why we do not do so is that we have yet to learn to prioritize it. Instead, with our heads down, we run through our to-do lists, take care of others along the way, and never think of ourselves because we are whipped by the end of the day. We move from one thing to the next, trying to live life right in hopes of moving in the right direction. Fact: You can only know what you need if you process and understand your current situation. A life audit is a deep and total assessment of your life. You look at the collection of whatever may be taking up mental and physical energy, physical space, even time. This complete assessment can help provide a clearer picture of your life. What is working; what is not working? What got better, what got worse, and why? The life audit process is daunting. Being honest with yourself about areas of your life that are unfulfilled can be tricky. Don’t compare yourself to others. To avoid any disappointment in your discovery, go into a life audit with the idea of self-love, not self-doubt. After all, self-love includes the desire to seek meaning and growth in life. So, do you need a life audit, and how do you perform one? Life audits should exist in 3 steps. First, only review an individual area of your life at a time to ensure you don’t miss anything. Second, perform a self-inquiry, ask yourself meaningful questions, and record them. And third, summarize what you have learned from life’s experiences and your audit to paint the picture of where your life stands currently. 38
Everyone has more going on in their life than they realize. Using categories, run through a life audit on each to build a consensus of where you stand. Sample categories should include: *
Family, friends, and romantic relationships Mental health Your home environment Physical health & wellness Professional career contributions Your digital in-take on social media and technology use Community outreach and giving back Financial well-being Habits and routines Personal growth through continuing education and exploration
As we learn more about other people from conversations and asking them questions, the same exists to get to know yourself and your current scenario. So, to expand our understanding of ourselves, we must do the same. Consider using these questions and record them or write them down just like a journal entry. When you write, you are more capable of remembering details and specific pieces of information that you might not have otherwise. If you are not into journaling, make lists instead. • What makes me feel unsettled? What dictates my decisions? How do I spend my time and energy? What causes me stress? What are my greatest moments of joy? What’s going well in my life and why? What needs improvement? What makes me proud? What thoughts are typically in my head? What provides me with meaning and purpose? Another routine to get in is to practice recording your time, energy, and resources. There is value in doing so if aspects of your life feel off balance. Quick example: if you are not getting enough sleep and are dragging by each afternoon or you get to the point when recognizing you are spending too much time staring at screens (phone, tablets, or TV). If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, tracking your time, energy, and resources may help determine your angst. Recording may be the lightbulb moment to realize why things got off track and are affecting you. Keep a log on a notepad of what you do each day and record the time when you do it. Also, make a mental note of your energy level and mindset while doing it. If you do so for a period of one week, you’ll have a solid amount of insight to help you discover more about yourself. To close the book on a successful life audit, you must honestly summarize your learnings. Look for common threads and write an open assessment of your life as it currently stands. Undergoing the life auditing process will focus your future decision-making about what adds value and meaning to your life, what you can and should remove from your life, and your best course of action moving forward to set goals. 39
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