WE ALL LOOK FORWARD to a new, adventurous year as 2019 enters with a bang! As the magazine begins another year of publishing, I am reminded this is the 11th solo January issue. When Global Traveler kicked off this fun-filled adventure, we published a combined December and January issue. In some respects, that gave us time to relax and enjoy the holiday season, but on the other hand, our readers kept asking for more and more information.

Besides our wonderful subscribers, our distribution includes nearly every airline lounge across the country and some overseas. Therefore, those of you on January journeys or those who start the year running with business trips after New Year’s (like me) are rewarded with a copy of Global Traveler in the United, Delta and American lounges and many others. I know the folks at Lufthansa pride themselves on the lounge copies at U.S. gateways and in their strategic Frankfurt hub — after all, North American traffic is the most valuable for Lufthansa.

I plan to visit Florida and Georgia right after the holidays, not for the warmer weather but for the key accounts residing in this region. I may figure out a way to take some R&R in the Sarasota area while I am there.

The Florida Panhandle continues to struggle from the effects of Hurricane Michael, and I ask you to please remember this region, particularly Mexico Beach, which was devastated. Everyone is trying to put their lives back together; many do not have insurance, and many who do cannot find workers to repair or replace their structures. This “Sandy effect” happened in Long Island and New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy, and it delayed the ability of people to get back on their feet.

The same can be said for the terrible fires in California. Many lost their homes, and no one knows when and whether they can rebuild. Some lucky residents are back but are surrounded by disaster and the lingering odor of the burn. Pray for them all, and please be generous to the charity of your choice. The American Red Cross is always ready to help when these events happen, but these areas will require long-term support.

Finally, we are supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Red & White Ball on March 23 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. Global Traveler’s editor in chief co-chairs the ball’s silent auction, and we will keep you informed of the great trips and items to bid on to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We’ll be sure to share the link to bid when the auction goes live.

Enjoy your travels, and I’ll see you in ATL, ORD or LAX!