The Trazees and Wherever Awards are coming to my hometown, Chicago. In addition to celebrating outstanding businesses and brands in the travel industry, I look forward to sharing this great night with my Chicago family and friends.

Every year readers vote on the finest brands best serving the modern traveling family for the Wherever Awards. Readers also vote on the top travel brands for the Trazees.

This year’s winners will be revealed as FXExpress Publications, Inc. honors the best in travel on Monday, August 3, at The Peninsula Chicago. Starting at 6:30 p.m., the event will include delicious food, refreshing drinks and well-deserved awards.

I am always excited about these events, but I am especially excited about this one. It is a chance for my family and friends to get a glimpse of Global Traveler. They all see my social media posts from other such events around the country, but now they will experience it all firsthand. They will see why I am so proud to be a part of this great team.

I am also excited about my worlds colliding. Some of my friends from different groups will meet for the first time. My friends from softball, comic cons, media and other areas have heard about each other, but some have never met. They all come together on August 3.

If you want to join the fun, it is not too late. You can RSVP here. I look forward to seeing everyone.

— John Wroblewski, online writer