After an absence of three years, I looked forward to attending the 14th GT Tested Awards gala at the Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles this past Tuesday evening. While it’s a wonderful event celebrating the best travel providers, services and products, it also affords our far-flung staff the chance to gather and reconnect . . . or, in many cases, meet face-to-face for the first time. Even our editorial staff, who have been working together (remotely) for over nine years, rarely have the opportunity to be in the same place at the same time.

The raging wildfires in Southern California raised concerns (the event was held on the outdoor pool deck of the hotel), but we flew in Monday morning to bright and only slightly hazy sunshine, calm winds and temperatures in the low 80s. Even the Angelenos remarked on how unseasonably warm it was. That evening we all gathered for drinks at the Peninsula’s Club Bar before convening for a late dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, hosted by publisher and CEO Fran Gallagher. This hardworking group enjoys great camaraderie, and Fran made everyone feel welcome and comfortable, even my tag-along husband.

The next day, after a staff meeting to review the past year and make plans and set goals for the one to come, editor in chief Kim Krol, art director Tracey Cullen, senior editor Jan Hecht and I accepted the generous invitation of senior vice president Richard Evans to dine at The Rooftop by JG of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.   Opened in June this past summer, the hotel is stunning, and we thoroughly enjoyed the 360-degree views from the 12th-floor rooftop as we caught up with each other and talked shop.

The crowning event, however, certainly was that evening’s event. Assistant editor Nicole Quasté proved a pro at coordinating all the details with the Peninsula’s staff to create a “round the world”-themed party to applaud the 14th GT Tested Awards winners. Cuisine from all corners of the globe and entertainment that featured dance numbers from several cultures provided the ideal backdrop for our cosmopolitan and well-traveled guests.

Next week I’ll share with you some of the conversations and insights I enjoyed with some of those winners.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor