Every month Global Traveler features a family business article. I had the fortunate opportunity to apply the concept of a family business article to my own business trip to Seoul and Tokyo. I am currently en route back from Japan and in transit at Incheon Airport in Korea. This business trip was made extra special, as my mom was able to travel with me. Granted, I only recommend the idea of traveling with family when all members get along, but we are the best travel companions around. We also flew on Asiana which made the long-haul trip a seamless and very enjoyable experience. The days worked out well as my meetings would often result in returning to the hotel late, but she enjoys exploring the cities on her own and most of all shops till she drops so our schedules coordinated well. I found many of my clients also enjoyed the idea that I traveled with my mother and some even went the extra mile to take the time to invite us to an informal business dinner. It was not only a treat to bring these parties together, but helped to build overall working relationships. Additionally, we arranged to have the weekend in Japan and reconnect with family friends we had not seen in 30 years. My parents had met two Japanese families when they first had their first apartment together in Great Neck, Long Island. One of the wives also had a young son the same age as my brother and the two hit it off despite the huge language barrier. The two Japanese couples stayed in NY for about 5 years and in 1978 returned to Tokyo. Letters were exchanged and then emails, but contact remained minimal, until one of the daughters of the Japanese families was in NY last November and found us. As timing would have it, we arranged for my mom to travel with me to Tokyo on my business trip and a joyous and tearful reunion was made in Japan. It was great for me to hear the stories of my parents, as they all knew each other before my time! We also had a traditional Japanese dinner with one of the families and their 3 grown children with their spouses. It was truly a “globility” experience. Not only did business prove successful, but also friends and family were reconnected and I was able to connect with the next generation of my mom’s friends – a connection I know will last far more than another 30 years! -Alexandra Young, vice president and associate publisher