This month I have a whirlwind, around-the-globe trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and then I continue East to Asia, returning just in time for the Thanksgiving holidays and, of course, the Turkey Bowl (our annual Black Friday golf outing), which will be played this year at the Union League at Torresdale Country Club (see review in this issue).

It seems like just a few days ago we were all enjoying beach weather and summer trips, trying to soak in as much as we could before hunkering back down and preparing for a new and challenging year at Global Traveler. As I write this letter, we are readying for the annual Global Traveler awards, which are in their 12th year and will be held for the fifth year at The Peninsula Beverly Hills. Weather permitting, we hope to move the venue to the magnificent pool area with lanterns and decorations to make for a memorable evening.

I think the one thing we can all be sure of with the New Year is it will bring change. That seems to be the recurring theme over the last 12 years, from our launch in 2004 when against all odds we struggled to find our niche and find our voice. We struggled again when the recession hit the U.S. economy in 2008 but made it through that period even stronger. What 2016 will bring us is unclear, but what I do know is it will be full of changes, and the magazine will adjust and continue to grow.

In 2016, we will continue to bring the bonus editions. Fifteen issues a year is a commitment very few publications can complete. Readers continue to offer high marks for The Global City Guidebook — a city-by-city compilation with bonus distribution to industry professionals; The Class Act — a study of all the premium aspects of flying; and the Leisure Lifestyle edition (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year) featuring all the products top travelers care about as well as the announcement of the Leisure Travel Awards.

Digitally, we are knee-deep in the planning process for the redesign of our Web-based products: www.globaltravelerusa.com, eFlyer and our other electronically delivered editions. Whether you are online or sitting in the United Lounge reading the printed edition, GT is where you are, and ready to serve. Be prepared for 2016 and the changes it will bring!