Greetings from the dreamy, expansive vistas of the American West! We’re in the midst of what’s been a deeply gratifying road trip, reconnecting while caravanning in an RV with another SSS associate's family. Like many of you, we’ve been experiencing many post-safer-at-home “firsts” over the past few weeks.From seeing our beloved barber or hair stylist, dining out in favorite restaurant and returning to leisure travel, reemerging into the world has felt downright surreal.

Since we’ve been exploring some damn beautiful parts of this country on our road trip and have seen firsthand how some A-list communities are keeping the pandemic at bay, we decided to share some notes from “the frontlines”.

When it comes to in-person gatherings, the meetings industry isn’t 100% back “on” yet but it is in the near future! One hotelier, who has a finger on the pulse of California’s luxury lodging scene, recently forecasted that the booking of meetings and incentives would begin to percolate again in the next four to five weeks. Some companies may continue to go the virtual route in the short term for financial and safety reasons, while many businesses and groups are still moving forward with previously scheduled Fall events. In the background, planners, event professionals and the hospitality industry at large have been hard at work preparing for the return of meetings in the near future and long term. Events are being recalibrated and redesigned to integrate all the necessary safety protocols, whether they are being held at hotels or creative off-site venues.

Every month we dedicate a blog post to people and places that inspire and enrich us. This month we are featuring Brigitte Lundrigan and some of her favorite things!

Brigitte Lundrigan is our beloved Loews Global Sales Manager (and our favorite Canadian) and we excited and encouraged that she has been brought back from furlough. This is a sign that our industry may be heading in the right direction! Hotel companies are recognizing that recovery is in our near future and a strong sales team is more important than ever. Welcome back, Brigitte! May you be the first of many hospitality industry professionals returning to the hotel workforce!

A sign of growth and transformation catching our attention is the travel industry’s comeback as leisure travel gets the green light to resume. One thing is for certain—until COVID-19 is behind us, travel is going to feel very different. Our partners and experience providers are making public health their top priority and doing everything in their power to ensure we travelers feel safe and comfortable throughout our journeys as we get back on the road—even if it’s just in our own backyards for now.

Wow, what a difference two weeks makes. The last several days have been challenging and emotionally charged on so many levels. We feel so full of love for our beloved communities across the country, and we hope this painful, eye-opening time marks the start of a big transformation for this nation.

The peaceful protests and powerful statements and imagery filling our streets, social media and news feeds—combined with the conversations advocating for social justice that are now taking place—make us hopeful that change is indeed already underway. There’s no way we as a society can go back to “business as usual.”

Site Selection Services is committed to doing our part to listen, advocate, amplify and act to create a better future.

We could all use a little inspiration these days! Every few months we will feature people or places that inspire and enrich us. This month: Meet our associate, Chrissy Benson!

She shares what’s sparking her creative spirit and giving her all of the feels lately.