It has been a long and winding road from my childhood home in a small town in Kent, south-east England, to my current home in southern California. Stops along the way have allowed me to experience city living in London and Paris, an overland double decker bus ride from the UK to India, and a stint in Sydney working at the famed Opera House. And I crossed the whole of Australia by lorry, west to east, to get there!
My love affair with the meetings and events industry started in 1992, when an invitation to a barbeque led to the offer of a planning position with an international incentive travel company. The industry has been my spiritual home ever since. Writing was always foremost as I planned, developed, and organized global trips and created their marketing programs; from 2010-2021, I was privileged to be the Western Regional Marketing Consultant for IMEX America with blogs becoming part of my responsibilities in 2020. During the early-mid 90s, I authored a column on sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) for Incentive Magazine and undertook much of the writing for the SITE SoCal chapter during 2008-2018, as both a board member and President.
On a personal note, I am the proud owner of two terrier mix rescue dogs, Rupert and Mr. Boodles, as well as a tiny flock of hand-raised hens, Daisy, Poppy, and Rose. I would love to foster donkeys but have not quite got that sorted as yet!
Stay tuned for future adventure updates!
Geraldine Gatehouse, CIS, CITP