Meet the #IIGlobal2019 delegates as they embark on the Ultimate Education and Networking Experience of a lifetime to San Francisco & Washington DC.
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We caught up with Carla Jordan, #YourIIG President and Executive Director at Emerald. Here’s what she had to say..
Why the USA for this year’s international tour?
The USA, despite its recent challenges, is still a world leader in insurance and particularly insurance of the future. What better place to visit, learn and benchmark ourselves for future excellence.
Have you ever travelled overseas before and which is your favourite destination?
I am very fortunate to have travelled quite extensively, both for business and for pleasure! At the time of writing this I am actually in transit from Taipei to Dubai, making my way home from a 4 country, 10-day business trip.
My favourite destinations are definitely the Maldives for a relaxing, beautiful, island holiday; Italy and France for culture and history; and England for the opportunity to visit family! Having said that, I have just visited Taiwan for the first time and it is also a very interesting country which I wouldn’t mind exploring a little bit more!
If you had one travel tip for first-time travellers what would it be?
I have so many! I always travel in comfy workout clothes – ladies I suggest a sports bra! Always have a long sleeved top on the plane (it can be chilly) and also be cognisant of the weather of your final destination, especially if you have a few hours to kill before you have to check into the hotel. Drink lots of water on the plane, and take a couple of rehydrating sachets too.
I personally don’t travel with a lot of hand luggage, especially if I have connecting flights (remember you may have to run with everything!) – I just take my handbag and if necessary my laptop. My theory is that I can always buy whatever I really need in a lost luggage emergency.
Remember your plug adaptors, and check out the hotels beforehand to see if they have hairdryers (they take up lots of space in your suitcase), coffee stations (I like to take cappuccino sticks). I also always pack a couple of snacks in my suitcase, specifically Nature Valley granola bars and some packets of seeds . . . hotel breakfasts if not included are very expensive. In addition, there are often days when we are in back to back meetings all day with no breaks apart from taxi rides, and they are a welcome addition to your handbag!
Take some basic medical stuff, you don’t need a full first aid kit but enough to get you through a bad day …… I always have some Myrpodol (painkillers), Buscopan (stomach), Stugeron (travel sickness), a nasal spray like a Sinutab, and some Allergex in my toiletry bag. Nothing worse than being sick in a foreign country where all the medications are different to what we have here in SA. And finally, most hotels don’t have facecloths so I always pack a couple!
What are you looking forward to the most on this trip?
Meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and learning more about the global insurance market.
Tell us something fun about yourself that most people don’t know?
I very seldom say no to a nice glass of champagne!
What is the one thing that you cannot travel without?
The two cards – credit card and business cards.
If you could live in any other country where would you live?
From a practical perspective, probably the UK. All my family still live there and it would be the easiest move to make. However, I do have this romantic notion of one day renting a tiny apartment in the South of France and living the local life for a few months!
What country has the best food?
The three best meals of my travel life have probably been in Singapore, Paris, and Monte Carlo . . .
What is your least favourite thing about travelling?
Delays, cancelled flights, airport lounges.
How will u be putting the SA in the USA?
I’m going to bring energy, excitement, and an enquiring mind! I’m looking forward to showcasing South Africa as a country of diverse, knowledgeable, intelligent, and friendly people!
What can the #IIGlobal2019 delegates expect on this tour?
Delegates can expect a real combination of insurance and reinsurance learnings, exposure to global players in the insurance industry, and of course invaluable exposure to new developments in the future of insurance. I will be bringing my pride, purpose and passion for South Africa and our industry to the tour and I hope they will be doing the same!
Stay tuned as we feature the next #IIGlobal2019 delegate..
