The total was $85.10. That was the cost of filling up my tank on Saturday and represents the most I’ve ever spent on one tank of gas. Now imagine doing that day after day as you crisscross a territory. That’s exactly what’s happening to many sales reps these days. Imagine the cost associated with some of the larger territories found in the Midwest!

It’s my guess that either the reps aren’t making the usual rounds as much as they used to or they’re visiting fewer, more-select accounts—probably both.

Fortunately, there’s one place where thousands of retailers gather twice a year to get business done. You guessed it: Surf Expo. And while the humidity of Florida in September is sometimes hard for a SoCal guy like me to handle, I’m seeing some huge advantages these days when it comes to our trade show location in Orlando.

Why? Well, according to a report by the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), Orlando, Florida, is the number one U.S. travel destination. That’s great for the family, of course, but it’s also great for a business-minded leader like yourself.

Being one of the top destinations makes Orlando a relative bargain for airfare. What's the spiel? Oh yeah, "when airlines compete, you win." I mean, when it cost almost $100 to fill up my tank, it’s incredible you can fly non-stop from LAX to Orlando for only $399 (United flight 272). Deals from other hub cities are equally cheap (Chicago: $240, New York: $219).

But the way things are going, these fares will go fast. So book now for the September 12-14 Surf Expo show. Oh, and don’t forget to take advantage of our excellent in-house travel team when you're planning to book your hotel room. It's just another example of the services Surf Expo offers you here on surfexpo.com.