South Florida 2012
MPG 2012 South Florida is complete. Check out a full listing of all of our local meet ups here.
"For anyone who expresses interest in a career break, or long-term travel, this is a '10', and I might even say it should be required."
- 2011 Attendee
If you are tired of two weeks of vacation time and want to break away from the cube to explore the world, then don't miss out on this event!
Date: Tuesday, October 16th | Doors: 7pm
Hard Rock Cafe Miami | 401 Biscayne Boulevard Miami, FL 33132
Not sure? Read Why You Should Attend Meet, Plan, Go!
NOTE: There are no refunds once tickets are purchased. If you wish to transfer your ticket to someone else, you will need to update your attendee information (including all survey questions). Upon registering, create an EventBrite login in order to access your account information later.
Meet Your Host: Jillian Tobias
Jillian and her husband traveled around the world for 21 months, traversing famous overland routes like Capetown to Cairo and the old silk road. They conquered mini-buses on four continents and enjoyed street food in fifty countries, all without a single broken bone or parasite!
Experts in budgeting and financing your dream, Jillian and her husband have been featured by finance and business writers from The New York Times, Sun-Sentinel, and US News & World Report. In 2011, the couple started a budgeting website to help others achieve their financial goals: Doughhound.
Website: I Should Log Off | Twitter: @IShouldLogOff | Facebook: IShouldLogOff FB page
South Florida Panelists
April D. Thompson
April D. Thompson is a recovering tech nerd, Jamaica-holic, cupcake connoisseur and travel addict. An engineer by training, she now balances her responsibilities as a digital programs manager for a multinational tech company with an insane case of wanderlust. In 2011 April founded, The Absolute Travel Addict, a site that offers travel tips, reviews and inspiration from her adventures around the globe. Her goal is to encourage everyone to get a passport, explore the world and live their absolute best life.
Website: The Absolute Travel Addict | Twitter: @AbsoluteADT | Facebook: AbsoluteTravelAddict FB page
Aracely Santos Castellani
Aracely Santos Castellani immigrated to the United States from Ecuador at the age of seven. Growing up in New Jersey, Aracely studied International Affairs, earning a Master's degree from New School University. From a young age, it was clear that Aracely was meant to travel. After more than five years in the corporate world, Aracely negotiated a career break from her Fortune 500 employer, and set off to travel. For a year she and her husband Jason traveled through Central and South America exploring the jungle, silver mines, salt flats and ancient ruins along the way. Balancing her professional responsibilities with her travels, Aracely was able to achieve her dream without giving up her career.
Website: 2Backpackers | Twitter: @JasonandAracely | Facebook: JasonAndAracelyTravel
J.D. Andrews
A multi Emmy winning video producer with more than 20 years experience traveling the globe (83 countries across all 7 continents), shooting and editing travel/tourism videos for various destinations, PR companies, cruise lines, airlines, and tourist boards. With several amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the chance to see the incredible world we live in. A self-proclaimed 'geek' or 'early adopter, I became involved in Social media back in 2007. A few years later becoming one of the most influential travel people on Twitter and wining the Shorty award (the Oscars of Twitter) for travel in 2011. Named one of the Top 10 travel people to follow on Twitter for 2012.
I've been featured on various travel websites including: National Geographic Traveler, BBC Travel, The Huffington Post, AOL travel, Gadling, AFAR, JohnnyJet.com and I wrote a 6 part series travel tech column for a popular cruise magazine.
Website: Earth Xplorer | Twitter: @earthXplorer
Matthew Goudreau
After spending 10 years working the corporate grind in New York City, Matt and his wife found themselves feeling there was a world they needed to explore and engage with. In 2010, they decided to leave their comfy jobs to pursue their dream of a "career break" - taking a 5-month, 17 country round-the-world journey. Upon return, it was clear that quality of life was going to be priority #1 for them. They re-located to South Florida, he is currently working remotely with Indie Travel company BootsnAll.com, and has also recently starting his own company: Trailblazer Marketing Solutions. His goal is to help and encourage career break "dreamers" to turn the dream, into a reality.
Website: Indie Trip Planner & Trailblazer Marketing Solutions| Twitter: @TrailBlazerMark
Justin Martin
Film work, community outreach, research projects and an insatiable appetite are among the many reasons Justin Martin has found himself overseas over the years. He has filmed and traveled in over twenty-five countries and has applied his experience to Off The Path Travel, an alternative travel company that he co-owns and operates with his brother. Justin's favorite trip was an eight month overland route from the west coast of Europe to the east coast of Asia using solely local transportation.
Website: Off The Path Travel | Twitter: @otptravel | Facebook: OffThePathTravel on FB
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.