Quarterly Resiliency Forecast-Summer 2025

Your Don’t-Forget-This Travel Safety Checklist

As summer unfolds, many of us are packing our bags and heading out into the world—whether for business, adventure, or just a break from our inboxes. Travel can be enriching and restorative, but it’s also full of surprises (some better than others). Over the course of my career, I’ve traveled to more than 52 countries—and let’s just say, I’ve collected my fair share of travel stories. I’ve been detained, hospitalized, and abandoned on the side of the road more times than I’d like to admit! These experiences taught me a lot about what to do—and what not to do—when preparing for a trip.

At The Resiliency Initiative, we can’t stop delayed flights or lost luggage, but we can help you avoid a few of the more preventable travel headaches. Here’s some of our favorite safety advice to keep your journey safe, smooth, and maybe even a little more fun.

Before You Go

1. Share Your Itinerary Before wheels-up, send your itinerary—including lodging details and local contacts—to a trusted friend or family member. Include photocopies of your passport and credit/ATM cards just in case they’re needed in an emergency.

2. Register Your Trip Enroll in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It’s free and provides updates on safety conditions at your destination, along with alerts and support in an emergency. Also, print the contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

3. Do Your Research Use the CIA World Factbook to learn about your destination's culture, geography, and political landscape. Understanding local norms—especially around dress—can help you show respect and stay safe. This is particularly essential for women traveling to regions with specific cultural expectations.

4. Review Health Precautions Check the CDC travel guidance for any recommended vaccinations. Make sure your health insurance covers you internationally, or purchase a supplemental plan. (Our team uses GeoBlue, but there are many good options available.)

5. Prep Your Phone & Finances Notify your bank and phone carrier of your travel dates and destinations. Confirm whether your phone plan supports international texting and calls. Know the local currency and consider carrying some small cash, especially in areas where cards aren’t accepted.

6. Pack Smart Travel light and with intention. Use crossbody bags (bonus if the strap is slash-resistant) and keep valuables out of back pockets. Leave expensive jewelry and designer handbags at home—they attract the wrong kind of attention. If you’ll be on public transit, wear your backpack in front. And always carry a backup charger for your phone.

7. Make Copies & Secure Documents Email yourself photos of your passport and cards. Bring physical copies too, and store your actual passport in a hotel safe upon arrival. Don’t forget printed copies of any prescriptions you’ll need during the trip.

While Traveling

1. Know How to Call for Help 911 isn’t universal. Check the State Department's list of emergency numbers abroad and carry a printed wallet card with emergency contacts—including police, your hotel, and local taxis—with the correct country dialing codes. (A template is available on our website.)

2. Program an ICE Contact Add an "In Case of Emergency" contact in your phone, labeled ICE, with your emergency contact’s number (include the +1 if they’re in the U.S.). Many first responders will look for this if something happens.

3. Stay Aware and Listen to Your Gut Situational awareness is one of the most powerful tools you have. Stay alert, set boundaries, and trust your intuition. In unfamiliar buildings or transit stations, take a moment to locate emergency exits, first aid stations, and security personnel.

4. Care for Your Body, Too Jet lag, heat, and excitement can all take a toll. Hydrate regularly, go easy on alcohol, and prioritize rest—your body is your most important piece of travel gear.

From all of us at TRI: travel far, travel safe, and travel well. Whether you’re hiking through highlands or navigating new cities, preparedness is the key to resilience on the road. Safe journeys!

-Andrea

The TRI Influence

Explore We’re excited to introduce our new Resiliency Bundle Series in our E-Store, explicitly designed for small businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations. These low-cost, high-impact resources offer practical tools to strengthen your crisis preparedness and business continuity, without breaking the budget. Whether you're just starting your planning journey or looking to enhance existing efforts, our bundles make it easy to build resilience at your own pace.

Visit On May 15, TRI celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of our new office in Rogers, Arkansas. This new location expands TRI’s ability to serve communities and organizations across the central U.S. with the same mission-driven approach we’ve brought to clients worldwide.

Subscribe to TRI’s YouTube channel. In late summer, we are launching our “Profiles in Resiliency: Stories of Hope and Tenacity. Uncut from America’s Heartland” series. More information will be available soon.

Now Enrolling: The Resiliency Academy-Virtual Edition

Registration is now open for TRI’s Virtual Resiliency Academy on September 9-10, 2025. This interactive training workshop focuses on all-hazards preparedness. Our team of experts will equip you with the essential building blocks to create a best-in-class crisis management program. The training is especially valuable for those in the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and faith-based institutions, where resiliency responsibilities often fall to leaders wearing many hats.

Held entirely online, the Academy delivers practical, real-world instruction on topics such as business continuity, plan development, all-hazard preparedness, crisis communications, and crisis leadership—all led by experienced experts from TRI.

Bonus: All participants who complete the Academy will receive a certificate for 16 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). These CEUs can be applied toward all four ASIS security certifications, DRI recertification (CEAP #6.0), or IAEM’s Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) accreditation and recertification (Category E).

👉 Reserve your spot today: Register Now

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About TRI 

At TRI, we’re more than consultants—we’re partners in helping communities and organizations thrive through crisis. As a certified women-owned and run small business enterprise, we take pride in being a boutique firm with a personal touch, delivering high-impact, hands-on support tailored to the unique needs of every client we serve.

For communities, we focus on what matters most: hazard mitigation, evacuation planning, continuity of operations, and dynamic training and exercises that build real-world readiness. For organizations, our strength lies in business continuity planning and simulations that keep operations steady, even in the most uncertain times.

What sets us apart is the depth of our experience. Our leadership team brings decades of firsthand expertise from FEMA, Fortune 500 corporations, the military, local governments, and the nonprofit sector. We don’t just check boxes—we empower people to lead with confidence when it matters most.

To request a free consultation, email info@theresiliencyinitiative.com or call +1 (424) 478-0779.