Daniel Lalonde

Diana Pereira

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

Daniel Lalonde is president and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America.

How many trips do you take a year?

About 200 flights. I'm on the road 60 per cent of the time.

What is your packing routine?

I always pack as light as possible. Whether my trip is two or 10 days, I only have a carry-on. A Louis Vuitton duffel bag, of course, or bowling luggage.

What are your must-have carry-ons?

My BlackBerry is very important. A couple skinny ties and cufflinks, too, all Louis Vuitton.

What was your most eventful business trip?

One was where I woke up in San Diego, then went to Los Angeles and San Francisco, then had dinner in Dallas. Four cities on the same day!

Do you have an exercise routine?

You have to be prepared in order to stay in shape. I try to run - I go early in the morning for a 40-minute run to start my day.

Who was your most memorable seatmate?

None in particular. I'm not the chatty type on planes. Instead, I'm reading papers and preparing for what'll happen when I land.

Do you listen to airline radios?

No. I like the silence. I use headphones that mute out the noise.

What is your ideal business destination?

Anywhere I haven't seen before! I go to Paris often. I always enjoy Paris. I also went to China last year, which I enjoyed.

What is your favourite airport?

Charles DeGaulle in Paris. And Beijing, for the design and the space. Newark because it's practical.

What's the worst thing about all this travel?

Being away from family.

And the best thing?

Discovering new cities, cultures and people.

Do you practise any jet-lag busting activities?

I do my best to stay hydrated during the whole trip and run first thing in the morning. I have to keep to that. When I travel, I have everything running on a structured timeline. There's not much time between meetings.

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