Archive for May, 2009

Excerpt taken from US Travel Association Website: “The U.S. Travel Association congratulated Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and John Ensign (R-NV) for introducing the “Travel Promotion Act of 2009”. The Travel Promotion Act is landmark legislation to stimulate U.S. economic growth, create thousands of new American jobs and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for communities across the country. The legislation is considered necessary since the U.S. dollar is strengthening, the global economy is slowing and America continues to welcome fewer overseas visitors than prior to September 11, 2001.

“Travel Promotion Act” establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies. The legislation specifies that travel promotion would be paid for by private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers from countries that do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States. Similar legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, but did not receive a vote before the Senate adjourned.

Overseas visitors spend an average of $4,500 per person, per trip in the United States. Oxford Economics estimates that a well executed promotion program, as outlined in the Travel Promotion Act, would attract 1.6 million new international visitors annually, create $4 billion in new spending and drive $321 million in new federal tax revenue. An analysis by the U.S. Travel Association reveals that this program would create nearly 40,000 new American jobs. Nearly every developed nation in the world spends millions of dollars to attract visitors and strengthen their economy.” (US Travel Association, 09)

For more facts on declining overseas travel to the United States please visit: http://www.ustravel.org/pressmedia/pressrec.asp?Item=966

What do you think about the Travel Promotion Act?

After State Representative David Argall visited Sundance Vacations in March, he caught the attention of numerous employees in the Tamaqua office. We soon found out that the Former longtime Pa State Representative won the State Senate seat by a landslide, leaving his position open.  

The two candidates vying for the vacant spot were Democrat Bill Mackey and Republican Jerry Knowles. Yesterday, voters filed into the Keystone Volunteer Fire Department in McAdoo for the 124th District’s special election. Knowles easily won the seat with 70% of the vote. More than 8,500 people cast their ballots in this special election. The 124th District is made of up parts of Berks and Schuylkill County. 

Sundance Vacations congratulates Senator David Argall and newly appointed Pa State Representative Jerry Knowles.

Sundance Vacations reaches out once again to claim not one, but seven Stevie’s from the American Business Awards. The nominees are: Sales Department of the Year, Best Overall Company, Fastest Growing Company, Marketer of the Year (Doreen Miller), Support Staffer of the Year (Natalie Cassarella), IT Exec of the Year (Tom Berger), and Executive of the Year (John Dowd).

 In 2009 the Sundance Vacations King of Prussia office took home a Stevie Award for Best Sales Team in the Hospitality and Tourism category. Created to honor and publicly recognize the efforts, accomplishments and positive contributions of companies and business people worldwide, the Stevie is a highly coveted award. Best known as “the business world’s version of the Oscars” The American Business Awards are the only all-encompassing national awards program that honors virtually all types of business organizations.

The awards gala will take place on Monday, June 22nd at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square, New York City. This is an exciting event for Sundance Vacations, and we will keep you posted on the results.

CONGRATULATIONS to all finalists! Sundance Vacations wishes you the best of luck!

Assistant VP of Sales Shane Lewis

King of Prussia Director Shane Lewis was recently promoted to Assistant VP of Sales. Shane has been with Sundance Vacations for the past six years. Shane’s new duties will consist of traveling from office to office, overseeing sales procedures and daily operations, and along with VP of Sales Mike Milillo heading the VIP Program. Don’t worry, Shane won’t retire his high energy sales podiums, he hopes to implement a training program to show every salesperson some tricks he’s learned along the way. “Having taken on the role as National Charity Director has enabled me to have close relationships with many salespeople as well as directors. This has made the transition so much easier,” said Lewis. Shane views King of Prussia as a role model and would like to get all other offices on the same playing field. He has plans of expanding practices and creative freedom throughout each of the seven sales offices.  Shane’s biggest beliefs are in hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and knowing that you get back what you give. “A-players bring A-effort,” commented Lewis. Harrisburg Sales Directors Mike and Barb Kasper will be taking over the King of Prussia office. “Barb and Mike are quite the duo. I worked with them during the Pittsburgh days, and I know they’re going to do great things in the KOP office,” explained Lewis. “I will miss everyone at King of Prussia. I’ll still be there, just not as much,” added Lewis. Shane has been such an influence on so many people and he is excited to just get started. “I would like to thank John and Tina Dowd, and Mike Milillo for always supporting me, putting their trust in me, and continuing to challenge me,” said Lewis. Congratulations Shane, we know you’ll do great!

Join me in wishing Shane good luck and congratulations!

Sundance Vacations recently gave away a Spring Break trip to a local Kings College student in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.  Here is what our Spring Breaker had to say about his vacation…

“Winning a free Spring Break trip from Sundance Vacations turned out to be one my most memorable weeks ever. I chose travel to Panama City Beach, FL and brought along three of my friends. During most of our time there we were either out on the beach enjoying the weather or out on the town jumping from place to place. The city definitely catered to Spring Breakers and everyday there were specials at an array of different places along the beach. Some places include: Coyote Ugly Saloon, Shuckum’s Oyster Pub and Seafood, and Club La Vela. All in all, my friends and I definitely had a blast at our stay in PCB. I was so happy to win the trip and was also very happy with how Sundance Vacations helped me get everything arranged. It was definitely one of those trips that I will never forget. Thank you so much Sundance Vacations!”

-Kings College Senior, Rob Crowell

I found this post from Melvin on the intranet and I wanted to address some of his concerns.

Melvin writes:  I begin with the fact that Sundance Vacations has created in excess of 40 similar web sites, blogs and domains and press releases (There’s more, but I stopped counting at 40!) all basically advancing the same theme. Being that Sundance Vacations is a good reputable company and all the negative comments have no credibility. As relates to the more than 40 web sites I asked myself why? Why so many similar websites? What’s the reasoning? Most companies have one or two main website with links or drop-downs to other segments of that website in order to offer the consumer additional information about the organization.

Sundance Vacations does not maintain 40 websites or blogs.  I guess if you count every press release we’ve ever done in our 19 years in business you may find more than 40 news stories on our company including winning the NEPA Torch award for business ethics in 2005; being named one of the Best Places to Work in Pa 2 years in a row; being named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois, winning a Stevie Award for Best Overall Company and many more.

Sundance Vacations does maintain several urls.  Once you understand how Sundance has grown to become a national conglomerate you’ll realize there is no malicious intent as Melvin suggests.  The company operates 7 sales locations nationally.  Early in our history, each of these locations operated as a separate franchise.  Therefore, they had separate urls and websites.  Several years ago, because of our sponsorship of a NASCAR Nextel Cup car, we underwent a national branding.  It wasn’t practical to change the hood and paint on the racecar each week to reflect the franchise in that area.  All web content was centralized at www.sundancevacations.com. 

The other urls were converted to blogs so content on various topics could be posted quick and easily.  Sorry, no deep, dark scam here.

While I disagree with most of the post, this blogger does get some parts correct.

Melvin writes : There’s a recurring question on the Internet as to whether or not the consumer will receive the promised promotional cruise if they attend the high pressure sales pitch. Yes they will.

Is the Bahama cruise real? Is the Bahama cruise a legitimate offer?  Yup, but don’t take my word for it, take Melvins.  The poster doesn’t think we disclose that the cruise is not free.  Sundance Vacations travelers definitely understand that the Bahama cruise  is not free.  I was very pleased to read this post from Jack.

We knew what we were getting into after we received the “you won a Free cruise” phone call.

We were aware of the taxes and fees that we would have to pay – and that was cool.

Jack continues:

 But we still decided to listen to the hour long program and the pitch for us to buy the vacation program.

The pitch was not hard core which we appreciated and for what it is worth, if you are avid travelers and vacation ALOT – this may be a good idea. Think of it like the Costco of Vacations. However we were not financially able to plop down money or take on more monthly payments so we politely said no to all of their offers.

Jack’s post is evidence of several good things.  He understood that the presentation would take an hour and he also understood that we would introduce our services; he calls it the sales pitch and comments that the pitch is not hard core.

Yeah!  Haven’t we been trying to say that for years?  Thanks to Melvin and Jack, we don’t have to because they did.

Sundance Vacations is proud to announce a 2^nd year partnership with Six Flags Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor in Jackson, New Jersey.

The company anticipates a busy season with the amusement park and Hurricane Harbor’s water park. Sundance Vacations representatives will be there until early November. Six Flags Great Adventure’s main attraction this year is Bizzaro. The surreal coaster is accompanied by fog, fiery flame effects, and heart-pumping audio. Sounds Scary!  Would you dare?

Do you have a favorite coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure?

Sundance Vacations recently partnered up with WVIA, a local public broadcasting station, during their annual TV Auction. Sundance Vacations donated a free week vacation accommodation to Hilton Head, or Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Sundance Vacations employees volunteered at WVIA’s Studio in Pittston, Pa answering phones, while callers placed their bids.

Sundance Vacations participation in the travel auction will help WVIA continue their mission to stimulate, enrich, educate and entertain the community. Hopefully you placed your bid on the vacation package, because bidding ended Saturday, May 2^nd. Thank you again to all employees who helped answer phones and to WVIA for continuing to work toward public broadcasting enrichment for the public community.

Did you get a chance to see Sundance employees hard at work answering phones? What is your favorite program that WVIA airs?