Archive for May, 2010

Last Friday, May 21st, Sundance Vacations hit the golf course as the presenting sponsor for the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association Golf Tournament. The golf tournament was held at Mountain Laurel Golf Club in White Haven and was followed by a cocktail hour and dinner. All proceeds benefited Wyoming Valley Children’s Association endowment fund, which is used to fund services to the children, promote ongoing staff development and training, and maintain the operation of their new facility.

Here are some pictures of our founder, John Dowd, with staff at the event:

…Getting ready to hit the golf course!

…and the ladies of the Sundance Vacations Administration office having fun on the deck!

For those traveling to Wildwood, New Jersey this weekend, do not be surprised if you see a giant pig flying overhead. The 25th Annual International Kite Festival is taking place where World famous kite builders and enthusiasts gather to compete and fly their latest kite creations. The festival hosts many different kite competitions, including the East Coast Stunt Kite Competition.  Non-competitors are also encouraged to fly their kites at various free exhibits and workshops throughout the weekend.

If you are not one to fly a kite, do not fear because there are many other events that are taking place this weekend as well. The Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony, which is the event that marks the official start of the summer is scheduled for Friday at noon. The event will be followed by a weekend filled with entertainment, such as food eating contests and face painting. The event will bring in craft and food vendors as well, which will line the beach all weekend.

Here is a video highlighting some of the biggest and best kites of last year:

Today we announced the winner of the Teachers and Nurses Appreciation Cruise Giveaway Contest that is running on Facebook. Shannon Chavalia, a nurse from Toledo, Ohio, received the most votes from the community on the Sundance Vacations’ Facebook fan page. Because of the recession Shannon’s husband was laid off last year, which forces her work 60+ weeks to support her family.  In fact, Shannon and her husband haven’t taken a vacation since their honeymoon almost 11 years ago. This is a vacation that is much need and deserved – Congrats Shannon!

Shannon will receive a Sundance Vacations voucher for a four day, three-night cruise for two. Shannon will have three ports – Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, or Los Angeles – to choose to depart from as well as round-trip airfare for two to the chosen port city.

We are currently accepting nominations for our fourth contest, which is in honor of the Armed Forces.  To nominate someone join Sundance Vacations Facebook Fan page and click on the tab titled ‘Cruise Giveaway.’  Nominations for the Armed Forces and Coast Guard end on May 26 and voting starts the next day.

For the second year in a row, Sundance Vacations was named in the best places to work in Illinois out of over 3,000 entries. This year the company placed 9th, which is up from last year’s 17th place.  Tina Dowd, co-founder, said that she is “honored by the trust our employees place in the company.” John Dowd, co-founder,  also added that “Our commitment to providing our employees with a superior work environment and getting directly involved with their development and growth has greatly contributed to Sundance Vacations’ success for almost two decades. We take pride in training our employees and couldn’t be more proud of all their hard work.”

Other companies honored at last night’s awards ceremony include: Digitas, Shared Technologies Inc., and Assurance. A complete list of all honorees is available on the 2010 Best Places to Work in Illinois website.

“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another.”

~Author Unknown

We have selected the finalists for our Teachers and Nurses cruise giveaway contest on Facebook. Visit our Fan Page now through May 19 to decide which contestant should win a free cruise.

In honor of National Travel and Tourism Week (May 8-16^th), we would like to say thank you to all the tourists and travelers out there who help support the industry year after year! National Travel and Tourism Week has been celebrated in the U.S. since 1984, when U.S. Congress designated the first week in May as the national holiday. Since then, the U.S. travel community has come together to celebrate the holiday through local rallies and events to raise awareness of the industry’s significance and impact on Americans nationwide.

As part of this year’s celebrations, the U.S. Travel Association is pairing up with local travel communities across the nation to put on the U.S. Travel Rally Day on Tuesday, May 11^th. The U.S. Travel Rally Day is designed to demonstrate travel’s impact on local workers, businesses and economies.

How exactly does travel and tourism contribute to local American communities? Thanks to the U.S. Travel Association, below are a few impressive facts on the importance of travel and tourism:

Travel and tourism is one of America’s largest industries.

In fact, the travel and tourism industry is one of the largest contributors of tax revenue for local, state and federal governments bringing in an average of $111 billion each year.

A recent study shows that American households would pay $950 more in taxes without the tax revenue generated by the travel and tourism industry.

The travel and tourism industry is one of America’s largest employers.

There are 7.4 million direct travel-generated jobs in the U.S., which has a total payroll of more than $186 billion.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, 1 out of every 9 American jobs is dependent on travel and tourism.

For more fun facts on the travel and tourism industry and information on how you can participate in National Travel and Tourism Week, visit www.ustravel.org.

Also, check out a few photos from our National Travel and Tourism Week celebrations on Flickr.

Today we announced our second cruise giveaway contest winner – Laura Kraft of Orange County, California. Laura is our Mother’s Day Cruise Giveaway contest winner and the second winner in our series of contests to give away six free cruises via Facebook between April and June. Laura was nominated by her daughter Julie and chosen as the winner of the free cruise by Sundance Vacations’ Facebook community.

“This is the best news we have received all year! My mom is such an inspiration to everyone around her and truly deserves this vacation,” said Julie Kraft, Laura’s daughter. “Thank you Sundance Vacations for giving me the opportunity to show her just how much I appreciate what she does for our family. She really is my best friend.”

Sundance Vacations’ Facebook community was clearly touched by Julie’s loving and appreciative nomination for her mom. Laura was severely injured in a devastating car accident in 2005 and doctors feared that she might never walk again. However, despite having been diagnosed with diabetes only a few months ago, Laura has persevered and remained positive throughout it all. Currently, Laura works at Angels Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and continues to support and provide for her family in Orange County, California.

“It is easy to see that Julie truly values her relationship with her mom, Laura,” John Dowd, President of Sundance Vacations said. “Sundance Vacations is happy that we can contribute to a wonderful Mother’s Day experience for Laura by giving her a free cruise, where she and her loved ones can share many memorable experiences.”

Currently, our third giveaway in honor of teachers and nurses is underway. To nominate your mother, simply submit a photo and brief essay that explains why she should win on our Facebook Fan Page. Nominations close on May 12.

Click here for more details about the contest, including rules, dates, and information on how to nominate and vote.

Sundance Vacations is proud to announce the start of our Fundraising “Fun Bucks” campaign – an exciting and easy way to raise funds for any organization. Whether it is for your school yearbook, soccer team, charity event, or boy-or-girl-scout troop, Sundance Vacations can help you raise funds right away – with absolutely no out of pocket costs.

The Fundraising “Fun Bucks” program has something for everyone.

• The organization will earn $100 for every qualified customer who attends a one-hour fun, upbeat presentation at Sundance Vacations.
• The participant will earn valuable prizes such as gift cards, event tickets, electronics, sports equipment, and even a vacation for four to Disney World!
• The guest who attends the presentation will receive a $20 dinner certificate and two tickets to an upcoming Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees baseball game.
• Sundance Vacations gets the opportunity to meet many new potential travelers.

It’s Easy to Participate.

All you need to do is invite your family, friends and neighbors to visit our office at 264 Highland Park Blvd. in Wilkes-Barre (directly across from Mohegan Sun Arena) for a brief presentation about Sundance Vacations.

At the end of each week during the one-month campaign, the organization will be paid $100 for each qualified guest. If just 100 family members or friends of your organization participate, the organization can raise $10,000!

Sign-Up.

For further details and to get started on your one-month fundraising campaign, call 570-820-0900 x1101 or e-mail us at funbucks@vacmail.com.