Captain Mark and Kathy Furlan of Laguna Woods, Calif. Honored by the International Franchise Association
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (March 9, 2021) – Dream Vacations franchisees Captain Mark and Kathy Furlan were recently honored by the International Franchise Association with its annual Franchisee of the Year Award.
“After more than 17 years as a travel advisor with Dream Vacations, being nominated and then chosen to receive this award is a humbling experience,” said Captain Mark Furlan, Dream Vacations franchise owner and corporate ambassador of veteran affairs. “With the support and encouragement of our Dream Vacations headquarters staff in Florida I was able to grow my niche travel business by focusing on custom groups for Military Veterans and Faith-Based Pilgrimages, while still assisting families and individuals in planning their River Cruises and ‘dream vacations’.”
The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchisees who exemplify at least one of IFA’s “Open for Opportunity” core pillars: Community, Workforce, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Veterans.
“Mark and Kathy are engaged franchise owners who have grown their franchise by focusing on niche travel opportunities and we are thrilled to have them represent Dream Vacations,” said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager for Dream Vacations. “They exemplify what it takes to be a successful franchise owner – active in their community, mentors and supporters of veterans everywhere, as well as other travel advisors within the network.”
“Franchisee of the Year Awards are the highest honors presented to individual franchisees,” said Matthew Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “These local business owners, like the Furlans, represent some of the best entrepreneurs in the country, and we are proud to recognize their contributions to their communities, their employees, and all those they serve.”
A recent IFA study showed that franchising helped lead U.S. economic recovery in 2021, with exceptional job and business growth across all franchising sectors. The industry on average provides higher wages, better benefits, and more leave than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater opportunities to underserved communities and aspiring entrepreneurs, according to Oxford Economics research.
For more information on owning a Dream Vacations travel franchise, please visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com or call 888-249-8235.
Photo Cutline (From L to R): Captain Mark Furlan, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner; Joelle Delva, Vice President of Operations, Dream Vacations; Kathy Furlan, Dream Vacations Franchise Owner; and Catherine Monson, Exiting Chair of the IFA board and CEO & President of Propelled Brands.
About Dream Vacations
Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DreamVacationsFranchise, follow on Twitter at @Dream_Franchise and watch its videos at http://www.youtube.com/DreamVacationsBusiness.
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