Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (March 8, 2017) – For the fifth year in a row, leading travel franchise Dream Vacations, which is a subsidiary of World Travel Holdings, the world’s largest cruise agency and award-winning leisure travel company, celebrates Women’s History Month in March by honoring a female franchise owner with the OPAL Award for Women. The company has named Austin business owner and Dream Vacations Franchisee Lainey Melnick the 2017 recipient of this prestigious award.
The OPAL Award recognizes a female franchise owner who demonstrates Outstanding Performance And Leadership. The honoree is active in community and civic organizations, is among Dream Vacations’ top selling agents and has exhibited strong business skills. Melnick will receive three months of waived fees and a $100 gift certificate.
“We are pleased to recognize Lainey with this year’s OPAL Award because of her passion for travel and for helping others, both in her local community and as a leader within the Dream Vacations franchise system,” said Debbie Fiorino, senior vice president at Dream Vacations.
Melnick has been a Dream Vacations (previously CruiseOne) franchise owner since 2011. An outspoken advocate for Dream Vacations, she participates in numerous activities which demonstrate leadership while mentoring other franchisees, motivating them and sharing in each other’s success. Giving back is a cornerstone of Melnick’s personal and professional life; she leads by example with a commitment to public service. She volunteers with her children and also donates travel resources to a plethora of organizations primarily focusing on support of education and the arts.
“The Eanes Education Foundation is grateful for Lainey’s involvement supporting the Eanes Independent School District. She has been a very generous donor to our annual gala, which this year alone will fund salaries for 15 teachers. Lainey supports our teachers and students in a meaningful way which touches every child, in every classroom, on every campus across the district,” said Kathi Haralson, Executive Director of Eanes Education Foundation.
“CE-Bar Fire Department would like to extend our congratulations to Lainey on this well-deserved honor. She served as a Commissioner for Travis County Emergency Services District 10 for several years, providing leadership and social media guidance for our Fire Department,” said Fire Chief Buddy Crain.
In recognition of Melnick’s dedicated efforts and contributions to the Austin community, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett presented her with the True Blue Medallion Award at the Travis County Unity Celebration.
Dream Vacations is committed to being “Rich in Diversity” and empowers all owners, agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent, experiences, personalities, viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth. Dream Vacations cruise franchise was recently recognized by Franchise Business Review as a Top Franchise for Women based on feedback from 6,400 female franchisees representing 300 brands who were surveyed about leadership, training, marketing, and financial picture.
People with a passion for travel who are interested in small business ownership and want to learn more about becoming a franchise owner with Dream Vacations, please call 888-249-8235 or visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com.
