Archive for February, 2007

For the last year or so, a dream of mine was to start a basketball team, a team full of local youths from my area (Shamokin, Pa) and be able to take them to tournaments all over the state, and let them compete versus the best of the best in their age group from other areas throughout.

This past January came around, and I decided that I was going to go after my dream, and in fact, start this team. I started talking to some of the local kids about this idea and they all thought this was a great idea and said how they were looking forward to the chance to play a game that they love.

So I started looking into it a little more, searching for tournaments and so on and so forth, and things really started to move forward. This dream that I had was in fact, becoming a reality.

Getting the kids and finding the tournaments was the easy part, finding the funds to help cover the costs of the team would be the hard part. Paying gym rental fees, tournament entrance fees, uniforms, equipment, since this team would be traveling all over, you also have hotel fees to worry about. Who would be responsible for all these high costs? The kids and their parents? The share each child would have to pay would certainly not be cheap.

In steps the staff of Sundance Vacations, where I work.

While at work one day, on my lunch break, I was looking thru a catalog that had basketball uniforms in it, and my manager Becky noticed it.  We were discussing what ones looked nice and she asked me what I was looking at them for, and I told her about my dream and how I was hoping to start this basketball team, but the costs where just so high, and that I didn’t think that it would be possible.

That’s when she suggested that I try to find a sponsor to help defray some of the costs from the kids.

But who could I ask to help me with this, who really cares about the local youth, and enjoys giving back to the community?

The answer was obvious to the both of us, John and Tina Dowd, the proud owners of Sundance Vacations.

With the help of Becky and a co-worker of mine, Doreen, a letter was typed up and sent up to the corporate office in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Within a few days, I had my response, Sundance Vacations would be more than happy to help with the costs and be my team’s sponsor.

My dream now has come true, as well as the dreams of some local 7th and 8th graders.

Thanks to Sundance Vacations, we now have our basketball team.

The Sundance Vacations Basketball Team                                                                  

(Double Click Picture To Enlarge Image)

Some of the tournament sites that we will be traveling to and playing at are:
Shamokin, Pa
Millersville, Pa
Elysburg, Pa
Easton, Pa
York, Pa
Morgantown, Pa
Kutztown, Pa

Other possible locations are,
Topton, Pa
Boyertown, Pa
Hamburg, Pa

So, if you are close by and you would like to come and support Sundance Vacations basketball team, contact me and I will be more than happy to give you the date of the event in that area.

Again, thank you Sundance Vacations!!!!! 

Brad ~ Shamokin Office

Rich,

First, thank you for your support. We are so sorry that we didn’t get to meet you. We did meet Troy Long and had a pretty good time at Moto Rama. Unfortunately, our race results didn’t back that up but we learned alot.

Timothy did a super job getting 3rd in his first race in his new class. Unfortunately, they only transferred 2 to the mains. His car was fighting a push all day but he did such a great job getting through the field. He was passed on the final lap when his car couldn’t stay low enough.

Nicholas was also too tight for the day but was on his way to transferring to the next main when a 2 car pile up forced him into the wall. He was fine but his front axle was bent. Luckily we have time to prepare for our next event !!

We parked the cars basically with your logo facing the main entrance to the quarter midget area. We had a few questions and pointed them to your booth. One of the things that we could improve in the future is to have your materials on hand. This helps explain what Sundance Vacations does in your terms.

As we look at our future events we are scheduling around 15 races and one multiple day race event. We are also scheduled for the Adamstown Childrens’ Festival. Our biggest event may be the Dutch Wonderland Fly, Drive and Ride event 16-17 June. We did get the go ahead to have a table for 17 June and they are expecting 3,000 + kids for that day. We can also have your materials on hand at our table. They may approve your show car being there also.

We’d like to offer you the ability to further sponsor our team. We see the races as the ability to reach 100-150 people at each regular event. The multi-day weekend should have 300+ people in attendance. The Adamstown event, around 100-200 families. The Dutch Wonderland Event should be 3,000 families as it is scheduled in the high point of the vacation time. You will be seen at our special events with Race Against Drugs. We can also arrange for a photographer and news releases if desired.

Thank you so much for your support at Moto Rama. We had a great time racing and the boys got a look at what partnership is about. We look forward to hearing from you,

Kelly Thrasher ~ TNT Motorsports 

(Double click to enlarge image)

The driver here is Timothy.  Nick’s car didn’t look too great, so he decided to skip the photo op.  If you notice clearly, Timothy drove the tire off the left front (it’s flat).  One of the disadvantages of the indoor track is we have to guess the set-ups.  We went from a high bank oval to a flat, slick surface.

Hi all! My name is Dave and I currently work in the IT and Data Entry Dept.
I have been with Sundance for about a year and a half. During this time I have worked in the Tamaqua office with Denise and Yvonne first as a outbound marketer and then as their data entry assistant. I moved to the corporate office in Wilkes-Barre in February of 2006 to work with Jenny in the IT and Data Entry Dept. During both my time in Tamaqua and my time in the Wilkes-Barre location of Sundance I have met many people that have profoundly impacted my life.

Right now is a hard time for me because I am both happy and sad about ending my time here at Sundance Vacations. Happy because I will be beginning a new journey in my life and saddened because I am leaving behind so many people that I consider my friends.

As Marvin once said it is time to cut the umbilical cord. Of course he might have meant the fact that Jenny and I worked well as a team and we did pretty much all of our tasks together as a unit.

There are so many awesome memories that I am going to take with me when I make that sunny trek to Florida.

Just on a personal level there are so many fun memories that I will always carry with me.

K1 and K2 as the oompa loompas.
Pam scaring the pants of off K1.
The freezing cold weather at the Crossings during my brief try at being a slip collector. (Let me tell you their work is not always easy.)
The big Shamokin install when not only did I get a speeding ticket but Jenny and I got lost like 7 times in 2 days.
Ron cooking on the grill for the big admin cookout.
The mystery night party at the Italian club where someone (ok, maybe me) had a little too much to drink.
Force feeding Marvin Combos during the mystery night party because frankly he looked a little hungry and again I might have been a little drunk.

I could go on and on but you are probably bored by now.

Professionally I have learned so much during my time here at Sundance.

Tom, Jenny, Chris and Marvin have probably been my best teachers.

Tom has taught me lots and lots but the biggest thing that I have probably learned from him is to always follow directions!

Jenny has been the best manager that I have probably ever had the pleasure of working under. She has never once spoken like we were anything less than equal. She knew the line between being friends and being the boss. If I crossed the line she called me on it but she could still do it with a smile. She has taught me that a good department runs by procedures, procedures, procedures. I hope that is one thing that I will remember as I start this next phase of my life.

It would take too long to go through all the memories and skills that I have acquired during my time at Sundance Vacations.

Thanks to John and Tina for taking a chance on a kid who might possibly be ADHD.

Thanks to everyone that has impacted me during my time here.

Just remember, Tiner in Tamquer and redicerous.

David ~ Wilkes Barre

One Employee Wins $10,000!

In addition to awarding $50,000 to one lucky client, Sundance Vacations agreed to award up to $30,000 to three employees in conjunction with the national sweepstakes.  The employee who collected the winning entry slip, the marketer who made the initial phone call, and an inbound phone answerer were all eligible to win $10,000. Pat McGraw, a staff member who answers incoming calls on our Wilkes Barre day shift was the only employee to win her share.  The person who collected the winners entry and the outbound marketer are no longer with the company, but Pat booked the national sweepstakes winner, Mr. John Stewart, for an appointment.  Mr. Stewart, attended a presentation in the Rockaway office in October after speaking with Pat.  Though attending the presentation did not affect Mr. Stewart’s chances of winning, it certainly did affect Pat’s!! 

Pat says she could hardly believe her ears when her name was called as the winner.  She has plans for the extra money, "I’m taking my family to Disney!  We’re leaving April 1st.  I have already planned a trip for myself and my son.  Now I can take my daughter’s family with me!"

I was there (along with most of the Wilkes Barre corporate office) when Pat’s name was called. The whole Wilkes Barre inbound staff gathered at the front of the room.  The suspense was incredible as they were eliminated one by one, "American Idol" style.  The look of shock, joy and disbelief on Pat’s face was awesome!  She says it’s the best thing she’s ever won.  How about you? What’s the best thing you’ve won?  Please send in your comments on this post, or send your own post to me at komara@vacmail.com. We love to know what you’re thinking! 

(Double click the picture to enlarge the image)

~Kathy O’Mara, Communications Director

SUNDANCE VACATIONS is an upbeat positive workplace, at least it is in the Shamokin office. I have the pleasure everyday of going to work with such great people that brighten your day even when things are not great in your personal life. Our manager, Becky Finkel always comes through for us and keeps us motivated and pumped. As an employee for a little over 2 years now, I must say this is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve worked at.  Where else can you have a great time at work and meet amazing new people everyday? My family and I utilized the benefits of the Sundance Vacations excess inventory this past September and I must say I am quite the clean fanatic but that condo was immaculate. It was nicer than staying at any hotel I’ve ever been in. I can’t wait to go again this summer!! I would just like to give a thanks to everyone at Sundance Vacations Shamokin office for making it a great working environment and a special thanks to Becky for being such a great boss.

Kelly Grandis~Shamokin Office

Hi there, this is Chris from the Shamokin office, and I just wanted to say that I actually do love my job.  It’s hard, exciting and most of all it is entertaining. I really love talking to people as everyone knows, but most of all, I really love trying to make the marketing experience into an art, for, what is communication but the art of talking to people?

I’m not out to sell people anything, I’m not out to persuade people,…my personal goal is to try and learn the various techniques I am given, and try to find a way to allow me to express myself in a fashion, that will allow me to  artistically, relate the goals and interests of Sundance Vacations to its various clients all over the country, and perhaps paint verbally an artistic panarama that is only displayed in a new clients commitment to coming to one of our presentations.

Of course, its a more challenging aspect of art, and my manager Becky has dedicated her time in trying to shape those talents that she believes we all have into a viable corporate asset!

Just today, she had to reprimand me for losing sight of my goals. . .but I know she knows how much I want to be here and try to make those positive inputs and try to shape myself. In fact, she recorded me oneday and showed me the perceptions of the clients of me on the answering machines!!  Very shocking, and since then I have actually changed alot of my approaches and I have actually had a more positive increase in my appointment scheduling….I still have a long way to go, but like she said, all we have to do is ask for her help and she will give the tools, and then it is up to all of us artists to paint the picture we want represented to the potential clients!

It is a complicated matter, and not everyone wins at this game, and sometimes heros do lose, but when all else fails, all we have to live for is our own reality of self achievement!

Well, how can I start, I’ve been working with Sundance Vacations for a year now and it’s been great. As a blind person working in this kind of position as a marketer, I love the challenge. Every morning that I wake up, I think about who is the next person I will brighten up on the phone informing them that they have been selected to receive a vacation. Sometimes, I get people who don’t appreciate the offer, but my opinion with those people is they should take a vacation to enjoy their life.  One thing you have to think of in this life is this, you have one chance to do what you can to fulfill your needs, traveling or not traveling. I am not saying this just because I’m working for a discount travel company. I’m telling you this because I would do just about anything to take my wife and daughter on a beautiful trip to escape the stress in our life, everyone needs to do that sometimes. So, take it from me if you have the chance to get out, take advantage of it and enjoy yourself.

Ronnie~Hazleton Office

Thanks to all who have been sending in their comments and posts.  We use the blog to post information about the company, whether from staff or clients and it’s nice to have the increased activity!

Many of you are writing about your job with Sundance Vacations.  That got me thinking…what do I like about my job? What makes me keep coming back?  Well, there’s the obvious-I like my co-workers and my bosses.  But what I’ve always enjoyed the most about my job is the interaction I get to have with the clients, that’s what keeps me coming back!

I have spoken with many people for many different reasons over the years.  My favorite type of conversation is when I’m able to do something that makes a client happy. 

A few years ago, housekeeping notified us that the refrigerator in one of our units in The Poconos was leaking.  The client who had stayed there never complained, so imagine their surprise when I called and told them I would add a replacement week to their program because of the leak.  That was a fun call to make.  The client was so pleased, and I felt really good when the call ended.

How about you? Do you have any good stories you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you!

Kathy O’Mara                                                                                                  komara@vacmail.com

What a change of scenery.

I have been working for Sundance for six months and I have to say this has to be the best decision I have ever made in my entire life! Some might ask why a graduate of PSU would ever decide to sell vacations and let me tell you why. The people I work with are the best bunch I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The day I started I was welcomed into the family with open arms. I am amazed and thank my lucky stars each day that I am able to work at Sundance Vacations. I look forward to going to work each day. What is even better is that I get to work with my best friend and better half. I thank her the most for turning me on to this great company, organization, and family. I also thank all that helped me in the process and those who help me every day!

~Rich Bosher, King of Prussia