2017 Travvys: A Look Back at the 2016 Innovative Travel Agent Winners

<p><em>PHOTO: Jennifer Doncsecz of VIP Vacations was named Most Innovative Travel Agent. (travAlliancemedia file photo)</em></p><p><span 2016="" 2017="" a="" agent="" at="" back="" data-sheets-userformat="{" data-sheets-value="{" innovative="" look="" the="" travel="" travvys:="">Awards season is upon us and the 2017 Travvy Awards are fast-approaching. This relatively new celebration of the travel industry is quickly becoming one of the most celebrated events and the 2017 awards will be no different. </span></p><p><span 2016="" 2017="" a="" agent="" at="" back="" data-sheets-userformat="{" data-sheets-value="{" innovative="" look="" the="" travel="" travvys:="">New York's Gotham Hall will once again set the stage for the Travvy Awards where the coveted gold statuettes will be handed out to a crowd of industry greats on Jan. 25, 2017.</span></p><p><span 2016="" 2017="" a="" agent="" at="" back="" data-sheets-userformat="{" data-sheets-value="{" innovative="" look="" the="" travel="" travvys:="">Looking forward to the 2017 Travvy Awards, we are remembering some of the winners that have graced the stage in previous years.</span></p><p><strong>Most Innovative Travel Agent Overall: JENNIFER DONCSECZ</strong></p><p>Jennifer Doncsecz, the owner and president of VIP Vacations based in Bethlehem, Pa., is known as the Lady in Pink. Doncsecz has used that color in her masterful branding of herself - and her agency - as specialists in the Caribbean, destination weddings and honeymoons.</p><p>But there's more to Doncsecz and her agency (which has three offices) than clever branding. Doncsecz is an accomplished and savvy travel professional - a fact that has won her the 2016 Travvy for Most Innovative Travel Agent Overall along with a long list of other awards. The Caribbean Tourism Organization in 2007 awarded Doncsecz and VIP Vacations its Creativity in Bridal and Romance Travel Award. VIP Vacations was named the leading travel agency in the nation for group sales to Sandals/ Beaches Resorts in 2005, and in 2009 as well as Top 10 agency in the world for overall sales for 2009-2010 and 2011.</p><p>Doncsecz was awarded The President's Award by Sandals Resorts in 2010. And Theknot.com recognized Doncsecz' expertise, and filmed her own wedding at Beaches Turks/Caicos, which continues to play on Beaches.com. Doncsecz has also appeared as a travel expert on CNN's Headline News and FOX Philadelphia's 10 O'clock News. She often speaks about romance travel at industry conferences.</p><p><strong>RUNNER-UP: Tammy Levent of Elite Travel</strong></p><p>Tammy Levent built Elite Travel, based in Palm Harbor, Fla., into a travel management company that does more than $75 million in sales. An entrepreneur, speaker and business consultant, Levent has also developed The Travel Agent's Success Kit to help struggling travel agencies successfully adapt to the new age of travel.</p><p>---</p><p><strong>READ MORE: <a href="http://www.travelpulse.com/news/travel-agents/the-winners-list-the-2016-travvy-awards-presented-by-dream-vacations.html" target="_blank">The 2016 Travvy Awards Winners List </a> </strong></p><p>If you didn't attend last year's gala, <a href="https://www.travvyawards.com/" target="_blank">see what you missed here</a>. And get ready, as travAlliancemedia CEO Mark Murphy promises that the third edition of the show will be the most electric night of the travel industry awards season.<br />Make sure you grab your seat or table now - the event is sure to sell out with only limited seating still available. Individual seats are still available for $450 per person. So make sure you act now to get your favorite travel professional a holiday gift that will let them network with the industry's elite stars.<br />If you're interested in more information on the gala or to inquire about availability of the $4,000 VIP tables, contact travAlliancemedia at 865-505-1400 or email <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p>

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