Dream Vacations is kicking off the summer with its seventh annual "Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General" contest.
Starting May 28, the host agency is encouraging vets to consider a career as a travel agent and, this year, the contest has been expanded to include seven winners rather than just five. The change is the result of a grant from the International Franchise Association (IFA) given to Dream Vacations when the organization won the Gold Franchising Gives Back award in the "Supporting our Veterans" category.
"Military veterans are vital to the strength of our nation and to our Dream Vacations organization; words cannot express how grateful we are to all those who serve our country," said Debbie Fiorino, senior vice president of Dream Vacations.
"So to honor and thank those in the armed forces for making the American Dream possible, we are proud to provide a civilian career opportunity that they can embark on upon after retirement that will provide supplemental income while helping them create a legacy for their family," Fiorino added.
The Dream Vacations franchise contest is open to former members of any of the five branches of the U.S. military (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) who are retired, off active duty and/or honorably discharged prior to the contest start date.
The contest runs all summer long and concludes on August 27, 2018.
Winners will be notified in September 2018. The franchises are valued at $12,700 and include a complimentary Dream Vacations franchise with a waived $9,800 initial start-up fee and monthly service fees.
Dream Vacations' new recruits report for active duty in October, at which time they will participate in a weeklong "franchise training boot camp" at the company's headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Winners will be reimbursed up to $500 for their travel expenses and are provided with complimentary accommodations during their training session.
For those who don't win but would still like to pursue a career in travel, All military veterans and Gold Star families who purchase a Dream Vacations travel agency business receive a special enlistment package valued at no less than $5,000, ongoing support and more.
Visit the contest website for complete details on the contest and information on owning a Dream Vacations franchise.
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