Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Naples Travel Company Selected for State’s GrowFL Economic Gardening Program

NAPLES, Fla. … Preferred Travel of Naples – the largest full-service travel agency in Southwest Florida – has been selected to receive free technical assistance from the state-funded GrowFL program.

Founded in 1984 by President Wilma Boyd, Preferred Travel of Naples - a member of the Signature Travel Network – is a world-wide luxury travel group that offers significant savings, amenities and privileged access experiences on luxury cruises, tours, hotels and adventures.

Boyd said the GrowFL designation means “growth and expansion” for Preferred Travel’s 45 employees, and the benefit of the research provided by their team of experts will guide them in decisions and strategy that will help shape the company.

“As a second stage company, it is beneficial to have access, guidance and support from our peers. Their [GrowFL] expertise and assistance in providing key information on market penetration, technology and core strategy will help in decision making and strategy,” she said.

Part of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute, GrowFL was created in 2009 by the Florida Legislature and is based at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. When selecting businesses for the program, the institute looks for companies that have the potential for success, according to Dr. Tom O’Neal, executive director of the Florida Economic Gardening Institute.

“Preferred Travel of Naples is ideal for the program as it has shown that it has the potential to succeed and it continues to grow,” said Dr. O’Neal, who also is associate vice president for the University of Central Florida’s Office of Research and Commercialization.

Preferred Travel’s main office is in Naples and it works with independent contractors in other Florida locations, as well as Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

“We have a well-traveled team of knowledgeable and professional consultants who provide the ultimate in travel services. But, what sets us apart is our dedication to our clients and our focus on personalized service that exceeds our clients’ expectations,” Boyd said.

She described Preferred Travel as a “growth-oriented company” that is poised and ready to move to the next level. “This designation will help us mature as a company and continue to expand, while providing the best service with the best staff.”

About Preferred Travel of Naples:
With a dedication to clients and a focus on personalized service, Preferred Travel of Naples exceeds clients’ expectations. Founder Wilma Boyd’s goal was to recruit an accomplished team of well-traveled professionals to provide the ultimate in travel services from planning to homecoming, and she continues to achieve that goal 27 years later. Clients of Preferred Travel have peace of mind knowing that travel professionals are available to assist them 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The company’s motto is, “Always a voice, never a machine.” For more information visit www.preferrednaples.com.

About the Florida Economic Gardening Institute:
The Florida Economic Gardening Institute was created by the 2009 Florida Legislature as the Economic Gardening Technical Assistance Program to stimulate investment in Florida’s economy by providing technical assistance for expanding businesses in the state. Qualified companies must be engaged in the following sectors to receive no-cost technical assistance: Manufacturing; Finance & Insurance Services; Wholesale Trade; Information Industries; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management Services; and, Administrative & Support Services. Additional information is available at www.GrowFL.com.

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