MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – The final bidding has closed on the 2012 International Online Travel Auction for Kids, and it’s time to recognize three star performers associated with this year’s event.
- Virgin America donated airline travel to any US destination that generated total bid activity in excess of $1,700 – more than any other single corporate donor.
- Tune Hotels of Asia provided 30 packages – an astounding number of auction items – which included hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United Kingdom.
- Gulf Air was selected as the winner of the 2012 Family Friendly Airline Award in a Facebook poll prior to the auction.
Tune Hotels and Gulf Air received a Kids First Teddy Award in recognition of their support for this year’s auction. Each bear has been custom crafted by the Vermont Teddy Bear Company with the logo of the Kids First Fund and a sash recognizing the recipient company. Virgin America will receive its award at the MEGA Awards Gala event on November 27, 2012 in San Diego. Phil Seward, director of loyalty for Virgin America, will accept the award.
“This year’s auction was a global event because of donor airlines, hotels, and travel companies from all over the world,” said Jay Sorensen, President of the Kids First Fund, “The event will become bigger for 2013 through a new association with the Mega Awards.” Top donor companies for the 2013 International Online Travel Auction for Kids will be recognized at next year’s Mega Awards Gala, which has become the leading recognition event for genuine innovation in the airline and travel industry.
Donor companies for the 2012 auction included: Airphil Express, Avis Car Rental, Choice Hotels, Estonian Air, Gogo Inflight Internet, Gulf Air, Hilton HHonors, Pegasus Airlines, SATA Air Acores, Tune Hotels, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin America, Virgin Australia, and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
