Orlando travel advisors to be recognized by the world’s oldest and largest franchising association for business excellence, leadership, mentorship, and service to their community and industry

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2, 2026) – The International Franchise Association (IFA) today named Amy and Michael Madson, owners of Dream Vacations’ Madson & Associates in Orlando, Fla., as 2026 Franchisees of the Year. The Madsons will be honored at the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C., Sept. 14-16, for being outstanding franchise owners who exemplify excellence in entrepreneurship, community outreach, workforce development, and service to others. Nominated by Dream Vacations, the IFA Franchisee of the Year awards are given to top franchisees from IFA member brands across industries and communities around the country.

“Franchisees of the Year demonstrate what franchising is all about – individuals who have committed their lives and careers to the betterment of those around them, building something bigger than themselves,” said Matt Haller, President and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “Through their leadership, they create jobs and build careers, give back to their communities, and support other franchisees, all while exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of franchising. We are proud to recognize Amy and Michael Madson with IFA’s highest honor for individual franchisees and celebrate their commitment to making a difference both within their business and beyond.”

The Franchisee of the Year awards recognize leading franchise owners for their community involvement, fostering a strong workforce, assisting their fellow franchisees when called upon, and embodying the entrepreneurial spirit. Their outstanding performance and contributions help strengthen not only their business but also the entire franchise business model.

For more than 24 years, Amy and Michael Madson have built a thriving travel business rooted in service, leadership, and continuous improvement. Their Orlando-based Dream Vacations agency has earned Circle of Excellence recognition for top sales achievement every year since 2021 and was named Dream Vacations’ 2025 Franchise of the Year, the highest honor within the network.

“Amy and Michael represent everything we hope future franchise owners aspire to become,” said Natalie Loza, vice president of sales and recruitment for Dream Vacations. “They have built an exceptional business through hard work, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to serving their clients. Just as importantly, they generously share their knowledge, mentor others, and actively contribute to both the Dream Vacations network and the broader travel industry. We couldn’t be more proud to see them recognized by the International Franchise Association.”

While their business success is impressive, the Madsons are equally recognized for their commitment to helping others succeed. They actively mentor fellow travel advisors, serve on Dream Vacations’ committees, contribute to training initiatives, and support the broader travel industry through leadership roles with organizations including ASTA and CLIA. Amy’s dedication to developing others was further recognized with the 2024 OPAL Award for Outstanding Performance and Leadership.

Their impact extends throughout the Dream Vacations system and beyond. As respected educators, mentors, and brand ambassadors, the Madsons generously share their expertise with peers and encourage leadership development among other advisors. They are also active volunteers within their local community and strong advocates for the travel profession.

“We are incredibly honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the International Franchise Association,” said Amy Madson, co-owner of Madson & Associates. “Dream Vacations has given us the opportunity to build a business doing what we love, while helping others grow and succeed along the way. We believe some of the greatest rewards in business come from sharing knowledge, supporting others, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to thrive.”

There are approximately 832,000 franchise establishments across the U.S., providing nearly 8.8 million direct jobs and generating more than $907 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

The recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Sept. 15, 2026, and throughout the IFA26 Advocacy Summit in Washington, D.C. next month.

About The International Franchise Association:

Celebrating over 60 years of excellence, education, and advocacy, the International Franchise Association (IFA) is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations, and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the approximately 832,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 8.8 million direct jobs, $907.3 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy, and almost 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees, and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology, and business development.

About Dream Vacations

Dream Vacations is a home-based travel agency franchise that gives its advisors everything they need to plan smooth and memorable vacations for their clients— all while delivering great value. As part of World Travel Holdings and a proud member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations has earned top honors, including franchise partner of the year from major cruise lines. The franchise is also nationally recognized for its strong commitment to supporting military veterans. For more details, visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com. You can also connect with Dream Vacations on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.