Satisfying the customer has always come first at Franklin Travel, where providing quality service is the rule of thumb.

Recognising the loyalty of its clientele and valuing that patronage, the agency felt it only proper that those customers be present as it celebrated two important milestones -- the grand opening of its new location and its 15th anniversary.

According to Patricia Daly Franklin, the agency's president, it was decided that three events would be held to try and thank the customers for their patronage and introduce them to the company's new headquarters in Washington Lane at the Church Street level.

Celebrations on the big day, June 27, began with an `In-Flight Breakfast' for travel co-ordinators and executive secretaries, followed with an open house to which all Franklin Travel customers were invited. The day ended with a cocktail reception to which major corporate and leisure clients were invited and, at which time, Mrs. Daly Franklin and Tourism Minister the Hon. David Dodwell laid a plaque honouring her husband in the agency's foyer.

Buddy's values are still practised "What we're doing is rededicating ourselves to the spirit of Buddy Franklin,'' she explained, "so that will remain in our lobby area at all times so that people who didn't know Buddy, who didn't have that pleasure, can be reminded of why we're here and what the essence of this agency is supposed to be about.

"And (we held) a couple of draws for prizes, some of which were free tickets from Delta, Kiwi and American Airlines that we gave away at all three events.

We also got lots of stuff from British Airways and Carnaval, from everybody.

So, we're going to be giving some free things away as part of our appreciation of their business.'' The In-Flight Breakfast, Mrs. Daly Franklin added, was aimed at showing invitees just how much they are appreciated.

"These are people who spend so much time helping their bosses plan their trips. Usually we do something special on Secretaries Day, but we purposely didn't do it this year because we wanted to wait until this time, our grand opening. Those ladies, and they are all ladies in this instance, have just been tremendously supportive. They're the ones that really create the relationship with the agent and it is usually the agent that people deal with, not just the agency. So we realise that it's the human touch that makes the difference.

"Some of them have never met their agents. Eighty five percent of the business we do is over the phone. So we've got this terrific new location which we want to share with everybody. We want to let them know that we're still here to stay and that we're very much interested in keeping them as clients. We just switched to a new computing system for the back office and we want to make sure that our marketing data is correct because we have so much to offer.'' Franklin customers were invited to come in for a slice of a huge birthday cake commemorating the event, she said.

WE'RE HERE TO SERVE YOU -- Franklin Travel's Leisure Deapartment, (from bottom left) Tiffany Smith, Barb Mitchell-Iris, Janice Sullivan and Kim Every.

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