South Bend Chamber Honors Leaders

February 25, 2009

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – When Mary Kowalski was living in Colorado 15 years ago, she was eager to get back to the Midwest.

“I was ready to move back to my roots in South Bend,” said Kowalski, vice president of travel services with Anthony Travel.”

At the time, she didn’t know a whole lot about Anthony Travel, though she knew the company had to be good. Then she met John Anthony, company president and chief executive.

“I wanted to be part of that experience,” Kowalski said. “And what a great experience it has been.”

Anthony Travel received the Small Business of the Year Award on Tuesday, an honor that recognizes the efforts, accomplishments and contributions of one area small business.

Anthony Travel was one of four award recipients at the annual Salute to Business on Tuesday at the Century Center. The annual event recognizes leaders in the business community who have made significant accomplishments over the past year.

Under the leadership of John Anthony and his wife, Katie, Anthony Travel has enjoyed steady upward growth for 19 years, with escalated growth over the past five years. Since 2004, the company has averaged increases of more than 20 percent per year in gross sales, revenue and net income.

And recognized as a global travel industry leader, the company was named North America’s Leading Travel Agency at the 2007 World Travel Awards.