Contest sweetens spring break travel plans

By: Taylor Engler

Posted: 2/1/06

One lucky sweet-toothed Syracuse University student could be spending his or her spring break relaxing in a fabulous tropical getaway, but may have a little trouble fitting into a bathing suit.

Insomnia Cookies, Marshall Street's late-night treat company, has launched a new contest to reward its most faithful cookie monster. For the month of February, the owners will monitor the orders on Insomniacookies.com, and the customer with the highest order amount will receive a $1,500 subsidy to be put toward the spring break vacation of his or her choice.

"The subsidy allows the student to move forward with their selected plans and enjoy the vacation of their choice," said Seth Berkowitz, half of the two-man team behind Insomnia Cookies. "The winner needs to provide only an airline confirmation or travel itinerary to collect their prize."

With the winter blues setting in around Syracuse, the promise of a vacation is just the thing students need to perk them up. Many students already plan to travel somewhere warm over spring break, but the subsidy may help pay for already made plans, or foster new ones, Berkowitz said.

"Because it's supposed to be so freezing (in Syracuse), the contest makes students think spring break is just around the corner," said Jared Barnett, the other co-owner of Insomnia Cookies.

Barnett and Berkowitz began Insomnia Cookies about three years ago with the idea of entering into a never-before conquered niche. There are plenty of fast food places willing to serve night-owl students coming home from a party or studying into the wee hours, but Insomnia Cookies offers something fresher, reminiscent of home and more tailored to college students. With their latest promotions, Barnett and Berkowitz are sticking to their college student draw, capitalizing on what young adults at school are interested in.

"Spring break is such a college-oriented thing, so it's a good reward for our customers," Barnett said.

The already busy business will most certainly be inundated with orders, as customers become aware of the contest and are ready to be rewarded for their dedication to baked goods.

"I would eat a dozen cookies a day to go to Bali," said Albert Knott, a freshman retail management major. "I think the contest is a great idea."

However, some students are reluctant to increase their ordering of Insomnia Cookies, even with the possible spring break reward.

"As much as I love Insomnia Cookies, I wouldn't order it every day, spending so much money just so I could receive $1,500 for spring break," said Jina Song, a freshman sports management major. "Plus, that's downing a lot of calories."

A winner will also be selected at each of the four other schools that fosters an Insomnia Cookies store - University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, University of Illinois and University of Maryland. The SU winner will be announced around March 5. They will have about a week or so to claim the prize before spring break begins.

Ultimately, the contest will result in an unforgettable vacation experience for the winner, with a prize that elicits vacation dreams - even from the company's owners.

"I would go somewhere in the Caribbean," Barnett said. "Probably the Bahamas, maybe St. Bart's."