Vail Resorts also announced that, effective immediately, Heavenly and Northstar pass holders will have access to Kirkwood and Kirkwood pass holders will be able to ski and ride Heavenly and Northstar.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kirkwood into our family as our seventh world-class mountain resort. Kirkwood offers some of the most extraordinary ski terrain found anywhere in North America with high alpine trails and the most annual average snowfall in Lake Tahoe. Kirkwood represents skiing and riding at its purest, something we intend to retain and protect long into the future,” said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. “When combined with Heavenly and Northstar, we will be able to offer our guests and pass holders unparalleled value with the very best that Lake Tahoe has to offer. We are excited to be able to offer Kirkwood to our pass holders right away – it’s like opening day to a whole new season.”

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“We are honored to welcome Chef Sera to the Timbers Resorts team,” said David Burden, Founder and CEO of Timbers Resorts. “His years of experience in Italy’s finest hotels and restaurants will ensure that our homeowners and guests experience the best in dining, whether enjoying a signature pasta dish at Ristorante Tosca or a wood oven pizza at Pazzia Pizzeria, no detail will be overlooked.”

A native Italian who grew up outside of Genoa, Chef Sera has 16 years of Executive Chef experience, and has held the top kitchen spot at a number of Italy’s most renowned five-star hotels including Rome’s Hotel Splendide Royal, Grand Hotel Via Veneto, Hotel Regina Baglioni and St. Regis Grand Hotel. He was most recently the Executive Chef at the Grand Hotel in Florence and has been the personal chef to the Royal Family of Morocco since 1992.

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The Perspective Magazine Awards, sponsored by Holiday Systems International, annually recognizes the top companies and individuals doing business in the timeshare and fractional sector of the hospitality industry, with this year’s Awards Gala dinner held February 2^nd, 2012 at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Cathy Backus, National Sales Director, CSA Travel Protection who was in attendance and accepted the award said “Winning Best Developer Partner for GNEX is truly an honor for CSA Travel Protection. The conference is a unique platform for all developers in the industry to unite and generate new ways to transform the shared ownership industry. CSA is a global provider of travel insurance and finds a tremendous value in participating yearly in the GNEX conference.”

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“We’re delighted to welcome FONATUR as our Global Development Sponsor for the 2012 ARDA Convention, the industry’s largest gathering of shared vacation ownership professionals,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA.  “With our international development focus at this year’s ARDA Convention, this is the ideal opportunity to provide information and access to the growing Mexico market,” continued Nusbaum.

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“Bluegreen demonstrates its commitment to a philosophy of ‘what’s good for the Company’s culture and community is also good for business,’” says Ellen Devine, Executive Assistant to the President/CEO at Bluegreen Corporation. She continues, “This holds true at the Boca Raton corporate headquarters and across our organization where associates are committed to improving the communities in which we live, work and play.”

Monthly charities will benefit from Bluegreen’s Jeanerous giving program and 50/50 charitable donation raffle programs throughout 2012. In addition to monthly charities, Bluegreen will continue to support Christel House, JDRF, Cystic Fibrosis, Deliver the Dream and others through various fundraising projects throughout the year.

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The course is among a series of professional courses by DREI in cooperation with the real estate licensing department of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) as part of an awareness & knowledge campaign. Such campaign reflects LD’s keenness to disseminate knowledge and awareness of the real estate sector in Dubai through a professional and scientific training.

“We have received 80 registration applications so far for the course available in Arabic & English and those registered are basically the specialists working in Dubai’s timeshare,” says Mahmoud Al Burai, Managing Director of DREI.

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“Our resort clients will now have the ability to market to segments of a 4.5-million-strong database of contextual NASCAR fans,” says Holiday Travel’s President and CEO Rich Romanello. “They can offer these consumers a free, one-year membership in the Official NASCAR Members Club in order to present additional offers. Holiday Travel’s FASTTRACK Promotions became the official marketing partner of ONMC in 2005. HTOA is now celebrating 24 years of service to the industry and is a BBB A+ rated company.”

FASTTRACK Promotions clients are currently making use of the access through telemarketing, direct mail and email campaigns offering tours and mini-vacations to racing fans.

The Perspective Magazine Awards, sponsored by Holiday Systems International, annually recognizes the top companies and individuals doing business in the timeshare and fractional sector of the hospitality industry, with this year’s Awards Gala dinner held February 2^nd, 2012 at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Ramy Filo, CEO, Classic Group who was in attendance and accepted the award said “The ultimate reward for our organization and staff is to be recognized by our peers as the best of the best.”

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After spending more than 20 years as a senior executive in the multi-family real estate management industry, Mrs. Aviles, in a bold and innovative move, launched the first “hybrid club concept” for luxury vacation homeowners and discerning travelers alike. Private Trade Winds is quickly becoming known in the luxury travel segment as the purveyor of the “Five Star Villa Vacation”.

Mrs. Aviles will be speaking during the “Some Emerging Alternatives to Traditional Ownership of Resort Real Estate” session of the conference on Tuesday, March 13 at 8:00am.

This year’s event has expanded its program from previous years as it will address all forms of resort real estate and not exclusively fractionals. Speakers will describe trends in the primary resort real estate attractors, including skiing, golf and spa. They will also discuss trends in the primary product types of resort hotels, resort timeshare, fractionals, whole-ownership vacation homes, and master-planned resort real estate communities. Recognizing that consumer decision-making patterns are dramatically changing, several market researchers/trend analysts will share their recent findings and emphasize how they relate to product design and the sales and marketing process.

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The hotel is set to be the destination of choice for both well-travelled visitors and residents, adding 302 rooms and 58 suites to Qatar’s growing hospitality sector. In addition the 176 luxurious Residence Suites will include a range of one to four bedroom apartments.

“Qatar is leading the way in cultural and sporting events as well as hosting numerous global conferences. Visitors to Doha are looking for an experience that blends the familiar with the innovative, comfort with luxury, and modernity with the traditions of the region. We are delighted to bring InterContinental Doha The City to the heart of the capital. The hotel will be a tremendous asset to the hospitality industry, and the skyline in Qatar, enhancing its reputation as a world-class destination,” said H.E. Mohamed bin Ajaj Al Kubaisi, Owner of InterContinental Doha The City.

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Craig Morganson, who is an active proponent of clearing up the misinformation about the situation in Mexico, stated that he has presented a brief to U.S. Government leaders regarding the inappropriateness of the Travel Warning against Mexico and the status is being reviewed.

When asked about why he is involved in this and what his goals were, Craig Morganson said, “The U.S. is currently struggling to recover from the worst economy in my lifetime. Travel and tourism is a big part of our global economy. The long-term economic damage caused by the U.S. Travel Warning against Mexico is greater than the benefits derived from the Warning.” Mexico is the number one vacation destination for U.S. citizens and the warnings have caused U.S. businesses to experience significant reductions in revenue. It also continues to deprive Mexico of income and tax revenue.

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Hilton Hotels & Resorts has announced that the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront has been officially designated as a Hilton Resort. Hilton Resorts is a specific collection of premier properties within the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio that are designed for travelers seeking relaxation and rejuvenation in the world’s most sought after destinations, creating memories that last long after checkout. The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront joins a distinguished group of more than 70 properties located throughout 26 countries, each encompassing specific requirements above and beyond the existing Hilton brand standards.  Less than 2% of Hilton properties have been designated as Hilton Resorts.

The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront is owned and managed by Professional Hospitality Resources (PHR).  PHR developed the 289-room Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront in 2005 as part of the 31Ocean mixed-use development on Laskin Road at the oceanfront.

Accepting the honor on behalf of PHR, Bruce Thompson, President and CEO said, “When we built the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, we wanted to set a new standard for the entire Virginia Beach oceanfront.  We are pleased that our guests and Hilton Hotels and Resorts agree that our property is truly world-class.  We are continuing to develop world class properties on the Oceanfront and elsewhere.  We are in the final constructions stages now of more than $150 million in new development and are looking for new opportunities every day.” 

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Accepting the “Best Media” award, David Gilbert, Interval’s executive vice president of resort sales and marketing, commented, “It’s an honor to be recognized for our innovative approach to creating a unique member platform. Interval Community is a natural extension of our ongoing commitment to members and we’re delighted that they’re finding such value in connecting with each other about their vacation ownership.”

With more than 115,000 member profiles and 30,000 content-rich postings, Interval Community offers practical information for members on how to maximize their membership. This forum has enjoyed over 6 million page views, many of which were repeat visitors. Additionally, it has become an important consumer research tool to better serve the needs of its members.

“We’re also very pleased to see our resort clients recognized in such large numbers. It’s a real tribute to the high-quality of the properties and the exceptional vacation experiences they provide their owners and Interval’s exchange guests,” Gilbert added. “On a personal note, I was delighted to see Bruce Thompson named ‘Best Industry Leader,’ an accolade he so richly deserves.”

GNEX 2012 was a gathering of shared ownership industry professionals representing more than 175 companies from around the world. The awards, presented at a gala dinner, were chosen through a combination of online voting and judging by a panel of industry experts.

The honors won by Interval clients and member resorts included:

Best Industry Leader

∙          Bruce L. Thompson – CEO, Gold Key/PHR Hotels and Resorts

Best Newcomer

∙          Tesoro Resorts, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Best Timeshare Resort

∙          Dawn Beach Club – North America

∙          Marriott’s Playa Andaluza – Europe/Middle East

∙          Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort – Asia Pacific

∙          Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort – South Africa

∙          Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort – Worldwide

Best Timeshare Unit

∙          Westgate Park City – North America

∙          Marriott’s Playa Andaluza – Europe/Middle East

∙          Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort – Asia Pacific

∙          Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort – South Africa

∙          Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort – Worldwide

Best Fractional Resort

∙          Hyatt Grand Aspen – North America

∙          Island Residence Club – Heavenly Collection – Europe/Middle East

∙          Essque Zalu Zanzibar – South Africa

Best Fractional Unit

∙          Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort – Europe/Middle East

∙          Essque Zalu Zanzibar – South Africa

Best Design – Exterior

∙          Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Best Design – Interior

∙          Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

About Interval International

Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added services to its developer clients worldwide. Based in Miami, Florida, the company has been a pioneer and innovator in serving the vacation ownership market for 35 years. Today, Interval has an exchange network of approximately 2,600 resorts in over 75 nations. Through offices in 15 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and benefits to resort clients and approximately 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs. Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.

“Renée has made an immediate contribution with her great ideas. As a result of her background and experience in web development and marketing including previous work with non-profits, she will contribute a critical aspect necessary for promoting our cause” according to Lisa Wanzenried, Send Me On Vacation  Co-President.

Wagner adds “I’m extremely honored to lend my experience and expertise to such a wonderful mission. It’s truly an honor to work with such a dedicated group of volunteers that recognize the importance of providing hope and serenity to women in need of a much deserved escape.”Prior to joining Travel To Go, Wagner worked with S.A.Y. San Diego (Social Advocates for Youth) and was the Capital Campaign Communication Consultant for the San Diego Girl Scouts.  Her work with SMOV allows her to continue to contribute to philanthropic efforts.

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VIP Luggage Delivery eliminates the need to wait for luggage at the airport carousel; luggage is delivered to the customer, safe, fast and easy. VIP Luggage Delivery is a national service provider that operates daily, and includes delivery to hotels, businesses, or residential addresses. VIP currently manages more than ten million deliveries annually at more than 250 domestic airports, including all gateways and hubs for the major carriers.

The process to use VIP Luggage Delivery is simple and seamless. The first step is to place an order at http://www.vipluggagedelivery.com/redweek. Once an order is received, VIP mails reusable luggage tag(s) to the customer up to 24 hours before flight time. On the day of travel, the VIP system dispatches the vendor to retrieve the luggage and deliver it to its final destination.

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Martin Kandel’s expertise in business development, strategic planning and management processes makes him a natural fit to develop innovative products in the travel industry. He has held top level executive positions with International Cruise and Excursions (ICE), Shell Vacations, Diamond Resorts International, Accor Premiere Vacation Club, and Accumen Sales & Marketing Group. He is a former Maryland Assistant Attorney General and member of the ARDA Board of Directors. Martin Kandel is currently a member of ARDA’s Travel Club Task Force.

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Located on an exquisite stretch of beach on the famed Bay of Banderas and surrounded by tranquil deep blue water and the tropical vegetation of the Mexican Pacific, the 20 year old property has been made new again with a total refurbishment of its 270 rooms and suites, spectacular lobby, three bars and most of its five restaurants.  Some other notable changes to the resort include four all-new restaurants and a fashionable new Lobby bar.

The renovations are part of an ongoing commitment by the growing Vacation Club to invest in upgrading its existing properties, while adding on to its existing collection of 11 properties.

“This is not just a ‘remodel’ says Luis Namnum, President of the Club. “This is for all practical purposes a brand new resort. We completely gutted out and remodeled all the Club units; the Lobby; all four restaurants, added a new lobby lounge and beach bar. Our members will still find our signature warm, wonderful blend of fun, relaxation, romance and attentive service that we are known for –but in a new setting. It is not unlike a good plastic surgery…the same at the core but with a fresh new look! Members who return here will be amazed at the changes that have occurred.  We have upgraded the property from a 3.5 star previously branded as ‘Allegro’ to a 4.5 Star ‘Grand.’  On the top floor we developed a luxurious Grand Level floor. All of our Grand Level units have spectacular ocean views, a private lounge and full service restaurant.”

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“We are overjoyed that Mexico has broken our longstanding record with regard to international visitation,” said Rodolfo Lopez-Negrete, Chief Operating Officer of the Mexico Tourism Board, “these figures clearly demonstrate that the bold diversification strategy we have implemented, promoting a broad tourism offering and targeting an expanded breed of global consumer, is succeeding.”

Following efforts to attract a more diverse cohort of tourists from a range of international markets, Mexico saw in a significant increase in visitor numbers compared to 2010 from Brazil (66 percent), Russia (55 percent), China (30 percent), Colombia (23.2 percent), Italy (13 percent), Australia (13 percent) United Kingdom (11.6 percent), France (10 percent), Japan (9.3 percent) and Canada (7 percent).

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“Fairmont Mayakoba represents the upper echelon of the hospitality industry and continues to prove that there is a consistent culture of excellence,” stated Tony Perrone, Manager of AAA national headquarters for Mexico.

The AAA Five Diamond Award^® is the most coveted symbol of excellence for lodging in North America. Out of the 37,000 hotels rated by AAA in 2012, the Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya resort is among an exclusive group of 0.25% of hotels to achieve the Five Diamond Award.

“This prestigious accolade is a tribute to the passion for service of our colleagues. It is a remarkable achievement that inspires us to continue providing our guests with unique personalized experiences,” said Ian Robinson, vice president and general manager of the hotel.

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TimeShareWare’s Resorts-4-Rent allows VI the flexibility of exposing availability to the GDS channel as desired through web services tied directly to their TimeShareWare inventory management engine.  Technology solutions like Marketspan are then able to update inventory availability and rates, while also creating reservations directly into VI’s TimeShareWare system – all in real-time.

“Managing the same inventory in two systems is difficult,” explains Dorothy Heiret, Chief Information Officer for Vacation Internationale. “(TimeShareWare’s) R4R has eliminated the mistakes inherent to a manual system as well as the hours of data entry, and allowed us to accept same-day bookings.”

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“These new resorts not only show a growing interest for timeshare travel throughout Asia but evidence that we’re offering an innovative and appealing timeshare exchange product,” said Adrian Lee, managing director, RCI Asia Pacific. “Adding new resorts in Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia reaffirms our commitment to offering great vacations in highly-desirable destinations in Asia and throughout the world. We’re happy to have them on board.”

The Marrakesh Hua Hin Residences is superbly located in the heart of Hua Hin, Thailand’s royal beach resort. The luxurious beachfront resort offers a colorful blend of authentic and contemporary Moroccan features with an enchanting private garden and a lagoon beautifully decorated in Marrakesh design, with facilities such as an infinity-edge swimming pool, children’s pool, fitness room and more.

Hua Hin is an ideal getaway from Bangkok. The tranquil fishing village was turned into the royal resort and consequently became popular among Siam’s nobility and upper class. Today, visitors to Hua Hin will still sense this special atmosphere and old-world charm. Besides sun-filled days on the mile-long beach there are leisure activities for the whole family to enjoy from water sports to golf.

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Recognized as a leader in hospitality certification in all areas including hotels, food and beverage, hotel suppliers and spas, AHLEI strongly supports the continued education and development of industry professionals. Certification through AHLEI requires a demonstration of extensive knowledge and experience in the field as well as the successful completion of a certification examination.

The skills and knowledge of the hospitality industry exhibited by the team members at Flamingo Beach Resort exemplifies the dedication and commitment that Diamond Resorts International strives to deliver to its owners, members and guests at resorts worldwide.

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According to Jim Mirabella, President of GScf Furnishings, the project “set out to use as many American made products as possible.  This was from both an ethical and quality point of view.”

All case goods were made in Indiana; upholstered seating was manufactured entirely in Virginia; carpet was manufactured in Georgia; bedding and window treatments were manufactured in Wisconsin and mattresses were made in Colorado.

“We really like the end result,” said Lisa Siegert-Free. “GScf Furnishings used its whole team to get the job done in a timely, cost-effective manner.  The fact that they were able to oversee the project from Design Concept through completion made the situation simple and efficient overall.  Not only do the color and clean lines give Christie a far more timeless look, the people from the company were always available throughout the process.  If there were any challenges they always had someone available to solve the problem. This coordination truly minimized resort downtime and produced excellent results.”

Mirabella says GScf is “basically a family owned operated business.  Our reputation is on the line whenever we undertake a contract.  Since each one of us is fully invested in the company, our goal is to stay connected to the project, the resort management team and our vendors from start to finish.  The folks at Christie run The Lodge with the same family-like passion so our team work pulled together a wonderful outcome.”

GScf Furnishings has recently completed projects at Palm Springs Tennis Club and San Clemente Inn.  It currently has projects underway at Gaslamp Plaza Suites (San Diego) and Laguna Shores (Laguna Beach).

For more information go to: www.granitestatecontract.com or call 603-356-5954.[/member]

The new sales center is located at 49 Main Street, in the Century 21 building and will provide a relaxing showplace where visitors can view inventory boards, unit floor plans and find answers about the planned resort hotel. Information on pricing, ownership benefits, and what type of residence that would fit your specific vacationing needs will also be available from the professional staff.

RiverWalk at Loon Mountain (www.riverwalkatloon.com) will be a fractional residence hotel located along the Pemigewassett River, behind the Village shops in the center of Lincoln. The planned 170 unit facility will provide an ideal downtown and mountain access location, and well as a long list of luxury amenities and services.

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Selected from a field of international entries, Lennon Communications’ SandScript newsletter for the Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel Island, Florida, was chosen as a finalist in the Printed Newsletter category. The top award winner will be announced at a Black Tie Gala held in conjunction with ARDA’s annual conference in Las Vegas on April 4, 2012.

Marge Lennon

In its 25th year of production by Lennon Communications, the six-page SandScript newsletter is direct mailed to the resort’s 2,500 timeshare owners three times a year. Marge Lennon handles the writing and photography for the newsletter. About a year ago, the owners were given the option of deciding if they wanted to receive the newsletter electronically or in printed format. The vast majority chose the printed version, indicating they preferred to save issues or pass them on to family members. Some of the timeshare owners represent three and even four generations of family members who have vacationed at this very popular Hilton Grand Vacations-managed property.

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Under the leadership of Kalae Wheeler, General Manager of the Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village, located in Kailua Kona, Hawaii; Holua Resort was honored with Shell Vacations Hospitality’s Management Team Appreciation Award. This is the most prestigious recognition given to any of the 21 resorts managed by the leading organization.

Pictured from left to right: Lynell Kainoa-Cho, Guest Service Supervisor; Sharina Gomes, Executive Housekeeper; Jimi Santiago, Landscape Supervisor; Kalae Wheeler, General Manager; Timothy Gomes, Assistant General Manager; Mike Nordlof, Director of Engineering; Linda Anthony, Regional Vice President; Beth Poepoe, Activities Coordinator.

According to Susan C. Kelley, President of Shell Vacations Hospitality, “In 2011, Holua Resort excelled in all areas defining the criteria for this award. The property has a highly skilled management team who has tremendous loyalty and commitment to the company which played a key role in determining the winner for 2011. The Holua team’s dedication is unique and impressive. They are incredibly professional, and display the true spirit of Aloha in everything they do.”

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Nominations were announced recently for the 2012 ARDA World Annual Convention and Exposition which begins April 1 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. The annual convention will host over 3,000 attendees in the vacation ownership industry. The winners of the Gold ARDY will be announced on April 4^th at a Gala event honoring the nominees.

GBG & Associates has recently expanded its account portfolio to include Occidental Vacation Club, Leisure Logistics, Equiventure Hospitality Group, Granite State Contract Furnishings and TrackResults. In addition the PR firm’s  clients include Grand Pacific Resort Management, Triton Software, ResortCom International, A Fair Way Mediation, Mobius Vendor Partners, CustomerCount©, FARROW Commercial Construction, and Savage Direct Marketing.

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Following the outstanding success of GNEX 2012 at the Ritz Carlton Cancun, event organizers selected the Beverly Wilshire to provide one of the most recognized, world-class venues in the U.S. for attendees, some of whom will be making their first trip to GNEX as the international resort real estate expo makes its American debut.

The luxurious Beverly Wilshire is an iconic five-star hotel located in the heart of Beverly Hills just steps from the shopping mecca of the stars, Rodeo Drive. The hotel was a setting for the 1990 film Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts as well as HBO’s Entourage television series. Celebrities have flocked to this locale since the 1920’s with Elvis Presley and Warren Beatty living at the hotel for a number of years. Famous guests are numerous, highlighted by John Lennon, Michael Caine, Michael Douglas, Dustin Hoffman, Elton John, Walter Matthau and Al Pacino.

“Where else would we want to roll out the red carpet, American-style than at the home of the stars, Beverly Hills?” said Paul Mattimoe, president and CEO, Perspective International. “GNEX 2013 will continue to provide more innovative networking sessions and events with fantastic speakers from around the world, plus we’ll be adding spectacular social events that only Hollywood can deliver.”

Networking and the ability to meet one-on-one with top industry leaders is the hallmark of this exclusive event, as 177 attendees from 91 companies were represented during the most recent GNEX 2012 expo in Mexico. About 90 percent of attendees held the titles of President, CEO, Managing Director or a similar executive-level designation, with the remainder primarily at a Director of Business Development level or similar.

The Perspective Magazine Awards Gala dinner was the perfect conclusion to GNEX 2012 as 42 awards were presented from nearly 150 nominations during the evening’s festivities at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Nominations are already open for the 2013 Perspective Magazine Awards, sponsored by Holiday Systems International, so for more information please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex/awards/.

Sponsorship levels will be very limited for GNEX 2013 on a first come, first served basis so for more information, please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex.

About Perspective Magazine

Perspective Magazine is the leading independent, multi-media information provider for the shared ownership industry. The company publishes five regional brands covering North America, Latin America, Europe & Middle East, South Africa, and Asia Pacific which are, combined, the most read independent trade publications globally for the vacation ownership industry.

The company’s consumer magazine, Owners Perspective Magazine, is the only independent consumer publication that specializes in promoting the benefits of buying shared ownership products to the general public and is also available as a specially customized developer edition for lead generation, in-room marketing and third party sales collateral. Owners Perspective Magazine’s online version, http://ownersperspective.com, also features a new guaranteed lead generation program specifically designed for resorts and developers. The site will host the company’s latest endeavor, Vacation TV, a streaming 24/7 online video channel full of information about vacation ownership products and services.

Perspective Magazine also operates a recruitment advertising service through TimeshareStaff.com (http://timesharestaff.com ),  fractional property listing services and a customized in-room Resort Television product that encourages on-site spending and vacation ownership sales.

GNEX is the company’s annual global networking expo which gathers the top industry professionals from around the world to network, create new strategic alliances and develop joint ventures that can benefit their businesses.

Perspective Magazine also publishes online through http://perspectivemagazine.com, hosts an online community of industry professionals through Perspective Forums, engages a social media audience of over 44,000 followers through its corporate social media accounts and is a media sponsor of 30 major industry events around the world.

For more information, please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com or email Steve Luba at steveluba(at)perspectivemagazine.com. For information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit  http://perspectivemagazine.com/advertise.

“At RCI, we are constantly looking for ways to help our affiliates save money while creating enhanced experiences for our subscribing members,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “Through RCI Marketplace, we have negotiated phenomenal deals for our affiliates with savings of up to 50 percent on essential products and services that have met our high quality requirements and we’ve brought them all together in one convenient virtual shopping platform.”

By leveraging the combined purchasing power of the more than 4,000 RCI-affiliated resorts, Strategic Sourcing has negotiated quality supplier programs at low prices, allowing affiliated resorts the opportunity to purchase products at competitively negotiated rates. With dozens of suppliers representing key product categories such as appliances, electronics, bedding, linens, furniture, cleaning supplies, exercise equipment, pool lifts and more, RCI Marketplace makes it easy to find and order many products and services. On the new site, RCI-affiliated resorts can:

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The event attracted 177 timeshare and fractional industry professionals representing 91 companies who came together to share best practices, discuss new development projects and provide an open debate on topics such as the potential for Latin America, the need to adapt products to meet changing consumer behavior and the effect of regulation, resales and transfer companies on the vacation ownership industry.

“Every industry in order to survive and grow must promote innovation and entrepreneurialism with fresh blood and creative thinking. I and many others feel that GNEX is the platform to lead the way for our present and our future,” said Mel Grant, President and CEO, SFX Preferred Resorts.

“It was a trend setting gathering of some of the best minds in Timeshare. I was privileged to be one of the panelists,” added industry legal veteran Roger Burk of John Rogers Burk, A Law Corporation who was instrumental in the creation of the Private Residence Club concept in the 1990s in the United States.

The sessions began as Craig Morganson, CEO, Holiday Systems International provided an update on the U.S. Travel Warning for Mexico, announcing that funding has been secured for the Rand Corporation to conduct research into the U.S. issued travel warning against Mexico.

“We have over one million legal border crossings per day between the U.S. and Mexico, with the Tijuana border crossing being the busiest border crossing in the world. So we’re talking about a friendly nation with a lot more good happening than bad,” said Morganson.

Panelists on the Investment Potential For Latin America panel agreed that the combination of the economic downturn with the Warning has had a negative impact on U.S. leisure travel to Mexico, but there has been a lift from other areas as travelers from countries such as the U.K., Canada, Russia and Brazil visit Mexico. The Caribbean has also benefitted from travelers looking to the region and the consensus is that, with low costs and a favorable regulatory environment, now is the time to invest in Latin America.

David Gilbert, Executive Vice President for Interval International, provided an “Insight Into The U.S. Consumer” with statistics showing that the Caribbean continues to be the region of choice for its members traveling internationally. Keynote speaker John Spence, CEO, The Karma Royal Group gave an electric presentation discussing his move from booking agent for 1980s music bands such as Culture Club and Bananarama to resort entrepreneur, creating one of the most successful shared ownership resort companies in the world.

Additional panels touched on topics such as the effect of the European Union Timeshare Directive, the need for resorts to create viable take-back programs, competition for the exchange companies and the challenge from “pay as you go” travel options to current vacation ownership products.

An update on the state of the fractional industry, the need to adjust products to the new demands of today’s consumer, changing sales tactics and the importance of analyzing online marketing data were also key aspects of the expo.

Overall, panelists in the Global Predictions For Shared Ownership session portrayed an optimistic view for the industry in 2012 with Asia, the Middle East and Latin America leading the way, followed by cautious optimism in North America and Australia while Europe continues to struggle.

Speed Networking shifted into high gear as delegates engaged under the thatched Palapas for high energy, one-on-one business introductions followed by a Beach Club Party where attendees continued their conversations under the stars.

GNEX 2012 also included the Perspective Magazine Awards Gala dinner, where 42 winners were announced from nearly 150 nominations in a wide variety of categories such as Best Timeshare Resort, Best Fractional Unit and Entrepreneur of the Year. A full list of award winners can be viewed at http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex/category/2012/#awards.

For those industry professionals who missed out this year, GNEX 2013 will be held at the world renowned Beverly Wilshire – a Four Seasons Hotel – in Beverly Hills, California over February 4^th – 6^th , 2013. More information will become available on the conference website at http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex.

Sponsors and supporters of GNEX 2012 include:

Blue Strawberry Resorts,  Holiday Systems International, Sunset World Resorts, Dial an Exchange, Resort Television, Travel To Go, Interval International, Lloydshare, RCI, BuyaTimeshare.com, Customer Count, Emirates Vacation Club, First American Title Insurance Company, Hop-On, Merlin Software, Sell My Timeshare NOW, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, Track Results Software, Travel Guard, YachtsE, Circle One BlueBay Resort, El Cid Vacation Club, Grand Velas, Mayakoba Residences, Royal Resorts, Unlimited Vacation Club, Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP), Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC), Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers (CARE), Canadian Resort Development Association (CRDA), The Pacific Institute, Ragatz Associates Fractional Interest Conference, Resort Development Organisation (RDO), The Association for Timeshare Owners Committees (TATOC), Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA), Women in the Industry (WIN) and Christel House International as Charity of Choice.

About Perspective Magazine

Perspective Magazine is the leading independent, multi-media information provider for the shared ownership industry. The company publishes five regional brands covering North America, Latin America, Europe & Middle East, South Africa, and Asia Pacific which are, combined, the most read independent trade publications globally for the vacation ownership industry.

The company’s consumer magazine, Owners Perspective Magazine, is the only independent consumer publication that specializes in promoting the benefits of buying shared ownership products to the general public and is also available as a specially customized developer edition for lead generation, in-room marketing and third party sales collateral. Owners Perspective Magazine’s online version, http://ownersperspective.com, also features a new guaranteed lead generation program specifically designed for resorts and developers. The site will host the company’s latest endeavor, Vacation TV, a streaming 24/7 online video channel full of information about vacation ownership products and services.

Perspective Magazine also operates a recruitment advertising service through TimeshareStaff.com (http://timesharestaff.com ),  fractional property listing services and a customized in-room Resort Television product that encourages on-site spending and vacation ownership sales.

GNEX is the company’s annual global networking expo which gathers the top industry professionals from around the world to network, create new strategic alliances and develop joint ventures that can benefit their businesses.

Perspective Magazine also publishes online through http://perspectivemagazine.com, hosts an online community of industry professionals through Perspective Forums, engages a social media audience of over 44,000 followers through its corporate social media accounts and is a media sponsor of 30 major industry events around the world.

For more information, please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com or email Steve Luba at steveluba(at)perspectivemagazine.com. For information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit  http://perspectivemagazine.com/advertise.

World-Wide Recognition Puts Thompson Among Elite In Timeshare Industry

Bruce Thompson, CEO of Gold Key/ PHR Hotels and Resorts, was recognized as the “Best Industry Leader” by Perspective Magazine, the leading trade publication for the timeshare and fractional ownership industry.

The award was announced last week at the annual GNEX awards ceremony in Cancun, Mexico. The awards recognize excellence in various categories including management, sales, operations, architecture and marketing.  The “Best Industry Leader” is the final and most anticipated award each year and is reserved for the one person who has done the most to advance the industry and his or her own business.  The event is attended by top executives from around the world.

“I was truly humbled by this recognition,” Thompson said.  “The nominees for this award are some highly regarded people who operate massive timeshare empires around the world.  It is really an honor for me to bring this award home to Virginia Beach and share it with the Gold Key/PHR team and our strategic partners at Interval International who helped make it possible.”

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“Wayne brings immense experience to the role,” says Craig Wood, CEO Accor Vacation Club. “With 21 hotels and resorts in our portfolio across Australia, New Zealand and Bali, Wayne will have plenty of opportunity to use all his expertise at this exciting time in our industry,” he added describing the role located at the timeshare giant’s Gold Coast Headquarters.

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General Manager of Studio Homes, Kristin Burghardt is excited for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“It’s a great time for us to showcase our property and the service culture on which we pride ourselves,” she said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a great community. As we grow, we look to create more job opportunities and expand our list of local partners.”

Bluegreen announced its Fee-Based Services arrangement with News Place Developers LLC, owner and developer of The Studio Homes of Ellis Square, a Condominium, November 28, 2011. The partnership was created to provide vacation ownership sales, marketing, property management and related services to the property. In addition, The Studio Homes was added as a component site of the Bluegreen Vacation Club, allowing Bluegreen Vacation owners access to luxurious resorts in the heart of this historic and popular destination.

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Selected from a field of international entries, Lubner Group’s design work at Bluegreen Corporation’s Harbour Lights vacation ownership resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Carriage House Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada were both selected as finalists in the resort refurbishment category. The top award winner in each category will be announced at a Black Tie Gala held in conjunction with ARDA’s annual conference in Las Vegas on April 4, 2012.

Carriage House Resort Room Interior

Nancy Woodhouse, IDS, is Vice President of Design & Product Development for Lubner Group. She guided the renovation and design work for two phases of 48 units in the 96-unit three-story Harbour Lights. Woodhouse selected a design embracing a coastal living lifestyle for the new furniture packages, inspired by the South Carolina shoreline. A custom-designed Sea Captain’s headboard with complementing nightstands and dresser anchored each bedroom. The design palette was accented with navy as a companion to white wood window cornices and soft yellow walls, which echoed the sunlight.

Gail Huff, ASID and NCIDQ served as Senior Project Designer for the first two phases of the Carriage House renovation, which included 50 of the 158 total units. Every single piece of furniture was custom designed for this renovation project. To enable the building to remain open for guests while work was underway and to accommodate budgets, the total refurbishment had to be done in several phases. Since the property is in use as both a hotel and timeshare resort, the design reflected a feel of modern residential conveniences with an urban atmosphere.

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“We revealed this week that the TATOC conference has received great support from the industry so it is a real pleasure to announce that our platinum affiliate, Perspective Magazine, is continuing to supporting the conference,” explained Harry Taylor, executive chairman. “Having just returned from their very successful GNEX event, we are delighted that Paul and Sharon Mattimoe will be attending our conference and Paul will be joining us on the panel of industry experts.”

This year’s platinum sponsors also include: Dial an Exchange, Diamond Resorts, RCI Europe, Silverpoint and Spice, gold sponsors are Interval International and silver sponsors are Worldwide Timeshare Hypermarket.

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Merlin Software provides a complete, web-based, single software solution for today’s resort business. Whether the organisation sells fixed timeshare weeks or complex fractional ownerships, Merlin’s sales, marketing, resort management and accounting functionality is able to support and enhance the entire business process.

Its strategic partner, TrackResults, based in Utah, is known in the vacation ownership industry for its easy to use Business Intelligence application offering performance analysis for sales and marketing teams. Providing instant sales intelligence and marketing insight in real time, TrackResults offers dashboards to aid fact-based decision-making in the sales and marketing arena.

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Auberge Adventures were inspired by the culture, natural environment and history of each Auberge property’s iconic setting, from verdant Napa Valley to the sweeping landscapes of Santa Fe, the Rocky Mountains of Aspen, Coastal Baja and the history-rich Carolina Lowcountry. Programs range from culinary experiences to fitness and cultural explorations. Created exclusively for Auberge guests, many of the programs are led by local experts and leaders in their field.

“Our guests are active, inquisitive and eager to explore,” said Mark Harmon, CEO, Auberge Resorts. “Auberge Adventures go beyond the conventional to offer new and different ways to experience a destination. When added to the idyllic settings, world-class dining and spas at our resorts, we believe a little adventure or exploration makes for the perfect resort getaway.”

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Between Denver and Cancun:

• Daily roundtrip service starting April 16, 2012, through July 7, 2012
• Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday service starting July 8, 2012, through Aug. 12, 2012
• Saturday and Sunday service starting Aug. 13, 2012, through the end of the schedule (currently Sept. 28, 2012)
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/southwest-airlines-announces-new-flights-from-denver-and-austin-to-cancun-operated-by-airtran-airways/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/starwood-reports-fourth-quarter-2011-results/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/starwood-reports-fourth-quarter-2011-results/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:31:10 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13472 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) has reported fourth quarter 2011 financial results.

  Fourth Quarter 2011 Highlights

  Excluding special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.71, including income from the St. Regis Bal Harbour residential project. Including special items, EPS from continuing operations was $0.80, including an income tax benefit of $0.40 primarily related to the use of tax capital losses, offset by charges totaling $0.31 primarily related to an unfavorable legal decision, the early extinguishment of debt and hotel impairments.

  Adjusted EBITDA was $321 million, which included $33 million of EBITDA from the St. Regis Bal Harbour residential project, up 19.3% compared to 2010.

  Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $140 million, including income from the St. Regis Bal Harbour residential project. Including special items, income from continuing operations was $158 million.
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/starwood-reports-fourth-quarter-2011-results/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/wyndham-worldwide-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2011-earnings/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/wyndham-worldwide-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2011-earnings/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:02:12 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13470 Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:WYN) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2011.

  Highlights:

  • Fourth quarter adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $0.47, compared with $0.46 in the fourth quarter of 2010, an increase of 2%.  Fourth quarter 2011 reported diluted EPS was $0.37, a decrease of 14% from the same period in 2010, reflecting non-cash impairment charges in the Company’s Lodging business.
  • Free cash flow increased to $754 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared with $603 million in 2010.
  • The Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.23 from $0.15 per share, beginning with the dividend that is expected to be declared in the first quarter of 2012.
  • During the quarter, the Company repurchased 6.7 million shares of its common stock for $225 million at an average price of $33.78. For the full-year 2011, the Company repurchased 28.7 million shares of its common stock for $902 million at an average price of $31.45.

  “2011 was another excellent year for our company,” said Stephen P. Holmes, chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide. “In an environment of ongoing economic uncertainty, our businesses continued to execute at a high level.  As expected, we generated robust free cash flow and effectively deployed that cash flow. We remain well positioned for growth and that confidence is reflected in the 53% dividend increase authorized by our Board of Directors.”

  Vacation Exchange and Rentals (Wyndham Exchange & Rentals)
  Revenues were $291 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, an increase of 3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2010.  In constant currency and excluding the impact of acquisitions, revenues were flat.

  Exchange revenues were $150 million, a decrease of 2% compared with the fourth quarter of 2010.  The average number of members was flat.  In constant currency, exchange revenues and exchange revenue per member were also flat.

  Vacation rental revenues were $125 million, a 10% increase compared with the fourth quarter of 2010. Excluding the impact of foreign currency and acquisitions, vacation rental revenues were flat as a 5% increase in the average net price per vacation rental was offset by a 5% decline in vacation rental transactions.

  Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 decreased $4 million compared with the prior-year period, reflecting the impact of unfavorable foreign currency and the seasonality of recently acquired businesses.

  Vacation Ownership (Wyndham Vacation Ownership)
  Revenues were $527 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 6% increase over the fourth quarter of 2010, reflecting increased VOI sales and WAAM commissions.

  Gross VOI sales were $409 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, up 10% from the fourth quarter of 2010, primarily reflecting an 8% increase in tour flow and a 4% increase in volume per guest.

  EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2011 was $139 million, compared with EBITDA of $131 million in the fourth quarter of 2010, a 6% increase. EBITDA growth includes contributions from increased VOI sales and WAAM commissions.

  To read the full report, please click here.

  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/wyndham-worldwide-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2011-earnings/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/timeshare-buyer-and-rental-offers-for-2011-indicate-another-strong-year-for-buyatimeshare-com/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/timeshare-buyer-and-rental-offers-for-2011-indicate-another-strong-year-for-buyatimeshare-com/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:40:50 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13468 BuyaTimeshare.com, the online leader for timeshare owners looking to sell or rent their timeshares, reports strong resale and rental activity in 2011 as nearly $100 million in qualified offers from people looking to buy or rent timeshare were delivered to advertisers during the year.

  The company provided $89,069,303 in offers to timeshare owners who posted their products for sale by-owner on the company’s website last year. Over 4,300 confirmed offers were sent by BuyaTimeshare.com as legitimate offers due to the technological capabilities of the company’s industry-leading, consumer-driven website.

  These offers are what substantiate the credibility of the company’s efforts to attract potential buyers and renters according to Wes Kogelman, president and CEO, BuyaTimeshare.com.

  “We have created architecture in our website that allows people looking to buy or rent timeshare to easily place an offer directly to that advertiser,” said Kogelman. “The discussion takes place online between the owner and buyer or renter and, because of the structure of the website, those offers are technologically verified as authentic offers.”
  
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  “We have been delighted and surprised at the huge level of support shown by the industry for the annual conference,” explained Harry Taylor, executive chairman. “The conference is always well supported and attended but this year, with such difficult economic conditions, we were aware that sponsorship might be affected. We needn’t have worried.”
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/08/tatoc-announces-huge-sponsorship-boost-for-annual-conference/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/marriott-vacation-club-owners-featured-as-february-arda-%e2%80%9ctimeshare-fans-of-the-month%e2%80%9d/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/marriott-vacation-club-owners-featured-as-february-arda-%e2%80%9ctimeshare-fans-of-the-month%e2%80%9d/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:15:10 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13447 Tom and Mindi Davis of San Diego took time during a recent vacation at their Marriott Vacation Club timeshare in Panama City Beach, Florida to share the reasons they bought and vacation with timeshare. Their video and blog is the fourth in a series by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), showcasing the passion of owners about why vacationing with timeshare is simply a better way to vacation.

  The Davis’ decided to purchase their Marriott Vacation Club timeshare after taking a three-night mini vacation at Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas in 2010 with their two children. “From the minute we arrived, it was so relaxing and beautiful,” explains Mindi. “We decided that this would provide a real vacation, giving us the fabulous locations, accommodations and experiences along with the value we couldn’t get with hotel vacations.”
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/marriott-vacation-club-owners-featured-as-february-arda-%e2%80%9ctimeshare-fans-of-the-month%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resort-equities-co-hosts-ragatz-resort-conference/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resort-equities-co-hosts-ragatz-resort-conference/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:48:03 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13425 Resort Equities, (www.ResortEquities.com), an emerging national leader in the shared ownership industry, has announced its participation as a co-host of the 12th Annual Ragatz Fractional & Resort Real Estate Conference, held March 12-13 at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch in Arizona. This year’s conference will be a departure from previous events, which focused solely on the fractional industry and will feature topics on all forms of resort real estate.

  Resort Equities Founder and CEO Keith Cox added, “Along with the beautiful new conference venue, expanded discussion topics will cover a broad range of important resort real estate issues and opportunities specific to the current era. The educational value of these sessions is beneficial to the entire resort real estate industry. As the conference Co-Host, we will have the opportunity to introduce our senior executive team and share some exciting new initiatives, which we believe will help us reshape and move forward within the fractional industry.”
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resort-equities-co-hosts-ragatz-resort-conference/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/spi-software-hires-project-manager/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/spi-software-hires-project-manager/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:40:22 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13422 Timeshare software technology leader SPI Software is pleased to announce they have hired William “Bill” Gordon as Senior Project Manager. Bill manages support and implementation teams, is responsible for special projects and directs the company’s customer service team.

  “Because of SPI’s recent growth during this last year, we have added a number of programmers and support people,” says Gordon. “One of my major assignments is to continue to build and direct our implementation team. SPI recently signed up several large clients representing literally hundreds of thousands of timeshare owners/members. I appreciate how the senior staff here at SPI has given me carte blanche to develop a truly superior team to meet the demand and exceed their expectations.”

  One of Gordon’s current projects is overseeing development of SPI’s web-based application services provider (ASP) mortgage system, the ASP.Net Web Project. “I devised the project plan, have assigned the developers to various forms and am managing the overall process,” he says.
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/spi-software-hires-project-manager/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/liberty-bank-increases-and-extends-loan-to-silverleaf-resorts/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/liberty-bank-increases-and-extends-loan-to-silverleaf-resorts/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:35:07 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13420 Wellington Financial, the exclusive Resort Finance lending correspondent for Liberty Bank, says the Connecticut-based bank recently expanded an existing receivables loan from $40 to $50 million for Silverleaf Resorts, a timeshare resort developer located in Dallas, Texas.

  “Liberty Bank and Wellington Financial are excellent at partnering with us to successfully execute our business strategy,” says Silverleaf Resorts President Tom Morris. “They have been very professional and timely during the approval process. Our team has enjoyed working with theirs for a number of years, now.”

  Liberty Bank Vice President David Brede says, “Silverleaf Resorts is a well-seasoned timeshare developer that provides a very solid product offering which they market to a diversified customer base. Liberty Bank has enjoyed this relationship very much and is pleased to continue and expand it to accommodate Silverleaf’s growth.”
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/liberty-bank-increases-and-extends-loan-to-silverleaf-resorts/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resortcom-international-reports-sales-and-marketing-services-growing-in-revenue-after-one-year/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resortcom-international-reports-sales-and-marketing-services-growing-in-revenue-after-one-year/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:22:02 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13418 ResortCom International LLC announced that its division of Sales and Marketing Services has “really taken off” since Frank Ingrande has joined its executive management team as Vice President / Sales and Marketing Services.  During the past year, the company has tackled the important technology of sales and marketing for El Dorado Ranch, Rancho Costa Verde, Club Tesoro, The Villa del Palmar at The Islands of Loreto and Estrella Del Mar, to name a few.

  Ingrande who has 25 years of experience in the second-home industry and more than 10 years in the second-home market in Mexico, reports that the proprietary software developed by the San Diego-based company is being utilized for Internet marketing, social media marketing, owner referral programs, contact center services and reporting.  In addition the division is fully versed in comprehensive marketing services including marketing plan development, collateral material design and production and direct marketing.

  “There is nothing more important to developers in our business than knowing how to generate a quality lead and knowing how to convert that lead into a purchase,” says Ingrande.  “We are particularly pleased with our software which can seamlessly convert inventory to point values.  It looks at the associated pricing of current products and balances that against identifiable point variables to come up with the optimum conversion.   This allows us to develop presentations to existing owners and new prospects.”
  
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  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/07/resortcom-international-reports-sales-and-marketing-services-growing-in-revenue-after-one-year/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/06/perspective-magazine-award-winners-announced-at-gnex-2012/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/06/perspective-magazine-award-winners-announced-at-gnex-2012/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:39:41 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13414 Timeshare and fractional industry professionals from across the globe gathered for the Perspective Magazine Awards Gala dinner at the Hacienda Tres Rios Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the conclusion of GNEX 2012 – The Global Meeting Of Minds on Thursday, February 2^nd, 2012.

  The elite of the timeshare and fractional industry were announced to GNEX 2012 attendees as the Perspective Magazine Awards, sponsored by Holiday Systems International, consisted of forty two beautiful crystal trophies which were presented during a lavish six course gala dinner.

  Winners were decided through a combination of online voting and decisions from a panel of four industry experts, with each of the five components accounting for 20 percent of the overall tally. Online voting took place during the month of January, with over 9,000 votes cast online from industry professionals across the world as nearly 150 nominees competed for the coveted awards and accompanying global recognition provided through the industry’s most-read trade publication.

  The results are as follows:

  WINNERS

  Best Design – Exterior – Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, Cabo San Lucas

  Best Design – Interior – Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta

  Best Management Company – Classic Holidays

  Best Marketing Program – Corporate Alliance Marketing, Wyndham Vacation Ownership

  Best Place To Work – Hilton Grand Vacations

  Best Project Team – Dial An Exchange, North America Office

  Best Newcomer – Tesoro Resorts

  Best Individual Professional – Sales – Suraj Naik, Royal Resorts

  Best Individual Professional – Marketing – Erika Garcia, CEO, Blue Strawberry Resorts

  Best Green Initiative – Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa and Nature Park

  Best Innovation – MAS International Company

  Best Media – Interval International’s Online Community

  Best Technology – Merlin Software

  Best Financial Services – Consumer Finance, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific

  Best Developer Partner (Over 50 Employees) – CSA Travel Protection

  Best Developer Partner (Under 50 Employees) – Lloydshare Limited

  Best Industry Leader – Bruce L. Thompson, CEO, Gold Key/PHR Hotels & Resorts

  Entrepreneur of the Year – John Spence, Chairman, Karma Royal Group

   

  REGIONAL WINNERS

  Best Timeshare Resort, North America – Dawn Beach Club

  Best Timeshare Resort, Europe & Middle East – Marriott’s Playa Andaluza

  Best Timeshare Resort, Asia Pacific – Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort

  Best Timeshare Resort, South Africa – Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort

  Best Timeshare Resort, Latin America – BlueBay Grand Esmeralda

  Best Timeshare Unit, North America – Westgate Park City

  Best Timeshare Unit, Europe & Middle East – Marriott’s Playa Andaluza

  Best Timeshare Unit, Asia Pacific – Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort

  Best Timeshare Unit, South Africa – Beacon Island Lifestyle Resort

  Best Timeshare Unit, Latin America – Grand Velas Riviera Maya

  Best Fractional Resort, North America – Hyatt Grand Aspen

  Best Fractional Resort, Europe & Middle East – Heavenly Collection at Golden Sands

  Best Fractional Resort, Asia Pacific – Karma Kandara

  Best Fractional Resort, South Africa – Essque Zalu Zanzibar

  Best Fractional Resort, Latin America – Mayakoba Residences

  Best Fractional Unit, North America – Mountain Spirit Resort & Spa

  Best Fractional Unit, Europe & Middle East – Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort

  Best Fractional Unit, Asia Pacific – Karma Kandara

  Best Fractional Unit, South Africa – Essque Zalu Zanzibar

  Best Fractional Unit, Latin America – Mayakoba Residences

   

  WORLDWIDE WINNERS

  Best Timeshare Resort – Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort

  Best Timeshare Unit – Marriott’s Mai Khao Beach Resort

  Best Fractional Resort – Mayakoba Residences

  Best Fractional Unit – Karma Kandara

   

  Special thanks go to the Judges:

  Tom Goetschius, President & CEO, Tom Goetschius Associates

  Jamie Klein, President, The Lore Institute

  Craig Morganson, CEO, Holiday Systems International

  Sherman Potvin, CEO, Fractional Homes International

  Each winner also receives a specially designed award certificate and customized Perspective Magazine Awards logo for use in their marketing materials, websites and brochures.

  Nominations are already open for the 2013 Perspective Magazine Awards, so timeshare and fractional industry professionals are asked to visit http://perspectivemagazine.com/gnex/awards/ for more information.

  Sponsors and supporters of GNEX 2012 include:

  Blue Strawberry Resorts,  Holiday Systems International, Sunset World Resorts, Dial an Exchange, Resort Television, Travel To Go, Interval International, Lloydshare, RCI, BuyaTimeshare.com, Customer Count, Emirates Vacation Club, First American Title Insurance Company, Hop-On, Merlin Software, Sell My Timeshare NOW, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, Track Results Software, Travel Guard, YachtsE, Circle One BlueBay Resort, El Cid Vacation Club, Grand Velas, Mayakoba Residences, Royal Resorts, Unlimited Vacation Club, Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP), Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC), Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers (CARE), Canadian Resort Development Association (CRDA), The Pacific Institute, Ragatz Associates Fractional Interest Conference, Resort Development Organisation (RDO), The Association for Timeshare Owners Committees (TATOC), Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA), Women in the Industry (WIN) and Christel House International as Charity of Choice.

  About Perspective Magazine

  Perspective Magazine is the leading independent, multi-media information provider for the shared ownership industry. The company publishes five regional brands covering North America, Latin America, Europe & Middle East, South Africa, and Asia Pacific which are, combined, the most read independent trade publications globally for the vacation ownership industry.

  The company’s consumer magazine, Owners Perspective Magazine, is the only independent consumer publication that specializes in promoting the benefits of buying shared ownership products to the general public and is also available as a specially customized developer edition for lead generation, in-room marketing and third party sales collateral. Owners Perspective Magazine’s online version, http://ownersperspective.com, also features a new guaranteed lead generation program specifically designed for resorts and developers. The site will host the company’s latest endeavor, Vacation TV, a streaming 24/7 online video channel full of information about vacation ownership products and services.

  Perspective Magazine also operates a recruitment advertising service through TimeshareStaff.com (http://timesharestaff.com ),  fractional property listing services and a customized in-room Resort Television product that encourages on-site spending and vacation ownership sales.

  GNEX is the company’s annual global networking expo which gathers the top industry professionals from around the world to network, create new strategic alliances and develop joint ventures that can benefit their businesses.

  Perspective Magazine also publishes online through http://perspectivemagazine.com, hosts an online community of industry professionals through Perspective Forums, engages a social media audience of over 44,000 followers through its corporate social media accounts and is a media sponsor of 30 major industry events around the world.

  For more information, please visit http://perspectivemagazine.com or email Steve Luba at steveluba(at)perspectivemagazine.com. For information on advertising and editorial opportunities visit  http://perspectivemagazine.com/advertise.

  ]]> http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/06/perspective-magazine-award-winners-announced-at-gnex-2012/feed/ 0 http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/06/equiventure-hospitality-leisure-group-capital-brings-capital-placement-services-to-hospitality-leisure-sector/ http://perspectivemagazine.com/blog/2012/02/06/equiventure-hospitality-leisure-group-capital-brings-capital-placement-services-to-hospitality-leisure-sector/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:09:55 +0000 Steve Luba http://perspectivemagazine.com/?p=13410 EQUIVENTURE Hospitality Leisure Group Capital has been formed to bring capital placement services to the Hospitality Leisure Sector.  The newly created effort is a partnership between Equiventure Capital, LLC, and John M. Schopfer.  Under his direction as Managing Partner, Mr. Schopfer, a longtime participant in the resort real estate industry in North America and around the globe, EQUIVENTURE Hospitality Leisure Group Capital will leverage the strengths of privately-held New York City based capital firm, Equiventure Capital, LLC which has over seven years of experience securing all types of capital from debt and equity to HUD funding and venture capital. An active member of ARDA, John Schopfer brings an experienced understanding of clients’ objectives and of the challenges faced in both securing capital and in successfully executing the development process.

  According to Schopfer, over the past several years, during the most difficult times, Equiventure has successfully arranged hundreds of millions of dollars for acquisition, development, expansion and recapitalization across most commercial real estate sectors as well as for high-tech and energy related start-up ventures. That success has been a result of direct relationships established with non-traditional capital sources that are looking to fund credible developers/investors with a high degree of experience and positioning for success; funding projects in many North American and International markets. Working exclusively on behalf of select clients, Equiventure has shown the capability to perform in a challenging environment.

  “EQUIVENTURE Hospitality Leisure Group Capital has current sources of capital that lend in hospitality leisure sector product segments that include hotel, resort, mixed-use, golf, spa, second home and vacation club, along with specialty products such as shooting grounds and motorsports. Additionally, these sources will fund for both existing and to-be-built projects,” said Schopfer.
  
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