Perspective Magazine » ARDA

ADA Pool Lift Deadline Extended to January 31, 2013

Steve Luba — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:46:07 +0000

The American Resort Development Association has announced that the U.S. Department of Justice issued its final rule on the compliance deadline for the ADA Standard for existing pools and spas. The deadline has been extended to January 31, 2013.

Under the new accessibility-related building standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), commonly referred to as the 2010 Standards, hotels, inns, and other public accommodations with pools, spas, or wading pools must make them accessible.

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American Resort Development Association NorthEast Meeting To Address Resort Management Issues

Susan Knox — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:55:28 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is scheduled to address Home Owners Association (HOA) and resort management challenges at its upcoming ARDA Northeast meeting in Providence, Rhode Island on June 4 and 5, 2012. Resort operators including HOA board members, managers, and developers will be attending to network and share industry information.

According to ARDA New England chairman and president of InnSeason Resorts Dennis Ducharme, resorts are facing greater challenges than ever before. “As many of our timeshare resorts have aged, so have their original owners,” says Ducharme. “Many of them are facing changes in their financial condition or ability to travel and are no longer interested in retaining their week. One of the topics we’re addressing at the meeting will be a case study of a resort that is successfully dealing with this situation.”

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Four-Generation Disney Family Featured as May “Timeshare Fan of the Month”

Steve Luba — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:13:22 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is featuring a Disney Vacation Club owner during the month of May as part of the industry’s effort to share the amenities, experiences, and heartfelt memories of timeshare vacations.

Four generations of the Sayers family have enjoyed their 15 years of ownership at Disney’s Old Key West Resort in Orlando, Florida and they say it’s provided some of the best memories and experiences they have had—and they look forward to making more. From celebrating Dad’s 74th birthday, to watching the kids’ eyes light up at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to holding hands in sheer anticipation of their vacation, this family has never looked back.

“We started a family tradition that’s encompassed four generations by becoming Disney Vacation Club Members,” said Donald Sayers of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. “It’s worked out exactly the way we hoped it would.”

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Regulatory Issues Dominate Discussion at ARDA West Regional Conference

Susan Knox — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:46:37 +0000

Talk of new ADA requirements and potential resales regulation was at the forefront of the Denver meeting.

2012 is expected to be a year of new regulations for the vacation ownership industry and the reaction was predictably subdued during the ARDA West Regional meeting, held October 13-14, 2011 at The Westin Downtown in Denver, Colorado.

About 100 industry professionals, mainly from Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, gathered to discuss pertinent industry issues which could affect nearly every resort in the U.S. as new federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements go into effect in March.

Those requirements cover areas such as accommodating wheelchairs under countertops in kitchens, providing new technology in rooms for the hearing impaired and making amenities such as pool areas and golf courses accessible to power driven mobility devices. Penalties for a first violation can be as high as $55,000, and $110,000 for each additional violation.

John Farrow, president of Farrow Commercial Construction, went into great detail about the possible concerns for resorts as the deadline for compliance approaches.

“If (resorts) have not pulled permits by March 15th of 2012, you will now need to comply with the 2010 ADA guidelines which means that there is no opportunity for you to fulfill the 1991 guidelines, which are a lot less strict than the 2010 guidelines,” said Farrow. “You’re going to see people scrambling, trying to pull permits, trying to get compliant and do everything they can because the costs are significant from 1991 to 2010.”

For those resorts that have not yet begun their assessment process, Farrow urges them to contact an ADA specialist to determine what resorts need to do on their property to be compliant.

Resale Reaction
On the state level, secondary market concerns have led various legislatures to take a look at the resale industry and possible ways to increase regulation following several well-publicized arrests of resale telemarketers in Florida in 2011.

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Sixty-Four Percent of Vacation Ownership Industry Professionals Anticipate Growth in Timeshare Sales in 2012, Finds Capital One Bank

Steve Luba — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:03:09 +0000

The vacation ownership industry anticipates a positive year as approximately 64 percent of professionals at the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) World 2012 Annual Convention & Exposition predict 2012 timeshare sales will be stronger in comparison to 2011, according to Capital One Bank’s proprietary Resort Development Survey. This positive outlook reinforces recent deal activity and opportunity the Bank’s Commercial and Specialty Finance Business is seeing across the niche industries in which it operates.

The survey also indicates that consumer interest in the timeshare market is growing, bolstering industry optimism. Of the professionals surveyed, 55 percent say consumer interest in the timeshare market is stronger today than it has been over the past three years, while 33 percent believe interest has been stable over the same period of time.

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Timeshare Industry Leaders Recognized For Top Achievements

Steve Luba — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:19:33 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recognized their top industry leaders at the annual Awards Gala of the 2012 Convention & Exposition held in Las Vegas. The evening event, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), showcases the outstanding accomplishments among individuals, teams, resorts, and companies in a variety of categories.

“It’s about recognizing the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “It’s an opportunity to take time and applaud the efforts of individuals who have been recognized by their peers for the impact and perseverance they have shown in their professional lives.”

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Bluegreen Corporation Receives Three Gold ARDA Awards

Steve Luba — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 17:04:47 +0000

Bluegreen Vacations, a leading provider of vacation experiences, today announced it won three Gold awards at the 2012 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Awards Ceremony. The winners were announced on April 4, 2012 at the ARDA World 2012 Annual Convention & Exposition at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This annual competition honors organizations and businesses in the timeshare and resort industry that have achieved the highest level of excellence in a variety of different categories. The ARDA Awards Program recognizes nominees based on outstanding sales and staff accomplishments, product design and advertising. The Awards Gala will be held at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV.

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Tops in the Industry: Grand Pacific Resort Management Grabs Three Golds, 13 Silver and One ACE Award

Steve Luba — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:37:09 +0000

Grand Pacific Resort Management (GPRM) received three Gold Awards, 13 Silver Awards and one ACE Award at the 2012 ARDY Awards, the coveted recognition of the best of the vacation ownership industry. The finalists in the competition are selected from hundreds of entries submitted by ARDA members and judged independently in a confidential/blind judging process. The announcements were made at the American Resort Development Association’s annual convention in Las Vegas.

The Gold Winners were:

1. Grand Pacific Resorts Owner Services Team
2. Resort General Manager – James Tennery
3. Resort Assistant Manager – Jennifer Morris

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Interval International Honored With Prestigious Community Service Award For Member-Driven Initiative

Susan Knox — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:45:53 +0000

Interval International, a prominent worldwide provider of vacation services and an operating business of Interval Leisure Group (Nasdaq: IILG), received the Circle of Excellence ACE Community Service Award, one of the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) most prestigious honors, for its “Year of Giving” program. The annual ACE Awards identify recipients who reach the highest levels of excellence in the resort industry or who have demonstrated a commitment to the betterment of the industry as a whole. The ceremony was held at the recent convention gala in Las Vegas.

Being a good corporate citizen and supporting the community has been an integral part of the company’s culture since it was founded more than 35 years ago. The “Year of Giving” program was developed in collaboration with Interval member Deborah Powers-Holloway, co-founder of the non-profit Steel Magnolias Ministries/Operation Any Soldier, which creates customized care packages for deployed and wounded soldiers. As a result of the partnership with Interval, its mission has been expanded to include donations of seven-day vacations to active and retired military personnel, as well as wounded warriors.

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Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Wins ARDA Award For Food And Beverage Second Consecutive Year

Susan Knox — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:28:59 +0000

For the second year in a row, Dominican Republic-based Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club (LHVC) captured first place in the Food and Beverage category as part of the annual American Resort Development Association (ARDA) industry awards. At this year’s award ceremony in Las Vegas, LHVC was also nominated for ARDY awards in the categories of Communications/PR Team and Special Event for its annual New Year’s Eve Party for members and guests.

“It’s a great honor for us to receive the top food and beverage award again this year,” said Fadi Hamad, Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort. “It validates what our entire food and beverage team does each and every day to provide the best culinary experience for our members and guests. We constantly challenge ourselves to deliver something unique and high quality, such as the Kosher Vacation Program we just rolled out this past year.”

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Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hits The Jackpot At 2012 ARDA Convention In Las Vegas

Steve Luba — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:02:47 +0000

At the recent American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) 2012 Convention & Gala in Las Vegas at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, Holiday Inn Club Vacations showed leadership in several key areas that point to growth and innovation for the vacation resort brand. At the annual ARDA Awards gala, ten Holiday Inn Club Vacations team members and projects were also recognized with the highest honor in the timeshare industry: the ARDA Gold.

Several of the annual ARDA Convention’s educational sessions featured thought leaders from Holiday Inn Club Vacations as either session moderators or panelists. Two of these sessions featured customer-centric messaging about how to better connect and serve timeshare owners, members and guests. The brand was also represented on the panel for a sold-out social media forum, where best practices for social media strategy for the
timeshare and hospitality industries were discussed.

Don Harrill, president & CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, which operates eight resorts under the Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand, is also currently serving as ARDA’s chairman. He says, “We believe it’s important to share our own best practices with our industry colleagues—not just to show thought leadership, but to contribute to the process of creating an informed and innovative industry. Innovation translates to improved customer experiences, which is one of ARDA’s top priorities.”

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RCI Commends Passage Of Timeshare Resale Accountability Act In Florida

Steve Luba — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:06:33 +0000

RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange, today praised the signing of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act by Florida Governor Rick Scott. This new law takes action against fraudulent timeshare resale companies.

“The passage of this law is a significant step in cutting down on fraudulent companies taking advantage of innocent consumers,” said Gordon Gurnik, president, RCI. “We fully support this new law, and applaud all those who led the crack down on deceptive business practices, including Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Governor Rick Scott, Sen. Andy Gardiner and Rep. Eric Eisnaugle.”

The Timeshare Resale Accountability Act helps protect Florida consumers by working to put an end to deceptive marketing practices used by fraudulent timeshare resale companies. These types of companies have been targeting consumers by offering to help sell their timeshare ownership.

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Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club Members Featured as April “Timeshare Fans of the Month”

Steve Luba — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 12:30:36 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) will feature timeshare members from the Dominican Republic resort, Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Club, during the month of April as part of the industry’s continual effort to share the features, amenities, and global destinations of vacation products in stories from owners and members themselves.

Debuting at ARDA’s globally-focused Convention in Las Vegas, owners from Lifestyle Holidays talk about their vacation experiences, giving a glimpse into a world of better vacationing. Their video is the sixth in a monthly series showcasing the passion of timeshare owners. It is the first international property profiled.

Several long-time members tout the charm and relaxation of the Dominican Republic resort, including families from the United States and Canada.[members]

“We have been members since 2006 and just love staying in all the different villas Lifestyle has to offer here in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This is the best vacation experience we have ever had, relaxing, walking, looking out on the ocean,” said Norm and Cheryl Scott of Spokane, Washington. “We take the Lifestyle helicopter from the airport to the resort whenever we can. It’s just delightful with great views of the island. And we love all the new things they keep adding and improving with the many restaurants like AZUL and VIP Gourmet.”

With more than 8 million owners, a satisfaction rate of 85 percent, and an occupancy rate that outpaced hotel occupancy by more than 20 percent*, it is clear that this segment of the travel industry is faring well. Take the time to find out why. Visit http://www.VacationBetter.org for more information.

Next month, look for vacation memories from Disney Vacation Club owners who are passionate about their timeshare. [/members]

Sell My Timeshare NOW CEO Speaks at International Conference

Steve Luba — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:09:53 +0000

Jason Tremblay, founder and CEO of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services, has been named a featured panelist and speaker in several educational sessions at the American Resort Development Association’s annual spring gathering for the shared-ownership industry. Nearly 3,000 resort industry professionals are expected to attend the ARDA World 2012 conference at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas April 1-5.

In additional to speaking every day of the conference, Tremblay (pictured) has also been nominated for ARDA’s prestigious ACE Innovator Award with the winner to be announced at a gala black tie event on April 4. Sell My Timeshare NOW will also have a booth #532 at the Exhibit Hall at the convention.

With his company averaging more than 1.8 million page views a month, Tremblay is a recognized industry expert in providing effective and affordable rental and resale services. On Monday, April 2 – the opening day of the conference – he will speak on a forum panel entitled: Call to Action: The Payoff for Reputation Building Through Social Media. This forum will discuss how organizations use social media to measure and track ROI across social media platforms to increase their company’s brand recognition.

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Bill Ryczek on Fundamentals of Timeshare Finance Panel at ARDA World 2012

Steve Luba — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:54:25 +0000

Colebrook Financial Company, providing timeshare receivables financing for single-site and multi-site timeshare resort developers, announced that Principal Bill Ryczek will participate on the panel entitled, “NEW Fundamentals of Finance,” April 3, from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. during the ARDA World 2012 Las Vegas convention (www.ARDA.org).

“The timeshare lending environment has changed dramatically over the past year,” says Ryczek (pictured). “There have been new entrants to the market and the availability of funding has increased, but the terms and types of loans have changed from the years before the financial crisis of 2008. We will talk about those changes and our expectations for the coming year. Our first conference call among the panelists produced some very interesting observations, and I think the session will have value even to those who have many years of experience in the industry.”

Attendees at the session will learn about the types of finance available for timeshare operators and how to go about obtaining it, after which they will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.

ARDA-Backed Coalition Secures Compromise On Pool Lift Requirement

Steve Luba — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:31:55 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has announced that, in large part, due to the efforts of an ARDA-backed coalition,The White House has issued a 60-day extension that will push the compliance date for the pool lift requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to May 15, 2012.

The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following statement:

“Requirements for existing swimming pools will be extended for 60 days. The department will also publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with a 15-day comment period on a possible six-month extension in order to allow additional time to address misunderstandings regarding compliance with these ADA requirements.”

ARDA is recommending that member companies should proceed forward in complying with the pool lift requirement under the ADA, albeit with a more realistic implementation schedule. Properties featuring pools and spas will still need a means of entry.

Aspen National Collections Providing Sponsorship for ARDA During 2012

Susan Knox — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:55:14 +0000

Aspen’s sponsorship for ARDA not only includes support for the April 1-5 ARDA World 2012, but for all regional meetings throughout the year and the Fall Conference.

Aspen National Collections, the timeshare/shared ownership industry’s premier collection agency, announced their support of various events being presented in 2012 by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). These include providing for a “Friend of the Convention” sponsorship for the annual spring convention and exhibit – ARDA World 2012 – being held April 1-5 at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas; a number of regional meetings and seminars being held throughout the United States and the ARDA Fall Conference to be held November 14-16 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, DC.

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Triton Timeshare Software Welcomes University of Dayton President Dr. Dan Curran to Participate in Invitation Only Event at ARDA

Susan Knox — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:03:47 +0000

Triton Timeshare Software, a Sarasota-based technology solutions provider, has announced that it will hold an invitation only event at ARDA, the American Resort Development Association’s Annual Spring Convention to be held at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The Triton event, to which exclusive invitations to select attendees have been issued, will feature a special announcement which is predicted to have great impact on the shared ownership industry.

Dr. Dan Curran, in his 10th year as the University of Dayton’s president, will participate on behalf of the University’s role in the software revolution spearheaded by Triton’s John Staley, a graduate of the school.

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Timeshare Industry Celebrates Passage of Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, Affords Consumer Protections

Steve Luba — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:39:57 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the American Resort Development Association Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC) celebrated the Florida Legislature’s passage of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, sponsored by Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida State Representative Eric Eisnaugle and supported by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“Florida has taken a giant step in providing consumer protection against fraudulent and deceptive business practices utilized by unsavory timeshare resellers,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “The timeshare industry plays an increasingly significant role in Florida’s recovering economy as tourism returns and grows in the state. ARDA and ARDA-ROC salute General Bondi, Senator Andy Gardiner, and Representative Eric Eisnaugle for their hard work that made this a reality,” Nusbaum continued.

The Timeshare Resale Accountability Act protects Florida consumers and helps put an end to deceptive marketing practices conducted by fraudulent timeshare resale companies that have been targeting consumers under the guise of offering a service to help sell their timeshare product. Specifically, timeshare owners will be given more information to make better decisions about purchasing timeshare resale services. For example, the legislation seeks greater transparency and will require, among other things, timeshare resale companies to disclose all terms and conditions of their business relationship with a consumer, provide for a right of rescission for consumers to cancel a contract for resale services, and impose penalties on companies who continue these deceptive practices.

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Timeshare Resale Bill Approved By Florida Legislature

Steve Luba — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:24:44 +0000

With one day left in the 2012 Florida legislative session, State Senators overwhelming voted to pass SB 1408, The Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, a bill crafted to reduce timeshare resale fraud in Florida.

By a 40-0 vote, Senators joined with their House counterparts, who previously agreed to the measure, to approve the legislation and send it to Governor Rick Scott for his signature. After Scott signs the bill, as expected, it will become law in July.

“This legislation is essential in stopping fraudulent timeshare resale companies from preying on consumers,” said Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who championed the bill due to the number of resale-related consumer complaints received through her office. “I applaud the Florida Legislature for passing this bill and protecting Florida’s consumers.”

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Owners From Bluegreen Vacations Featured as March “Timeshare Fans of the Month”

Steve Luba — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:00:45 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) announces that owners from Bluegreen Vacations are the March Timeshare Fans of the Month.

Ten owners share their experiences vacationing with timeshare and give us a glimpse into a world of better vacationing. Their video is the fifth in a monthly series showcasing the passion of timeshare owners.

One owner in the video explains. “Owning this timeshare has transformed our lives, our world,” says Sheri L. “We are visiting places we never thought we’d see.”

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Everything’s Coming Up Roses for Dial An Exchange

Susan Knox — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 14:35:36 +0000

Everything’s coming up roses for Dial An Exchange (DAE), one of the world’s largest independent timeshare exchange organizations, after being named a winner in two international competitions.

Selected from a field of international entries, DAE (www.daelive.com) has been named a finalist in three categories in the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) annual Awards Program. In the Advertising, Promotion & Communications Division, the company was named a finalist in the Magazine Advertisement category for their Dial An Exchange Old School Service advertisement as well as selected as a top winner in the Sales Center Materials division for Dial An Exchange – North America. In the Sales and Marketing Division competition, DAE was named a finalist for their Call Center with less than 200 persons. 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.

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Lucky Thirteen for Grand Pacific Resort Management (GPRM)

Steve Luba — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 23:50:07 +0000

Grand Pacific Resort Management (GPRM)received 13 nominations for the ARDY Awards, the coveted recognition of the best of the vacation ownership industry at the 2012 ARDA Annual Convention and Exposition. With over 3,000 attendees from more than 35 countries in attendance including international development organizations, the ARDA World Annual Convention is the premier convention for the vacation ownership industry.

Nominations for the management company include:

1. Grand Pacific Resorts Owner Services Team
2. Resort General Manager-James Tennery
3. Resort Assistant Manager-Jennifer Morris
4. Resort Department Manager- Amanda Dolan
5. Resort Team Member-Erin Vessey
6. Maintenance Manager-Rick Dahlem
7. Maintenance Team Member-Ennis Charlie Jackson
8. Housekeeping Manager-Linda Carranza
9. Housekeeping Team Member-Araceli Gonzalez
10. Green Sustainable Program within a Resort-Carlsbad Seapointe Resort
11. Green Sustainable Program within a Company-Grand Pacific Resorts Going Green
12. Social Media Campaign
13. Landmark Design-Grand Pacific Palisades Resort and Hotel

Nigel Lobo, Vice President of Operations/Grand Pacific Resort Management

“We are so proud of our team,” said Nigel Lobo, Vice President of Operations/Grand Pacific Resort Management. “The nominations are a testament to our ingrained service culture and the passionate professionalism with which our employees undertake their positions. We virtually have nominees in most of the Operations categories for the ARDYs. The competition is fierce to be selected as a finalist from among the scores of applications in each division.”

The finalists in the competition are selected from hundreds of entries submitted by ARDA members and judged independently in a confidential/blind judging process. The Gold ARDY Awards will be announcedApril 4at The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Among the resorts currently managed by GPRM are Grand Pacific Palisades Resort & Hotel, Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, Carlsbad Seapointe Resort, Coronado Beach Resort, Indian Palms Vacation Club, Red Wolf Lakeside Lodge, Red Wolf Lodge at Squaw Valley, RiverPointe at Napa Valley, San Clemente Cove Resort, Southern California Beach Club, Villa L’Auberge (Del Mar, CA), Mountain Retreat (Arnold, CA), Panorama Vacation Retreat at Horsethief Lodge, Ali’i Kai Resort in Hawaii and Hilton Grand Vacations Club at MarBrisa.

Award-winning Grand Pacific Resort Management (Carlsbad, California) is one of the oldest and largest vacation ownership companies based in California. Serving over 50,000 owner-families every year, GPRM has developed and manages 15 resorts in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.gprmgt.com. Or email success@gprmgt.com. [/member]

Women in the Industry and the American Resort Development Association Unite

Susan Knox — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:45:21 +0000

A bunch of chicks were sitting around talking. You’ve heard that line before. But, when women get to talking great ideas can be born. And that’s exactly how WIN came to be. For years, many women had talked about how much an organization which pulled women together would be an advantage in our industry.

Out in Las Vegas, Cathy Backus, International Director of Sales for CSA Travel Protection, had gotten together with a couple of cohorts to create a non-profit organization called Women in Timesharing. Its purpose was primarily to bond women through networking activities and philanthropic initiatives, offering the opportunity for women in professions associated with the shared ownership world to connect in ways heretofore rarely exploited. Back at ARDA Fall conference, Lani Kane- Hanan and some of her contemporaries on the ARDA Meetings Committee were also exploring some new avenues of communication for women in ARDA. Their concept was primarily targeted toward educational and professional development. When Catherine Lacey, Vice President of Meetings for ARDA heard of these two groups, she facilitated a “match” and a much larger conversation began to take place. The two organizations merged under the banner of WIN, Women in the Industry. They formed a Board of Directors and went to work establishing a mission statement, goals and building a viable membership base.

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ResortCom International Receives Rewards

Steve Luba — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:58:18 +0000

ResortCom International, the pioneer in providing servicing solutions in the Shared Ownership Industry cornered three coveted finalist spots in the ARDY Awards, which recognizes the best of the vacation ownership industry at the 2012 ARDA Annual Convention and Exposition. With over 3,000 attendees from more than 35 countries in attendance including international development organizations, the ARDA World Annual Convention is the premier convention for the vacation ownership industry. The finalists in the competition are selected from hundreds of entries submitted by ARDA members and judged independently in a confidential/blind judging process. The Gold ARDY Awards will be announced April 4 at The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Operating on a Global scale with extensive multicurrency and multicultural capabilities, ResortCom is a 25 year old company with a menu of products and services that expands the full spectrum of business processes, particularly in the shared ownership industry.

Finalists from the San Diego-based firm are Carlos Lopez a corporate trainer who recently helped in the training of the front desk system in one of the company’s newest properties in Florida and will do the same for a property about to open in Mexico. Also a finalist is Hannah Zueleta, a multiple award winner from previous years, who serves as the rental manager for the company’s resort management division, Tapestry Resort. Finally, in the category of Special Events, the Universal Vacation Club’s Annual Meeting was named as a finalist in the competition. The event’s theme was “1001 Arabian Nights” and showed a 30% increase over attendance from the previous year. Also in the running for the ARDY Gold as the HOA Board Member of the Year is Universal Vacation Club Board Member Deborah McPherson who was lauded for her decision-making ability, effective communication well with others (especially when explaining a Board or association rule or decision), the fairness to act as a team player, and the insight to remember that she is a “neighbor” first and a Board member second.

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American Resort Development Association Welcomes Mexico’s Tourism Board As Global Development Sponsor At Upcoming International-Themed Annual Industry Convention

Susan Knox — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:43:09 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and Mexico’s National Trust for Tourism Promotion (FONATUR) announced the alignment of their organizations in the presentation of the 2012 ARDA World Convention in Las Vegas.

“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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GBG & Associates Announced as Finalist for 2012 ARDA Award

Steve Luba — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:24:05 +0000

Georgi Bohrod RRP, Principal of GBG & Associates was named a finalist in the Communications/PR Professional category in the American Resort Development Association Awards Program (ARDYs). With niches in industries that include vacation ownership, resorts, professional services, health care, and tourism, Bohrod’s firm offers more than a quarter century of expertise in public relations and marketing.

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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Lubner Group Named Finalist For ARDA Awards for Timeshare Interior Design and Resort Refurbishments

Steve Luba — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:35:55 +0000

The Lubner Group, internationally respected for its hospitality and commercial design work, has been named a finalist in the Resort Design Division of the American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) annual Awards Program.

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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Marriott Vacation Club Owners Featured as February ARDA “Timeshare Fans of the Month”

Steve Luba — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:15:10 +0000

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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C.A.R.E. Announces ARDA as Associate Member

Steve Luba — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:35:39 +0000

Alain Carr, C.A.R.E. president, has announced that ARDA (American Resort Development Association) has joined C.A.R.E. as an Associate member.

According to Carr, “It is a great honor to welcome ARDA as a new member of our organization during my tenure as C.A.R.E.’s president. C.A.R.E. appreciates the participation of Howard Nusbaum and Jason Gamel at our conferences this past year, and C.A.R.E. has benefited from the knowledge and insight in our industry that they were generous enough to share with us. Because C.A.R.E.’s values are directly in line with ARDA’s, C.A.R.E. has always been a strong supporter of ARDA and has been directly responsible for many C.A.R.E. member companies becoming and maintaining memberships with ARDA. Reciprocally, ARDA has been extremely supportive of C.A.R.E. and our efforts to deliver outstanding vacation services to owners and members. We are very excited that ARDA is now a member of C.A.R.E. and we look forward to their continued support and dedication.”

“ARDA looks forward to sharing valuable industry information with C.A.R.E. members through increased opportunities,” said ARDA president and CEO, Howard Nusbaum. “While we’ve participated in C.A.R.E. events in the past, becoming an Associate Member will enable ARDA to educate a broader audience about the policies that impact owners and efforts the industry is taking to protect the integrity of the product and the value of vacation ownership.”

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Florida Legislation to Rein in Deceptive Timeshare Resale Practices

Steve Luba — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:22:24 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and the American Resort Development Association Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC) has announced its support of the Timeshare Resale Accountability Act, sponsored by Florida State Senator Andy Gardiner and Florida State Representative Eric Eisenaugle and supported by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

This bill was enacted to protect Florida consumers and help put an end to such deceptive marketing practices conducted by fraudulent timeshare resale companies that have been targeting consumers under the guise of offering a service to help sell their timeshare product. Timeshare owners can now hold resale companies that use deceptive business practices accountable for their actions. Also, the legislation seeks greater transparency and will require, among other things, timeshare resale companies to disclose all terms and conditions of their business relationship with a consumer, provide for a right of rescission for consumers to cancel a contract for resale services, and impose penalties on companies who continue these deceptive practices.

“General Bondi, Senator Gardiner, and Representative Eisenaugle are to be commended for their commitment to consumer protection and transparency,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “ARDA and the ARDA-Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC) support their efforts to ensure that these important safeguards are put into Florida law,” added Nusbaum.

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Triton Timeshare Software Sponsors ARDA’s MediaWalls and Technology Forum

Steve Luba — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:59:18 +0000

Triton Timeshare Software, a Sarasota-based technology solutions provider, has announced that it will sponsor both the Convention MediaWalls and the Technology Forum at the upcoming ARDA convention to be held in Las Vegas April 1-5.

Triton’s integrated software suite is well known in the shared ownership industry which has been revolutionized by technology over the past few years.

As sole sponsors of the ARDA MediaWalls Triton will provide large flat screen TVs which broadcast announcements, coverage of special events and live social media updates via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. The screens will be in high traffic areas such as registration, educational session corridors and in the trade show portion of the convention.

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Timeshare Industry Says Wellness Trend Is Here To Stay in 2012

Steve Luba — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:08:32 +0000

Many think the resolve to become more mindful of one’s health is limited to a New Year’s resolution, but according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the wellness trend is here to stay throughout the year as consumers want their vacations to reflect a healthier lifestyle factor.

While the timeshare industry has long advocated the healthful benefits of regular time away to rejuvenate and relax, resort developers continue to expand their vacation products with more options and access to healthful programs and activities.

“Health and wellness amenities are growing in popularity among timeshare owners and resorts are now using these programs to attract new timeshare consumers unfamiliar that such vacation products exist,” says Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA.

Many timeshare resorts have expanded their offerings to include health and wellness components such as fitness programs, enhanced spa services, cuisine packages, weight-loss regimens and concierge services to customize a specific healthy vacation experience.

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Travel To Go President Participates In ARDA Travel Club Task Force

Steve Luba — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:43:28 +0000

Travel To Go President, Jeanette Bunn, has been selected to participate on ARDA’s Travel Club Task Force.

According to Jason C. Gamel, ARDA Vice President of State Legislative Affairs, “ARDA welcomes the participation of Jeanette Bunn on the newly formed Travel Club Task Force. As the President of Travel To Go and a leader in the travel services industry, we believe her knowledge and experience will provide great value to the Task Force in accomplishing its goals.” The Task Force, which initially met during ARDA’s fall conference in November, will work to develop an educational white paper on the Travel Club industry aimed at educating the ARDA Board and general membership along with its initial thoughts on how the industry should be regulated. It is anticipated that the resulting document may become one of the leading resources in the public domain pertaining to Travel Clubs. To accomplish that goal, the Task Force will be divided into Education and Legislative Sub-Task Forces.

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Timeshare Fans Program Spotlights CLUB WYNDHAM Owners, Dozens of Owners Cite Reasons for Traveling with Timeshare in Latest Owner Video Series

Steve Luba — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:42:22 +0000

Crossing things off a bucket list. Seeing new places. Pride of ownership. These are a few reasons given for the satisfaction level among “Timeshare Fans” from Wyndham Vacation Resorts. This month’s video, blog and photo compilation represents the third in American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) “Timeshare Fans” owner series, showcasing the passion of owners about why they love timeshare vacations.

“This is a rich man’s vacation on a normal man’s salary,” says Ron Riley, CLUB WYNDHAM® owner since 1998 in describing why he enjoys vacationing with timeshare. In addition to Riley and his wife, more than a dozen owners participated in the video. Other owners will share their experiences in a blog in order to clearly convey the variety of reasons they cherish their vacation ownership.

One family, CLUB WYNDHAM owners Sharon and Tom Grupe of Orlando, Fla., recently celebrated Thanksgiving at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort with 38 family members spanning four generations. “I still get emotional when I think about the special celebration we had this past Thanksgiving”, explains Sharon. “Being able to bring everyone together in such a beautiful and accommodating resort made it a holiday to remember.”

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Timeshare Fans Captured on Camera Enjoying Vacations from Captiva to Oahu to Portugal

Steve Luba — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:41:29 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) today unveiled its December “Timeshare Fans” of the Month from Hilton Grand Vacations. In its second monthly installment, ARDA is showcasing the passion of owners through its “Timeshare Fans” Program, where owners explain, in their own words, why they love timeshare vacations.

This month, Hilton Grand Vacations went around the world to see and talk to their owners while they were out enjoying their vacations and captured not only beautiful locations but from-the-heart words on why vacations are important and why timeshares are a better way to vacation. The video captures owner experiences on the beaches of Hawaii, the wonder of the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, and the streets of New York City to name just a few.

Bill and Phyllis Hopkins of Ohio are this month’s spotlight owners. They have been Hilton Grand Vacations Club Members since 2007 and they own at West 57th Street by Hilton Club in New York City as well as at Parc Soleil by Hilton Grand Vacations Club in Orlando. When asked why they love their timeshare so much, they said, “Membership resolves the potential ‘beach house dilemma’ of vacationing in the same place year after year. Our passion is to explore new places and discover new cultures.” With timeshare they have gotten to do that, visiting Paris, Brussels and London as well as many U.S destinations.

With over 8 million owners and a satisfaction rate of 85 percent and an occupancy rate that outpaced hotel occupancy by more than 20 percent*, it is clear that this segment of the travel industry is faring well. Take the time to find out why. Visit http://www.VacationBetter.org for more information.

Next month, look for happy owners from Wyndham Vacation Resorts who are passionate about their timeshare.

American Resort Development Association And Resort Development Organisation Announce New Marketing Alliance

Susan Knox — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:05:37 +0000

Agreement Encourages Sharing of Industry Information Among U.S. and European Timeshare Developer Members and Global Travellers

The Resort Development Organisation (RDO) welcomes a new cooperative working alliance with its US-based sister organisation the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) following approval by both Boards of Directors.� Each association retains its own identity, but collectively, the associations seek to cooperate on issues of common concern in order to advance the growth of the timeshare industry worldwide, the interests of their members, and the consumers they serve.

�The underlying basis for the working relationship between RDO and ARDA is to establish in the eyes of our respective memberships, a stronger partnership between the two organisations, whilst both retain their full autonomy and financial independence,� said Richard McIntosh, chairman of RDO, welcoming the agreement.

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Can Your Software Purchase Be Postponed?

Susan Knox — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:35:46 +0000

By Sharon Drechsler-Scott, CEO, DrechslerINK, a Drechsler Communications Incorporated company

Opening a new sales office or department? Or just revamping your existing business processes? Whenever a new entity is formed or an existing resort company’s office is retooled to accommodate a revision in the way a product or service is sold, the purchase of software naturally comes into play. Often, there is the temptation to postpone buying an enterprise system in hopes that an off-the-shelf product or a ‘homemade’ system will do the trick. However, when software is addressed as an afterthought or pieced together without following a cohesive, well thought-through plan, havoc can reign.

For many years I worked in a business development capacity for several entities involved in the timeshare resort development industry in the United States, including membership director for the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). From this vantage point I was able to see a great many “back offices” of resort companies. Even in the early ‘90s when I first started visiting developers, it was quite
evident which players had well thought-out systems and programs.

It was only more recently when speaking with Matt Brosious, VP of sales for SPI Software, that I was really able to see the damage that can result if you make the purchase of software an afterthought. Brosious was able to show me how virtually every area of business within a resort needs to connect with one another to share information. Additionally, he says, good software helps manage a resort’s processes better in every department. For example, marketing can work with leads more intelligently by providing the sales manager with more detailed information about tours before they visit the resort and by preparing reports that help with strategic planning and decision-making. Sales departments excel in efficiencies when they have real-time reports to tell which salespeople need more training and whether or not a presentation may need to be augmented. Resort management unquestionably cannot be expected to help guests experience outstanding vacations unless there is adequate software in place to reserve space, provide for quicker check-ins and check-outs or the dozens of other functions needed to make the operation run smoothly. Finance is quite possibly the department most needing to be networked with every other area in order to manage accounts payable/receivable, not to mention the billing, collections and report preparation for loans or annual maintenance fees.

Brosious tells us when new entities hold off purchasing a software system thinking they can always buy the right system down the road, they usually end up paying more in the long-run on ‘quick- fix’ solutions, damaged customer service reputations or worse. Instead of saving money, postponing the purchase of an appropriate, purpose-built software actually makes for a more expensive and risky conversion at some point in the future. And in the meantime, your team wastes time and resources trying to patch solutions together instead of having a system that conforms to your needs in the first place. It becomes a case of the tail wagging the dog, as they say.

Every resort professional knows the impact that software makes on the efficiency of a resort operation. But, often when opening a new location or office or making a change in processes, they may feel tempted to postpone this key decision. If you are in this situation, here are a few things to consider:

1. The right software will have the flexibility to be configured to meet your resort’s needs. Often a packaged software demands you “dance to their tune.” In many cases, a rigid system cannot track all types of transactions, usage plans, lenders, marketing sources, sales commissions or other variables. Rather than allowing your computer software system to dictate your business regimen, look for a table-driven system with timeshareoriented features that can be adapted to the way your project needs to be operated. Table-driven systems can be augmented in minutes by adding and integrating tables that don’t need to be part of the integral architecture of the software.

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2011 ARDA Annual Convention & Exposition

Susan Knox — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:44:32 +0000

More than 2,600 shared-ownership industry professionals attended this year’s national American Resort Development Association (ARDA) meeting, which was held March 27- 31, 2011 at the Orlando World Center Marriott. Attendees made the most of the various educational, networking and social opportunities.

ARDA is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has almost 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).

As usual, the event kicked off with annual golf tournament at The Legends at Orange Lake Resort, hosted by exchange company RCI, where 144 golfers played in support of the ARDA International Foundation (AIF). The proceeds from the tournament support industry research and education programs. Parties and social gatherings abounded, with highlights including Interval International’s annual tradition, the “Party with a Cause,” which this year featured KC and The Sunshine Band, and also raised funds for AIF. Other officially sanctioned ARDA events included the International Reception, which was sponsored by Baker & Hostetler LLP, Ballard Spahr LLP, Lloydshare Limited LLP, and Preston Arza LLP); the Women in the Industry (WIN) Networking Event, sponsored by First American Title Insurance – V.O. Division; and, of course, the ARDY Awards Gala Dinner and Entertainment, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HIS).

The ARDA Exhibit Hall provided a focal point for learning about new products and services directly from their suppliers, all under one roof.

General and Educational Sessions
This year’s theme, the “Year of the Consumer,” was emphasized throughout all educational forums, workshops, and sessions, including how to leverage digital relationships, ensuring consumer protections for the secondary marketplace, and enhancing sales and marketing practices.

“Our program featured timely topics and relevant speakers as the industry celebrates the passion of timeshare consumers, which has become vacation ownership’s most important asset,” says Howard Nusbaum, ARDA president and CEO. “We were thrilled to see so many of the best and brightest in our industry and hear from many dynamic speakers as the industry continues to develop vacation products consumers desire.”

Keynote speaker Terry Jones, founder and former CEO of Travelocity.com and current chairman of Kayak.com, shared his insights on how to strengthen digital relationships between business and consumers, particularly in the travel industry where more than 80 percent of today’s consumer utilizes the Internet to make travel choices. Attendees also heard from timeshare developer CEOs representing Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Marriott Vacation Club International, Welk Resorts, and Wyndham
Vacation Ownership on the state of the industry, the sales process, the secondary marketplace, exchange programs, and the value of vacations. ARDA also honored its outgoing Chairman Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club, and welcomed its incoming Chairman, Don Harrill, president and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, home to Holiday Inn Club Vacations.

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Timeshare Fans Program Launched by American Resort Development Association

Steve Luba — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:27:40 +0000

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is partnering with its members to bring the passion of owners to other vacationers through its “Timeshare Fans” Program. These Fans will explain – in their own words – why they love their timeshare.

“My kids have enjoyed our timeshare and now they are bringing their kids to enjoy it,” said Kirkwood Edwards, Holiday Inn Club Vacations. “I think this is the way it’s supposed to be.”

And so do nearly 8 million timeshare owners. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is partnering with its members to bring the passion of owners to other vacationers through its “Timeshare Fans” Program. These Fans will explain – in their own words – why they love their timeshare.

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Lubner Group Named to ARDA’s Elite Chairman’s League

Susan Knox — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:03:26 +0000

The Lubner Group, respected interior design and furnishings provider for the hospitality industry, has recently been named a member the of the American Resort & Development Association’s (ARDA) VIP member program at the prestigious Chairman’s League level.

“We congratulate Lubner Group for their participation in our Chairman’s League,” said Bob Craycraft, RRP, VP of Industry Relations. ”ARDA’s VIP members represent the vacation ownership industry’s premier leadership of developers, property management companies, outstanding law firms and quality vendors. These members are committed to the industry’s growth and excellence and are dominant participants in networking events, regional and national annual events and receive recognition on ARDA’s website (arda.org) and in print publications. ARDA’s Chairman’s League was born over 12 years ago, in response to members’ requests for a higher level at which professionals could showcase their commitment to the industry.”

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Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi Unveils Legislative Initiative to Protect Consumers from Timeshare Resale Fraud

Steve Luba — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:00:16 +0000

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi today joined State Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando) and State Representative Eric Eisnaugle (R-Orlando) to unveil a legislative initiative that will protect consumers from timeshare resale fraud, the number one complaint that the Attorney General’s Office has received for the past two years. The bill strengthens existing laws by addressing unfair and deceptive marketing and advertising practices by timeshare resale companies. From January 2011 to date, the Attorney General’s Office has received nearly 6,863 complaints. In 2010, the Attorney General’s Office received more than 12,000 complaints about timeshare resale fraud—more than the next four highest complaint categories combined.

“Florida is home to millions of timeshare periods that consumers purchase. We cannot allow unscrupulous individuals to mislead and defraud our consumers who are attempting to sell their timeshares, many of whom have invested their life savings into their dream vacation homes,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“I am proud to stand with the Attorney General to introduce legislation that will further protect consumers who purchase timeshare properties in Florida and later lose their money due to fraudulent resale practices,” stated Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner.

“Timeshare properties are a vital part of Florida’s tourism and resort industry. People who purchase these properties should be protected from the misleading and deceptive practices being used by dishonest timeshare resale companies,” said Representative Eric Eisnaugle.

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ARDA International Foundation Launches e-Learning Platform

Susan Knox — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:24:08 +0000

First Course “Partnership Strategies: Winning in the New Economy”

The American Resort Development Association’s (ARDA) International Foundation (AIF) is launching the first comprehensive e-learning platform for the timeshare industry. AIF will provide ongoing industry-specific training for sales, marketing and operations staff on an easy-to-use e-learning platform. The first course launching in Fall 2011, is entitled “Partnership Strategies: Winning in the New Economy.”

“We have been hearing from members for years about the need for more industry-wide, standardized training,” said Darla Zanini, executive vice president, AIF. “We’re thrilled to be able to deliver the first of many courses that will enhance the skills of the people working in the timeshare industry.”

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ATHOC Update

Susan Knox — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:31:42 +0000

Ramy Filo Re-Elected to GATE Chair

Ramy Filo President of the Australian Timeshare and Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) and CEO of the Classic Holiday Group incorporating Dial An Exchange has been re-elected for his third term as Chairman of the Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE). The position of Chairman runs for a two year period.

GATE was established in 1999 by the leaders of timeshare associations in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, Australia, and South Africa to promote the timeshare industry around the world. Each association retains its own identity, but collectively, the associations seek to cooperate on issues of common concern in order to advance the growth of the timeshare industry worldwide, the interests of their members, and the consumers they serve.

“The role of GATE has never been more relevant as our industry continues to grow and consumers expand their horizons through increased access to timeshare products across the globe via the internet. Collective knowledge and consultation provided through GATE will lead to new initiatives that may have far-reaching impact on how the market positions itself into the future. I am proud to be able to contribute for a further two years,” said Ramy.

One current initiative under discussion in conjunction with the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) is an International Study on the Impact of Timeshare Globally. We will report more to you as new ideas and concepts are processed.

The members of GATE include the following organizations: American Resort Development Association (ARDA); Resort Development Organisation; (RDO) Includes members of European Union; European Union, the Middle East and North Africa; Canadian Resort Development Association (CRDA); Nine national associations including: Mexico; Argentina; Brazil; Venezuela; Chile; Uruguay; Costa Rica; Columbia; Dominican Republic (AMDETUR); Vacation Ownership Association of Southern Africa (VOASA); and the Australian Timeshare & Holiday Ownership Council (ATHOC) .

2011 ATHOC Conference

The Annual ATHOC Conference will be held from Sunday 11th to Tuesday 13th September 2011 at the Watermark Hotel, Surfers Paradise on the beautiful Gold Coast. This is a must attend event for anyone in the industry or suppliers to the industry.

The event will see a host of sessions run by industry leaders, organisational experts and talented presenters that can provide you with an array of ideas to take back and implement in your business. We have some very interesting speakers that include: Craig Nash, CEO and President of Interval International & Geoff Ballotti, CEO and President of RCI Pacific, Martin Kandel, Executive Vice President of Global Business Development & Operations for ICE, Dom Albanese, Regional Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Service, Asia Pacific Marriott Vacation Club and Harold Derrah, CEO of Anantara Vacation Club .

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ARDA Resort Owners’ Coalition Launches Resale Resource Center To Help Owners Navigate Secondary Timeshare Market

Steve Luba — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:09:01 +0000

Today, the American Resort Development Association’s Resort Owners’ Coalition (ARDA-ROC) launched the Timeshare Resale Resource Center(http://www.ardaroc.org/resales), an online information resource for timeshare owners who desire to better understand how to safely maneuver the uneven timeshare secondary market. As a result of a growing need to create more clarity and transparency for timeshare owners who wish to sell their timeshare interest, the Resale Resource Center was born to provide objective information on the resale process, tips on selling, and consumer advisories on the various resale scams currently being investigated by state authorities.

While regulation of the timeshare industry has developed and matured over the past 30 years, specific regulation of the secondary market is still in its infancy. The current economic environment has led to a rise in disreputable resale companies trying to profit from vulnerable timeshare owners and as a result the resale process has become confusing to many consumers. “With the rise in fraudulent resale practices and the far too many dishonest resellers preying on consumers, it is necessary to establish legitimate guidelines to help safeguard consumers and ensure a safe resale experience with reputable companies,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA (the industry’s not-for-profit advocacy group).

Over the past eighteen months, ARDA and its member task force have worked diligently to propose model legislation for the secondary resale market as part of an effort to standardize and legitimize timeshare resellers and the resale process. The Model Resale Act calls for specific guidelines related to resellers, including standards for sales and marketing practices and more stringent penalties for fraudulent behavior.

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C.A.R.E. Names Award Recipients, New Vice Presidents At 52nd Semiannual Conference

Steve Luba — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:16:02 +0000

C.A.R.E. (The Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers, Inc.) held its 52nd Semi-Annual Conference in Deerfield Beach, FL in May. During the conference, C.A.R.E.’s prestigious Pinnacle and Richard Gallardo awards were presented, two Vice Presidents were re-elected and an industry leader was a guest speaker.

The Pinnacle award, presented bi-annually to an individual who has attained the highest level of excellence in the vacation industry for their achievement, contribution and positive impact on the direction and standards of the C.A.R.E. organization, was presented to Linda Mayhugh, Accommodations Unlimited.

Linda Mayhugh

Linda has been involved in the vacation industry since 1987 and is an active member of C.A.R.E., currently serving on numerous committees and has served on the Board of Directors since 2009. Throughout the years, Linda has maintained the highest ethical standards within the vacation industry and volunteers in various community awareness activities and fundraising efforts.

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State of the U.S. Vacation Timeshare Industry Study Shows Sales, Occupancy Rates Remain Steady

Steve Luba — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:53:05 +0000

According to the State of the Vacation Timeshare Industry: United States Study 2011 Edition conducted by Ernst & Young, sales of vacation products held steady with a slight increase from the previous year, while nearly 80 percent of owners continued to travel to their timeshare destination. Ten percent of the timeshare occupancy rate was comprised of renters as more timeshare developers expanded their rental program offerings to reach consumers unfamiliar with vacation products.

“People are still making budget-conscious decisions when it comes to travel, which is why the value proposition of timeshare products is so appealing to our approximately 8 million owners,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). Compared to a 58 percent occupancy rate at U.S. hotels last year, ARDA points to the spacious accommodations, such as the option to prepare meals in the timeshare unit rather than dining out for every meal as with a traditional hotel stay, as a primary reason for continued high occupancy rates at timeshare resorts and satisfaction rankings from timeshare owners.

In the past year, the industry has also added sophistication and ease to the way owners can buy timeshare intervals. Instead of selling just one week per year, many now offer increased flexibility by offering “points” that owners can use to customize their vacation needs. They can break up or extend vacation weeks, travel during various times of the year, and/or stay in various unit types at a range of locations. Some also offer biennial products that allow owners to use intervals every other year, instead of each year. About 73 percent of survey respondents have intervals of the traditional weekly variety; about 55 percent have some form of points-based products; and, 36 percent of respondents have biennials.

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Studies Find More People Taking Summer Vacations in 2011

Steve Luba — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:30:04 +0000

As families across America celebrate the opening of summer with the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, many utilize the time to begin their summer travel plans. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) points to recent surveys as indicators of a busy summer for the travel industry: more people are planning to travel this year than the previous year, vacationing with family members is a top priority and group getaways are on the rise.

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, conducted a recent survey which showed 83 percent of respondents are planning at least one family vacation this year, a four percent increase from 2010. While 59 percent of Americans are planning a trip this summer, up from 51 percent in 2010, according to an American Express Company Survey . That same survey also found vacationing consumers plan to take an average of two week-long vacations, spending an average of $1,200 a person, and three weekend-getaways, spending $300. Nearly 70 percent of those planning to travel said they’ll go with their immediate families, and girlfriend getaways and “man-cations” are growing in popularity.

While travel plans are on the rise, most travelers are still budget conscience and make travel decisions based on cost-savings factors. With hotel stays costing five to ten percent more this year than last year (AAA/HIS Globlal Insight 2011 Memorial Day Holiday Travel Forecsast), ARDA believes this is an opportunity to reach travelers unfamiliar with timeshare.

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Women In The Industry (WIN) Florida Regional Conference

Susan Knox — Sat, 21 May 2011 08:42:19 +0000

Perspective’s PR director Steve Luba provides a male point of view on a WIN event.

It was an awkward moment. One that I had a feeling would be on the horizon when I accepted the assignment to cover the Women In The Industry (WIN) Florida Regional Conference this past January for Perspective Magazine.

The conference, held at the Marriott Cypress Harbour Resort in Orlando, Florida, brought together some of the timeshare industry’s leading professional women to discuss issues pertaining to their unique roles within the industry. They could not have been more welcoming and gracious, even though there were a few quizzical looks as some of the attendees tried to process why a guy would spend his Saturday morning at such a venue.

Matt McDaniel, editor of Perspective Magazine North America, and I covered the event for the company and, as the only two guys in the audience of about 100 women, we had a feeling that there would be some good-natured teasing going on. The first hint would be during the first break between sessions when the ladies stood sentry in front of the men’s restroom to commandeer the facilities. As you would expect, their numbers were a little unbalanced regarding their own acilities. Oh well, what’s a few more minutes of waiting ….

Lani Kane-Hanan, senior vice president for resort planning and development for Marriott Vacation Club, hosted the event on behalf of WIN. Explaining the mission, she spoke of the group’s desire to advocate, educate and provide personal and professional growth through networking, education, research and philanthropy. In 2010, WIN was involved in activities such as assisting with college scholarships and fundraising activities for the purchase of breast cancer screening equipment for the women of Abaco Island in the Bahamas. In all, WIN raised $20,000 for projects during the course of the year.

The major discussion of the morning was the announcement of WIN’s partnership with the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) and how this new relationship would affect the group in the future. ARDA is providing administrative support for WIN during 2011 to allow for greater growth and avoid a duplication of resources that both groups felt was unnecessary. The move will allow ARDA to include WIN in a new diversity platform for the association and provide enhanced research, social networking options and a voice for the organization through its membership publication, Developments. “They were at a point where if they were going to move forward, it would take a lot of capital investment and a lot of time and we already had the platform in place that they could build on, so we can take the diversity element and that becomes a driver within our HR Council,” says Darla Zanini, executive vice president, ARDA International Foundation.

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ResorTime.com’s Jane Hopley Named Rental Program Manager of the Year by American Resort Development Association

Steve Luba — Tue, 17 May 2011 13:40:09 +0000

ResorTime.com’s Jane Hopley has taken home the first place award and been named Rental Program Manager of the Year by the American Resort Development Association’s prestigious Awards Program for 2011. The Gold ARDY Award Winners were named in conjunction with ARDA’s National Convention.��

ARDA, an international trade association which fosters and promotes the growth of the vacation ownership industry and serves its members through education, public relations and communications, legislative advocacy, membership development, and ethics enforcement. The Awards Program is an annual ceremony that recognizes the best and the brightest individuals within various categories of the resort industry.

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