Vacationbetter.org, the vacation website of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has rolled out a new look and feel to its website. Focusing on bringing you more stories directly from timeshare owners and timeshare vacationers, the new website design for Vacationbetter.org now includes on its homepage, video testimonials directly from owners.

The website describes it saying, “The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is partnering with its members to bring the passion of the owners to other vacationers through its Timeshare Fans Program. These Timeshare Fans will explain – in their own words – why timeshare is a better way to vacation.”

The new look of the website puts the emphasis on timeshare the way the world should be seeing it: as a valued choice for family vacations, with spacious accommodations and easy vacation planning. The redesign also helps showcase how many, many families find timeshare vacations to be a tradition that they anticipate and enjoy year after year. And to help get more timeshare owners share the real truth of timesharing, Vacationbetter.org has made it easy for owners to add their photos and written or video stories to the website.

Millions of Happy Timeshare Owners

ARDA and Vacationbetter.org see their new-look website as part of their commitment to their Timeshare Fans program, through which they can help show the world the enthusiasm and passion that so many timeshare owners feel for their vacation ownership products.  With nearly 8 million timeshare owners worldwide, there are a lot of raving fans. ARDA and many others in the timeshare industry think it’s time you heard more about and from these happy owners.

And what better place to start telling the story of satisfied timeshare owners than at Orange Lake Resort in Orlando, Florida… as the owners in this video explain…

Holiday Inn Club Vacations has added its seventh timeshare resort destination with the addition of a 36-unit resort on the Rio waterway in the City Center District of Marco Island.

Don Harrill, president and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, the timeshare developer that manages Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties, explains,  “As part of our alliance with IHG, we said we’d grow Holiday Inn Club Vacations in places where our Holiday Inn Club Members have said that they want to vacation. Our Members have asked for another drive-to destination in Florida, and Sunset Cove Resort delivers just that, with a unique and upscale experience for all owners and guests who visit.”

Beautiful Marco Island, located on Florida’s southern Gulf Coast, is an extremely popular Florida timeshare destination with pristine beaches and a unique but elegant island lifestyle. The new Holiday Inn Club Vacations Sunset Cove Resort offers three-bedroom timeshare villas ranging from a spacious 1667 to 1900 square feet, with views of either the Gulf of Mexico or Smokehouse Bay.

In keeping with Holiday Inn Club Vacations standards, the timeshare villas will be renovated to include such details as granite countertops and fabrics and furnishings that are consistent with the company’s Signature Collection décor. Amenities for Holiday Inn Club Vacations owners and their guests include a pool with sundeck, bar, boat dock and fitness center. The property is part of the RCI Registry Collection^® (Resort Condominium International).

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Timeshare

The expanding locations of Holiday Inn Club Vacations include:

• Orange Lake Resort, an Orlando timeshare.
• Panama City, a Panhandle area, Florida timeshare.
• Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
• Brownsville, Vermont.
• Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
• Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
• New expansion with a Las Vegas timeshare destination.
• And member access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,400 hotels worldwide.

“At Holiday Inn Club Vacations, we offer great resorts where families can create their own vacation experiences,” said Del Ross, vice president, U.S. Sales and Marketing, IHG. “We offer our guests the flexibility to vacation when, where and how they want to, all under the comfort and security of a well-known and trusted brand like Holiday Inn.”

This year’s ARDA Southeast Regional Meeting will be here in only a few weeks. Scheduled for September 26-27, 2011 at the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this will be a great opportunity, as always, for industry thought leaders to connect and reconnect.

The events will launch with golf at Pine Lakes Country Club. At 4 PM, our friends from Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Brooke Doucha, and Stacey Sutherland will lead a session on social media, called “Brass Tactics: Using Social Media to Connect with New Media, “the Blogger”. And later that evening there will be an opening session with product showcase.

Talking about Timeshare Resales and More

I will be there, along with Richard Caron of Foley & Lardner LLP and Paul Goodrich of SPM Resorts, speaking on “HOA Challenges and Solutions: Postcard and Rescue Companies, Resales, and Rentals.” We will get into the types of issues we all know are facing the industry, including some of the problems of HOAs in today’s economic environment.

We’ll take a frank and eye-opening look at:

• Positive methods for HOAs to find replacement owners with association maintenance fee delinquencies increasing.
• What HOAs can do about weeks being transferred into trusts, clubs or to individuals who have no intention of paying the fees.
• And how the current challenge is putting the reputation of timeshare resales on the line.

Ken McKelvey of Defender Resorts, will moderate the discussion.

The next session will turn to a question weighing heavily on the minds of many, especially in the wake of the recent brush fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes, as well as the ever-present 9-11 reminder of how the unthinkable sometimes becomes a reality. This session, called, “When Crisis Strikes,” will include John Farrow of FARROW Commercial Construction as moderator as well as, Zach Brandau, Paul Tappana, Mickey Lincoln, and Larry Vanderhoof.

Tuesday’s agenda also includes a networking Lunch with ARDA-ROC and State Legislative Updates lead by Chris Stewart of ARDA State Affairs.
The 2011 ARDA Southeast Regional Meeting promises to be beneficial and informative and if you haven’t registered to attend, there’s still time: ARDA Southeast Regional Meeting REGISTRATION

Happy Labor Day Weekend! The Timeshare Authority blog hopes you are enjoying a “labor-free” Labor Day holiday.

Writing today’s blog post was a bit like writing a back-to-school essay titled, “What I Did on My Summer Vacation,” except, we’d have to call this, “What Everyone Did on Their Vacation.”

Last week we published the new Hot 100 Timeshare Resales report and the Hot 100 Timeshare Rentals report.

These reports list for you the top 100 timeshare resales and the top 100 timeshare rentals to receive offers to buy or rent at Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services. The lists provide you a true overview of how consumers are allocating their vacation accommodations dollars.

Download these two free reports and study them for yourself. Among the trends and vacations patterns you will observe is this information about the top 20 most in-demand timeshare rentals:

1. Included in the top 20 timeshare rentals are 8 Marriott Vacation Club International resorts: Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club; Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club; Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas; Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club; Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas at Grande Dunes; Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club; Marriott’s Aruba Ocean Club; and Marriott’s Grande Vista
2. In addition to the three Marriott Hawaii timeshares listed above, two other Hawaii timeshares ranked among the top 20 rental destinations: Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas and Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas North
3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake’s West Village; Disney’s Beach Club Villas and Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort are the three Orlando timeshares on the hot properties rental list.
4. Three Mexico timeshares made the list of most in-demand timeshare rentals: Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta; Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach and Palace Resorts at Moon Palace Golf and Spa
5. The remaining four timeshare resorts among the top 20 are the Manhattan Club; the Ocean Beach Club – Virginia Beach and Harborside Resort at Atlantis along Harborside Resort at Atlantis II

Find out more here:

Timeshare Resales http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RESALES-2011.pdf

Timeshare Rentals http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/media/pdf/HOT-TIMESHARE-RENTALS-2011.pdf

The big news in timeshare today is that vacation resort developer Orange Lake Resorts is expanding both to the Gulf Coast beaches of Marco Island, Florida and to the bright lights and glitter of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Joining the Holiday Inn Club Vacations® brand of Orange Lake Resorts will be the Sunset Cove Resort at Marco Island and the Desert Club Resort, which is located just one block off the Las Vegas Strip. Although both resorts have been part of the Summer Bay Resorts network, other properties under the Summer Bay timeshare brand will not be involved in this acquisition.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) operates the following hotel brands: InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.

In September 2008, Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created through a strategic alliance between IHG and Orange Lake Resorts, an established leader in vacation ownership. Currently other Orange Lake Resorts timeshares include: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Panama City, Florida; Brownsville, Vermont; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Gatlinburg, Tennessee along with Orange Lake’s flagship property in Orlando, Florida, near the vacation destination attractions of the Walt Disney World Resort.

Holiday Inn Vacation Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,400 hotels worldwide.

Related News from The Timeshare Authority Blog:

Timeshare CEO of Orange Lakes to become new ARDA Chairman

Another Timeshare Company Honored as a Great Place to Work

Holiday Inn Timeshares Not Slowing Down in this Economy

Another Major Hotelier Entering the Timeshare Resort Industry

Tom Goetschius, RRP, a consultant and trainer for the timeshare and vacation ownership industry, has been named Senior Advisor and sales and marketing coordinator for the Tamarack Lodge Resort in Traverse City, Michigan.

To this position, Goetschius brings 25 years of timeshare industry experience that includes working with Hilton Grand Vacations; Fairfield Communities (now Wyndham); and Orange Lake Country Club.

Tamarack Lodge Fractional Ownership Opportunities

The Tamarack Lodge, located in the resort destination of Traverse City, is a luxury 29-unit property, situated on the beaches of East Grand Traverse Bay. Ownership is sold as a fractional property with one-eight shares (six weeks) for each owner, as well as more traditional timeshare sales with fixed ownership in two-week intervals.

Build and decorated in a style reminiscent of the grand lodges of yesterday, owners can select 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom spacious units; with water views of the lake; private balconies; full gourmet kitchens with granite countertops; and much more.

This peaceful retreat offers water sports, championship golf, and downhill and cross-country skiing as well as other winter sports. The Tamarack Lodge, like other Michigan timeshare resorts is within convenient travel distance from many major metropolitan areas and affords many urbanites a venue for enjoying fresh air and a relaxing vacation with an emphasis on outdoor activities and recreation.

Part of the excitement of last week’s ARDA conference (American Resort Development Association) in Orlando was the 2011 Awards Gala. As Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA explains, “It’s about recognizing the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry. We shine the spotlight on those individuals whose peers have nominated them for the impact and perseverance they have shown in their professional lives.”

The awards event, which was sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), recognized outstanding accomplishments by companies, teams, resorts, and individuals. Here’s a rundown of the 2011 Circle of Excellence (ACE) winners:

The 2011 ACE Women on their Way Award Kimberly Johnston-Tramontana of Breckenridge Grand Vacations. This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who continue to excel and advance in the timeshare and vacation ownership industry.

The 2011 ACE Spirit of Hospitality Award (formerly known as the Employee Award) went to Janeth Olachea of Park Plaza Resort. This award recognizes an outstanding employee within the industry who demonstrates commitment, loyalty, superior performance and willingness to go above and beyond.

The 2011 ACE Community Service Award was made to Winter Park Construction (WPC) for their Home At Last Project, designed to provide combat-wounded US veterans of military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan with custom-built, mortgage-free homes.

The 2011 ACE Philanthropic Award recognizes the outstanding philanthropic effort for a humanitarian cause by an individual or company. This year’s award was a tie between Orange Lake Resorts/Holiday Inn Club Vacations (HCV) and Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI). Orange Lake Resorts’ flagship Orlando timeshare, for over 25 years, has worked to build and maintain lasting relationships with several worldwide organizations that serve others in need, as well as with local community partners. Marriott timeshare has raised more than $71 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network over the last 25+ years.

The 2011 ACE Innovator Award went to RCI, for its Weeks Enhancement program, a plan designed for enhancing RCI’s Exchange membership programs and online customer experience. The ACE Innovator Award recognizes those within the timeshare business who have successfully implemented a groundbreaking product, service or concept.

The 2011 ACE Volunteer Award was presented this year to Tom Bell as a member of ARDA who consistently gives his/her time, energy, creativity, and talents to further ARDA’s goals and objectives. Tom has been actively involved in the timeshare industry for nearly 30 years as powerful advocate for strong and balanced timeshare legislation around the country and the world.

The 2011 ACE Employer of the Year Award went to timeshare exchange company, Interval International. The award honors an employer within the timeshare industry that demonstrates exceptional commitment to its employees. Interval International has shown 35 years of providing growth opportunities for its employees, encouraging employee involvement in activities that promote the growth of the shared ownership industry and playing active roles in timeshare related trade associations.

The Ace Project of Excellence is given to a successful project that represents months and years of cooperation between all parties involved and is considered a success not only by investors but by the owners and the local community. This year’s winner, Starwood Vacation Ownership, took home the prize for their successful timeshare project, The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas, which symbolizes the first introduction of the Westin brand and a deluxe vacation ownership product to the North Shore of Kaua’i in Hawaii.

Finally we get to one of the most special awards, The 2011 ACE Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s winner of the ACE Lifetime Achievement Award is Bill Ingersoll, one of the early organizers of the American Land Development Association (ALDA), which eventually became ARDA. Bill was also ARDA’s General Counsel and demonstrated leadership, professionalism, creativity, reliability and quality standards and ethics within an outstanding body of work.

Congratulations to all the winners. The timeshare and vacation ownership industry includes many talented people who commit their skills and their hearts to making timeshare a stronger more meaningful product. Thank you ARDA for honoring these recipients.

Besides the ACE Awards, ARDA awarded ARDY’s to finalists in sales and marketing; management and administration; advertising and promotion; and resort design categories. For a complete list of winners and finalists, go to www.ARDA.org/awards.

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The American Resort Development Association, (ARDA) announced this week that Don Harrill, president and CEO of Orange Lake Resorts, home to Holiday Inn Club Vacations, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The announcement was released during this year’s 2011 ARDA Convention and Exposition, currently being held in Orlando, Fl.

Howard Nusbaum, RRP, ARDA’s president and CEO, says, “I couldn’t be more pleased with having Don as our industry leader especially at this unique moment for vacation ownership. Don has been a long-time advocate and tireless voice for our industry, as well as someone I’ve learned so much from during these challenging economic times. With his strong business, financial, and management skills, he is poised to be a truly effective leader for ARDA.”

Holiday Inn Club Vacations is part of the resort brand Holiday Inn, and includes six Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare resorts. The vcation ownership brand is a result of a strategic linking between IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), one of the world’s largest hotel groups, and Orange Lake Resorts timeshares.

Don Harrill says, “I’m ecstatic and honored to take on this role with ARDA.As America emerges from an economic crisis, it’s a great time for us, as an industry, to have pride in our product and integrity in the process by which we share our product with consumers.”

Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club timeshare is the past Chairman of ARDA. Other ARDA officers includey Wyndham Vacation Ownership president and CEO, Franz Hanning (chair-elect) and Baker Hostetler law partner Robert J. Webb, Esq., RRP (treasurer).

Follow this link to read the ARDA media announcement.

More on the history of the Orange Lake Resorts timeshare alliance with IHG:

More Orange Lake Timeshare Resorts Join the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Brand

Holiday Inn Timeshare Unveils New Orlando Timeshare Resort

Another Major Hotelier Entering the Timeshare Resort Industry

In blog posts twice this week, The Timeshare Authority blog has talked about how some timeshare sales companies (timeshare developers) are adjusting their marketing plans in order to focus on their most responsive demographics. And who is most likely to buy timeshare? Why people who already own timeshare!

Now Orange Lake Resorts, an Orlando timeshare that is part of Holiday Inn Club Vacations, announces it is making this type of marketing move, which unfortunately calls for employee layoffs in the process. The decision to eliminate many of the Orange Lake Resorts timeshare concierge locations, primarily in Orlando hotels, means the company will be laying off employees who typically booked hotel guests into Orange Lake timeshare tours.

Stacey Sutherland, vice-president of corporate communications and brand services for Orange Lake explains, “Instead of cold calling, if you will, you get to speak with someone who’s already heard about you and is curious. You’re talking to a customer who already knows and loves Holiday Inn.”

The Orange Lake Resorts timeshare cutbacks will involve some 120 positions, including the company’s concierge post at Universal Orlando. Sutherland says that some of the employees from outposts that are closing are being asked to rejoin the company in other positions.

The traditional timeshare sales model has never been inexpensive, in that it involves extensive one-on-one time between employees and potential timeshare buyers and frequently includes gifts or perks, that the consumer revives whether or not he or she makes a buying decision. As long as this approach forms the core of the timeshare sales model, it makes sense that in a tight economy a timeshare company will focus its attention on the most qualified consumers who most closely fit the demographic of current timeshare owners.

The Orlando Sentinel has recognized Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort timeshare as one of the, “Top 100 Companies for Working Families.” To make this list, a company must score well in areas that include employee benefits packages, work environment, communication, family-related benefits to employees, and employee training.

Dan Carricato, senior vice president of Human Resources for Orange Lake Resorts timeshare, explains, “Family is the key word at Orange Lake…it’s who we are – as a company and individually. Our employees come to work every day to create great vacations for families, and in turn, we create a family-friendly workplace that engages them daily. We’ve been creating this culture for more than 28 years, and we’re ecstatic to have been selected as one of the Sentinel’s Top 100.”

Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare, you may recall, was created in 2008, by an alliance between Orange Lake Resorts and IHG, the corporation that owns Holiday Inn Resorts. The Orange Lake Resorts timeshare is a popular Orlando timeshare located near the Walt Disney World Resort and other theme park attractions of Central Florida. The resort features a lazy river and outstanding golf courses onsite. With nearly 2500 timeshare villas, expansion plans call for an additional 2000 timeshare units to be added.

Orange Lake Resort timeshare, the flagship property for Holiday Inn Club Vacations, is a family-owned company with over 2799 timeshare employees.