Timeshare Resorts Working with UCF to Enhance Education
Thursday, November 8, 2012
The Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida has announced plans to work collaboratively with representatives of leading timeshare resorts and others in the timeshare vacation industry to build a stronger curriculum, enrich academic research and strengthen relationships and interaction opportunities between the University students and the timeshare and vacation ownership industry.
Dr. Amy Gregory, a UCF Rosen College assistant professor and active researcher of the timeshare industry, explains, “Nearly all the major players in the timeshare industry are headquartered within minutes of our campus, so UCF’s Rosen College truly presents the best opportunity to bridge the gap between education, research and industry within this segment of hospitality.”
This new partnership effort between UCF’s Rosen College and representatives from timeshare resorts and the vacation ownership industry began November 1 with 15 top timeshare executives visiting the UCF Rosen College campus to discuss their visions for timeshare education. The session included a luncheon and was hosted by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).
Among the participating vacation ownership companies and timeshare resorts are:
- Island One
- Hilton Grand Vacations
- Disney Vacation Club
- Baker & Hostetler
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Wyndham Vacation Ownership
- Orange Lake Resorts
- Interval International (II)
- Resort Condominiums International (RCI)
- Diamond Resorts International
- ARDA’s International Foundation (AIF)
In preparation for the collaborative partnership, Dr. Gregory said, “The development of timeshare education is critical to the successful future of the industry. The executives’ participation in the luncheon will allow them to see firsthand what is happening at UCF’s Rosen College and request their ongoing assistance in directing the curriculum, creating inroads for student involvement in the industry, and increasing industry involvement with the university.”
The Rosen College sees its goal as one of establishing a thorough, well-rounded timeshare education program that benefits both UCF’s students and the timeshare and vacation ownership industry, with a goal of meeting three to four times annually to address academic and industry objectives.
According to Dr. Gregory, for timeshare education to be successful, the timeshare industry and the Rosen College of Hospitality Management curriculum for timeshare studies must be aligned. Likewise, the timeshare industry and timeshare resorts benefit from exposure within the university while the students benefit from potential opportunities for employment, internships, and mentoring within the timeshare profession.
