Timeshare Girls Blog Spot

my old blog worked better.

2010-11-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

Just a note to those who still check in on this blog.. I found that keeping my old blog space works better so be sure to change your bookmarks to my "other" blog at www.timesharegirlsblog.com!

Self Branding, Self Image.. Marketing Ourselves!

2010-09-24T16:55:00.001-04:00

Daily I find myself with the priviledge of engaging in conversations with great leaders in our industry. Most of these conversations leave me feeling excited, renewed and almost always I walk away from the conversation having learned something new. I strive to educate myself on the industry, keep up to date with what everyone else is doing and stay in touch with the current trends. I consider myself to be a pretty quick learner and also to take advice with appreciation and consideration.

But some times... you hear something, or you know it for someone else, but when it comes to applying it to yourself it is easily given less credit then when towards someone else.

Through my years, I have learned that the image and branding of the companies I have worked for has been a necessity. With a well branded company or product, it is easier to give presentations with open reception, customers recognize you quickly and will seek you out when ready.. searching for you through what they remember about your branding. They might not remember the name of the company correctly, they might have your name mispelled and failed to write down your contact information.. so they search for you or the company based on those things that are ingrained in their head whether it is colors, logos, phrases and mottos, etc.

A previous company that I worked for is a prime example. To this date, I can be in a conversation with others in our industry, and they all remember and know the name of the CEO of that company... most have had dinners and drinks with him but believe it or not, they often confuse the name of the company itself. This is because the CEO has marketed himself so well, that he is known as the brand for his company. Now, if these people cant pull the name of his company out of their heads.. they will still be able to find him and the company, and they will know when speaking to a "copy cat" that it is not the same one even though there might be intense similiarities. Regardless of the pretty packages, everyone would know that they are in the right.. or the wrong.. spot. To take this example two steps further.. hang in there with me.. I am getting to my point...

This CEO could easily be described in my journals as one of the most influential (personally influential) mentors in my career. I mean no disrespect to my mentors, my father and brother, nor the mentors that shared their wisdom with them that was carried on to me such as Jim Lambert or Bruce Polansky.. but, the facts are as they are.

During my employment with this company, we had many conversations about branding and marketing ourselves. This was important and vital as we were marketing ourselves throughout the industry and building relationships and networks. I made quite a few mistakes in the early days to be honest. Innocent and unintentional mistakes, but big lessons not to be ignored. Sometimes it was as simple as not remembering the name of an important client, sometimes it was speaking out of turn in a meeting and other times it was a matter of enjoying the conventions in Vegas with just a little too much "glitter" especially at the cocktail parties. (come on guys, give me a break! We have ALL been guilty at that at some point or another especially at the Vegas conventions!!) :-)

So the years pass along and I learn my lessons. I stop marketing myself as an employee of another company, and instead begin marketing myself and representing the companies that I work for. Following through, I then work on the marketing and branding of the companies that I work for IN ADDITION to the marketing of myself. The end goal, to make sure that everyone who knows me and works with me, knows that no matter who I am working with, what I am marketing or what deals I am cutting, I can be trusted and am loyal with my network and relationships. This left the doors wide open for me to present new products or ideas to my network (clients) and friends... and they listen with open ears no matter what it is that I am presenting. My network is what I consider now to be "tight". Strong bonds, strong trust, strong loyalty, strong friendships, strong references, strong strong strong! solid!

A couple of months ago I was speaking to one of my long time contacts. I have done business with this person on several occasions and also consider them to be a great influential contact in our industry for me. Someone I respect. This person said to me "I love what you have done with marketing yourself. You have basically created your own brand.. the Freda brand!". We laughed a bit but I wasnt quite sure if I had really accomplished this goal or if it were more of a friendly supportive observation.
A couple of weeks ago, another contact of mine approached me and asked me if I would do a blog about them for my readers. Apparently, this person has recieved feedback and had conversations with others in our industry about things I have blogged about between the various sites that I blog or write on.

I could list a few more examples.. but to get to the point instead.. recently I observed and was involved in a social situation among peers that brought it all to point and the light bulb went off in my head! It clicked! I had been approached by a counterpart of mine, infront of a potential client. This counterpart made a remark that was first of all, not based on fact.. and secondly, was a little embarrassing and insulting. I simply smiled and shook it off as if it were nothing. My potential client excused themselves from the conversation only to track me down a few hours later to tell me how offended they were by the person who tried to embarrass me. They let me know that they prefer to hold their business with someone who acts professionally, can be trusted, and is not in the business of slandering others. I now have a new contract in my hand from this individual for their business with me.. or should I say, with the company that I work for! The decision of this client was not based on pricing, it wasnt even based on how far their dollars would go.. it was instead based on them wanting to align themselves with someone they trusted, who they liked, who held a high image in their eyes. The following day, my home phone rang. It was someone I had spoken with a few months back, who had thrown out my business card. They didnt know me, didnt need my product and just were not interested. I guess through the months, they came to know me through my self branding and imaging.. and searched for me to do business with me not even knowing the name of the company I work for. Didnt matter.. they wanted "in" with whatever I was doing. A second deal was landed simply due to my self branded image... I hope my boss is happy about this! I bet he is...

As seriously as we take the image and branding and marketing of our companies, the companies we work for or that we own, we need to take the task of our own self images and branding. The two go hand in hand.. What good is it to have a pretty logo for your resort, if the people at the front desk do not treat your guests well at check in? What difference does it make if you have a super motto, if noone in your group follows the mission of the motto? Image and Branding might be imperative on the outer shell, but it is just as vital and important on the inner shells as well.

South Carolina Regional ARDA Conference

2010-09-17T14:48:00.001-04:00

I will be heading to Myrtle Beach for the South Carolina Regional ARDA conference on Monday and Tuesday. I will be conducting video and audio interviews. Anyone going who is interested in being inteviewed, contact me to set up a time and place to meet while there.

fredastemick@yahoo.com

Island One Files for Bankruptcy

2010-09-15T15:41:00.000-04:00

Island One Inc. and five affiliates of the resort company filed for bankruptcy Chapter 11, on September 10,2010.

The company listed both assets and debt in the range of $100 million to $500 million.

“The fall of the real estate markets in Florida and throughout the U.S. and the general downturn in the economy have significantly impacted the resort development and hospitality industries,” lawyers for Island One wrote in court papers.

Fractional Summit USA a success!

2010-09-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

The leading Fractional Industry website, Fractional Life, (www.FractionalLife.com) hosted the inaugural Fractional Summit USA (www.FractionalSummitUSA.com) on August 31st and September 1st, 2010. Set in the beautiful Intercontinental Miami Hotel in downtown Miami, Fl., approximately 200 delegates arrived full of excitement and enthusiasm for the event.
Geared towards educating and uniting the North American Fractional resort and Private Residence Club industry, the Summit was a huge success for all delegates attending.
Day 1 of the Summit kicked off with opening statements by Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life, and went in to “Fractional 101”. Through four sessions, experts in various segments of the industry shared their knowledge discussing everything from obtaining financing, to developing and maintaining a Fractional Property. The day closed with a networking card swap, cocktail hour and a Zacapa Rum tasting event.
Day 2 of the Summit was packed full of sessions with discussions covering topics such as Rentals and Exchanges, Case Studies, Marketing strategies, Technology on the web, and restructuring current developments into Fractionals. A first ever “purchasers panel” was highly anticipated and successful. The panel of Fractional consumers gave the delegates an opportunity to hear directly why they purchased, feedback on what they purchased and what they would like to see next from their developers. Industry professionals will be able to review all of the forums and discussions via video production that will be posted on the Summits website at www.FractionalSummitUSA.com.
Andrew Vick, Director of Sales & Marketing for Blue Tent Marketing ( www.bluetent.com) stated that the “Fractional Summit USA proved to be a dynamic and valuable learning experience for us. We were pleased with the ease of networking at this conference along with the opportunities to learn more about the Fractional Residence Industry”.
The Summit was sponsored by such industry leaders as La Tour Hotels & Resorts, Robb & Stucky, The Registry Collection, Timbers Resorts and Peter Kempf International among others. Attendees included delegates representing companies such as First American Title, Ballard Spahr, Ragatz Associates, Premier Cancun Vacations, Merlin Software, Interval International and RCI.
Fractional Life is a newly registered member of ARDA, the American Resort Development Association (www.ARDA.org). Howard Nusbaum, President of ARDA and Darla Zanini, Executive Vice President of ARDA were both in attendance to show ARDA’s support of Fractional Life’s new membership and inauguration to the United States industry. In a recent press release, Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life was quoted as saying “Fractional Life and ARDA both share a common vision of the future which, despite these challenging times, is to help drive sales within the fractional real estate market”.

About FractionalLife.com:
Fractional Life is a Business-to-Consumer website designed to support readers in understanding and using the fractional ownership industry. FractionalLife.com is not limited to Fractional Vacation Real Estate, but in addition includes categories such as Auto, Jets, Yachts, Art, Wine Vineyards and more.
The concept of Fractional Ownership is to allow consumers an opportunity to share in owning luxury items versus the entirety, thereby sharing in the cost and maintenance of ownership.
Fractional Life also hosts a Business-to-Business website titled Fractional Trade (www.FractionalTrade.com). The website is an on-line community forum which provides free access to information, resources and suppliers for fractional developers, agents, sales managers, consultants and entrepreneurs. Fractional Life also hosts other B2B Industry conferences around the world throughout the year as well as a B2C Expo annually in London.

Heading to the Fractional Summit

2010-08-30T11:15:00.001-04:00

I am packing my bags to head to Miami to the Fractional Summit (www.fractionalsummitusa.com). Hope to see some of my vacation ownership buddies down there! I will return with reviews and updates on the conference. If anyone has any specific questions or people they would like to hear an interview from, let me know!

Timeshare Resales Leader Steps Up to Expand Timeshare Owner Options

2010-08-13T13:52:00.001-04:00

DOVER, NH--(Marketwire - 08/13/10) - Sell My Timeshare NOW, the global leader in timeshare resales and rentals, announces that the company is expanding its services, introducing important new options for timeshare owners.

Jason Tremblay, the company's founder and CEO, says, "Timeshare owners want and need choices in how they resell their timeshares. In addition to the owner-advertising option Sell My Timeshare NOW has always offered consumers, we are expanding our timeshare brokerage service capabilities and will begin presenting those services as an additional option when sellers contact us."

As part of the new business model, Sell My Timeshare NOW is transitioning to a sales team almost exclusively comprising licensed real estate professionals. The company is serious about de-emphasizing timeshare advertising as its primary product: beginning last March, it has been conducting in-house training at the corporate offices in Dover, New Hampshire, to help prepare employees for the required testing they will face in obtaining state real estate licenses. Tremblay says that he sees this as investing in the company by investing in its employees, and that SellMyTimeshareNOW will also be looking to hire additional licensed real estate professionals for its Orlando, Florida offices.

Sell My Timeshare NOW offers by-owner timeshare advertising sold by trained timeshare sales professionals, and its affiliate Timeshare Broker Services offers a full range of professional real estate services. In 2009, the company's websites generated 61,743 offers to buy timeshare resales and 85,949 offers to rent timeshares.

Consumers who want to resell their timeshare intervals or timeshare points through Sell My Timeshare NOW can pay a one-time advertising fee ($599) for sale-by-owner advertising and marketing that the company provides through its highly visible, well-positioned websites. The owner's timeshare ad remains on the company's websites, continuing to be marketed until it sells, with the timeshare owner benefiting from a money-back guarantee should the timeshare sell through other means.

For owners who would rather let a licensed professional handle the details of the sales transaction, Timeshare Broker Services may be the better choice. Customers of Timeshare Broker Services pay no up-front fee to advertise their timeshares but will pay the greater of either a 15 percent commission or $2,000 when the sale of their timeshare closes. Brokered timeshare sales are conducted in much the same way as the sale of traditional real estate. "Both options are good choices," according to Tremblay, but he says the company recognized the importance of making timeshare broker services more readily available to consumers, since many people simply don't feel comfortable or have the time to be involved in the sales process personally.

Tremblay describes the overall timeshare industry as being in a period of growth and redefinition and discloses that Sell My Timeshare NOW recently obtained formal legal advice from the highly respected law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP, affirming that the business practices of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services are in full compliance with Florida real estate brokerage laws. Sell My Timeshare NOW is counseled by Robert J. Webb, RRP of Baker Hostetler, a board certified Florida real estate lawyer with substantial experience in commercial real estate, timeshare and hospitality industry law.

About Sell My Timeshare NOW

Averaging more than 2 million pageviews per month, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and timeshare renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company offers timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.

Contact:
Contact:Jay BadeVice President of Business Developmentjaybade@sellmytimesharenow.com 603-516-0680

Introducing a new group... the Licensed Timeshare Brokers Association

2010-08-13T13:51:00.000-04:00

A NEW ASSOCIATION of licensed Real Estate brokers have formed recently in an effort to provide specialized services for owners with timeshares who want to sell. They organized, in part, to become one voice; a voice of honesty and integrity in an industry fraught with scam artists and fly-by-nights. Their mission is a simple one; to provide transparent services to timeshare owners who wish to sell collecting a commission ONLY after the timeshare is sold. The President of the non-profit corporation, Judi Kozlowski, admits “It took us a few years of trying to start to get started, but we are all on board now, and we are all headed in a united direction; That is to assist timeshare owners by first helping them find a marketable price point to list their timeshare, posting to the MLS, and then performing all advertising, dealing with buyers offers, etc. JUST LIKE REGULAR REAL ESTATE WORKS! In the end our goal is to help timeshare owners who want out, out of their timeshares and help buyers who want in, IN, dealing fairly and honestly with all the people we deal with.

One of our brokers, Saundra Mock , has specialized in timeshare resales for over 16 years and handles timeshares from just about anywhere and is knowledgeable in just about every product available.

We have other brokers who specialize in the area they are located in, or in a specific product or set of products; it just depends. The point is our association gives sellers choices that are scam free. You can find a list of our associates at www.ltrba.com . If you are seller or a buyer, you can trust an associate of the Licensed Timeshare Resale Brokers Association.”

Podcast with myself and Helen Foster of RCI Ventures

2010-08-12T17:54:00.002-04:00

Two of the wisest women in the industry join Today's Timeshare to discuss the changing face of shared ownership, new products, resales and much more besides. Get a different perspective on timeshare in this enjoyable and thought-provoking 20-minute chat with industry experts from the US and Europe.

Freda Stemick is business development executive for The Resort Trades. Based in Orlando, Stemick is also a freelance writer and blogger for the timeshare industry.

As a second generation timeshare professional, Freda has decades of experience working both directly with resort developers and the resale market. For more from Stemick, check out www.timesharegirlsblog.com.

Helen Foster is affiliate communications manager for RCI Europe - and editor of RCIVentures.com. Foster also edits RCI Ventures magazine and takes care of PR for RCI across the region. With nine years covering timeshare and fractional ownership news, and liaising with executives across the wider hospitality industry, Helen has a unique and wide-ranging knowledge of the leisure real estate sector and shares her experiences with Today's Timeshare on this episode.

Listen here to the podcast or click on the title of this blog post.. http://www.rciventures.com/2010/08/todays-timesjhare/

Fractional Life joins ARDA, the American Resort Development Association

2010-08-12T17:53:00.000-04:00

Source: www.FractionalLife.com

Luxury fractional ownership brand and fractional real estate conference organiser, Fractional Life is delighted to announce the company’s membership application to ARDA has been approved three weeks prior to the inaugural Fractional Summit USA 2010 Conference, 31 Aug – 1 Sep, InterContinental Miami .

Piers Brown, founder of Fractional Life, said: “Fractional Life and ARDA both share a common vision of the future which, despite these challenging times, is to help drive sales within the fractional real estate market.”

ARDA, established in 1969, has identified and responded to many Real Estate industry challenges throughout its history and serves the vacation ownership and resort development industries including fractional real estate.

“The fact that Howard Nusbaum, President and CEO, and Darla Zanini, Executive Vice President have both confirmed their attendance at our inaugural Fractional Summit USA conference is great news. This demonstrates the resolve of both organisations to come together to continue to reflect changing fractional consumer, trade and industry needs. Fractional Life feels very privileged to be an ARDA member,” Piers concluded.

With less than three weeks until the conference, only limited delegate tickets remain.

Fractional Summit USA 2010 has been devised to attract the most incisive and dynamic minds in both fractional and traditional Real Estate.

Fractional Summit USA’s conference theme, ‘New World, Global Landscape’ will stimulate delegate ‘know how’, whilst sharing and delivering fresh insights on new market dynamics.

Fractional Summit USA is the ideal place to get up-to date with the current market. With its global appeal, the Conference is held over 2 days and packed with renowned speakers, group panels and presentations from worldwide experts. The event offers the perfect platform to network, learn and exchange information and ideas

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort Recognized as One of

2010-08-12T17:51:00.000-04:00

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort is honored to have been selected as one of Orlando Sentinel’s “Top 100 Companies for Working Families.” The Sentinel presented the 17th annual awards at a special ceremony on August 6th.

Each year, the Orlando Sentinel invites companies who promote family-friendly workplaces to submit their application for consideration as one of the “Top 100.” Employers are recognized in two categories: 250 employees and above and 249 employees and below. A series of questions help judges score core benefits, family-related benefits, work environment, communication and training.

Orange Lake Resort, a family-owned company with more than 2,700 employees across six resort locations, was pleased that their flagship Holiday Inn Club Vacations property, with 2,500 employees, made the list.

They responded to the Sentinel’s challenge by using this opportunity to share their unique corporate events programs, like Kaleidoscope of Culture which celebrates diversity through food, art, dance and music or their Fall Festival, open to employees and their immediate families; recognition programs that award employees for their outstanding performance and years of service, plus on-the-spot initiatives when great service is “caught in the act;” two accommodations programs, giving employees access to the company’s six resorts plus IHG’s more than 4,400 hotels worldwide; benefits programs including wellness and fitness classes, English and Spanish language classes, full healthcare benefits including vision plans, 401K, supplemental and short-term life insurance and more. They were also proud to share their commitment to the community and opportunities for employees to give back through Central Florida-based volunteering with Easter Seals Florida, Give Kids the World and Sunnyside Village Children’s Home.

Dan Carricato, senior vice president of Human Resources for Orange Lake Resorts, said, “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.”

For more information on careers with Holiday Inn Club Vacations, please contact Carolyn Argo, Senior Director of Human Resources, at 407-905-1456 or visit www.orangelake.com/careers.

About Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success. Holiday Inn Club Vacation’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson. A 1,450-acre golf, lazy river and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes 2,478 villas and plans for expansion to 4,500 villas. Other member resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., Panama City, Fla. Brownsville, Vt., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn. Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,400 hotels worldwide. Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations. For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

Disney Vacation Club being scammed? - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

2010-06-03T22:37:00.001-04:00

Disney is under attack, well.. its owners are. But that affects us all. Everyone should pay attention and do what we can to help Disney stop this scam as soon as possible!

Disney Vacation Club being scammed? - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

Timeshare Winners Movie

2010-05-28T11:20:00.000-04:00

a video from "The Timeshare Coach" for timeshare sales professionals. Videos like this should be used in sales training meetings every morning!!! Great video! Thanks Timeshare Coach!

Carly Dickson / Crown Vacation Exchange - ShareConnectGrow Video - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

2010-05-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

Here is a new alternative for timeshare owners looking for an exchange service for their timeshare weeks. Carly Dickson from Crown Vacation Exchange talks to us about the program and options available to their members! Follow the link below to view the video.

Carly Dickson / Crown Vacation Exchange - ShareConnectGrow Video - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

Timeshare Industry Insiders Rant of the Day!

2010-05-27T20:24:00.000-04:00

Here is my rant of the day... take it for what its worth. and if you have no idea what I am talking about, then I am most likely not talking to or about you.

We all work so incredibly hard to build and maintain our reputations in this industry. The timeshare industry is a small one, regardless of how vast it appears to the outside world. It is a social network of relationships and deals, pros and cons, guys in white hats and scamsters. We build our circles and we are more likely then most industries to support and help our contacts and buddies.

On the flip side, the competition is fierce. The timeshare industry can be one of the more competitive spirited industries out there. This is actually one of the reasons why we network and build our circles, our families of contacts and business associates. This helps to "protect" us when the competition strikes and also, it helps once we are established to keep our business partners when new competitors are born and trying to climb our ladders.

I believe in the competition and the fair fight... when it's fair. And I am well known for being one to take on a challenge, stand up for what I feel is right, protect my contacts and network, and try to keep a clean professional image in the industry that has supported me since I was a child. I can be just as fierce as my competition... but I play and fight fair. To me, there is no glory in winning if you had to cheat or lie or steal to do so.

I know of a company who got itself started by copying advertising and even logos and graphics from their competitors. The name branding that had been implemented was being turned around and consumers often believe they are with one company, because its name is so similiar and the website appears in the same colors and formats, and even the quotes and stats are repeated and duplicated. This is blatanly lying and misleading the consumer.. and it is stealing from the other company. If you are not able to produce a legitimate, uniique approach to gaining clientele, then just go to work for the people you want to copy for heavens sake. Your peers in the industry know what you are doing, and they will not respect you nor bring you their business because of it. You might steal a few misled consumers, but in the end, they will also fade away because you are not genuine or legitimate.

Eco-fun at the Barceló Maya Beach Resort - ShareConnectGrow Video - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

2010-05-26T23:28:00.000-04:00

follow this link to view a really cool, but short, video about a real neat resort idea!

Eco-fun at the Barceló Maya Beach Resort - ShareConnectGrow Video - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

Trident Business Management Announces Expansion, Seeks To Hire Timeshare Professionals

2010-05-26T16:15:00.000-04:00

Trident Business Management Announces Expansion, Seeks To Hire Timeshare Professionals

Trident Business Management LLC, based in Scottsdale, Arizona is expanding sales and marketing operations for its growing client list of timeshare developers and will soon be in a hiring phase. The firm (www.tridentbusinessmanagement.com) is an implementation-based business solutions organization that serves companies in need of highly specialized operational expertise and management services...

Read the full story here...
Trident Business Management Announces Expansion, Seeks To Hire Timeshare Professionals

Timeshare News since Ive been "away"

2010-05-24T00:20:00.002-04:00

I havent posted much this past few days because I was in the process of moving to a new apartment. But just because I was out of commission, doesnt mean the timeshare world was!

How about Franz Hanning, CEO of Wyndham, and his scirmish at the basketball game? I am sorry, but I not only had to laugh but also call him my hero of the week! He simply did what so many of us wanted to do! I appreciate his passion and enthusiasm over the sport, and our team!

I am sure you took note of the news on my homefront, the Resort Trades (www.ResortTrades.com). We announced our new website platform at Askmando (www.AskMando.com) and also announced the new resort editions that we are now offering resorts. Once we started the planning stages, I heard that our competitors were also doing this. I have to say it somewhere so I will say it here.. they are not really our competitors. They are an international magazine, and we are a national newspaper. There is indeed a difference. We try to report the news, they publish stories and advertorials. Neither is better then the other as they sit in different formats and are for different purposes. However.. they are considered our competitors. I wish them the best. They are a great group of people... and so are we!

Robb & Stucky, our favorite developers decorator (home interior design for great condos!) was recognized on May 15 by the Lee Building Industry Association (Lee County, Florida) for design excellence during the annual Pinnacle Awards!! Congratulations to them and congratulations to their Publicist, Marge Lennon!

Wyndhams headline for the week was "Wyndham Green Partners With Plastic FREE Ocean to
Raise Awareness About Pollutants in Our Waters". I have to say that I have gained a new respect for them by this simple headline. Great press release and great program for them to get involved in. If we all stop and think about it, the timeshare industry can really contribute a lot of good, or bad, to the environment and tasks such as what Wyndham is taking on certainly are to be respected and admired!

SPI software.. maybe you have heard of them and maybe you havent. If you havent, it simply means that your job position doesnt require you to know about service providers to your resort behind the scenes.. but the rest of us know them. They had a headliner this week as well.. SPI Software’s VP of Client Services Gordon McClendon Asked to Serve on Federal Issues Committee of American Resort Development Association (ARDA). I think that Gordon will be great at this venture and I trust that he will take this position seriously and with pride. This is probably the most important committee in ARDA and holds great responsibility for assisting in the protection and education of all developers and timeshare industry businesses.

Another sound and proud week in the timeshare industry! Cant wait to see what this upcoming week brings to us! I will as always, keep you informed!

Fully Customized, Brand Specific Timeshare Advertising!

2010-05-20T14:22:00.001-04:00

The Trades Publishing Company now offers fully-customized brand-specific magazine editions to be created for select properties and suppliers.
Orlando, Florida (May 20, 2010) – The Trades Publishing Company now offers fully-customized brand-specific magazine editions to be created for select properties and suppliers. These editions will be produced on high quality glossy enamel paper, and will feature original content designed to communicate directly with targeted readers.

“Any property could benefit from having a specific customized magazine that tells their story with informative articles and professional photos,” said Tim Wilson, owner and publisher of The Trades Publishing Company. “We will work closely with the resort to ensure that the final product is something they can proudly share with their guests, owners, sales floor, staff and the entire industry.”

Freda Stemick, business development executive for The Trades Publishing Company, says this new product creates an opportunity to offer clients a product that can be utilized as an effective sales tool, and it gives them the chance to spotlight employees or
departments of their resorts that normally are not seen by the timeshare industry or even the public.

“One of the things that I am really excited about with these new special editions is that we are able to honor our favorite clients and resorts. Not everyone can just get this product from us. It will be a product that we selectively choose certain resorts and companies to be a part of,” said Stemick. “Other programs offer similar services to anyone who wants to have an issue based on them. This is different. By us selecting the
resort or company to feature, the resort or company can take great pride in being selected and having these editions built for them.”

“As a developer, being able to show your potential new clients that your resort was specifically chosen for this new program and featured edition, it shows the clients that your resort is well respected and widely known to the industry,” Stemick said.

Selected material from these editions will also be featured in Resort Trades magazine and Resort Trades Management & Operations magazine, two of the most trusted and respected publications in the industry.
For more than two decades The Trades Publishing Company has been the leader in targeted trade publishing and advertising. All of The Trades Publishing Company's magazines and online properties have emerged as market leaders in their respective industries. For additional information about The Trades Publishing Company, visit www.thetrades.com.
Contact:
Freda Stemick
The Trades Publishing Company, Inc.
931-337-6507
freda@thetrades.com

The Resort Trades

2010-05-19T11:09:00.000-04:00

Crossville, Tennessee (May 19, 2010) – After years of extensive research and development, The Trades Publishing Company has launched the newest version of askmando.com, an online social and business community of resort managers and suppliers. The website is the companion to Resort Trades Management & Operations magazine, one of several national publications produced by The Trades.

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The Resort Trades

Attention all timeshare industry advertisers! - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

2010-05-18T23:47:00.000-04:00

Attention all timeshare industry advertisers! - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

The Trades Publishing family which includes the Resort Trades (www.resorttrades.com) and Management & Operations magazine (www.askmando.com) is now offering you exciting new opportunities for your advertising and marketing needs! As always, we continue to offer you the campaigns you have come to rely on from the oldest, most trusted and respected publication in the timeshare industry. However now, we have enhanced our services in several areas bringing us up to date with the technology and social platforms, and continuing our commitment to the highest quality marketing and advertising levels in the industry.

Management & Operations has just released its new website format at www.askmando.com. We are now offering our popular Directory Listing services with added benefits for lower prices than ever before! Your Directory Listing will be linked to your company profile on AskMando.com, where you can post your own videos, pictures, blogs and more! Call me for more information about this exciting new program!

The Resort Trades www.resorttrades.com, is now offering you the option to have an issue published that features your Resort or Company throughout the entire edition. These special editions are perfect for sharing with your customers, potential new customers, internal staff and the general public. We have a press release coming out shortly with more updates on this great new program but in the meantime, you know you can always contact me directly at 407-271-8003 to find out how we can help you!

More exciting things to come… stay tuned!

Marketing Fee or Sales Commission? A Timeshare Resale Question - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

2010-05-17T11:35:00.000-04:00

Join me as I consider the options of whether a timeshare owner is better of trying to sell his timeshare through a marketing company, or a licensed brokerage. Just follow this link and please feel free to join in by leaving your own thoughts and comments. Marketing Fee or Sales Commission? A Timeshare Resale Question - ShareConnectGrow Blog post - a community of resort managers and their suppliers

Women In the Industry Launches Travel Auction

2010-05-15T13:59:00.000-04:00

The Resort Trades

Contact: Georgi Bohrod (619)255-1661
WIN: Cathy Backus (702)604-9411

WOMEN IN THE INDUSTRY LAUNCHES TRAVEL AUCTION
Second Annual Event to Raise Funds for Women’s Charities

WIN (www.womenintheindustry.org) will launch its second annual Travel Auction May 18, 2010. It will run through May 28. This exciting opportunity is available to WIN members and their friends and families. The bidding on these vacation weeks starts at just $200 and includes opportunities to vacation at resorts located all over the world.

WIN is a non-profit organization that promotes, educates and connects women in the vacation industry. The purpose is threefold: To unite and ignite combined strengths; to offer education scholarship and research opportunities; and to partner with charities that support the health, education and welfare of women and adolescent girls in need.

Cathy Backus, Co-President of WIN who chairs the philanthropic committee of the organization says proceeds from last year’s auction “afforded WIN the opportunity to provide Girls Inc. with funds to support underprivileged girls to be the first generation in their family to attend college; WIN also championed a Gal to Gal Foundation fundraiser titled “Send Me on Vacation,” a similar concept to the Make a Wish Foundation, that sends adult women with stage 4 breast cancer on vacation.”

Part of the proceeds from this auction will provide funding to The Auskell Medical Clinic. This clinic on Abaco Island in the Bahamas provides comprehensive healthcare to local residents and visitors alike, using the services of experienced general practitioners, consultants and specialists in the various disciplines of medicine. This year WIN chose to add this clinic to the list of charities we support to help fund the purchase of a much needed mammography machine for the women on the island. The remainder of the proceeds will go to support women’s charities voted upon by the WIN members.

Check out the information below and take advantage of this incredible opportunity to get a good deal on a vacation and support women’s charities!

To donate vacation weeks email cbackus@csatravelprotection.com or ellen.devine@bluegreencorp.com . Bidding begins May 18 bid at: www.biddingforgood.com/WINcharity

ARDA released new warning to timeshare owners today

2010-05-14T15:26:00.001-04:00

AMERICAN RESORT DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
CONSUMER ADVISORY ON RESALE COMPANIES

ADVISORY IV
May 14, 2010

As part ARDA’s effort to provide consumers with guidance about the secondary marketplace and useful tips about
the resale process, this advisory is to make consumers aware of two deceptive resale solicitations that target timeshare
owners.
According to an April 2010 release issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS), the newest scheme is being used in combination with other unethical or fraudulent resale solicitations.
Beware of ‘Reloading’
The practice of ‘reloading’ is when an individual or company contacts a consumer who has already been victimized
by an unethical resale company. The claim is that they can recoup the upfront-fee lost in the original scam. The call
may actually be from the same company that conducted the first scam, only reorganized under a new name. Or the
call may be from a disgruntled former employee of the original company who uses the victims’ contact information
to run a new scam.
The FDACS warns that in either case the chances are minimal that consumers will recover any money. The latest
twist on this particular fraud has someone calling the original victim claiming to be from the first company that
took the upfront fee. This time, the caller will offer to refund the victim’s money, but will ask for a credit card
number “to facilitate the transaction.” If consumers again provide credit card numbers, they will lose money a
second time.
Bogus Rental Offers
Timeshare owners should also be skeptical of rental company solicitations that claim the company can rent owners’
vacation weeks or their “extra/bonus” weeks. While bonus weeks or bonus time is a legitimate benefit offered by
some – but not all – timeshare resorts, owners cannot rent them and may be in violation of their resorts’ rules if
they do. (Bonus weeks or bonus time is generally unused time that can be reserved only by other owners for a low
fee typically 30 days before the time is available.
The alleged rental company entices the consumer by claiming to have interested renters. The company quotes an
unrealistically-high rental rate, asks for an advance fee (upwards of $700) and a credit card number so the company
“can be authorized to represent the consumer in the rental transaction.” The advance fee is taken and the consumer
never hears of rentals again.
ARDA cautions consumers to make sure they understand the disclosures, promises, transfer protocols and recourse
available to them prior to writing a check, giving a credit card number or any other form of payment to a reseller.
And please check with your home owners association to see if a less expensive option is available to you. For more
resales information, please visit www.ARDA.org/resales. Visit ARDA’s consumer web site at
www.VacationBetter.org for more information about timeshares.

The Resort Trades

2010-05-13T21:51:00.000-04:00

The Resort Trades

Trident Business Management Names CustomerCount© Survey Provider of Choice
Management Services Company to Utilize CustomerCount© Online Feedback System

INDIANAPOLIS (May 12, 2010) – Trident Business Management (Scottsdale, AZ) which provides management services to the lodging and timeshare sectors of the leisure industry, announced that it has named CustomerCount® its Survey Provider of Choice.

The CustomerCount® program, developed initially by Mobius Vendor Partners (MVP) for its client RCI, collects and measures customer feedback. CustomerCount tracks three primary components: the reservation experience, the sales experience and the vacation experience. CustomerCount® is fully transparent to members, owners and guests. The process begins with Email invitations and reminders and continues through to on-line reporting and analysis 24/7. It may be customized for use by shared ownership resort developments, as well as other businesses.

View rest of the story at link above.