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Welcome to ARDA News and Highlights. Stay up to date with ARDA and the timeshare industry.

• Resolve to Have a New You in the New Year
  At Least a Healthier, More Relaxed You
  
  
• Message About ARDA-ROC PAC
  There was recently some misleading information circulated about ARDA-ROC PAC, in reference to a random Federal Election Commission (FEC) Audit of 2003-2004 voluntary contributions. As a result of the audit, ARDA implemented the FEC’s request to put uniform language about PAC contributions on owner invoices or in an accompanying letter.
  
  
• Regular Vacations: Prescription for A Healthy Lifestyle
  Not Just a Nicety; Vacations are a Necessity
  
  
• Family Travel and Reunions on the Rise, Survey Says
  American Resort Development Association Encouraging Families to “Take Time for Togetherness”
  
  
• VacationBetter.Org Launches to Educate Consumers About How to Take Better Vacations
  American Resort Development Association Promotes Online Resource
  
  
• Hawaii Timeshare Occupancy, Employment Stays Strong During Tourism Downturn (pdf)
  Data collected from Hawaii’s timeshare industry shows that the appeal of vacation ownership continues to be a strong, stable component of the state’s tourism
  economy, highlighted by high occupancy, employment growth, and rising capital expenditures.
  
  
• Orlando's Hospitality Appreciation Month
  
  
• U.S. Timeshare Industry Sales Total $10.6 Billion in 2007, According to Ernst & Young Study
  Average occupancy exceeds 80 percent; 6.5 million intervals owned
  
  
• “Take Two Weeks and Call Me in the Morning”
  American Resort Development Association Concurs with Recent Survey Findings that Americans are Vacation-Deprived
  
  
• Vacation Ownership Brings Variety to Meet Every Traveler’s Need
  Industry Encourages Travelers to Explore Timeshare Opportunities
  
  
• Timeshare Professionals Gather in Las Vegas for Annual Convention
  Education, Industry Perspective and Networking Highlight Week.
  
  
• Recent Ethics Committee Enforcement Action
  
  
• American Resort Development Association Celebrates Industry Leaders
  ACE Awards Recognize Highest Level of Excellence in Top Individuals, Teams, Resorts and Corporations.
  
  
• 2007 Producers Club Winners!
  Each year, ARDA recognizes a top Producer of corporate memberships and of overall association member income for the positive results of promotional efforts on the association’s behalf.
  
  
• Signature Sponsors Lead the Way at 2008 ARDA Convention
  Leading vacation ownership companies and service providers have signed on as Signature Sponsors of the 2008 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Convention and Exposition in Las Vegas.
  
  
• Timeshare Datashare: New Year’s Resolutions
  Looking for a way to improve your lifestyle in 2008? Why not consider timeshare vacation ownership? Owners attest that it has enhanced various aspects of their life, from increased anticipation of their vacations to improved communication with family members!
  
  
• Sneak peek at this year’s Awards Gala Entertainment!
  Attendees will be treated to an elegant dinner and the entertainment of Terry Fator, winner of "America's Got Talent", while honoring the best of the best from all aspects of the vacation ownership industry.
  
  
• Group RCI/AIF Open Golf Tournament
  This is your opportunity to network with other industry professionals and to reconnect with old friends while enjoying a day of fun, sun and fantastic golf. Group RCI serves as the Presenting Sponsor for this event.
  
  
• Timeshare Datashare: Decisions, Decisions
  Timeshare owners have the world at their fingertips. With so many destinations to visit, where will timeshare travelers venture next?
  
  
• Timeshare Datashare: Owners Want More!
  With satisfaction ratings near 80%, it’s no wonder that timeshare owners want more. According to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers, over 30% of new timeshare sales in the United States were to existing owners, illustrating how vacation ownership continues to provide accommodations and services that meet the leisure traveler needs.
  
  
• Travel Industry Leaders Commend Disney For ‘Major Contribution To Improve America’s Welcome’
  “Portraits of America” Film to be Featured in International Arrivals Areas, U.S. Embassies and Other Venues to Welcome Visitors to the United States
  
  
• Robust Financial Indicators In Multibillion Dollar Timeshare Industry
  The AIF annual benchmark study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) of the financial performance of the timeshare industry released today by the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) underscores the ongoing, robust financial performance of the multibillion dollar vacation ownership industry.
  
  
• Timeshare Datashare: Now Developing
  To meet the needs of a growing customer base, timeshare will broaden its horizons by providing unit and interval supply in regions sought by current and future timeshare owners.
  
  
• Timeshare Datashare: From beaches to skiing, timeshare has it all!
  Timeshare resorts abound throughout the United States, offering owners access to a variety of vacation experiences. Whether it’s relaxing on the beach by the ocean or speeding down black diamond trails, timeshare has it all!
  
  
• Tennessee Timeshare Industry Contributed $1.1 Billion in 2005 to Statewide Economy, According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  Tennessee attracted 685,000 timeshare visitors in 2005
  
  
• South Carolina Timeshare Industry Contributed $2.2 Billion in 2005 to Statewide Economy, According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  Study reveals 17% increase in economic impact over three-year period as 1.6 million timeshare visitors vacationed in South Carolina in 2005.
  
  
• California Timeshare Industry Contributed $2.8 Billion in 2005 to Statewide Economy, According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  Study reveals 25.4% increase in economic impact over three-year period as 1.5 million timeshare visitors vacationed in California in 2005.
  
  
• New U.S. Timeshare Sales Top $10 Billion in 2006, According to Ernst & Young Study
  Timeshare sales climbed 16 percent during 2006 to $10 billion over 2005 sales of $8.6 billion.
  
  
• Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE)
  launches new Web site
  
  
• Welk Resorts’ Jon Fredricks Elected Chairman of American Resort Development Association
  Jon Fredricks, CHA, RRP, president of Welk Resorts, an independent vacation ownership company, has been elected Chairman of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the national trade association representing the vacation ownership industry.
  
  
• ARDA Sponsors Vacations for Vets
  ARDA is sponsoring Vacations for Vets, an industry-wide program that provides ARDA members with an opportunity to support wounded U.S. veterans and their families.
  
  
• American Resort Development Association Announces Circle of Excellence (ACE) and ARDY Award Winners
  “These companies and individuals represent the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry,” said Howard Nusbaum, RRP, president and CEO of ARDA. “Selected by their peers, they set an example of personal and professional excellence for us all.”
  
  

• Record Number Gather in Orlando for Annual Timeshare Convention
  U.S. Consumers Show High Product Knowledge and Receptiveness to Timeshare, According to new AIF Study

• $62 Billion in Timeshare Consumer and Business Spending Added to U.S. Economy in 2005, According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  With $8.6 billion in sales and indicators that surpass other resort industries, timeshare is boon to local economies

• Florida Timeshare Industry Contributed $14.3 Billion in 2005 to Statewide Economy,According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  Study reveals 7.9 million timeshare visitors vacationed in Florida in 2005; high growth in sales, jobs and tax revenue over three-year period

• Nevada Timeshare Industry Contributed $2.8 Billion in 2005 to Statewide Economy, According to AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers
  Study reveals 41% increase in economic impact over three-year period as one million timeshare visitors vacationed in Nevada in 2005

• New Brochure Shows Vacationers How To “Own The Fun”
  Free Publication Available Online Offers Tips on Purchasing Timeshare, Vacation Exchange, Selling Timeshare and Resales

• 2007 AIF Open Golf Tournament Information
  Surrounded by the lush green landscape of central Florida, Orange Lake Resort and Country Club will serve as the site for the sixth annual AIF Open Golf Tournament.

• ARDA Awards 20 Professionals with the Industry’s Highest Professional Designation

• ARDA Making Connections with NEW Waterpark Resort Leadership & Development Conference
  ARDA has partnered with AQUATICS INTERNATIONAL and WATERPARK RESORT TODAY—to launch the NEW Waterpark Resort Leadership & Development Conference November 28 at the Las Vegas Hilton.

• Vacation Home Options Redefine Leisure Travel
  Second Home Sales Surge, Representing 40% of Home Sales
  
  
• AIF Study by PricewaterhouseCoopers Reports Robust Financial Indicators In Multibillion Dollar Timeshare Industry
  
  
• Timeshare Industry Continues Strong Growth with 2005 Sales of 8.6 Billion, According to Ernst & Young Study
  4.1 million households own timeshares in U.S.; Occupancy rates far exceed hotels.
  
  
• Timeshare Improves the Vacation Experience for Owners, According to National Study
  Vacation owners are committed travelers who report high satisfaction rates and interest in purchasing again.
  
  
• ARDA Statement on Consumer Protection and Transparency for Alll Vacation Product Purchases
  ARDA continues to call for destination clubs to either comply with existing timeshare regulations or support alternative regulations which must include a third party independent financial guarantee of the membership refund promise and comprehensive disclosures.
  
  
• Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters Lead in Vacation Ownership, According to New Study
  The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) International Foundation released today preliminary results of the new 2006 Timeshare Resort Owners: Who They Are Why They Buy study. The study of 938 recent timeshare buyers was conducted by Ragatz Associates and will be officially released in ...
  
  
• 2006 Sales and Marketing Forum White Paper 
  Read highlights from the Sales and Marketing Forum conducted during the 2006 ARDA Annual Convention. With over 200 leading sales and marketing participants, this highly interactive forum discussed best business practices for ten hot topics, including internet lead generation, consumer-centric sales, and regulatory/environment compliance.
  
  
• Flood Insurance Legislation Passed the House
  Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to overhaul the federal flood-insurance program.
  
  
• ARDA Launches Member News Release Page
  In an effort to broaden news distribution for our members, ARDA has a new Web page for member news releases. If you would like to submit your company’s releases, please email them to editor@arda.org
  
  
• SFAS 152 Executive Summary
  The adoption of SFAS Statement No. 152, Accounting for Real Estate Time-sharing Transactions, which references the financial accounting and reporting guidance for real estate time-sharing transactions provided in AICPA Statement of Position (SOP).
  
  

• Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Signed Into Law
  On Thursday, December 22nd, 2005, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act was signed into law by President Bush.

• Federal Issues Report, November 2005 
  This report includes information on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, Data Security, Immigration Reform, and the Endangered Species Act.

• ARDA launches new Resort Employment Center
  ARDA’s New Resort Employment Center Offers Web-based One-Stop Solution for Job Seekers and Employers in Timeshare Industry.

• FASB issues Statement No. 152, Accounting for Real Estate Timesharing Transactions (AICPA SOP) 
  The Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued the SOP with the intent to improve accounting and reporting of real estate timesharing transactions. The new accounting guidelines are effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.
  

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