At the American Resort Development Association, proactive advocacy is a cornerstone of our work. Our team of dedicated government relations professionals work tirelessly to promote and defend the vacation ownership industry at the local, state, federal, and even international levels. It’s why ARDA is known as the Voice of the Vacation Ownership Industry.
With elections taking place in states across the nation in November, many new elected officials are being sworn in at all levels of government. ARDA is committed to continuing to educate new and returning policymakers and forging strong relationships so that the industry continues to be recognized as a key sector of the hospitality industry.
At the federal level, Republicans secured control of the U.S. House of Representatives with a 222-213 majority, while the U.S. Senate remains under Democratic control with a 51-49 majority following the results of the runoff election in Georgia earlier this month. Overall, the 118th Congress will include 84 newly elected members. With timeshare issues increasingly reaching across state borders and into federal jurisdiction, it is a priority of the ARDA government relations team to get to know these new members, forming relationships that matter and make a difference, and ensure they are all up to date on the latest issues impacting the industry.
At the state level, as it was at the federal level, there are many new members elected to state legislatures and assemblies, as well as city and county commissions. With policy issues impacting the timeshare industry arising in state capitals across the country, ARDA relies on its Legislative Policy Council (LPC), established in 2020 and comprised of 25 member companies, which helps the government relations team educate local elected leaders, set priorities and direct resources toward the best possible outcomes for policies that impact the industry and owners’ interests. The LPC serves ARDA’s diverse business interests that include the Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC), developers, managers, fixed-week and points owners from coast to coast. The LPC is a melting pot of all legislative interests for these stakeholders. Together, ARDA and the LPC will be diligently working in the coming months to meet with and educate new policymakers in these states.
Additionally, 30 states and the District of Columbia held elections for attorney general. Ultimately, 14 new state attorneys general were elected, while incumbents were re-elected in several key states, including Florida, Colorado, Nevada, New York and South Carolina. Attorneys general play a key role in protecting timeshare owners, with several taking action to stop timeshare exit company scams over the last year. Recognizing the importance of state attorneys general to the industry, members and owners, ARDA actively works to build and maintain relationships with attorneys general throughout the country and to educate them on relevant timeshare issues.
In an exciting industry with ever-evolving products to meet the demands of consumers, the ARDA government relations team, along with local LPC members, strives to make sure that laws and regulations continue to foster and support the timeshare industry and all timeshare owners alike. Thanks to the ARDA International Foundation’s (AIF) ongoing research, the team is equipped with invaluable information on the timeshare industry, including economic impact, industry trends, owner usage and trends, and much more, which serves as a key component of ARDA’s advocacy and education efforts.
As the frontline advocate for the industry, ARDA is at the forefront of what is coming and what is yet to come. From heading off and responding to issues that affect the industry to promoting the industry and the great work of our members, ARDA remains committed to serving as the leading voice of vacation ownership.
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