February 2010 Developments - 41

RegisteR nd save! y 10 a o febRuaR is als Ry 10 ebRua f ake e to m befoR adlin e the de tende he at into t Ry it "indust g, the listin ok" Phonebo acation ownership is a people industry, and nowhere is this more evident than at an ARDA Convention. Old friends joyfully meet up, new business relationships are forged, and groundbreaking ideas spring forth during educational sessions, at exhibit hall booths, and in discussions everywhere. The energized conversations and strong connections create a visceral buzz. In an age where e-mail, text messages, PDAs, mobile apps, and social networking seem to bring people closer, there’s still nothing like face-to-face encounters and the energy of an ARDA Convention to spark new ideas and solidify relationships. Typically 83 percent of attendees are executive level, seasoned professionals, and for most, networking and finding the latest in products and thinking is the reason to be there. “I attend many seminars and check out the exhibitors, but it’s the in-between session meetings that are the most informative,” notes Gaetan Babin, RRP, director of sales, Aviawest Resorts. “These (delegates) are the top guns of our industry and everyone is ready to share. After attending 16 consecutive ARDA conventions, I can confidently say that there is no function like it.” John E. Small, chairman, ResortCom International, agrees. “We generally bring eight to ten people to ARDA. We look to learn where the successes have taken place, what has made them possible and how to translate them into usable action plans. Normally, we learn of two or three new ideas or products that have evolved over the year.” “Everyone is pushing to think differently and be more creative,” says Small. “Networking and relationship-building with those in complementary or similar businesses and finding new ways to solve seemingly insurmountable problems are among the most important aspects of attending ARDA.” From five-minute “Speed Lead” meetings to participatory forums, the 2010 ARDA Convention and Exposition, March 14-18 in Las Vegas will foster increased interactivity among participants. The mood promises to be forward-thinking and optimistic. “Resorts have worked through one of the most challenging financial climates in the history of our industry,” says Darla Zanini, RRP, executive vice president, ARDA International Foundation. “Most companies have weathered the worst of the challenges by downsizing their organizations, slowing sales, and focusing on more cost-effective sales and marketing. The nation seems to have come through the recession, so our focus will be on how our industry can grow and thrive in the new normal,” Zanini notes. Social media, customer care, resales, and new sources of financing are hot topics this year and are likewise the focus of educational sessions and forums. Delegates will be looking to suppliers for new solutions to help finance, build, design, furnish, equip, manage, and market their properties. For many, the search for innovation means spending time with companies they are not yet doing business with, as well as those they are. “We visit every exhibitor to see if there is a product that we can utilize,” says Melanie Gring, vice president of marketing, Global Connections, Inc., a travel club that attends as both exhibitor and developer. February 2010 • Developments V Promoting inteRACtivitY This year, several innovations to the typical format promise to make forming these mission-critical connections easier than ever.

February 2010 Developments

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