February 2010 Developments - 24

Membership New Trustees Find Valueevelopments sat down with a few new Trustee members to see the reasons for their increased ARDA involvement and what ROI they’re looking for in the new year. In becoming a new ARDA Trustee Member, you have increased your financial commitment in support of ARDA’s body of work during a challenging financial period. Why did you find it important to become a VIP at the highest level of membership with ARDA at this time? Joyce: It is the opinion of my partners and me that during periods of stress, leadership is needed more than ever. We hope that with other industry representatives that we can solve some of the complex issues that face not only our staff and employees but also our customers. Preston: During these challenging economic times for our industry, ARDA’s mission and role have become more critical than any other time in recent memory. My partner and I view our continuing role as active members and supporters of ARDA as a duty to our industry and an indispensable aspect of our practice. Thus, upon forming our own firm, one of our first decisions was to join ARDA as a Trustee member. ARDA may need us, but we and our industry need a healthy and vital ARDA even more. Tappan: As someone who believes in ARDA’s mission and the continued well-being of the industry, I wanted to make the commitment to be a Trustee member. As ARDA’s public relations and communications counselors, my firm, Weber Merritt Public Affairs, and I felt it would be the right thing to do to “put our money where our mouth is” and support ARDA and all of its advocacy efforts on behalf of the vacation ownership industry. VIP membership is generally viewed as a longer term commitment to the association—what do you envision as ARDA’s key strategic goals for the future? Joyce: ARDA will be challenged in a number of ways in the near future. Historically during recoveries, it has been my experience that regulators overcompensate for perceived problems, which can actually complicate finding solutions. We hope to participate with industry leaders to help shape a recovery in our sector that is workable and will lead to long-term stability. Preston: We envision two key strategic roles for ARDA in the future: (1) to continue to lead the self-regulation and healthy promotion and growth of our industry in the United States, and (2) to focus on its role as a much-needed leader in the international resort development industry. My partner and I have always championed ARDA’s liaison with resort development industry organizations abroad, particularly in Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America, and we offer ARDA the benefit of our experience working on the international scene for so many years, as the industry expands its mission through cooperative efforts, such as the ARDA-Caribbean initiative. Tappan: ARDA has a set of difficult tasks ahead in this challenging economic and regulatory environment. Echoing the consensus of ARDA members at the 2009 Fall Conference, I would say that ARDA’s strategic goals are to advocate for more liquid markets and access to capital, divert the seemingly ongoing efforts by states and localities to impose specious tax schemes on developers and timeshare owners, and continue the drumbeat of educating consumers about the benefits and value of vacationing through timeshare. With the 2010 ARDA Convention just around the corner, how do you view your new leadership role, and what is one of your goals when we meet in Las Vegas? Joyce: I will attend this year’s convention and will be available to speak with any members to find solutions not just for financing issues but for new ways to strengthen the core commitment to product delivery, which is essential to maintaining value and integrity in the marketplace. Preston: First and foremost, we must maintain and project optimism about the future success of our industry. We should strive to learn from the tough experiences that the recent crisis has forced upon all of us. In Las Vegas, we should seek ways to interact with fellow ARDA members to enhance the opportunity to come away with positive guidance and information as we continue to ride the waves (hopefully now nearing the end of the storm) of this crisis. Tappan: Having been involved with ARDA for nearly four years, I’d like to continue to assist ARDA in furthering industry goals and objectives, from both the economic and legislative/regulatory perspective. This is a great industry, and my goal for this coming convention is to meet as many of those members of ARDA I haven’t already met and to catch up with those I already know. My primary goal at the 2010 Convention, however, is to work with ARDA and key members to find the most effective ways to put this industry back on-track for growth. Developments • February 2010

February 2010 Developments

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2010 Developments