Dial-An-Exchange Reinforces Global Growth at ARDA World Convention

Dial An Exchange (DAE), who recently exhibited at the ARDA World Convention, continued to receive incredible feedback from industry colleagues about its recent expansions and increased visibility within the market, a press release stated.

Innovative concepts, such as the Global Advantage Program, have allowed DAE to successfully grow its brand and its visibility within the market.

Record numbers of timeshare owners who are looking for alternatives to the traditional system of exchanging have been using DAE’s fresh approach to exchanging, resulting in an overall global increase of 22% in timeshare exchanges in 2012.

During the ARDA World Convention, DAE promoted its new programs to more than 3,000 industry professionals, from an eye catching exhibit booth in the convention center of the Westin Diplomat hotel, Hollywood, FL.

“The ARDA convention is great for us. It allows us to meet with our prospects and clients face to face to discuss new products, services and gives us all an opportunity to catch up with all our industry partners,” said Fermin Cruz, VP Americas Region.

“Creating new products to offer is a requirement in our changing market. Our partners have needs for innovative solutions and we are striving to meet those needs with the quality of service that has been a large reason for our growth over the years,”Cruz said.

With its recent global expansions and steadily growing membership, DAE continues to be the largest privately-owned timeshare exchange company in the world. DAE offices are being built all over the globe to meet the growing demand of its clients.

Such offices, like the newest location in Munich, Germany, services customers and resorts across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Croatia.

Other centrally located offices in Europe such as the location in Bulgaria serves members across Eastern Europe, including Russia, Greece and Turkey, with the ability to service those customers in their native languages.

These new locations add to the long list of already established locations worldwide such as the United States, China, India, South Africa, Thailand, New Zealand and DAE’s corporate headquarters on the Gold Coast of Australia.

Dial-An-Exchange is the timeshare exchange provider for RedWeek members.

DAE membership benefits include a Free membership option, Gold Advantage membership option, low exchange fees, a 3-year credit for every banked week, 24/7 live access to exchange weeks, personalized customer service, worldwide vacation availability, discounted rental weeks in prime locations and informative monthly e-Newsletters providing travel tips, destination ideas and money saving promotions and offers.

At DAE, the timeshare owners’ needs come first and foremost and quality of service is never compromised.

Technology a Big Focus at ARDA World 2013

Over 3,000 delegates from 35 countries representing the shared ownership industry were at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa this past week in Hollywood, Florida,for one of the top events on the timeshare calendar – ARDA World 2013.

The event’s global sponsors include some of the biggest names in travel, including American Express, Diamond Resorts International, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Starwood Vacation Ownership, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, RCI and Interval International.

The conference, was held from April 7-11, 2013, and more than ever the emphasis was on technology.

Key presentations include Don Tapscott’s talk on “The strategic value of IT Investment” with many other educational sessions on the subject that covered everything from Internet marketing to using software to provide better customer service.

SPI Software was one of the exhibitors, and VP of Customer Service Gordon McClendon participated on a panel session entitled “Pork Chops and Applesauce…Technology to Satisfy Customers.”

The SPI Software booth showcased SPI Orange, a system which offers cloud-based solutions for owner/member websites and remote access management.

 SPI Orange encompasses the full range of the vacation ownership enterprise from Marketing, Sales, Reservations, Maintenance Billing and Loan Servicing and main benefits include:

1. Industry Best Practices/improve business operations.
2. Reduced time required for routine tasks.
3. Nimble adaptation to changing business environment
4. Lower Costs.
5. Superior reporting
6. Immediate Access to On-going Technology Development
7. Enhanced Customer Experience

Breckenridge Grand Vacations Dominates Sales and Marketing Awards Finalists at ARDA

Breckenridge Grand Vacations has once again made a major impact in the Awards program of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

The success in the annual international competition for the best timeshare sales and marketing teams and individuals is a credit to the company, said David Stroeve, RRP, Vice President of Sales.

“We are made up of the right people, doing the right things and treating people right.”

Over the past eight years, Dave and his team have won the prestigious ARDY in numerous categories. This year is no different. When the winners are announced this week at ARDA World 2013 in Hollywood, FL, Breckenridge Grand Vacations (BGV) will be again represented by a slate of stellar finalists.

In the category of Marketing Team, the BGV Event Team is a top ranked finalist. Last year the BBGV Marketing Services Team won the “ARDY” for best in the world.

Also nominated this year is John Liner for his excellence as Sales Management Executive. Two returnees to the limelight are Drew Meirow and Brent Henry, both finalists last year in the categories of Traditional Line and In-House Salespersons.

The entire In-house sales Team of Grand Lodge on Peak 7 has been named as finalists in the ARDA award program. Last year the Project Team at Grand Lodge on Peak 7 carried home the highest honor.

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is the parent company of Gold Point Resort, Grand Timber Lodge and the Grand Lodge on Peak 7. Timeshare rentals start at $143/night.

Upcoming shortly is a very high end, luxury 75-unit timeshare which will be located at the base of Peak 8. The groundbreaking is scheduled for this spring.

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort Hosts Sister City Visitors from Japan

Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort, the iconic Carlsbad timeshare resort and hotel managed by Grand Pacific Resort Management, was host to four students and three chaperones from Futtsu, Japan. Futtsu and Carlsbad are celebrating their 25th Anniversary as Sister Cities.

 “We are proud to be the first stop for these enthusiastic young people,” said Randy Chapin, General Manager of the Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort.

The group from Japan has a full slate of activities including a meeting with the city’s mayor Matt Hall, an All-American BBQ at a private home, visits to the world-famous Flower Fields and Gemological Institute (GIA), LEGOLAND®, and the Carlsbad Outlet Mall.

According to Tom Hersant, President of Carlsbad Sister City Ambassadors, the reaction to Carlsbad has been “dizzyingly pleasant. We started their trip with a stay at one of the area’s best properties, and the Carlsbad Inn of course was tailor made for the task. We are proud that one of the former visitors we have hosted has even been a mayoral candidate in his home town of Futtsu.” 

Other activities lined up for this jam-packed tour include a meeting with the Japanese Counsel and visit to the Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, a Petco Park tour and an interview with Carlsbad High School TV. 

During the tsunami relief efforts La Costa Elementary School raised $1000 for Futtsu and this year these Japanese students were able to visit the students at the school. They brought with them Japanese text books as a gift on behalf of the grateful citizens of Carlsbad’s Sister City.

“We are pleased to represent our community in this important effort to build relationships worldwide,” said Chapin.

"In fact, we will also shortly play host to our other sister city’s Lord Mayor. Carlsbad was named after Karloby Vary in the Czech Republic and its leadership will be our guests when they come here,” Chapin said.

Award-winning Grand Pacific Resort Management (Carlsbad, California) is one of the oldest and largest vacation ownership companies based in California. Serving over 60,000 owner-families every year, GPRM has developed and manages 18 resorts in the United States and Canada.