Resort Finance America, LLC (“RFA”) today announced that it has acquired a controlling interest in PH Towers Westgate in Las Vegas, Nevada from Westgate Resorts. RFA, which is owned by Centerbridge Capital Partners, L. P. and management, will provide asset management services for this project through its Lantern Asset Management affiliate. RFA has appointed Hilton Grand Vacations to rebrand the property and provide vacation ownership sales and marketing services.

Developed by Westgate Resorts, the PH Towers Westgate resort opened in late 2009 as the largest single vacation ownership building in the world. The sleek 52-story, 1201-unit property offers adjoining access to the Miracle Mile shops and is adjacent to the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino complex. A grand lobby overlooking a spectacular tropical pool, complete with sandy beach and private cabanas, state of the art in-room entertainment systems, and magnificent views of the Las Vegas Strip are among the resort’s most distinctive features.

“This acquisition represents a significant step forward in the implementation of RFA’s strategy to invest in high-quality timeshare projects in partnership with the world’s leading timeshare operators on a fee-for-service basis,” RFA President William T. Phillips said. “We are delighted to announce the selection of Hilton Grand Vacations as our exclusive provider of timeshare services for this project, as well as the rebranding of this property as a Hilton Grand Vacations resort.”

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Exclusive Resorts ( www.exclusiveresorts.com ), the world’s leading private club for luxury vacation experiences, and Wynn Las Vegas ( www.wynnlasvegas.com ) have announced a marketing agreement that provides Exclusive Resorts members with the many benefits of Private Access when staying in Las Vegas. Private Access is a unique invitation available to only a select group of the resort’s guests. The program extends exclusive VIP services and privileged access to entertainment, dining reservations and concierge services at Wynn and Encore resorts.

“At Exclusive Resorts, we are always seeking to enhance our members’ experiences with new luxury benefits and privileges,” said Todd Harris, Senior Vice President of Hospitality and Member Services at Exclusive Resorts. “We are thrilled that members will now have special access to the many exceptional restaurants, shows, spas and salons, nightclubs, the only golf course on the strip and other services available at the superb Wynn and Encore resorts. It truly adds another dimension whenever they are in Las Vegas, and helps exemplify why Exclusive Resorts is about so much more than just your next vacation.”

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Exclusive Resorts ( www.exclusiveresorts.com ), the world’s leading private club for luxury vacation experiences, and Wynn Las Vegas ( www.wynnlasvegas.com ) have announced a marketing agreement that provides Exclusive Resorts members with the many benefits of Private Access when staying in Las Vegas. Private Access is a unique invitation available to only a select group of the resort’s guests. The program extends exclusive VIP services and privileged access to entertainment, dining reservations and concierge services at Wynn and Encore resorts.

“At Exclusive Resorts, we are always seeking to enhance our members’ experiences with new luxury benefits and privileges,” said Todd Harris, Senior Vice President of Hospitality and Member Services at Exclusive Resorts. “We are thrilled that members will now have special access to the many exceptional restaurants, shows, spas and salons, nightclubs, the only golf course on the strip and other services available at the superb Wynn and Encore resorts. It truly adds another dimension whenever they are in Las Vegas, and helps exemplify why Exclusive Resorts is about so much more than just your next vacation.”

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Marriott’s Grand Chateau, located at the center of the high-energy Las Vegas Strip, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) prestigious ENERGY STAR rating, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This signifies that the 40-story-building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency.

“We are thrilled to accept the EPA’s ENERGY STAR in recognition of our energy efficiency efforts,” said Tom McCormack, general manager of Marriott’s Grand Chateau. “Through this achievement, we have demonstrated our ‘Spirit to Preserve’ commitment to the environment while also lowering our energy costs.”

The 427-villa timeshare resort (out of a proposed 895 upon build-out) uses approximately 35 percent less energy than typical buildings its size and also releases 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The resort improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire resort and by making cost-effective improvements to its buildings.

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Winter Park Construction (WPC), one of Central Florida’s largest and most respected general contractors, was recently selected to complete a new retail/office building on Turkey Lake Road in Orlando.

Built for Successo Development, LLC, the $2.2 million two-story building will house the offices of ophthalmologist David M. Pon, MD, MPH,  and his staff as well as other retail businesses.

As Project Manager for the new building, Mickey Duclos reports that construction on the new facility began in March with an expected completion date of August 2010. The 22,556 square foot building will be fabricated of masonry and structural steel with storefront, stucco exterior, and a concrete roof tile system.

Jeff Forrest, President of Winter Park Construction added,  “We are being asked to bid on more and more new construction facilities like this and are honored to do this work. Clearly, the economy is showing signs of upward movement with professionals like Dr. Pon forging ahead to construct their own facilities.

Founded in 1974, Winter Park Construction specializes in the commercial, multi-family, hospitality, student housing, and senior living markets.  WPC has completed projects all over the Southeast United States, Las Vegas, and Cancun, Mexico.

The Orlando Business Journal has ranked Winter Park Construction one of Central Florida’s largest local construction/general contractor companies. With revenues exceeding $200 million, Winter Park Construction has completed over one billion square feet of construction work including over 10,000 timeshare units and 30,000 units in the multi-family sectors. Over 40% of the operations staff with management responsibilities are LEED accredited.

For more information, visit www.wpc.com.

ARDA Announces 2010 Circle of Excellence (ACE) and ARDY Winners

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) recognized their top industry leaders at the annual Awards Gala of the 2010 Convention & Exposition, held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The evening event, sponsored by Holiday Systems International (HSI), showcases the outstanding accomplishments among individuals, teams, resorts, and companies in a variety of categories.

“It’s about recognizing the ‘best of the best’ in the vacation ownership industry,” said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. “We shine the spotlight on those individuals whose peers have nominated them for the impact and perseverance they have shown in their professional lives.”

The ACE Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual whose leadership, professionalism, creativity, reliability and quality standards and ethics are demonstrated in an outstanding body of work. The year’s posthumous recipient, Lynn Weas, RRP, impacted the timeshare industry with his dedication to the growth of ARDA-ROC to a powerful and influential collective voice of millions of timeshare owners. His commitment to the industry is forever endeared by the hundreds of timeshare professionals he mentored.

The ACE Community Service Award recognizes outstanding community contributions by an ARDA member individual or organization. Raising over $2 million in donations, Gold Key Resorts in Virginia Beach was honored with their work uniting over 10,000 participants in the ALS Walk and the ground-breaking of what has now become JT’s Grommet Island Park, a beachfront park that enables people with ALS to come and enjoy the coastline.

The ACE Women on their Way Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who continue to excel and advance in the industry. Yvonne Chang personifies this award with her development in system solutions, opening the first timeshare sales center in a retail mall, and her inspiring dedication to her fellow colleagues of the Disney Vacation Club.

The ACE Philanthropic Award recognizes the outstanding philanthropic effort for a humanitarian cause by an individual or company. This year’s recipient, RCI, was honored for their hard-work and dedication to the over 3,000 students of Christel House International. Their efforts through the Summer of Christel House and the Christel House Open have provided opportunities for children to receive clothes, food, and reliable shelter to break the cycle of poverty and pursue their dreams.

The ACE Innovator Award recognizes those who have successfully implemented a groundbreaking product, service or concept. Concord Servicing Corporation is recognized for their new product, Console, a software tool that works as a workflow decision engine, accelerating the process of organizing collection obligation cases and deciding how best the manage them.

The ACE Employee of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding employee who has demonstrated commitment, loyalty, superior performance, and the willingness to go above and beyond. This year’s recipient, Adriene Edwards of the Welk Resort San Diego property, was honored for her embodiment of timeshare, consistently showing her personal dedication to the product and its owners.

The ACE Employer of the Year Award recognizes an employer that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to its employees. Disney Vacation Club, was honored for their substantial package of benefits for health and medical support, their Center for Living Well wellness program, and their commitment to the employees who were affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

The ACE Volunteer Award is given to a member of ARDA who consistently gives his/her time, energy, creativity, and talents to further ARDA’s goals and objectives. J.P. Ottino is this year’s winner for his excellence in the creation of the ARDA Circle of Excellence Awards and his 20-plus years of service, to the industry and as both chair and co-chair of the Awards Committee.

In addition to the ACE Awards, ARDA awarded ARDY’s to finalists in marketing and sales; management and administration; advertising and promotion; and resort design categories. For a list of winners and finalists, please visit www.ARDA.org/awards.

About ARDA
The American Resort Development Association is the Washington D.C.-based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has over 1,000 members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC). Visit ARDA’s consumer website at www.VacationBetter.org.

Sol Meliá Vacation Club (SMVC), an international vacation membership club with locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and Europe, received a total of four award nominations at the 2010 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Annual Convention and Awards Reception in Las Vegas in the categories of Sales VLO/QAO, Owner/Customer Relations Manager, electronic newsletter and Web Site.  Bringing the gold home for SMVC this year was Wanda Hernandez, Member Services Training Manager.

“I am pleased and proud that Sol Meliá has become so well known in the industry to continue to garner ARDA nominations and awards,” said Denis Ebrill, Sol Meliá Vacation Club’s Executive Vice President.

Sol Meliá Vacation Club Team at the ARDA Awards include from left to right: Raul Ojeda, Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Fior Minaya, Sales Representative Sol Meliá Vacation Club Dominican Republic and nominee for Sales VLO/QAO Award; Wanda Hernandez, Member Services Training Manager and ARDA Award Winner for Customer Relations Manager; Reina Soto, Director of Member Services; Jorge de la Osa, Coporate Counsel and Cuauhtemoc Novello, Director of Corporate Marketing

Sol Meliá Vacation Club is an internationally-branded membership club focusing on leisure lifestyle experiences that include exotic destinations, designer-appointed luxury suites, exclusive services and unforgettable amenities.  Each Sol Meliá Vacation Club vacation experience is different from the other, aligned with local culture and customized to fit Members’ leisure lifestyle needs.

ARDA is the Washington, D.C. based professional association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries.  Established in 1969, ARDA has over 1,000 members today ranging from privately held companies to publicly traded companies and international corporations with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate.

Orlando, Florida based Sol Meliá Vacation Club is part of Spain-based Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts, a 50-year-old international hospitality company with over 350 hotels in 30 countries on five continents.  Sol Meliá Vacation Club Members have more vacation lifestyle options through global luxury accommodations in a variety of unique resort and urban destinations around the world, as well as flexibility to choose length of stay, season and size of unit.  Featured Sol Meliá Vacation Club locations include Cancun, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Puerto Rico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in the Caribbean; Panama in Central America; and the Canary Islands, Spain, in Europe.  For more information, call 866-379-5950, or visit www.smvc.com.

Merlin Software for Vacation Ownership is set to celebrate its tenth anniversary at the upcoming American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Convention taking place March 14th-18th at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The software has been developed by industry veteran Mike Pnematicatos who recently celebrated 25 years in the vacation ownership industry as a resort developer and product innovator. Mike said “as an experienced timeshare and fractional developer, I bring considerable knowledge and expertise to the development of this software. I understand the challenges facing resorts and businesses in the industry today”.

Merlin will be exhibiting at the conference at Booth 457 so drop by during the event for a piece of birthday cake and join the celebrations!

Merlin Software provides a complete, single software solution for today’s vacation ownership business. Developed as state of the art Business Application Software, Merlin is the only software available that is intrinsically web-based because it is served over the internet. It is not functionality that has been added as an afterthought. Users access their Merlin accounts securely via a web browser from anywhere, at any time without the need of expensive or complicated hardware installations. Functionality includes the Merlin marketing, sales, front office and back office modules, stand alone exchange facility and website integration.

The technology platform for Merlin consists of a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 database back end with the front end built using Active Server Pages (Browser Front End).

Merlin will be offering demonstrations of its web-based technology throughout the convention in the Chairman’s League Lounge. Those interested in booking a demo can contact Mike Ashton on 646 233 3503 or email him at: mikea@quickmerlin.com. If an online demo is preferred, please visit www.quickmerlin.com/demo

Timeshare software technology leaders, SPI Software, recently said they plan to unveil new web 2.0 initiatives during the upcoming convention being held by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA). SPI is a sponsor and exhibitor at the ARDA gathering taking place March 14th-18th at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

As part of the company’s OrangeWeb package, the new web-based modules continue to leverage SPI’s Microsoft.NET technology platform. The latest modules to be announced will provide Web-based functionality that assist timeshare resorts to handle owner servicing, reservations, marketing and sales.
Matt Brosious, Vice-president of sales and marketing for SPI adds, “We are very excited to unveil OrangeWeb and to answer the industry need for an integrated web strategy. There is really no longer any need to develop expensive custom web-based timeshare software. We are particularly pleased with the enthusiastic reception OrangeWeb has garnered from our clients and prospects. “

During the ARDA Convention, SPI will be providing demonstrations of how its new Orange Software enables timeshare resorts and vacation clubs to effectively manage all facets of operations with efficiency and economy. Interested parties are encouraged to reserve a demo appointment by calling Brosious at 1-305-858-9595. SPI is located at ARDA booth #343.

About SPI Software
SPI Software provides developers and operators of vacation ownership (timeshare, fractional, private residence club and others using either traditional or points-based usage strategies) with Microsoft .NET-based software as either an enterprise suite of software called Orange Systems, or in specific modules to handle marketing, sales, property management, finance, maintenance fee and receivables servicing, centralized reservations or Website access operations. Founded in 1978 and based in Miami, FL, SPI can be reached at 305-858-9505, sales@spiinc.com or www.spisoftware.com.

Marriott And Bluegreen Report High Value In Organization

Women in the Industry (WIN) is pleased to announce two more of its initial corporate members have recommitted to another year of support. As a founding benefactor and sponsor of WIN’s recent Florida Regional Meeting, Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI) has re-enlisted as a champion of the two-year old non-profit organization.

“We are impressed that WIN has kept many our key industry employees engaged and productive during these tenuous times,” said Lani Kane-Hanan, Sr. Vice President at MCVI.  “We support the concept of diversity that WIN so enthusiastically promotes, but as importantly we’ve seen some concrete benefits such as educational and training sessions held by the organization.”

Bluegreen Corporation, which also sponsored the WIN Florida event, has signed up once again as a corporate patron for 2010.  “The WIN group accomplished so much at a grass roots level in the past two years that we are proud to be established as one of its growing roster of corporate members.  Its education committee is formulating an impressive platform of research studies which will give us a body of knowledge to improve our product and the way it is marketed over the next few years,” said John M. Maloney, Jr, President and CEO.

Women in the Industry (WIN) advocates, educates and connects women in the vacation industry.  It is a dynamic, diverse, non-partisan global organization providing leadership, mentoring, philanthropic and educational opportunities to women and those who support women; connecting members locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

The group will also hold their annual networking event during the annual American Resort and Development Association (ARDA) Convention in Las Vegas on March 16th from 5:30-7:30 at the Double Helix at the Venetian Resort.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, individual or corporate member of WIN, call Cathy Backus at 858.344.2139.