Compass President and timeshare veteran Jay Finley, RRP, plans to add Fox Hills Resort to mix of coast-to-coast destinations.

Independent sales and marketing experts specializing in mature timeshare resorts, Compass Resort Group, announced they are bringing Fox Hills Resort, located in Mishicot, Wisconsin, into their family of small-to-mid-sized, resorts.

According to Compass President Jay C. Finley III, RRP, “Fox Hills offers vacationers year-round entertainment, whether it’s a get-away in mid-winter for the kids to enjoy the indoor pool and activities, or a summer golfing vacation on the property’s 45 links. We believe a number of customers in the surrounding market – people from Wisconsin, Illinois and on out to Minnesota – will not only be interested in buying into a vacation here, but will also enjoy visiting our other properties in Branson, California, Florida and Texas.”

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Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) one of the nation’s most respected travel clubs, has recently assumed responsibility for the property management and onsite rental program for the whole ownership condo/hotel units at the Beso Del Sol Resort in Dunedin, Florida.

Located on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, Beso Del Sol, one of five company-owned resorts, was acquired in July 2008. After its purchase, the waterfront property enjoyed a multi-million dollar renovation project of the nearly 80 units and common areas.

GCI will provide all condominium maintenance and housekeeping services on behalf of the developer as the resort’s property management company. Additionally, the on-site rental and guest services office will be professionally managed and staffed by GCI employees for owners desiring to participate in their program. GCI has an impressive record of success with the development and management of numerous resort properties and over 300 individually owned condo units throughout the U.S. and beyond.

GCI will be utilizing internet-marketing distribution channels for the promotion of its onsite rental inventory. There will be a new marketing focus on weddings and special events.

Selected as General Manager of the Beso Del Sol Resort is Lou Anne Karlin, a veteran of more than five years in the hospitality arena. Karlin previously handled sales, marketing and special events planning for a large international non-profit organization.  Utilizing her expertise in this highly specialized field, GCI plans to transform the Beso Del Sol Resort into a popular destination location for special gatherings.

The whole ownership condominiums include a mix of garden and Gulf-view studio units, as well as one- and two-bedroom townhouses, plus direct Gulf-front studio units. Amenities include two swimming pools, hot tub, oceanfront sundeck, fitness center and video game room, private pier with deep-water boat slips available for sale or rent, plus a Tiki bar and grill. A waterfront restaurant is planned for the near future.

As a leader in the growing travel industry, the 21-year old Global Connections provides its 150,000 members with a host of benefits and vacationing options to more than 700 resorts located from the Midwest to the Caribbean. GCI is the owner and developer of five resorts in California, Colorado, Florida and Tennessee and also owns multiple resort condominium units in Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Partner alliances with exchange and cruise organizations, along with owned and leased properties provide on-demand locations in popular vacation destinations around the world for the company’s expanding member base. The company’s 28 sales centers are located in 20 states and are distributors of its travel club product, Global Discovery Vacations. For additional information, contact Melanie Gring at 561-417-7559 or mgring@gcitravel.net

The staff of Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) one of the nation’s most respected travel clubs, has generously helped its local SPCA by raising money for abused and neglected animals in their area.

Employees from Global’s Clearwater, Florida office entered the 5th annual SPCA (Society for the Prevention & Cruelty to Animals) Bowl-A-Thon to raise money, registering as the Beso Del Sol team, representing Global Connection’s new resort in Dunedin, Florida.

Participants included Heather Love, Nirce Barbaro, Marcia McGinley, Ron Parham and Kelli Brazier.  The team grew from five to twelve members as friends and supporters joined in the day-long bowling event.

The Global Connections team exceeded their initial goal of $1,000, raising nearly $1,300, which landed them in third place for overall donations. Their winnings included a trophy and a gift basket filled to the brim with gift certificates to various local restaurants and businesses along with dog toys, which were donated back to the SPCA.

L - R: Global Connections employees: Kelli Brazier, Marcia McGinley, Nirce Barbaro, and Heather Love

The SPCA was formed 65 years ago and does not receive any State or Federal tax dollars.
Added Kelli Brazier, Member Fulfillment Manager, “We’ve all been instrumental in finding homes for unwanted and rescue animals for years and decided this would be the ideal opportunity to raise money for a cause dear to our hearts, while also working together as a team. It was incredible to see how many people really care.  A sincere thank you is extended to each of our sponsors!”

Employees of GCI in Overland Park, Kansas also recently helped to raise over $40,000 to benefit Quest to Walk, an exercise-based spinal cord injury recovery center founded by one of its employees.

As a leader in the growing travel industry, the 21-year old Global Connections provides its 125,000 members with a host of benefits and vacationing options to more than 700 resorts located from the Midwest to the Caribbean. GCI is the owner and developer of five resorts in California, Colorado, Florida and Tennessee and also owns multiple resort condominium units in Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Partner alliances with exchange and cruise organizations, along with owned and leased properties provide on-demand locations in popular vacation destinations around the world for the company’s expanding member base. The company’s 28 sales centers are located in 20 states and are distributors of its travel club product, Global Discovery Vacations. For additional information, contact Melanie Gring at 561-417-7559 or mgring@gcitravel.net

Winter Park Construction (WPC), one of Central Florida’s largest and most respected general contractors has recently been selected to direct a $16.6 million refurbishment at the 1,450-acre, Kissimmee-based Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort as well as two of their other Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. The yearlong project will include the total interior renovation and upgrade of 224 two-bedroom golf villas and the soft-goods renovation of 408 one, two- and three-bedroom units at the popular vacation ownership properties.

The timeshare developer Orange Lake Resorts, with more than 25 years in the industry, recently became Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort as a result of their recent marketing alliance with IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group), creating the Holiday Inn Club Vacations timeshare brand. The two companies share a common heritage, customer profile and vision for growth, with Kemmons Wilson having founded IHG’s Holiday Inn hotel chain in 1952 and creating Orange Lake Resort in 1982.
In announcing the new contract, Jeff Forrest, President of Winter Park Construction,

(WPC) added that Charlie Cecil has been named to direct the Holliday Inn Club Vacations project. A 25-year veteran in the construction industry and 14 years with Winter Park Construction, Cecil is Manager of the company’s Renovation/ Special Projects Division.

The new assignment will be completed in three phases, beginning in January 2010 and finalized in December. During the renovation project, Winter Park Construction will remove all furnishings, complete interior paint and millwork detail, replace carpeting and ceramic flooring, add new granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms and install plumbing and lighting fixtures, all new soft-goods, case-goods, window treatments, artwork and accessories.

Added Forrest, “We are proud of Winter Park Construction’s 29-year relationship with Orange Lake Resort, having built virtually built every structure on this property. In 2009, we launched our Renovations/Special Projects Division that specializes in multi-unit renovations and are currently completing a 108-unit soft-goods renovation at Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort.”

Commented Tammy Oliver, Sr. Director – Warehouse Services for Orange Lake, “I look forward to working with Winter Park Construction in the coming year. They are unsurpassed in their experience within our industry and truly understand what it takes to create a home-away-from-home for our owners and guests. Holiday Inn Club Vacations is growing at a rapid pace, and as we expand outside of Central Florida, it’s like having an extended family growing with us.”

Added Forrest, “While this will be a construction challenge, we will be working closely with the Project Management Team to ensure that there is no inconvenience to guests during peak occupancy times.”

Founded in 1974, Winter Park Construction specializes in the hospitality, commercial, multi-family, studenthousing, 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. Engineering News-Record Magazine also lists them as one of the nation’s Top 400 Contractors. 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.

In announcing the new assignment, Forrest added, “More than 80% of our work is repeat business; we are honored to once again be assisting Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort and its member resorts with their construction needs. Our continuing goal is to provide a construction experience that exceeds our clients’ expectations.” For more information, visit www.wpc.com.

About Holiday Inn Club Vacations
Holiday Inn Club Vacations was created in September 2008 as a strategic alliance between IHG, the world’s largest hotel company, and Orange Lake Resorts, a leader within the timeshare industry with more than 25 years of proven success.  Holiday Inn Club Vacation’s flagship property in Orlando, located next to Walt Disney World® Resort, was established in 1982 by Holiday Inn founder Kemmons Wilson.  A 1,450-acre golf, water park and sports resort, Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort includes 2,478 villas and plans for expansion to 4,500 villas.  Other member resort locations include Lake Geneva, Wis., Panama City, Fla. Brownsville, Vt., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Gatlinburg, Tenn.  Holiday Inn Club members enjoy access to Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts and IHG’s network of more than 4,200 hotels worldwide.  Holiday Inn Club Vacations will continue to expand their Member Resorts to top North American destination locations.  For more information on Holiday Inn Club Vacations, visit www.hiclubvacations.com.

Global Connections, Inc. (GCI) has recently launched its new Global Discovery Vacations (GDV) members-only website to serve the needs of more than 150,000 members. The newly enhanced website allows members to make online reservations and to escape, explore and discover all the possibilities and benefits available with their Global Discovery Vacations membership.

Created by Global Connections, the GDV club product offers a membership based on Star Credits, similar to timeshare’s points-based programs, designed to allow GDV members to select a program to fit their lifestyle and budget. Global Connections provides total fulfillment of each member’s request from lodging to airline to cruises and ensures that members’ vacations are a rewarding experience.

Explains Global VP of Operations Catherine Wunder, “The functionality of the GDV website has been greatly enhanced by adding features such as information on cruise exchanges, Express Cruises (last minute cruise vacation deals) and Global VIP themed group cruises. Members can now use the website to reserve resort condominiums, request forms for Discount Weeks, learn more about their travel history and renew their membership online.”

A vacation calculator helps members determine the cost of Value Week and Expressway Weeks and an account overview advises members the balance of Star Credit available for future bookings. A new section provides online answers to members’ most frequently-asked questions while another section dubbed “the traveler” provides industry news and travel alerts.

During 2008, GDV members used over 28,000 condominium weeks in almost 700 resorts located from Hawaii to the Caribbean. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, GDV was formed in the early 90s. Global Connections’ 28 sales centers located in 20 states and are distributors of its GDV travel club product.

Global Connections has developed and owns many of its properties with resorts currently located throughout the State of Florida and in California, Tennessee, and Colorado. The company also owns multiple resort condominium units in Florida, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Partner alliances with exchange and cruise organizations, along with owned and leased properties provide on-demand locations in popular vacation destinations around the world for the company’s expanding member base.

For additional information, contact Melanie Gring at 561-417-7559 or mgring@gcitravel.net