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Disclaiming a timeshare inheritance

TimeSharing Today Magazine discusses disclaiming a timeshare inheritance TimeSharing Today explores whether heirs or beneficiaries of deceased owners can disclaim their timeshare inheritance, and how timeshare association boards can respond to these situations. By Robert L. Kaplan, Attorney  The graying of America is having a significant impact on the timeshare industry.  It is apparent in […]

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Top ten tips and hacks to best use your point-based timeshare!

A point-based timeshare allows owners to use their allotted points for various vacation options at different locations and times throughout the year. With this flexibility, owners can maximize their investment by using their points for shorter trips or upgrading to higher-end accommodations. It’s a great way to enjoy vacations without the hassle of owning a […]

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Top ten reasons behind the rising need for timeshare exchange companies!

Timeshare exchange companies have become increasingly important in recent years for several reasons. These organizations provide a valuable service to timeshare owners, allowing them to exchange their timeshare weeks or points for stays at other resorts worldwide.  Here are the top ten reasons behind the rising need for timeshare exchange companies: In conclusion, timeshare exchange companies have become […]

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Annual Lightning Report explores 2022’s extremes

According to Vaisla, a global leader in weather, environmental, and industrial measurements, Four Corners, Florida was the 2022 Lightning Capital of the United States The 2022 Annual Lightning Report highlights in a flash: Thunderstorms develop when warm, moist air rises in the atmosphere and forms towering clouds in which collisions of ice crystals, water droplets, and […]

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Tahoe – The Sierras’ Winter Wonderland

With the winter weather in Lake Tahoe making headlines, the 2023 season is starting out with high hopes, and a few bumps. An intense series of storms began at the end of December, and continued into late January, bringing a seemingly endless cycle of wind, rain, ice, and snow. Locals have found this to be an […]

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A taste of winter

By Kathryn Smith, Glendale, AZ My husband, Larry, and I live in the Phoenix, AZ, area, so we rarely see snow. Our recent outing to Sedona, AZ, was a delightful short interlude to winter—something our son Xander needed, as he was missing the Midwest. Things for this trip did not begin well, as sometimes the […]

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State of disaster declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott

In response to the threat to property damages and loss of life posed by high winds, destructive tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding in parts of the state,  on January 26, 2023, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott formally declared the following state of disaster.    TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: WHEREAS, I, GREG ABBOTT, […]

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The weather outside is dreadful

Millions of travelers will face what is forecasted as a dangerous blizzard that will hit the Midwest, Great Lakes, and other regions of the country. Damaging winds will impact the East Coast. All this will result in a travel nightmare for those hitting the road or are planning to fly. Many are moving up their […]

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Top-ranked timeshare resorts

By George Leposky, editor We recently looked at two sets of 2022 rankings for popular timeshare resorts:  • Redweek’s Top 25 resorts—those that received the most rental bookings and inquiries on Redweek.com (https://www.redweek.com/top-25-timeshare-rental-resorts). • Attractions of America’s list of the Top 10 Timeshare Resorts in United States (https://www.attractionsofamerica.com/travel/top-10-timeshare-resorts-in-united-states.php). Since most of those listed are properties […]

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Communication tools for resort management

By Kelsey Fagan Communication is essential to maintaining a strong relationship between a management company, theresort, and the association. Communication is always a key to effective management. At GetAways Resort Management, we strive always to maintain a healthy relationship with our managedproperties through multiple communication channels. We consider our board members and owners aspartners, and […]

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Staffing issues at Magic Tree Resort

By Paula DiPaola Magic Tree Resort in Kissimmee, FL, has had its challenges for the past two and a half years.  We overcame masks, sanitizer shortage, electrostatic sprayers going from $500 to $1,700, a shortage of toilet paper, and so many more—but how do we deal with no help.   Magic Tree is budgeted for 11 […]

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TIMESHARE BOARDMANSHIP: Minutes and motions do matter 

By Lynne Kweder Q. As a new member of the board of directors of my timeshare resort’s owners’ association, I have been given many documents to read and study, including the minutes of the board meetings during the last two years.  I find these minutes to be confusing and disturbing. They contain lengthy discussions reflecting […]

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EV chargers at timeshare resorts: if, when, what kind, how many?  

By George Leposky, editor President Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law on November 15, 2021, contemplates a $7.5 billion investment in grant and incentive programs for state and local governments and the private sector to build a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargers by 2030. Assuming Congress actually appropriates all […]

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TimeSharing Today magazine explores timeshare points programs pros and cons

A special feature published in TimeSharing Today’s January/February 2022 printed edition Points programs dominate the vacation-ownership marketplace and have been adopted by all major timeshare developers. Points pioneer Jim Marmorstone recalls the concept’s early history from its origins in the 1970s to its growing acceptance in the 1990s. Today, points programs encompass over half of […]

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TIMESHARE BOARDMANSHIP: Should boards Zoom?

By Lynne M. Kweder Q. The pandemic has forced us to hold our last several board meetings electronically. The management company has been hosting computer meetings using a software program which enables them to put our board materials up on our computer screens. We can hear but cannot see our management, nor can we see […]

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Consolidation fever

By George Leposky The first quarter of 2021 saw major shifts in the lineup of corporate timeshare companies:  • Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) announced the purchase of Diamond Resorts International. • Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp. agreed to acquire Welk Resorts. • Wyndham Destinations announced the acquisition of the popular travel brand Travel + Leisure from […]

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Public Health Officials Lift Regional Stay at Home Order for All Regions

Conditions Improving Statewide, Allowing Most Counties to Return to Most Strict (Purple) Tier of Blueprint for a Safer Economy  With Pandemic Far from Over, Californians Urged to Wear Masks, Limit Mixing, Get Vaccinated When Eligible SACRAMENTO – Officials with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today ended the Regional Stay at Home Order, lifting […]

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Resorts’ pandemic protection still paramount

By George Leposky, editor, TimeSharing Today “It ain’t over till it’s over.” – Yogi Berra Timeshare resorts and their owners and guests need to maintain the pandemic protocols they put in place last year as the COVID-19 virus spread.  Despite the U.S. government’s emergency use authorization of vaccines to prevent this virulent infection, the pandemic […]

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Wyndham Destinations Acquires Travel + Leisure Brand from Meredith Corporation in Strategic Alliance; Wyndham Destinations to Be Renamed Travel + Leisure Co.

Leading leisure travel company has acquired the iconic, trusted travel brand to accelerate its strategic plan to broaden reach with launch of new travel …

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DOT’s new rule leaves consumers more vulnerable to unfair and deceptive airline industry practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new rule issued late last Friday during a holiday weekend by the U.S. Department of Transportation will make it more difficult[…]

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News release from the Culinary Union

Culinary Union files a lawsuit against major Las Vegas Strip casino companies in order to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace Las Vegas, NV – Culinary Union filed a lawsuit Monday, June 29th, 2020 on behalf of Culinary Union members who work in casinos on the Las Vegas Strip in order to […]

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Travel Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

By Linda Reid On March 7th, just three weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled “Virus prompts change in plans.” Now it’s March 28th. In that short window of time, unimaginable changes have taken place throughout the U.S. and the world. I suggested assessing travel plans by weighing risk vs. benefit in making decisions whether […]

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Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus

Avoid Coronavirus Scams Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:

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Pandemic: History repeating itself

By Evan Wechman Many experts see the Spanish Flu of 1918 as the last time U.S. citizens engaged in massive self-quarantines and social distancing prior to this year’s terrible outbreak of the Coronavirus. Though in 1918, the strain of influenza that caused a global pandemic often was referred to as the “Spanish Flu,” the virus […]

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Treat your toilets well during pandemic

Whether your resort is officially open or closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, you probably have some people around, and what they flush down the toilets could add to your woes.  The pandemic announcement initially caused a run on toilet paper in many locations, prompting shortages and the use of facial tissues, flushable wipes, napkins, newspapers, […]

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Reported declines in international travel to the U.S.

Does this impact on timeshare rentals and exchanges? By Evan Wechman The shooting this past August in El Paso, TX, and Dayton, Ohio left many Americans in a state of fear.  The perception of U.S. gun violence abroad maybe hurting the travel industry, as well.  According to most data, there has been a sharp decline […]

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2019’s Best Cities for Vegetarians & Vegans – WalletHub Study

With Oct. 1 being World Vegetarian Day and Nov. 1 being World Vegan Day and research showing that skipping meat can save the average person at least $750 per year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Best Cities for Vegans & Vegetarians as well as accompanying videos. To determine the best […]

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Opportunity Knocks! Receive an Amazon Gift Card!

A message from: Shep Altshuler Publisher TimeSharing Today We launched the SuiteVacations website as the place to find great new travel destinations, and for selecting condo-style resorts once you get there. Whether you’re looking for an amazing outdoor adventure, a romantic escape, taking a business or family trip, or just a relaxing getaway, for every […]

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Concerns Over Timeshare Project Aired

Renourishment of beach, bone fragments, springs among issues KIHEI — A beach renourishment project and the discovery of bone fragments and natural springs on and around the old Maui Lu property are some of the concerns Native Hawaiians and community members are raising about the Hilton Grand Vacations timeshare project on the old resort site […]

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Wyndham Destinations to Add 140 Jobs as Part of Orlando Expansion

Company to double size of South Orlando call center operations ORLANDO, Fla. (Aug. 21, 2019) – Wyndham Destinations, the world’s largest vacation ownership and exchange company, announced today it would add 140 jobs to its South Orlando call center operations as part of an expansion to support the ongoing growth of its vacation club business. […]

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Diamond Resorts Obtains Preliminary Injunction To Protect Customers from Third Party Companies Preying on Timeshare Owners

Missouri-Based Companies Sued for Preying on Timeshare Owners Through False Advertising LAS VEGAS, /PRNewswire/ — Diamond Resorts®, a global leader in the hospitality, vacation ownership and entertainment industries, announces it has succeeded in obtaining a preliminary injunction against several third party companies based in Missouri. Diamond’s lawsuit against Exchange Points, PR Rewards, VMG Resorts, Kyle Brown and Vacation Management is the latest in […]

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Cut the Fluff

At the dawn of timesharing, when nobody knew what the concept was, educating prospects about it made sense. Marketing and sales organizations typically trained their personnel to follow a structured presentation format, sometimes overtly [turn the page] scripted, sometimes memorized. Remarkably, that sort of structure persists today even though the vast majority of sales prospects […]

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One Leave Law Does Not Fit All

 The federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 applies throughout the U.S. to employers and employees who meet its specific requirements. In recent years, some states have enacted their own leave laws which differ from FMLA and from each other. Size matters. Don’t assume that you’re off the hook just because your resort […]

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Vacation and business travelers prefer the benefits of condo-style travel

Resort properties including hotel chains and timeshare resorts have found growing appeal among families, active seniors, and business travelers. Travelers want more space than the basic hotel room. A new platform, Suite Vacations, is now helping to serve this expanding market.   SuiteVacations.com is the place to find great new travel destinations, and the best places […]

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Maintaining and Enhancing Older Timeshare Resorts

With proper planning to maintain and enhance an aging physical plant, legacy resorts can retain their appeal and not just survive – but actually thrive. This was the focus of an educational panel featured at the spring 2019 Timeshare Board Members Association conference held in Providence, RI. The panelists were Paula DiPaola, board president at Magic Tree Resort; […]

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Arkansas Attorney Files Consumer Protection Lawsuit, says, ‘good people were left with unwanted timeshares and thousands of dollars in fees’

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a consumer protection lawsuit today against Brian Scroggs, Bart Bowe and their Bentonville-based company Real Travel, LLC for violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Rutledge has received 12 complaints from consumers who experienced deceptive, high-pressure sales tactics and failed to provide services valued at $136,310. […]

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Leader Of Timeshare Resale Fraud Scam Targeting Elderly Victims Sentenced To Five Years In Prison For $3.37 Million In Losses

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The leader of a large-scale timeshare resale scam was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for defrauding more than 1,000 victims, many of them elderly, out of more than $3.3 million, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich for the District of Nevada. “Today’s sentence demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to […]

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Diamond Resorts International Points Owners-Proposed Class Action

Attention: Diamond Resorts International Points Owners-Proposed Class Action Are you a long-time member of any Diamond Resorts International Collection?  Are you a resident of Arizona? Our law firms are contemplating a proposed class action, to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, challenging the amount of annual assessments, past and […]

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Diamond Resorts Pleased to Announce Settlement with ‘Timeshare Exit Attorney’ in Efforts to Protect Customers

Industry Sees Rise in Unscrupulous Third Party Companies Preying on Timeshare Owners NEWS PROVIDED BY Diamond Resorts  May 08, 2019, 16:27 ET LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Diamond Resorts™, a global leader in the hospitality, vacation ownership and entertainment industries, announces it has reached a settlement with Orlando lawyer Austin Aaronson and his law firm Aaronson, Austin, P.A. The settlement […]

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ARDA Announces Jason Gamel as New President & CEO

  The American Resort Development Association has announced that Jason Gamel will be ARDA’s new president and chief executive officer, bringing to the position over 20 years of hospitality and timeshare-industry experience. “I feel honored to be able to serve the industry which has given me so much opportunity over the past 20 years,” Gamel […]

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Funding for resort sustainability

By Craig Huntington “Maintain, protect, and enhance the value of the timeshare.” This phrase should be on all timeshare board members’ minds when discussing their timeshare resort. Boards spend a great deal of time on pools, pets, and parking, but often they forget about their most important role: finances. Every board should have an investment […]

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Monetizing association inventory

From January through September of 2018, Canada House Beach Club in Pompano Beach, FL, earned over half of the maintenance fees for its association-owned inventory through an aggressive marketing effort. The resort’s manager, Denise Luhman, used four major programs — upgrades, internal exchanges, permanent swaps, and Airbnb rentals — to generate revenues of $196,907, which […]

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Have your receivables crashed and burned?

By Lisa Weiler “Steve Austin, astronaut. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to make the world’s first bionic man. Steve Austin will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.” These were the words Oscar Goldman uttered in the 1973 opening […]

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Reserve planning: back to the basics

By Gary Porter, FMP, RS, CPA The probability of receiving a good reserve study increases if you get the basics right, a fact that many resorts overlook when they commission a reserve study. The tendency of most resorts is to simply “bid” the reserve study and award it to the lowest bidder, assuming all reserve […]

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Requests for proposals and bids

by Paula DiPaola and Kris Jamtaas Your resort needs renovations, repairs, technology updates, and a variety of professional services to keep it alive and well. To get everything done, your board needs the help of skilled professionals in various fields who can meet its requirements in a timely manner for an affordable price. Ideally, the board […]

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Software streamlines resort operations

by Nate Strauss The ultimate goal for legacy timeshare resorts “should be to have systems in place to automate processes that allow the resources at the property to do more with less,” declared Nate Strauss, vice president-business development for Resort Data Processing in Avon, CO. “Older ways of communicating limit the efficiency,” he said, compared […]

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Creating the resort experience

By Jeremy moser A resort is more than just its physical plant. A resort is also the combination of its staff and vendor partnerships, its culture of owners and guest services, the activities and attractions in the vicinity of the resort, and the owners and guests whose interactions make the resort a community unto itself. […]

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Everything old is new

Last fall, my wife and I used some of our RCI points to spend two weeks in Florida. We went to two separate resorts, each with its own timeshare company (Exploria and Holiday Inn Vacation Club). The predictable calls came asking us to attend a timeshare sales presentation. We knew what that would be like […]

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A housekeeper’s vital role

By George Leposky, editor Housekeepers work at the bottom of the timeshare-resort totem pole, yet perform a vital role. They are responsible to set the stage for the arrival of the owners or guests who will occupy a unit. Will that arrival moment be a feelgood event, or a tragedy? Resorts keep house in a […]

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LIVING ONLINE Virtual and augmented reality

By Kristina Payne Technology and online life aren’t just about social media. Virtual and augmented reality are real technological advances that can help push the vacation industry into the future. They are accessible to the everyday consumer and can help people explore resorts and get details that aren’t available from a normal computer screen. Virtual […]

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Avoiding turmoil on vacation

Weeks or months ago, you planned a timeshare vacation halfway around the world. Now your departure date is imminent and a crisis is brewing at your destination. What should you do? Harriet and Jerry Breslow encountered such a situation in Barcelona, where Catalonian separatists have been seeking independence from Spain. The Breslows weren’t aware of […]

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The Marriott Data Breach: How to Protect Yourself

Hotel giant Marriott (NASDAQ:MAR) recently announced a data breach that compromised the personal information of roughly a half-billion customers. While there’s no reason to panic, there are some smart steps you can take to make sure your identity stays safe. In this Industry Focus: Financials clip, host Jason Moser and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel, CFP, […]

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Words for the birds

It’s not just a city thing. Flocks of birds are as likely to invade urban and exurban vacation timeshare resorts. What to do about this depends on the bird species and the specific characteristics of your resort that make it attractive to avian guests. Pigeons and sparrows are the most likely species to find your […]

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What do Hackers do with Your Stolen Identity?

Identity theft is currently a gold mine for cybercriminals—one that reached an all-time high in 2016, with up to $16 billion worth of losses caused by fraud and identity theft. But what exactly happens with the stolen information? Identity theft is currently a gold mine for cybercriminals—one that reached an all-time high in 2016, with […]

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Beware of cyber gaps

For the past several years, insurance-industry speakers at Timeshare Board Members Association meetings have been urging attendees to buy cyber insurance to protect their resort or enterprise against data breaches, hacking, ransomware, and other computer-related misbehavior. As these events become more common and complex, so does the choice of insurance coverage to protect against them. […]

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Resolving timeshare neighbor disputes

The elderly occupants of unit 101 at the Podunk Acres timeshare resort go to bed early each night, but they can’t sleep because the occupants next door in unit 102 play the TV loudly until the wee hours. Resolving the problem could be as simple as the neighbors talking to each other, but if that doesn’t […]

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Amazon raises the wage-scale bar

Amazon, the online retail octopus, began paying all of its 350,000 workers throughout the U.S. at least $15 an hour on November 1, 2018. This compares with a patchwork of state and local rates, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, and a labor rallying cry for a $15 minimum wage that few jurisdictions […]

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Manager and board: cooperation or confrontation

By James Bento The success or failure of a resort hinges directly on the working relationship that the board of directors maintains with its resort manager. That relationship must at all times remain respectful of each other’s positions. All board members, particularly the president/chairperson, should always have a clear and concise voice when discussing goals […]

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Timeshare boardsmanship: Setting Board priorities

When our board meets, we always have a full agenda, responding primarily to issues brought to us by our resort manager. I often feel that we are not making the best use of our time and role as a board. We focus on advising the manager about managing, but I know that the board’s role […]

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Hospitality Data Breach in Hotel Industry

The hotel industry is particularly exposed to the challenge of protecting personal data, and now a victim of a growing number of hacks. More than 500 million customers in the world have experienced theft of their personal data (name, address, phone number, email) followed by unauthorized access since 2014. After becoming a victim of massive […]

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LIVING ONLINE: Fake news

By Kristina Payne You’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t believe everything you read.” It’s an age old adage that teaches us to stay critical of the things we see on the news and read in newspapers. This still applies today in social media. In fact, people rely on Facebook and Twitter as primary sources to get […]

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As federal fines for airlines go down, will passenger dissatisfaction go up?

What if airlines could do almost anything they wanted, knowing that they would probably get away with it? As 2018 comes to a close, critics say that’s already the case. The reason? Lax government regulation. The Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), which enforces federal consumer protection regulations, has issued only […]

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Will airline passengers fly off with millions from class action lawsuit?

CHICAGO — Millions of Americans are receiving emails about a class action lawsuit for anyone who bought a domestic plane ticket during a six-plus year period. At least $60 million dollars is up for grabs, but how much might passengers actually receive? The answer could be zero, CBS Chicago reports. At the crux of the […]

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Disney Announces Plans to Build Nature-Inspired Mixed-Use Resort on Bay Lake

Hotel and Proposed Disney Vacation Club Property, Three Other Previously Announced Resort Projects to Add More Than 1,700 New Hotel Rooms, Villas at Walt Disney World Resort LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. /PRNewswire/ — A new nature-inspired, mixed-use Disney resort will welcome families in 2022 along the picturesque shoreline of Bay Lake. Located between Disney’s Wilderness […]

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Zimmerman Law Group Update on The Manhattan Club – Complications Continue

Complications surrounding The Manhattan Club continue as the Court requests that counsel for both parties work to resolve issues over access to the owners list. An update from Zimmerman Law Group A hearing was held in a suit we filed, Tucker v. TMC, on December 12, 2018. Because of a procedural issue, the Court was […]

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Wind, Water, Mother Nature, and all of us

By Shep Altshuler Beach vacations have always been a preference for my family. We have owned timeshares in Deerfield Beach and Jupiter, FL, and in Montauk, NY. The idea for publishing TimeSharing Today was conceived in 1989 while on vacation at our timeshare at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on St. Maarten. Travelers and timeshare […]

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Diamond Resorts Expands Urban Footprint with a Capital Efficient Acquisition in St. Louis

City Place, located two blocks north of the famous Gateway Arch, will be the first vacation ownership property in St. Louis. LAS VEGAS, Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Diamond Resorts™, a global leader in the hospitality, vacation ownership and entertainment industries, announced today it has entered into an agreement with Inner Circle Investments to acquire […]

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Marriott Announces Starwood Guest Reservation Database Security Incident

Marriott has taken measures to investigate and address a data security incident involving the Starwood guest reservation database. On November 19, 2018, the investigation determined that there was unauthorized access to the database, which contained guest information relating to reservations at Starwood properties* on or before September 10, 2018. On September 8, 2018, Marriott received […]

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‘Ban the Box’ laws create hiring complexity

In 31 U.S. states, laws prohibit job-application forms from containing a yes-no check-box that asks applicants whether they have been convicted of a crime. “Ban the Box” advocates say that introducing the question at the initial stage of the application process gives employers an unfair way to disqualify from consideration criminals who have paid their […]

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CSR: Doing well by doing good

The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) began to take hold about 25 years ago and has since gained a firm foothold. It emerged as a notion that doing good things for society might earn a company some media and public approval. This — and more — has happened. Now companies with a recognized CSR […]

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Reaping the benefits of work optimization

“Work optimization” is a fancy name for figuring out how to do things in a more efficient and economical way. In a resort setting, it promises to reduce operating costs, leading to lower maintenance fees. It also promises enhanced customer service, leading to happier owners and guests. That’s a general concept. So, how do you […]

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Gender bouillabaisse

More than a half-century ago, people still wrote letters on manual typewriters. The feminine pronoun Ms. existed but wasn’t in common use, so a witty newspaper editor taught his reporters to sidestep the question of a woman’s marital status by typing Miss backspace backspace backspace backspace Mrs. You’ll have to visualize this overprint in your […]

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Should you insure your timeshare vacation?

By Vicky Willis If you’ve never insured your travels, you may wonder if the price is worth it. Chances are one in six your trip could be impacted by unforeseen issues such as a medical condition, natural disaster, or mechanical or common carrier delay, according to a survey for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association (UStiA). […]

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What’s the point?

By Sharon M. Gundrum Unused points can make or break a vacation ownership. If you own points or are considering a points purchase, this article will help you decide how best to use them. Points are just one way in which the world of timeshare has changed tremendously since its beginnings back in the late […]

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Timeshare boardmanship: Communicating with owners and guests

By Lynne M. Kweder Q: Our board has tried various means of communication with owners, using a newsletter, snail mail, email, a reference book in the room, and signage at the resort, but nothing seems very effective. Do you have any ideas or suggestions for improving the effectiveness of board and management’s communications with owners? […]

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Assessing bestness

By George Leposky, Editor A “best of” trend is devouring American media. You can see multiple manifestations of it daily in newspapers, magazines, on TV, and online. It’s prominent in paid advertisements touting the inherent superiority of some product or service—which is nothing new—but now it also appears with annoying frequency in presumably objective content. […]

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Does your timeshare resort allow firearms?

By George Leposky, Editor, TimeSharing Today A timeshare owner or guest may have legitimate reasons for bringing firearms to a resort, such as hunting, a target-shooting competition, or a gun show. Members of the military or a law-enforcement agency also might be justified in bringing their weapons along, even if they aren’t on active duty […]

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Celebrate the Holidays on Boston’s Historic Freedom Trail®

Historic Holiday Strolls Begin November 15 The Freedom Trail® Foundation invites revelers to celebrate this holiday season on the annual Historic Holiday Strolls.  The festive atmosphere of the city, set against the unique backdrop of Boston’s historic sites and the American Revolution, makes these merry 90-minute tours a perfect way to celebrate the holidays. Walk […]

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King tides and timeshare resorts

In many parts of the U.S., autumn brings falling leaves, early frosts, harvesting, hayrides, and Hallowe’en. In coastal locations, autumn also brings king tides — the highest high tides of the year, as the orbits of the earth, sun, and moon align to increase the pull of gravity on the water surrounding the coasts. King […]

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Beware those privacy-protected Californians

Put January 2020 on your calendar. That’s when the California Consumer Privacy Act takes effect. It’s similar in many respects to the General Data Protection Regulation, which provides safeguards for the private data of European Union and United Kingdom citizens and residents, but the CCPR applies specifically to California citizens and residents. Timeshare marketers and […]

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Watch out for scammers following hurricanes and other natural disasters

On October 8, 2018, the United States witnessed the third-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded in terms of pressure – Hurricane Michael. This high-end Category 4 hurricane caused 19 unfortunate deaths and substantial property damage, power disruption, and road blockages. While many people and organizations came forward to aid people who suffered catastrophic damages, many […]

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Grasping at straws

Last year we wrote about the nationwide campaign to eliminate plastic drinking straws from food-and-beverage establishments (“Plastic straws suck,” June 2017). The campaign began with Milo Cress, who in 2011 was a nine-year-old boy in Boulder, CO, who realized the straws’ negative environmental impact. He began asking businesses not to hand them out unless people […]

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Staying Safe in Cyberspace

By George Leposky, editor NAoscysbtdel4*   What’s that? An example of a foolproof way to keep a password safe from cyberthieves. Cybersecurity has been a perennial topic at Timeshare Board Members Association meetings through the years. Regular attendees have heard multiple speakers advise against passwords using or based on birthdays, home addresses, street names, pets’ […]

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Article Request

Is timeshare vacation ownership still worth the money? The timeshare industry is recording increased sales that are primarily driven by the expansion of vacation clubs. In many cases, consumers are paying $20,000 or more to belong to these points-based programs. They may also end up paying high interest rates to finance the purchase. The question […]

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Timeshare resort goes on the auction block for second time

Timeshare resort goes on the auction block for second time The beleaguered Apple Valley Resort, Howard, OH, ceased operations on May 27, 2016, after 30-years of operation. All attempts to keep the doors open failed because the Home Owners Association was unable to generate sufficient maintenance fees or rental income. An auction for the property […]

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A brief history of timeshare fraud

Fraudsters sending abandoned timeshare titles out to sea in metaphoric Viking ships aren’t the first manifestation of timeshare industry fraud. The industry has been rife with shenanigans and skullduggery since its creation in the 1960s. At the spring 2017 TBMA meeting, industry veteran Marty Kandel traced timesharing’s history of dubious practices. Kandel, who is principal […]

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To clean, or not to clean, that is the question

The Boston Globe recently published an article about hotels that encourage guests to decline daily housekeeping services so as to reduce the environmental impact of their stay. Reports Globe staff writer Katie Johnston: “At Marriott’s Sheraton Boston Hotel, the ‘Make Green Choice’ sign that participating guests hang on the door handle details what will be […]

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Class Action Lawsuit Against Westgate Resorts

Lieff Cabraser Announces Class Action Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Against Westgate Resorts, Ltd. September 26, 2018, Nashville, TN—(BUSINESSWIRE)—Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP; Farmer Purcell White & Lassiter, PLLC; Ritchie, Dillard, Davies & Johnson, P.C., and Wallace & Associates announce the filing of a class action consumer fraud lawsuit in federal court in the Eastern District […]

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Ethics and Accountability

By Lynne M. Kweder Q. I am an owner in a very small older timeshare resort and am considering running for the board. The owners here are very suspicious of the board’s conduct. Our managers never seem to stay more than a year, while the board members have been in their positions for as long […]

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Bluegreen: ‘Zero tolerance’ toward abusive exit firms

Bluegreen Vacations recently announced that attorneys for over 175 Bluegreen Vacation Club owners have “ceased pursuit of contract termination claims” on their clients’ behalf. The announcement said that “Bluegreen intends to continue its zero tolerance policy towards abusive practices by so-called ‘timeshare exit firms.’” Bluegreen said the exit firms advertise that they can help owners avoid […]

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TST Broadcasting – Getting the most out of being a proactive timeshare owner

A conversation with George Chamberlain who enjoys his investment in vacation ownership and service on his resort’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Timeshare Board Members Association.

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Harbor Hill Timeshare, sold and set for repurposing

Alex Krakovsky, Managing Member – Lemonjuice Capital, LLC, joins Shep Altshuler in a discussion about his successful efforts to protect the interests of the timeshare owners from an ill-conceived Chapter 7 settlement.

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The Florida Timeshare Owners Group Ends – A Message from Frank Debar

The Florida Timeshare Owners Group – A Message to our Members, and our Many Friends To  Members, Industry Leaders, and Supporters of FTOG. After 15 years of existence as an organization dedicated to providing information and assistance to our nation’s TimeSharing public, I find it necessary to inform our membership that our Group’s activities will […]

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Apple Valley Timeshare Auction Set For Sept 14

HOWARD, Ohio, Aug. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Apple Valley Resort, a favorite destination for families for decades, will be sold at Auction Friday September 14 at 428 Clubhouse Drive in Howard, OH. The auction is being conducted by Williams & Williams, a Tulsa-based real estate auction firm. Online bidding will be offered during the live event through its affiliate AuctionNetwork.com. The Central Ohio property, […]

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Judge lifts restraining order against The Manhattan Club

Judge lifts restraining order against The Manhattan Club Legal proceedings against The Manhattan Cub Timeshare Association, Inc. will continue as the judge in the case determines more time is needed to review the various issues in the matter. Jean-Marc Zimmerman, Zimmerman Law Group, who represents Plaintiff, Robert Tucker, joins Shep Altshuler to discuss the details. […]

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TimeSharing Today’s September/October Issue

A mixture of misinformation and non-disclosure, too often manner less and mean – that’s the way many timeshares are sold. Yet, such misguided behavior need not be part of the sales process, as you’ll learn in the Sep/Oct 2018 issue of TimeSharing Today. For our special section on timeshare sales presentations, readers contribute horror stories and […]

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LABOR DAY TRAVEL: These Are The Busiest Days to Fly

By Steph Rosenblum Labor Day Weekend air travel hit a record high in 2017, with more than 16 million people traveling by plane. When looking at travel patterns from last year, AirHelp, the world’s leading air passenger rights company, found that passengers are eligible to claim more than $10.7 million from disrupted flights between the Thursday […]

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Owners speak out following the August 9, 2018 Board Meeting of The Manhattan Club

Owners speak out following the August 9, 2018 Board Meeting of The Manhattan Club Shep Altshuler is joined by owners of The Manhattan Club who attended the Board Meeting held at the American Management Association’s offices in New York City. TimeSharing Today appreciated their taking their time to express their opinions about what took place […]

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Getting the Most Out of Being a Proactive Timeshare Owner

Getting the Most Out of Being a Proactive Timeshare Owner A conversation with George Chamberlain who enjoys his investment in vacation ownership and service on his resort’s Board of Directors and is a member of the Timeshare Board Members Association.

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BREAKING NEWS: Restraining Order Granted Against The Manhattan Club Timeshare Association, Inc.

Temporary Restraining Order Entered Against The Manhattan Club On Monday, August 13, 2018, Mr. Jean-Marc Zimmerman of The Zimmerman Law Group (ZLG) succeeded in obtaining a temporary restraining order (TRO) in New York State Supreme Court against The Manhattan Club Timeshare Association Inc. (TMC) and on behalf of Mr. Robert Tucker, a Board of Directors […]

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Coping with Feral Felines

By George Leposky, editor Does your timeshare resort have a cat problem? How you answer that question depends not only upon how many cats hang around your property, but also how you feel about cats. If you hate cats or are allergic to them, one cat on the premises is one cat too many. If […]

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Developers of The Manhattan Club in New York may face another lawsuit.

The Manhattan Club (“TMC”) is a timeshare located in the heart of Manhattan, that has thousands of disgruntled timeshare owners who have longstanding, unresolved complaints about the actions of its Sponsor, a company formed by Ian Bruce Eichner, a former Assistant District Attorney. These complaints include the Sponsor: 1) charging owners yearly maintenance fees that […]

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Appeal of Timeshares are Diminishing?

The International Society for Hospitality Consultants, or ISHC, released a survey on June 7th, 2018 that said 69% of its members believed that the appeal of timeshares are diminishing. The ISHC asked their members why they thought this was happening, and they came up with two different answers. The first was to point to AirBnB […]

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Do consumers prefer branded vacations more?

The CEO of Wyndham Destinations, Michael Brown, recently did an interview with Jim Cramer of Mad Money to discuss the state of the timeshare industry, and one of things he mentioned was that consumers liked branded hospitality. He’s not wrong, but there are two main reasons people seem to respond to branded hospitality. Branded hospitality […]

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Should you take a Vacation?

Americans are starting to have a weird relationship with vacation. There was recently a study done that showed that on average, we took 17.2 vacation days in 2017, which is up from 2016. However, there are other aspects of the study that is worrying, as over half of americans left vacation time unused. The biggest […]

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Texas Man Accused of Scam

By permission of the Times Union, Albany, NY ALBANY – A Texas man was arraigned Tuesday in a federal court in Albany on an indictment charging him with fraudulently soliciting and receiving payments from timeshare owners, including a Saratoga Springs resident, federal authorities said. According to the indictment, Walton participated in a scheme to defraud […]

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Nevada Attorney General Announced Guilty Plea in Multi-State Timeshare Scam

Las Vegas, NV –Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that Louis Joseph Curto III, 31, pleaded guilty for his role in a multi-state timeshare resale scam. Curto pleaded guilty to one count of securities fraud, a category “B” felony. The fraudulent acts were committed between January 2013 and December 2015. Curto operated a business in […]

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Cedar Village & Lemonjuice Capital, LLC

Art Zmuriga, former owner and HOA Board president, Cedar Village Resort, Beech Mountain, NC, discusses why the resort moved forward with Alex Krakovsky, CEO, Lemonjuice Capital, LLC to repurpose the 15 unit timeshare to wholly-owned condominiums.

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10 Interesting Museums to Visit in the US

by Kristina Payne Taking a vacation doesn’t just have to be about enjoying nature or relaxing on the beach somewhere; it can be about exploring cultures and ideas that you don’t interact with on a daily basis. That’s why taking a vacation to a city you’ve never been to can be a fun and fulfilling […]

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Wyndham Worldwide Honored for Social Responsibility

Wyndham Worldwide is being honored by FTSE4Good in Europe for its social-responsibility program. Wyndham has also been recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for five years in North America. Both the FTSE4Good and the Dow Jones Sustainability index are based on environmental, social, and governance scales that provide consumers and market insiders with information […]

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Luxurious American Train Vacations Now Offered

Granbury, Texas, October 4, 2017 – America’s Trains Inc. (ATs) is now offering scheduled all-inclusive Journeys by Rail on luxuriously rebuilt passenger ‘cars’ that will travel with Amtrak and regional railroads throughout the US and into Canada. Journeys are normally for eight days and seven nights. The routes travel from San Antonio to Chicago, then […]

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Airbnb’s New Apartment Complex

By Kristina Payne Airbnb announced on October 12, 2017, that it will partner with a Miami-based development group to build a new apartment complex in Kissimmee, FL. The details of this deal could create competition for Florida timeshare owners, resorts, and companies. Airbnb is a website that lets homeowners rent out their home, or just […]

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Living Online: Social Media and Timesharing

Living Online is a new feature written by our newest contributor, Kristina Payne! This article was originally published in the September/October 2017 issue of Timesharing Today. By Kristina Payne Millions of eyes are on social media every day. Many of those eyes belong to Millennials—people born from the early 1980s through the first years of […]

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TST iNews Special Report – Hurricane Impact on Timeshare Resorts

Shep Altshuler leads a discussion with Jeff Berger and Leigh Colyer about the impact of recent Hurricanes Harvey and Irma on popular timeshare resort destinations.

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In The Face Of The Unknown

Contributed by ARDA-ROC/Resort Owners Coalition  www.arda-roc.org When natural disaster strikes, everyone stands defenseless in its path. Whether a tornado, hurricane, or fire, this X factor remains a constant threat to consider. In the face of these larger forces at work, there is no such thing as being too prepared-every industry, every business must have a […]

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The Impact of Hurricane Harvey on Timeshare Resorts

By Scott McGinness, CIC, CRM, CSRM,Vice President, Property & Casualty, Gregory & Appel Insurance, www.gregoryappel.com Hurricane Harvey may be the costliest natural disaster in US history, with damage estimates over $190 billion. It will have an economic impact not only on Texas, but the entire US. For the timeshare industry, we can expect to see an […]

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Some Industry Insights: Resort Flood Insurance Premiums Inside and Outside of Harveys’ To Be Impacted

By Chad Dorsey, Vice President, CIC, CRIS, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc. Vacation Resort Specialty Division,  http://bb-wpb.com/ On Friday, August 25th Hurricane Harvey made landfall northeast of Corpus Christi, Texas as a category 4 storm with sustained winds of 130 mph proving to be one of the fiercest storm’s to hit the U.S. in […]

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How Are Hurricane Categories Determined? What Do They Mean?

The strength of hurricanes is rated using the Saffir/Simpson scale in the United States. This scale assigns a storm to one of five categories based on its wind speed. Category one is a minimal hurricane and category five is the strongest. Using this scale helps estimate the potential property damage and expected coastal flooding from […]

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We Know Them by Name: Katrina, Sandy, Matthew, Harvey and now Irma

By Shep Altshuler, publisher TimeSharing Today By now, every American has been touched, in some way, by the effects of hurricanes. They imperil lives, property, and businesses. Death and destruction threaten as we watch the most severe storms form, grow, and roll across the national landscape. We also know the international devastation caused in parts […]

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TST Broadcasting: Resort Sales and Marketing – HelloVacay

Shep Altshuler speaks with Ryan Beachum, co-founder of HelloVacay, about various valuable services they provide to Resort Owners.

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Hawaii Timeshare Associations Win Tax Case

By Kristina Payne Maui County has been ordered to return $10.7 million to Ocean Resort Villas and Ocean Resort Villas North. Maui Now and The Maui News reported that the litigation began after the county assessed additional taxes for the timeshare properties, claiming that they owed a total of $10 million in property taxes for […]

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Identity-Protection Tips

By Kristina Payne In this new age of fast-paced technology, keeping track of the best ways to protect your information from thieves and criminals is becoming increasingly difficult. A lot of online articles will give you quick tips on how to protect your identity while you’re on vacation, but protecting your information isn’t that simple […]

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TST iNews Special Report – Olympic Village Inn Owner Seeks Election To Board

Robert Bone, an owner at Olympic Village Inn, Olympic Valley, CA, discusses why he became proactive, his motivation to run for election to the Board of Directors and the obstacles he has encountered from the current Board President.

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Viewing The Solar Eclipse

By Kristina Payne On August 21, 2017, everyone in the continental United States will be able to see the first solar eclipse since 1979. The next one that will encompass the entire U.S. won’t be until 2024. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and the sun, blocking the sun’s light […]

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TST Broadcasting: iNews Special Report (CFPB)

Timesharing Today investigative correspondent, Jeff Weir, discusses the CFPB’s ruling banning Mandatory Arbitration Clauses, and how it impacts timeshare buyers and companies. Visit TimeSharing Today at: www.tstodayjoin.com for information.

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Trip to Wallowa Lake

Phil and Shirley Hixon are avid readers and supporters of Timesharing Today! This is the review they wrote about their recent vacation to Wallowa Lake, OR. We took a short trip down to Wallowa Lake in northeastern Oregon for a couple days last week.  Weather was fantastic; even got a little afternoon shower each day.  It […]

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Timeshare Trends – Positive and Negative

Shep Altshuler, Owner of Timesharing Today, discusses the positive and negative trends in the timeshare vacation ownership industry with timeshare owners Susan Collins, Fran Korwek, Jeff Bellin and Bryan Felber.

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RCI to Acquire DAE

RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of brands (NYSE: WYN), has reached an agreement with vacation group Beneficium to acquire DAE Global Pty Ltd. (DAE), operator of Dial An Exchange, a leading timeshare exchange company headquartered in Australia, and @Work International, a software company also based in Australia. The deal is subject to customary […]

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Massive Power Outage Impacts Outer Banks – State of Emergency Declared.

The Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, declared a State of Emergency and is urging authorities to work as quickly as possible to restore power to Hatteras Island in Dare County and Ocracoke Island in Hyde County. The outages happened on July 27th, possibly due to construction being done on Bonner Bridge. The damage is […]

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Notice to: Olympic Village Inn Owners

The Board of Directors’ Election at OVI will be held prior to the October 7, 2017 Annual Meeting of Members.  OVI owners should receive their ballots in September 2017.  The current Board of Directors continues to withhold the List of Candidates from the individuals who have requested that they be included on the ballot.  We must win […]

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Welk Resorts Files Racketeering Lawsuit

By Kristina Payne Welk Resorts recently filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against Reid Hein & Associates, operating as Timeshare Exit Team (TSET); and two law firms. The suit was filed July 25. 2017, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Welk Resorts alleges that TSET representations are false, and that TSET […]

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Tom Miller, Owner

Shep Altshuler speaks with Tom Miller- Timeshare owner and TimeSharing Today Ambassador about various aspects of the timeshare industry.

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Understanding Your Right to Cancel. Timing is Everything!

By Marty Kandel for TimeSharing Today Rescission or cancellation of a timeshare contract is a statutory right in almost every state, but the state where you purchase your timeshare interest is generally the law that applies. The amount of time you must cancel or rescind your contract varies from 3 to 15 days, and averages […]

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Timeshare Developers Upbeat at Annual ARDA World Conference

By Jeff Weir, for TimeSharing Today NEW ORLEANS — At a decidedly upbeat annual conference, US timeshare companies exuded confidence that the long road back from the recession of 2008-2009 is just about complete as sales inch closer to the coveted $10 billion mark in 2017 (not counting resales, which is an indeterminate number). At […]

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REPOST: Dick Drechsler, President and Director of the Plaza Resort Club

In case you missed it: TimeSharing Today’s Shep Altshuler interviews Dick Drechsler, President and Director of the Plaza Resort Club in Reno Nevada, as they transition from Time Share Resort to Hotel.

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TST Broadcasting: State of the Industry – April

Shep Altshuler speaks with Marty Kandel, Principal & General Counsel of Timeshare Advisory & Resolution Services, LLC about the current state of the timeshare vacation ownership industry.

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Disclosure Bill Benefiting Timeshare Buyers Survives First Hearing… But With Some Scars

By Jeff Weir, for TimeSharing Today CARSON CITY, NV — A new bill that would require developers to provide additional disclosures for timeshare buyers passed its first legislative hurdle in the Nevada Senate March 2. But not without some injuries. As amended by the Judiciary Committee, Senate Bill 195, authored by Sen. Becky Harris (R-Las […]

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Maintaining Adequate Reserves for Repairs

Shep Altshuler, Publisher TimeSharing Today and President TBMA, and Robert Nordlund,PE, RS, Founder and CEO of Association Reserves, discuss the needs for timeshare resorts to maintain adequate reserves to assure the timely repairs and replacement of key assets and why a reserve study is an essential tool for guiding resorts through the process.

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The Future of Legacy Resorts

Shep Altshuler, Publisher TimeSharing Today and President TBMA, and Jeff Weir, Chief Correspondent RedWeek and TSToday Contributor, discuss the 2017 outlook for legacy timeshare resorts, TBMA and issues facing timeshare owner.

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Big Transitions Ahead in 2017

Consolidation.  Growth.  Unsolicited calls from travel clubs.  Increasing maintenance fees.  Turbulence in the resale market as older owners drop out.  Plus, big changes in Washington, D.C. (and elsewhere) that could impact the entire timeshare travel universe. With all apologies to the cliché about death and taxes, there are a half-dozen trends, at least, that are […]

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It’s Time To Pay Attention

By Shep Altshuler There are changes in the dynamics taking place in the timeshare industry that can impact hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of owners and their resorts. It’s now more important than ever for owners of legacy resorts and their boards of directors to keep a careful eye on what is going on. For […]

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Analysis of the New Overtime Pay Regulations and Its Impact

George Leposky, Editor of TimeSharing Today, discusses his analysis of the new overtime pay regulations and the impact of an injunction recently ordered by a Federal Court.

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Sustainability Studies and Winding Down a Timeshare

A conversation about sustainability studies and winding down a timeshare with Jim Bento, General Manager, Forest Glen Inn, North Conway, NH., John Funk, partner in the law firm Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell and Scott MacGregor , President of US Operations for ARC Resorts. If you would like to comment about this broadcast about or receive […]

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Case Studies and Key Issues from TBMA Conference

Shep Altshuler, President of TBMA and Jeff Weir, TBMA Session Moderator, discuss case studies and key issues presented at the recent TBMA conference in Tucson, Arizona.

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Tahoe Beach & Ski Club’s Board’s Effort to Secure Owner Control

Shep speaks with Jeff Weir about Tahoe Beach & Ski Club’s Board’s effort to secure owner control.

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Plaza Resort Club in Reno Nevada Transitions to a Hotel

TimeSharing Today’s Shep Altshuler interviews Dick Drechsler, President and Director of the Plaza Resort Club in Reno Nevada, as they transition from Time Share Resort to Hotel.

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Julianna Organe Discusses International Exchanges

Our debut episode of Vacation Travel & Exchange features a discussion about international exchanges with DAE Member Julianna Organe from Cape Town, South Africa.

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Understanding Online Travel Agencies

An interview with Kelley Ellert, Director of Marketing, Defender Resorts, about understanding online travel agencies (OTAs) as revenue generators for legacy resorts.

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The Manhattan Club Controversy

We profile the latest information regarding the New York State Attorney General VS The Manhattan Club Timeshare with Doug Wasser (from Wasser Russ) and Jeff Weir (from RedWeek).

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Current State of the Time Share Industry

TST Broadcasting debuts its latest program: “Around the Industry” – where we discuss the current state of the timeshare vacation ownership industry. In this episode, we’re joined by Jeff Weir, chief correspondent for RedWeek.

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TimeSharing Today’s 25th Anniversary

We’re celebrating 25 years of being The Trusted Independent Voice of Vacation Ownership.  Thank you to all of our readers and industry leaders for being part of TimeSharing Today. www.tstodayjoin.com

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Trolling for Votes and Control

Several developers have adopted deed back programs whereby owners at selected resorts are able to turn back their deeds, sometimes at a cost to the owner. Those developers are also aggressively acquiring defaulted timeshares that are being sold at auction or that can be found online at distress sale prices. The economic motives for this […]

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Aging Timeshare Owners and Industry Dynamics – A TimeSharing Today Commentary

Are you among those timeshare owners who have enjoyed many wonderful years of vacations ownership, but have now reached the point where it’s time to move on? Many owners are no longer able to travel or are living off fixed retirement income and cannot afford the expense of ownership. Some TimeSharing Today members have reported […]

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Howard Nusbaum from ARDA Offers His Take on the Industry

A conversation with Howard Nusbaum, CEO and President ARDA, about his perspective of the industry, the challenges and opportunities for owners ,developers and legacy resorts.

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Couple Sues Gold Key Over Virginia Beach Timeshare Deal

Read the March 11, 2016 The Virginan-Pilot article “Couple claims bait and switch, sues Gold Key to get out of Virginia Beach timeshare deal” by Kimberly Pierceall at http://pilotonline.com/business/consumer/couple-claims-bait-and-switch-sues-gold-key-to-get/article_019cb544-d105-5352-8751-fbd1dc83a5a8.html

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Timeshare Company Accused of Elder Abuse

by Jon Chown, Courthouse News Service, March 10, 2016 VENTURA, Calif. (CN) – An 81-year-old man claims in court that Diamond Resorts International, a timeshare club, defrauded him of $50,000 and keeps trying to get more. Louis Wolff claims Diamond Resorts International Club and six affiliates used high-pressure sales tactics to open credit cards in […]

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Jeff Weir Discusses the Status of the Industry

A discussion with investigative reporter and timeshare owner, Jeff Weir, about his perspectives and opinions about the status of the industry and The New York Time article about hard-sell timeshare presentations by Diamond Resorts.

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Festiva Ordered to Issue Vacation and Timeshare Refunds

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III recently announced a $3 million settlement with Festiva, a network of vacation and timeshare companies, for alleged violations of the federal Telemarking Act, federal Telemarketing Sales Rule, and the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. Under the terms of the settlement, Festiva has agreed to provide $1,250,000 in cash restitution […]

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Diamond Resorts International Announces 2015 Earnings Conference Call

February 11, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada – Diamond Resorts International, Inc. (NYSE:DRII) announced today that it will release its fourth quarter 2015 earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, and hold a conference call to discuss the quarter’s results at 5:00 p.m. ET that day. On the call will be Diamond […]

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Mainstream Media Show Split Personality

The March 2016 Consumer Reports includes an article entitled, “Timeshares Come of Age.” The sub-headline states, “These vacation ownership arrangements are attracting younger, more educated, more affluent buyers, thanks to consumer-friendly changes in the industry.” The 4-page article points to the “rocky reputation” the industry was marked by in the mid-1970’s because of consumers being […]

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CA Bill Pits Privacy Rights Against Access Rights

California Bill Pits Timeshare Owners’ Privacy Rights Against Their Rights to Access and Use Membership Rosters to Communicate with Fellow Owners By Jeff Weir A low-profile bill in the California Legislature has put the privacy rights of timeshare owners on a collision course with their just-as-legal rights to access and use HOA membership rosters to […]

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Consumer Awareness Does Work, Dealing with Solicitors

* Always check first with your resort’s owners’ services department. Ask if they are aware of other owners who might have in interest in your unit. Ask if they have initiated a program for turning back timeshares. Ask if they have a program for onsite timeshare resales. * The vast majority of industry experts and […]

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Francis Taylor Discusses Timeshare Trends

Francis Taylor, CEO of DAE (Dial An Exchange) discusses domestic and international trends in timeshare travel and exchange with TimeSharing Today Radio Host Shep Altshuler.

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Jeff Bellin Discusses Being a Proactive Owner

Today, Shep Altshuler discuss timeshare ownership and the importance of being a proactive owner with multiple timeshare owner, Jeff Bellin.

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Ken McKelvey Discusses St. Maarten Island’s Caravanserai Resort

This month Shep Altshuler (shep@tstoday.com) discusses St. Maarten Island’s Caravanserai Beach Resort with Ken McKelvey, CEO of Defender Resorts.

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We Discuss the Manhattan Club Legal Issues

This month Shep Altshuler (shep@tstoday.com) discusses The Manhatten Club’s legal issues with: Jeff Weir EMAIL: jeff@redweek.com WEB: www.redweek.com Gregory Crsity EMAIL: greg@ntoaassoc.com WEB: www.nationaltimeshareownersassoc.com Douglas Wasser EMAIL: doug@wassruss.com TEL: 212 430-6040 Bob Schmidt EMAIL: bob@sharket.com WEB: www.sharket.com

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Clifford McDonald Calls in From Taupo, New Zealand

TSToday Radio interviews: Clifford McDonald of Taupo, New Zealand. Home to New Zealand’s largest fresh water lake, volcanic wonderlands, and the famous Huka Falls. Great Lake Taupo is truly blessed with world – class natural attractions, and is an all-seasons destination offering a perfect blend of leisure and adventure. Taupo has a population 34,100 which […]

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We Discuss Florida Timeshare (House Bill 453, Senate Bill 932)

A discussion with Gregory Crist, CEO, National Timeshare Owners Association and Jeff Weir, Chief Correspondent, RedWeek.com with TimeSharing Today Host Shep Altshuler and TimeSharing Today Editor George Leopsky, about a controversial developer supported FL Timeshare Bill that will affect owners of vacation clubs, points and trusts as well as deeded legacy resorts and their owners.

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Mike Drakes Discusses Wyndham Points

Today’s TimeSharing Today Broadcast: A discussion with Mike Dakes, a 30 year timeshare owner/Wyndham Points member, about his experiences and opinions relative to vacation ownership. In the photo, Mike and his wife Diane enjoyed DisneyWorld while staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. Would you like to participate in a future Timesharing Today Radio broadcast? After the […]

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Sherri Weeks Rivera Discusses Owner Services

Sherri Weeks Rivera, VP of Sales & Business Development, Grand Pacific Resorts, Carlsbad CA joins TimeSharing Today Radio Host Shep Altshuler, to discuss understanding the important role a resort’s Owners’ Services Department plays in keeping owners informed and engaged in their resort so they can get the maximum use and enjoyment out of their #timeshare […]

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Jerry Nisker Discusses the Importance of Timeshare Research

30 Years of Happy Timeshare Vacations! Today’s radio broadcast features an informative interview with timeshare owner Jerry Nisker of Orange, CA. Jerry discusses why doing the research and knowing how to use the investment in weeks and points have resulted in decades of happy timeshare vacations for him and Willow and for their friends and […]

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Allan Rimoin Discusses Owning Multiple Timeshares

Timeshare owner Allan Rimoin joins TimeSharing Today Radio host Shep Altshuler to discuss his experiences in owning multiple timeshares since 1992.  Pictured:  Allan and Linda Rimoin on a timeshare vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  This podcast is brought to you by TimeSharing Today Radio: Featuring News and Views of Timeshare Owners and Industry Professionals.

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Brian Heller Discusses Timeshare Guidelines

Brian Heller, Executive VP, Tricom Management, Discusses the Pillars of Board Member Fiduciary Responsibility –  Brian Heller, Executive VP, Tricom Management , Anaheim, CA, joins TimeSharing Today Radio host Shep Altshuler, to discuss guidelines established by the Timeshare Board Members Association in its Pillars of Board Member Fiduciary Responsibilities. This interview is of timely importance […]

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Lena Combs and Tom Durkee Discuss Audits and Timeshare Trends

Lena Combs, CPA and Tom Durkee, CPA, principals with the auditing firm Averett Warmus Durkee, Orlando, FL, join TimeSharing Today Radio Host Shep Altshuler, to discuss key items in timeshare HOA audited annual statements and important industry trends. Learn more about Averett Warmus Durkee at http://www.awd-cpa.com On Air image Courtesy of Angelus.

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Cam Abascal and Mary Daust Property Improvement Plans

Cam Abascal and Mary Daust of  Hospitality Resources and Design, Orlando, Florida, join TimeSharing Today Radio Host Shep Altshuler to discuss the importance for Legacy Resorts to prepare a Property Improvement Plan.  On Air Image courtesy of Angelus.

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Gregory Crist Discusses Important Timeshare Litigation

TimeSharing Today Radio: National Timeshare Owners Association President/CEO Gregory Crist Talks About The Future of Timesharing and More A conversation with Gregory Crist, President/CEO National Timeshare Owners Association, about NTOA’s advocacy initiatives, recent important litigation, and the outlook for the future of timesharing. Following the broadcast, please feel free to send comments! TimeSharing Today Radio: […]

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Bryan and Denee Felder Discuss Subscriber Member Benefits

Visit with TimeSharing Today readers Bryan and Denee Felber and learn about the benefits of being a subscribing member.

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Paul Goodrich Discusses Strategic Planning for Legacy Resorts

TimeSharing Today Radio:  Featuring News and Views of Timeshare Owners and Industry Professionals. Paul Goodrich, Regional Vice President of Operations, SPM Resorts, Inc., Myrtle Beach, SC, discusses the importance of planning and funding resort upgrades and reconstruction projects.  “On Air” art courtesy of Angleus via Wikimedia Commons.

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Ken McKelvey Discusses Defender Resorts at Murtle Beach South Carolina

TimeSharing Today Radio:  Featuring News and Views of Timeshare Owners and Industry Professionals. Ken McKelvey, CEO, Defender Resorts, Myrtle Beach, SC, discusses why owners and HOAs should consider the benefits of the services provided by a professional and experienced timeshare management company for their resorts. “On Air” art courtesy of Angelus via Wikimedia Commons.

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Attorneys Discuss Timeshare Board Member Responsibilities

TimeSharing Today Radio:  Featuring News and Views of Timeshare Owners and Industry Professionals.   Attorney John Funk, Director-Partner, Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, P.C., Concord, NH, joins TimeSharing Today Radio Host Shep Altshuler to discuss timeshare board member responsibilities, liabilities, effective governance, key issues and communications.  ” On Air” art courtesy of Angelus via Wikimedia Commons.

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