The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) welcomes a new cooperative working alliance with its European-based sister organization, the Resort Development Organisation (RDO), following approval by both Boards of Directors. Each association retains its own identity, but collectively, the associations seek to cooperate on issues of common concern in order to advance the growth of the timeshare industry worldwide, the interests of their members, and the consumers they serve.

"In today's global environment, timeshare is a growing portal to the world for vacationers," said Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of ARDA. "Establishing a better exchange of information with RDO will bring value to our members who have resorts around the world and to owners who are increasingly looking to destinations abroad for their timeshare vacations," continued Nusbaum. In addition to the 1600 resorts located in the U.S., many ARDA members have resorts around the world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and Asia, and many owners have access to international destination choices through exchange systems.

"The underlying basis for the working relationship between RDO and ARDA is to establish in the eyes of our respective memberships, a stronger partnership between the two organizations, whilst both retain their full autonomy and financial independence," said Richard McIntosh, chairman of RDO, welcoming the agreement.

In recognition of a growing global timeshare owner market, the agreement aims to explore opportunities for both organizations to share industry information with its respective developer communities and prospective travelers. Cooperative efforts will include identifying opportunities at both organizations' upcoming international-themed conventions-ARDA World and RDO 3-to reach new members and address relevant topics such as membership standards and enforcement issues, joint approaches to jurisdictions that do not yet have timeshare legislation or an effective trade association, and joint marketing opportunities.

ARDA continuously seeks opportunities to provide relevant and useful information for and about the industry, and has worked over the last decade with the leaders of timeshare associations in Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and South Africa to promote the timeshare industry around the world. In fact, as part of ARDA's international focus in 2012, the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) will be releasing findings from its first-ever international vacation ownership market research.

ARDA is the trade association for the timeshare industry. ARDA's membership comprises over 500 companies (both privately held firms and publicly traded corporations), which house 5,000-plus individual ARDA members. ARDA's active, engaged members have extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. ARDA's work — including proactive advocacy — touches every role within the timeshare industry. Developers, exchange companies, vacation clubs, timeshare resellers, timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, consultants, and legal and regulatory experts are all part of the ARDA network. For more information, visit ARDA.org.

ARDA-ROC is a 501(c)4 non-profit entity funded by over 1.5 million individual timeshare owner's voluntary contributions. ARDA-ROC is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and enhancing vacation ownership through smart policy and sensible regulation. ARDA-ROC advocates for local, state, and federal policies that enable the vacation ownership industry to thrive and provide consumers with an enriched vacation ownership experience. For more information, visit ARDAROC.org.

Lou Ann Burney
202-371-6700
ARDA

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