Press Release: ARDA
June 20, 2002
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Responses to a survey by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), released today,
characterize the association's 2002 convention attendees as influential, high-ranking and eager to network with
companies both within the industry and outside of it.
According to survey findings, more than 40 percent of attendee respondents marked their job title as president/CEO,
COO, CFO or vice president, matching what VP/Member Services Sandra Woolard calls ARDA's "tradition of attracting
highly influential members."
"[Having decision makers as members] not only makes the association's meetings more attractive to the people
who attend, but it also makes ARDA's other efforts, like legislative advocacy, more influential," Woolard
said.
The high-powered convention atmosphere is created in part by the accessibility of those CEOs and presidents to
each other to other conventioneers. Almost 50 percent of respondents indicated that their primary reason for attending
the 2002 ARDA Convention was "business networking."
"Deal making and personal relationship building are hallmark opportunities at our annual convention,"
said Ann Diven, vp/convention and meetings. "This survey reveals that our attendees continue to value that
function."
The advantages the convention offers make the annual trip to either Orlando or Las Vegas a tradition for industry
vets, and a must-see for new entrants. The survey revealed that almost half of 2002 attendees had attended ARDA's
convention between four and 10 times previously. Thirty percent were attending for the first time.
The survey also gauged the value of high-tech innovations offered to attendees. The association's convention video
broadcast program, ARDA-TV, was well received, with more than three quarters of respondents rating it either "good"
or "excellent."
"We're pleased by the turnout this year, considering the challenges of 2001," said President Howard Nusbaum.
"But we don't have time to look back-we're already looking ahead and planning even better programming and
networking opportunities for 2003 in Orlando. The ARDA Convention has earned some high expectations, and we're
going to meet and exceed them, every year.
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Contact:
Jason Tostevin (202) 371-6700 x123
SOURCE: ARDA