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Press Release: ARDA
November 29, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) designated 20 vacation ownership industry
professionals this week with the industry’s highest designation. Sponsored by the ARDA International Foundation’s
education programming, the professional designations include the Associate Resort Professional (ARP) and Registered
Resort Professional (RRP). The program promotes professional awareness, enhances workplace performance, and fosters
self-esteem among professionals of the vacation ownership industry. A total of 541 industry professionals are now
honored with the RRP and ARP designations.
“Participation in educational programs of the ARDA International Foundation indicates that a company and its team
of vacation ownership professionals strive for the highest standard of industry knowledge, ethics, and professionalism,”
said ARDA President Howard Nusbaum. “Each year, as more of our talented professionals earn the RRP designation,
the expectations and standards of excellence within the industry are raised that much higher, translating to improved
quality and innovation in the products, services, and experiences we offer vacation owners.”
The RRP designation is given to those industry leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to high ethical and professional
standards through long-term participation in educational and industry-related activities. Prerequisites include
active ARDA Advantage membership, a minimum of five years of full-time industry employment, and a total of 10 education
credits. Candidates must also pass the ARDA Qualification Test (AQT), which examines a person’s knowledge of the
industry, including the ARDA Code of Standards & Ethics and the laws affecting the industry. Credits for the
RRP program are earned through participation in educational and industry-related activities, professional tenure
in the vacation ownership industry, the receipt of industry awards, formal education and certification by accredited
institutions of higher learning, participation in industry workshops, seminars and self-study courses, and by writing
articles for Developments, the industry magazine published by ARDA.
The following 11 professionals have now been awarded the Registered Resort Professional (RRP) designation: Verlin
L. Abbott, Jeffrey S. Andrews, Heather A. Ault, Michele Colson, Dale R. Dobis, Jeremy S. Grogg, Susan B. Hodgin,
Jennifer K. Muñoz, Jason J. Sabo, Steven M. Schlossberg and Patricia Daly Staniewicz.
The following 9 professionals received the Associate Resort Professional (ARP) designation: Guy Barlow, Jasmine
W. Chay, Richard Drake, Butch Gaudette, Jason R. Higbee, Kristie Scott Irvin, William McCarthy, William C. Moore
and Lisa V. Riddley. A step in the process towards earning RRP designation, the ARP designation recognizes accomplishments
by individuals with at least two years industry experience.
The ARDA International Foundation (AIF) conducts research and develops education programming for the timeshare
industry. The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based professional association
representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries. Established in 1969, ARDA today has over
1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded companies and international corporations
with expertise in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner
associations (HOAs), resort management companies, and owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).
For information about ARDA, AIF or RRP/ARP designations, please visit www.arda.org.
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CONTACT:
Lou Ann Burney, ARDA, 202-207-1156, lburney@arda.org Ellen Yui, Yui+Company 301-270-8571, ellenyui@yuico.com Elizabeth Grace, Yui+Company 561-989-9855, lizkgrace@aol.com