Press Release
October 4, 2000
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The following individuals were honored by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA),
the national trade association representing the vacation ownership industry, for their professional standards and
commitment to excellence, earning the title of Registered Resort Professional (RRP):
The following individuals were also honored for their professional standards and commitment to excellence, earning the title Associate Resort Professional (ARP):
These professional designations and recognitions are awarded by ARDA and are only 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.
These individuals were among a select group of professionals from the vacation ownership industry nationwide to
be honored with the designation. Sponsored by the ARDA Education Institute (AEI), the RRP and ARP programs promote
professional awareness, enhance workplace performance and foster self-esteem among professionals of the vacation
ownership industry. Each individual is now entitled to use the professional designation "RRP" or "ARP",
respectively.
A prerequisite for all individuals seeking the RRP designation is active ARDA individual membership, a minimum
of five years of full-time industry employment, and a total of 10 AEI credits. For the ARP, the prerequisites
are similar; however, they must have a minimum of two years of full-time industry employment, and a total of 6
AEI credits. All candidates (for the RRP and ARP) must also pass the AEI 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. To maintain RRP or ARP status, professionals must earn two additional AEI credits every two years.
Credits for the RRP and ARP programs 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. Candidates are considered by
the AEI Accreditation Board at either the ARDA Fall Conference or the ARDA Annual Convention.
"Participation in programs of the ARDA Education Institute 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 and ARP
designations, the expectations and standards of excellence within the vacation ownership industry are raised that
much higher, translating to improved quality and innovation in the products, services, and experiences we offer
vacation owners."
The ARDA Education Institute (AEI) serves the professional and educational needs of the resort industry. The three
major AEI programs are the AEI Seal of Achievement, individual membership, and the Registered Resort Professional
(RRP) and Associate Resort Professional (ARP) recognition programs. AEI also offers publications covering the
industry's ethical, legal, regulatory and operational intricacies, study courses, tests which assess industry knowledge,
and recognition of continuing educational efforts.
As the professional association of the recreational real estate, resort and vacation ownership industry, ARDA represents
over 5,000 resorts, including second-home resorts, community development properties, vacation timeshare resorts
and fractional interests.
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Contact:
Karen Valanzano (202) 371-6700