TOP-LEVEL SPEAKERS AND TIMELY RESEARCH HEADLINE
VACATION OWNERSHIP INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
Industry Expert Richard Ragatz Featured In All-Star Line-up
Miami, FL, July 29, 2010 – Themed “Looking To The Future,” the Vacation Ownership Investment Conference (VOIC) to be held October 4-6 at The Peabody Orlando promises to be a standout among shared-ownership conferences and meetings. The program is filled with a “who’s who” of industry leaders, including Richard L. “Dick” Ragatz, Ph.D., president of Ragatz Associates, who will share his insights on fractional resorts and why they have proven themselves an appealing alternative to second-home whole ownership. Ragatz has been involved in more than 2,500 studies on resort real estate and development during his remarkable 35-year career.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious gatherings in shared ownership, VOIC is an educational forum for developers, hoteliers, and lenders interested in learning more about the viability of various business models. It also provides delegates, including government and tourism officials, the venue to network with experts in every facet of the industry.
"This year’s event is structured to ensure that attendees get a thorough overview of what they need to know before entering the business, and put them in touch with resources who can assist them,” noted David C. Gilbert, executive vice president of resort sales and marketing for Interval International, conference founder and patron sponsor. “It is particularly timely, given the opportunities to convert distressed real estate assets to some form of shared ownership.”
“I’m pleased to be part of such an important conference, particularly at this critical juncture in our industry’s history,” Ragatz added. “Based on my experience and our recent research findings, I anticipate that shared-ownership will once again be on a significant growth track as the U.S. economy further stabilizes. I’m looking forward to sharing these positive findings with the hundreds of delegates expected at VOIC.”
Other renowned speakers include Marci Rossell, Ph.D., former economist for the Federal Reserve System and former CNBC chief economist, who will provide an insightful explanation of “just how we got into this mess and how we get out of it;” Peter C. Yesawich, Ph.D., widely quoted marketing strategist and trend-spotter, who will share his latest insights into the vacation and leisure-time habits of Americans; and Sree Sreenivasan, digital media professor and dean of Student Affairs at the Columbia School of Journalism, who will discuss how social media can promote brands and improve the bottom line.
In addition to Interval, patron sponsors of the 12th annual event are Aston Hotels & Resorts, Baker Hostetler, DCP International, Equiant, FARROW Commercial Construction, Foley & Lardner LLP, HVS Shared Ownership Services, Meridian Financial Services, Preferred Residences, Ragatz Associates, Robb & Stucky Hospitality Design Division, and Trooval.
For more information about the conference, please visit VacationOwnershipInvestment.com. or telephone 877.700.1153 (toll-free) or 305.668.3495.
