EVENT REMINDER: ATHOC Ten Pin Bowling Challenge

Thursday 14th May 2009 - 6pm for 6.30pm
Surfers Paradise Bowling Centre, Centro Surfers Paradise
Cost: $20.00 p/p  (Includes shoe hire and Pizza)  BYO Drinks
For more information click here or email us.

 

CONFERENCE DATE CLAIMER

Moving Forward Together is the theme for the 2009 Annual Conference being held at the Courtyard Marriott from the 13th to the 15th of September.

Dial An Exchange, Group RCI and Interval International have excellent deals for your accommodation, so get in quickly to make sure you don’t miss out. Accommodation is also available at the Courtyard Marriott.

This years conference is offering a array of different topics and speakers from both Australia and the United States.

Take this opportunity to bring your organisation up to speed with what is happening in the industry internationally as well as some take home tips on how to improve your operations. The full conference price for early bird ATHOC members is $850 and Non Members $1,050.

A draft program will be sent to you shortly or for more information email info@athoc.com.au

EVENT REMINDER: 18th Annual ATHOC National Awards

“A night with the Stars”

Gold Coast Arts Centre
Friday 31st  July 2009
7pm till midnight
Dress: “like a star…”
Band: Phoenix Calling
Includes: 3 course dinner*, beer, wine, soft drinks & entertainment
Early Birds $95 for ATHOC Members
Nominations are currently out, so make sure you nominate your staff for this prestigious event.
For more information click here or email us.

HOME GROWN: Southern Seminar

The Southern Committee is committed to another excellent line up for the annual seminar which will be held at WorldMark Ballarat on the 5th and 6th of November, 2009. More information to follow soon, but don’t forget to mark it into your diary now.

HOME GROWN: Classic Group News

INTERCHANGE TIMESHARE NOW A PART OF CLASSIC GROUP

On the 30 April 2009, the Business of Interchange Timeshare (Qld) Pty Ltd was transferred to the Classic Group of companies.  Classic Group operates a number of iconic brands in the Australian Timeshare industry including Classic Holidays, Classic Holiday Club and Dial An Exchange and manages some 13 timeshare resorts.

As part of this acquisition Classic has transferred the “Timeshare Exchange” business to Dial An Exchange (DAE).  All your current entitlements and credits with Interchange have been transferred to DAE.  Many of the staff currently employed by Interchange will be transferring to Classic and will be part of the larger group.

DAE operates a world class timeshare exchange business with eight international offices.  Additionally, their online search and book facility makes finding your next exchange easy. 

MORE CHANGES AT CLASSIC

Classic Holidays has entered into an arrangement with HMI @Calypso Club to manage their 570 members effective from 1st April, 2009.

HOME GROWN: New member services manager at Classic Holidays

Classic is pleased to welcome Mark Dobbie in his new position as Member Services Manager. 

This pivotal "hands-on" role will manage all day-to-day aspects of the Member Services Department which consists of an inbound and outbound team & Marketing and Inventory Department. Key responsibilities include managing and developing the team and introducing new strategies to improve team operations.

HOME GROWN: New incentives for energy efficiency on Magnetic Island

Island Palms Resort at Nelly Bay on Magnetic Island is the first participant to benefit from the new Solar City incentive vouchers offering $50 to $500 towards energy efficient purchases.

Under the innovative program, designed to encourage action against climate change and available to all Magnetic Island project participants, the Resort has saved $1900 on the purchase of new energy efficient fridges and televisions.

Island Palms Resort Managers John and Sheena Austin said the purchase was part of a planned upgrade to the resort facilities.

“With the help of the voucher system we were able to afford 12 four-star refrigerators and one four-star freezer instead of lesser rated appliances, so our owners now have more environmentally friendly appliances that incur less cost over time.  These have replaced less efficient appliances that were up to 10 years old.

The Solar Cities Program is a $94 million Australian Government funded visionary energy initiative bringing together industry, business, governments and communities to rethink the way they produce, use and save energy, now and in the future.  The Ergon Energy-led consortium, including the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council are investing $15 million in the world-class solar initiative.

HOME GROWN: Travel by Wyndham achieves 'Champion Agent' status

Travel by Wyndham – WorldMark South Pacific Club’s exclusive Owner only travel agency – has recently achieved ‘Champion Status’ with Trafalgar Tours! This fantastic accomplishment puts Travel by Wyndham amongst the Top 100 Agents nationwide, and makes them one of the Top 5 Agents for Queensland.

In order to gain this prestigious title, Travel by Wyndham was required to reach a certain number of bookings. To date, they have successfully booked more than 159 passengers; well exceeding their original target of 54. Travel by Wyndham is sure to continue their success, with the team right on track to meet targets for the rest of the year.

Jaculin Lowien, Travel Product & Operations Manager, said the fantastic results have even more value in light of the economic downturn. “Trafalgar Tours specialise in destinations like Europe, USA, South America and Egypt – long haul destinations that people aren’t prepared to do in the current environment. But with the new packages and deals, the team are excelling. We’re really happy with the results.”

As a Trafalgar Champion, Travel by Wyndham is entitled to ‘priority communication’ (queue jumping rights for new bookings), priority brochure delivery and additional marketing funds from Trafalgar Tours.    

“Our more experienced consultants are definitely worthy of ‘Champion Agent’ status,” said Lowien. “They have the ability to swing people towards a tour when they have otherwise not considered it, or promote the benefits of a company to a point where Owners would not want to book anywhere else. They know their product inside and out.”

HOME GROWN: From trainee to best in the world!

When 2008 upgrades representative, Sharon Pitkin, started her traineeship with Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific at the beginning of last year, she aimed high. While her modesty kept her aspirations a secret, the incredible year that followed, culminating in the ARDA award for Salesperson – Telesales, is now nothing short of industry legend.

In a true rags to riches story, Sharon’s phenomenal first year in the vacation ownership industry saw her transform from struggling single parent, to multi-million dollar saleswoman, company record setter, President’s Platinum Millionaires Club inductee and the best Telesales representative on the planet.

Speechless when told that she had beaten more than 35,000 other nominees, Pitkin said that this was what it was all about. “I’m still struggling to come to terms with it – I can’t believe I’m the best in the world! Sure it was one of my goals, but I still can’t believe it!”

Dreaming big is only half the story said Pitkin. The real success is in the daily detail. “If you come and hit your small daily goals, it’s a natural thing that your biggest goals will be achieved - day in, day out, never quit.”

“Sharon is an inspiration for us all,” said CEO & Managing Director, Barry Robinson. “She is a deserved winner of this prestigious award and a true sales star for our company. Her commitment and dedication to delivering the very best for our Owners is nothing short of incredible and her drive and tenacity to succeed is an ever-present example of what we can all achieve when we believe in ourselves.”

Including Sharon’s Salesperson - Telemarketing award, Wyndham Vacation Ownership won an impressive 11 ARDA awards for outstanding performances, initiatives and innovations throughout 2008.

HOME GROWN: Increased service for owners

Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has this year launched a range of Owner Education initiatives to ensure that everyone of their WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham Owners has access to an educational workshop, irrespective of where they live.

Two different Owner Education workshops, which can be booked online, are now offered in capital city and regional locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, according to Owners’ needs. The first, entitled “Let’s Get Holidaying”, is designed to enhance Owners’ understanding of how their Ownership works and the WorldMark South Pacific Club booking process. Whilst the second, “Beyond the South Pacific”, investigates additional Owner benefits such as vacation exchange and WorldMark South Pacific Club’s exclusive Owner-only travel agency.

In addition to these face-to-face workshops, Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s Owner Education team also offer a variety of in-home education solutions, including workshops via teleconference and the recently launched Owner Education DVD.

Vice President Customer Service & Loyalty, Wendy Kessler, said these latest initiatives have been designed to build on Owners’ dreams of taking more holidays. “The workshops are now more interactive and focus on helping our Owners achieve their holiday plans – rather than on the rules and regulations of the Club,” she said.

Owner response has been extremely positive as well, with record attendance at many workshops and positive feedback. “We have been to two prior workshops and this is the best we have ever seen. The way it was presented meant it was the first time we actually got it,” said Brian & Lorelle Ash of their recent workshop in Brisbane.

HOME GROWN: 25,000 members and growing

Accor Vacation Club has reached two very significant milestones in its Membership growth over the past 6 months. The Australian Club, which commenced in 2000, has now surpassed 25,000 Members, whilst the Asian Club, which commenced in 2007 has now reached 1000 Members. Accor Vacation Club Members secure their future holidays at today’s prices by joining their Home Club. Marketing is also powering ahead with mini-vacation offers to potential Members, also boosting business for several Accor hotels including Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney.

WORLD AROUND US: RCI honored by American Resort Development Association as 'Employer of the Year'

World’s largest vacation exchange company recognized at industry awards gala
RCI, the global leader in vacation exchange was selected as “Employer of the Year” award at the association’s 2009 gala ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

“RCI prides itself on having the most talented, engaged and service oriented associates in the hospitality business who are committed to delivering great vacation experiences at every interaction and touch point,” said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI. “These awards demonstrate the commitment by our business and associates to our ‘Count On Me!’ service ethos for our members and affiliates. It’s a great honour for all of RCI’s associates to be recognized by our colleagues throughout the industry, and to see so many of our affiliates at this event honoured as well”.

The ARDA awards are an opportunity to recognize those companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the industry.  The Employer of the Year award recognized RCI’s efforts to help its associates develop and grow their personal and professional experiences in rewarding careers with the business. The award highlighted RCI’s “CATALYST” program which focuses on identifying, developing and retaining the best possible leadership talent available by combining innovative techniques to keep the energy high and the leadership learning impactful.

Pictured: Faye Tylee and Geoff Ballotti (centre) accepts the Employer of the Year award

BUSINESS: No leave no life

Improve your employee efficiency - Stockpiled leave is unhealthy for your business

Australian employees have built up a staggering 123 million days and $33.3 billion in accrued annual leave, with 1 in 4 Australian full-time employees accruing 25+ days leave. This stockpiled leave affects the health of employees who choose to stay at work rather than taking a well-earned break, and affects the performance and morale of the companies they work for.

The challenges faced by employers include reduced motivation and productivity of personnel, as well as difficulties in retaining skilled staff and increased financial liabilities.

Tackle the problem today

We know that as an employer you face many challenges, especially when times are tough. The good news is that No Leave, No Life allows you to tackle the issue of stockpiled annual leave right now.

No Leave, No Life helps you work with your employees in planning and taking an Australian holiday. The benefits include boosting the health of your business, your employees and the local economy.

Get involved today and find out how you can build a positive leave culture with this easy-to-use Human Resource Management toolkit . Discover the issues and risks presented by excessive accumulated annual leave and learn how to reduce it by implementing No Leave, No Life in your workplace. http://www.noleavenolife.com/