High Country Club Executives
Once one of the fastest emerging players in the destination club industry, High Country Club would introduce themselves in 2005 as the "first affordably priced destination club."
"We offer virtually the same types of properties, amenities and conveniences that other, more expensive clubs offer but at a significantly lower price," said Christian Kirschner, Founder and CEO. "That means you can take several vacations each year to a number of highly desirable locations for the same amount of money you would have spent on one traditional 10-day vacation."
While clubs like Private Escapes and Ultimate Resort had launched and seen success as low cost alternatives to other clubs, High Country Club would offer membership options at a fraction of even these club's plans.
The low cost option would prove attractive and High Country Club would grow to include nearly 400 members. With hopes high for 2008 following the successes the club had seen in new membership growth, High Country Club began to purchase properties outside of their price range and reward executives with increased salaries. Unfortunately, the high hopes the destination club had laid out would be dashed by the financial and real estate markets throughout the year.
"Membership sales have declined since the beginning of 2008 because of consumers fears, and with the economic events of the past 60 days, new sales have become next to impossible," Kirschner wrote to members late in 2008. Without the continual influx of new membership sales, the business model collapsed upon itself, leaving the club members with little hope of regaining their refundable membership deposits.
During the course of a drastic restructuring effort to stabilize the club, Kirschner and High Country Club let go of nearly all of their employees, including two of his own brothers.
Below, please find the notable names from the High Country Club team.
Christian Kirschner Chief Executive Officer
Dan Moorhead Chief Financial Officer
Heath Kirschner Vice President of Operations
Chris Stock Vice President of Member Services
If you would like to comment on your experiences with anyone from High Country Club, please feel free to contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.
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