Signature Destinations Recruits Abercrombie & Kent Destination Club Executive

By: Destination Club News
Date: June 27, 2005

The young Signature Destinations, the first destination club with a regional focus, has brought in an experienced industry executive who they hope can bring the same success that he brought to his former club: Abercrombie & Kent Destination Clubs' Jay Harbison.

"Coming from the company that pioneered the residence club industry, I am excited about the opportunity to harness the knowledge and experience gained through trial and error with the original residence club model and apply it to Signature Destinations’ innovative regional model," said Harbison. "I look forward to setting Signature Destinations as the standard by which the upscale segment of the residence club industry is measured."

During his tenure with Abercrombie & Kent Destination Clubs, Harbison served as Vice President of Hospitality, assisting in growing the club from under 100 members to over 800 in less than three years. Harbison duties included member services, reservations, travel planning, and property management amongst others.

While Signature Destinations is the first destination club to focus exclusively on a specific region, Harbison does have experience with the model. Abercrombie & Kent Destination Club has a regional allocation model where the club only accepts a pre-set number of members from specific regions, based primarily on properties within the portfolio. If a region has too many new applicants, new members are placed on a waiting list to join as the club purchases new properties to meet demand in that area.

"Jay’s career has been geared around travel and leisure, both in upscale club and resort settings," said Signature Destinations' Founder and Chief Executive Officer Chad Stevens. "As Signature Destinations offers the best of both worlds, he makes a perfect addition to the team."

This isn't the first time that a high ranking employee under Rob McGrath has left for another destination club. Former Chief Operating Officer Richard Keith left the club to start his own destination club, Private Escapes. Officially launched last April, the club has already introduced a new club level, Private Escapes Platinum, and surpassed the 100 member mark earlier this year.

If you are interested in destination club membership, request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide for suggested due diligence questions and an overview of the major clubs in the industry.