Ultimate Escapes Hits The Road

By: Destination Club News
Date: March 18, 2009

Following two major destination club Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings where members largely were left in the dark due to a lack of correspondence between the clubs and their members, Ultimate Escapes Destination Club is hitting the road to discuss the future of the club with members directly.

Roadshow events have long been a staple of Ultimate Escapes' marketing efforts, but beginning last night, the club will use them to educate members on recent changes made to the club and work with members to help craft the future of the second largest destination club in the industry.

Continuing through the end of April, Ultimate Escapes will conduct six events in high member saturation areas throughout the US.

  • Tuesday, March 17, 2009: Dallas, Texas
  • Thursday, March 26, 2009: Denver, Colorado
  • Thursday, April 2, 2009: Chicago, Illinois
  • Thursday, April 9, 2009: New York, New York
  • Thursday, April 22, 2009: Manhattan Beach, California
  • Friday, April 23, 2009: San Francisco, California

Due to the proprietary information that will be presented during these member only events, members will be asked to show their identification and submit a Non-Disclosure Agreement in advance to attend. According to a club representative, "the sessions will be used to assist in club strategy and planning to shape the long-term vision of the club with Member input." For those who are unable to attend, the club will post transcripts of the events on their Members Only website.

As High Country Club members flip through Christian Kirschner's bankruptcy papers and question his $1,000,000 in total salary over the past two years and LUSSO Collection members continue to ask where their money went, members of every destination club are asking difficult questions to their clubs management teams to ensure their club doesn't meet a similar fate. Ultimate Escapes proactive approach to meeting with members and discussing in an open arena is a very positive step forward for an industry that has recently been called everything from deceptive to fraudulent.

Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club has also announced the first annual Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club Meeting to be held on April 28, 2009 in Chicago. At the meeting, the club will elect board members and disclose the club's annual financial report.

"From the beginning, we established a promise to be forthright about how the club is operating financially and have the members play an active role in the club's future," said Geoffrey Kent, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent. "Our annual meeting demonstrates our commitment to that promise."

These open forums not only allow members to interact with club executives, but also allows members to interact with other members. What are your favorite properties? Who is the best local host? Where should I dine in Cabo? Members get the chance to learn more about the inner workings of the club but also get the chance to discuss the real reason they joined, hassle-free travel.

Hopefully more destination clubs will follow the lead of Ultimate Escapes and Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club and provide members an opportunity to learn more about the health of their clubs. As clubs continue to decrease sales and marketing expenses, membership referrals will continue to play an integral role in the long term sustainability of every club in the industry. Creating a membership base that knows that executives will listen to their suggestions and concerns will go a long way to help current club members usher in friends, family, and colleagues into the destination club family.