Parallel
Members

With financial disclosure and responsible spending pillars of the club structure, Parallel would be created over dinner by Chad Morse and Tim Wolff. The pair "realized that a destination club would be so much more attractive if it aligns its interests with those of its members - financially and experientially - making genuine connections with its members, viewing truly great residences as the gateways to rich interactions and providing the highest level of service in the world's leading destinations."

The young destination club would proudly proclaim the importance that they would place on being forthright with financial information with all of their members.

"As a Parallel Member you will always remain in an equitable position with other Members when accessing the Club. Our fair, open and clear rules and regulations promote the enjoyment of all Club services while constantly reinforcing the Club's core values and overall interests of its Membership. While many destination clubs offer the allure of artificially reduced annual dues or special promotional savings, Parallel believes these programs place members at an unfair disadvantage. Ultimately, these clubs will reduce services or access to residences — a direct conflict to the existing members' interests in using the club in exchange for selling new memberships; regardless of the impact on overall member satisfaction."

Combining their strong financial focus with a stunning collection of vacation properties, Parallel would establish themselves as a major player in the industry and despite their relative youth, Parallel would be one of the founding members of the Destination Club Association.

Growing to roughly 30 members, Tim Wolff would be introduced to Graham Kos, the Founder of their primary rival Solstice Collection. The two would discuss the destination club industry and see the benefits of a Solstice and Parallel merger. In November of 2006, the two would announce a "merger of equals."

The combined club featured roughly 75 members, moving forward with the recognized Solstice name, but with Parallel's executive team in place.

After a year of successful growth in terms of members throughout 2007, in May of 2008, Graham Kos and a group of investors would purchase controlling interest in the club from the Parallel founding investors.

With the financial and real estate markets in a downward spiral, new membership sales proved difficult for virtually every destination club in the industry. With a $23 million loan due, Solstice filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy early in 2009.

According to court documents, the club had 94 total members: 45 Platinum members, 41 Signature members, and 8 Sky members.

If you are a former Solstice Collection member and would like to voice your opinions and thoughts about the club, please feel free to contact us at contribute@destinationclubnews.com.