Countdown to RDO6 2015 Conference
With the countdown to this year’s RDO6 2015 Conference “Embracing Change” in Marbella well and truly on, it hardly seems possible that a whole year has flown by since we all gathered for 2014’s “must not miss” European timeshare conference of the year.
Over these past twelve months, one thing is for sure. Changes have impacted our businesses (as well as our lives) and it is change itself – the fertilizer of new beginnings and the launch pad of success – which we’ll be exploring this year.
To fuel our always interesting panel discussions, debates and to whisk up plenty of food for thought, we have lined up an exceptional group of guest speakers for you this year.
“Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation,
revision and change” – Sir Richard Branson
Top business motivator Michael Jackson will kick things off with a thought-provoking presentation, “Embracing Change: 20:20 Vision for the Road Ahead”. Michael, who has worked with Richard Branson and Bill Gates, has advised many of the world’s foremost brands across broad sectors, from Microsoft and HP to Qatar Airways.
Guy Browning, who’s been dubbed the “David Attenborough of the business jungle” will show us how to tap into our intelligence, initiative and imagination to tackle key business issues in fresh, creative and much more effective ways.
Richard Newman, Director, UK Body Talk, will be sharpening our influential skills, showing us how to really “Walk The Talk” and influence people. Featured on BBC Radio, Channel 5 News, The Daily Telegraph and Forbes Magazine, he is one of Europe’s foremost experts on the art of persuasion.
Joining them will be Debbie Wosskow, founder and CEO of the world’s largest home exchange club, Love Home Swap, one of Britain’s top experts on shared ownership and the sharing economy, while Dr. Wouter Geerts, Travel Analyst (Lodging) at Euromonitor will be giving us a rare and fascinating insight into travel trends and how consumer demands are changing.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, it is not the most intelligent that survives, it is the one most adaptable to change” – Charles Darwin
One of 2015’s most remarkable trends has been the rise of Millenials. We’ve “switched generations”, in a sense. “Millenial” is the buzzword “du jour” for good reason. Millenials are the new social influencers and – importantly for everyone attending RDO6 – they’re the “now” timeshare generation.
Change has certainly been in the air this year. The spa trend is getting stronger, exit strategies are a hot topic and already the most forward looking developers are introducing shorter term timeshare products to fit a new generation of buyers who recognise the value of timeshare ownership but may not want to own “for life”.
Undoubtedly, one of the real landmark changes of 2015 is RDO’s new requirement that all RDO members have an exit strategy, including mandatory exit for “legacy cases” on death, illness or bankruptcy, which was introduced this spring. Designed for those owners who have a genuine case for surrendering their timeshare, this change may well double as a spoonful of honey for families with younger children who are attracted to the secure “private club” and “home from home” feel of a holiday resort, but don’t necessarily want a timeshare forever.
Change is the one of the few guarantees in life and how we adapt to it, and embrace it, is pivotal. Change can be the difference between success and disappointment, thriving or just about surviving.
Embracing change is something at the true core of Sir Richard Branson’s life and business philosophy: “Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision and change.”
That’s what makes our business so exciting.
Sponsors confirmed for this year include CLC World Resorts & Hotels, Diamond Resorts International, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Interval International and RCI, as Platinum Sponsors and Dial An Exchange, Generator Systems and Shawbrook Bank as Gold Sponsors.
For full details of this year’s programme, business sessions, speakers, and registration go to www.rdoconference.org.
