Steve Case Increases
Ownership Stake
in Exclusive Resorts
and Becomes Chairman
Consumer Membership Sales
Exceed $250 Million in Past Year
Real
Estate Portfolio Exceeds $600 Million, Largest in Consumer Marketplace
Completes
Assembly of World-Class Management Team
Steve
Case Increases Ownership Stake in Exclusive Resorts
Denver, CO & Washington,
DC � November 22, 2004 � Exclusive
Resorts announced today that Steve Case, co-founder of America Online
and one of the world�s leading business visionaries has increased his majority
ownership in Exclusive Resorts and has become Chairman of the Company.
The Company disclosed that in the past 12 months, the Exclusive Resorts
membership sales exceeded $250 million, and the Company�s portfolio of
owned real estate has grown to over $600 million, making it the largest
luxury vacation residence portfolio in the consumer marketplace. The Company
also announced that Mr. Case has assembled a world-class management team
to continue the consumer focus and growth of Exclusive Resorts.
�The
Exclusive Resorts innovative product offers people a dramatically better
way to travel and vacation with family and friends. What attracted me a
little over a year ago to acquire a controlling interest in the Company
is that Exclusive Resorts makes vacation homes more accessible and more
affordable to more people, much as mortgages made home ownership possible
for the public-at-large,� stated Mr. Case. �I enjoy working closely with
the Company�s entrepreneurial co-founders to build a successful consumer
focused company around this unique concept. In a little over a year, the
Company�s membership has grown almost 20 fold, and the Company�s real estate
portfolio has grown over 80 fold. This explosive growth demonstrates that
Exclusive Resorts is the right idea at the right time for consumers, and
I believe this product concept and business model is applicable to other
consumer segments as well,� added Mr. Case.
Exclusive Resorts (www.ExclusiveResorts.com)
has created the leading luxury residence club by offering its members unprecedented
access to the largest portfolio of multi-million dollar residences in the
world�s most desirable destinations. The residences combine the spaciousness
and elegance of a private home with the services, amenities and conveniences
of a luxury resort. Exclusive Resorts currently owns more than 300 private
residences in nearly 30 destinations, approximately 145 of which are currently
available for use by its members, with the balance under design and construction
for its members. The Company is continually acquiring and developing additional
properties, thus providing consumers with a growing portfolio of residences
in an increasing variety of destinations. A membership in Exclusive Resorts
eliminates the hassles of vacation home ownership, the limitations of fractional
real estate and the inconsistencies of villa rental.
Steve Case has assembled
a world-class management team, recruiting from top companies in key related
industries. Donn Davis, formerly a senior executive at Time Warner, America
Online and Tribune Company, and a leader in successfully building innovative,
new consumer businesses, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Robert Parsons, formerly Chief Financial Officer of Host Marriott Corporation
and a 23-year veteran of Marriott and Host Marriott, was appointed Exclusive
Resorts� Chief Financial Officer. Michael Beindorff, formerly Executive
Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Product at Visa, was appointed
Exclusive Resorts� Chief Operating Officer.
Brad Handler, Brent Handler
and Tom Filippini, co-founders of Exclusive Resorts, continue to play a
leadership role in the Company. Brad Handler serves as Vice Chairman, focusing
on legal and regulatory matters. Brent Handler remains as President of
the Company with responsibility for daily operations, and Tom Filippini
continues as the Company�s EVP of Membership Sales. Completing the management
team are hospitality, real estate and fractional services industry veterans.
Todd Harris, a 14-year veteran of Ritz Carlton and most recently the General
Manager of the acclaimed Ritz Carlton Bachelor�s Gulch, is SVP of Member
Services. Cathy Ross, an 18-year veteran of hospitality and real estate,
most recently with Destination Hotels & Resorts, is SVP of Real Estate
Operations. Brian Greenman, previously the director of accounting and financial
operations of Hyatt Corporation, is SVP of Finance. Rob Hersov, founder
of Marquis Jets Europe and current Vice Chairman of NetJets Europe, leads
the Company�s sales expansion in Europe as the Non-Executive Chairman of
Exclusive Resorts Europe.
�I loved the idea the
first time I heard it,� said Mr. Davis, who together with Steve Case invested
in the Company and joined the Board a little over a year ago. �Exclusive
Resorts provides a unique and compelling value for consumers � our members
get exclusive access to hundreds of luxury vacation homes in dozens of
the world�s best destinations, without the hassle and for a fraction of
the cost of buying just one home. I am thrilled to be CEO of the Company
as I believe Exclusive Resorts is positioned to revolutionize the luxury
travel and vacation real estate industries for the benefit of consumers,�
commented Mr. Davis.
Prior to joining Exclusive
Resorts, Mr. Davis served as President of the AOL Interactive Properties
Group, where he led the explosive growth of Internet category leaders,
including Mapquest, Moviefone and AOL Instant Messenger. Previously, Mr.
Davis was President of Tribune Ventures, where he successfully invested
in companies that pioneered new industry segments, including Excite, Checkfree
and iVillage. Mr. Davis partners with Mr. Case in investing in and building
innovative consumer companies.
Over the past year, Exclusive
Resorts has become the partner of choice in the luxury residence club segment,
having established strategic alliances with many leading consumer companies.
American Express selected Exclusive Resorts as the luxury residence club
of choice for its Centurion cardholders. Christie�s Great Estates, the
world�s oldest fine art auction house that has the largest network of luxury
real estate brokers dedicated to the marketing and sale of important properties,
refers clients to Exclusive Resorts and recommends Exclusive Resorts as
a Participating Broker in their Preferred Developer program. Marquis Jet,
which sells access to NetJets 25 hours at a time via the Marquis Jet Card
and is the recognized category leader, entered into a marketing alliance
with Exclusive Resorts that provides special benefits to the members of
both programs. Neiman Marcus chose Exclusive Resorts for inclusion in its
prestigious InCircle Rewards program and featured the product in its acclaimed
Christmas Book. Virtuoso, the preeminent luxury travel specialist, is the
exclusive travel provider for Exclusive Resorts� members and recommends
Exclusive Resorts as the exclusive luxury residence club for their clientele.
Exclusive Resorts has
attracted a board of directors comprised of respected and successful business
leaders. Joining Case, Davis and the Handlers on the board are: Todd Chaffee,
Managing Director of Institutional Venture Partners and former Executive
Vice President of VISA International; John Fahey, CEO of National Geographic
and former Chairman and CEO of Time Life, Inc.; David Golden, Managing
Director of JP Morgan, and a member of JP Morgan�s worldwide management
committee; Thomas M. Gottlieb, former Chairman of Mandara Spa and 25 year
veteran of the luxury hospitality industry; and John Pritzker, who served
as a senior executive at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and is currently Chairman
of Red Sail Sports.
About Exclusive Resorts
Exclusive Resorts is
the leader in the new consumer segment of luxury residence clubs. Exclusive
Resorts offers its members unprecedented access to a portfolio of hundreds
of the finest luxury vacation residences in dozens of world�s most desirable
destinations. With an average value of $2.5 million, each residence combines
the spaciousness and elegance of a private home with the services, amenities
and conveniences of a five star resort. Membership in Exclusive Resorts
eliminates the burdens of owning a second home, the limitations of fractional
real estate and the uncertainties of renting a villa. Members of Exclusive
Resorts pay a one-time membership fee of $375,000, which is 80 percent
refundable upon resignation, as well as Annual Dues of $15,000 to $25,000,
depending on the Usage Plan the member elects each year. Exclusive Resorts
has received acclaim from prestigious media, including being recognized
as the finest luxury residence club by Robb Report in its 16th Annual �Best
of the Best� issue. The Company is based in Denver, Colorado and Washington
D.C. For more information on Exclusive Resorts, please call 800.447.8988
or visit www.ExclusiveResorts.com.
|
Contacts
Corporate
Contact:
Exclusive
Resorts, LLC.
Amber
Raleigh
Vice
President of Marketing
Tel:
303.226.4904
IFax:
303.474.6990I |
Travel
& Lifestyle Media:
Evins
Communications, Ltd.
Glenn
Haussman
Director
- Travel & Hospitality Group
Tel:
212.688.8200
IFax:
212.935.6730I |
Business
Media:
Financial
Dynamics
Claudine
Cornelis
Senior
Vice President
Tel:
212.850.5665
IFax:
212.850.5790I |
I
|