Independent Resorts Concludes Its 2005 Annual Conference
WILLIAMSBURG, VA, July 27, 2005. Independent resort owners, General Managers, CEO's, CFO's, Risk Managers, Human Resource personnel and Insurance Executives gathered at The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, New York, July 9-12 at the association's 19th annual meeting. A record setting number of attendees heard from insurance and travel industry leaders, attended educational seminars, reviewed the current status of association insurance programs, networked with fellow resort colleagues and enjoyed the scenic Adirondack region of New York on historic Lake George.
This year's conference featured two keynote speakers. Mark Lomanno, President of Smith Travel Research, shared the latest research on the resort market and emerging lodging trends. Patrick G. Ryan, Executive Chairman of the Aon Corporation, a global leader in risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, addressed the health of insurance industry overall as well as the impact on the industry resulting from New York State Attorney General Elliott Spitzer's investigation of the insurance industry.
In addition to keynote addresses, the conference was packed with seminar sessions and panel discussions on topics of interest to all segments of the association's membership. Educational sessions addressed everything from Internet distribution channel strategies to risk transfer techniques and hospitality industry financing. Resort & hotel security, mediation & claims strategies, and techniques to improve spa profitability rounded out the seminar sessions. Two special panel discussions featured lessons learned from the 2004 hurricane season and spa loss control & claims management. Association business included the annual meetings for both the Resort Hotel Association and its affiliated captive insurance company, the Resort Hotel Insurance Company.
The Resort Hotel Association, headquartered in Williamsburg, Virginia, is a not-for-profit, member-managed association that provides insurance products to independent resorts, luxury and historic hotels, and destination spas. Since it's founding in 1987 the association has grown from 13 to 118 properties throughout the United States today. The 2006 Resort Hotel Association Annual Conference will be held July 15-18, 2006 at the Whitetail Club and Resort, McCall, Idaho.
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