DC4MS

A&K Residence Club President Jarvis Slade, Jr. Named To Destination Club Association Board

OAK BROOK, Ill. – May 30, 2008 – Abercrombie & Kent, a pioneer in luxury travel for the past 46 years, today announced that Jarvis J. Slade, Jr., president of the company’s new Abercrombie & Kent Residence Club, has been appointed to the Destination Club Association’s (DCA) board of directors. The appointment was made official at the Association’s annual meeting held this week in Miami during the Destination Club and Private Residence Club Industry Symposium.

“I am honored to take an active role in shaping the direction of our industry,” said Slade. “As a DCA board member, I look forward to the sharing of best practices with my colleagues from the other member organizations.”

The DCA formed in 2007 with a mission to create standards ensuring fair and ethical practices throughout member organizations while promoting the long-term growth of the destination club industry. Seven destination club organizations currently make up the membership of the DCA.

“It is critical that the industry have a non-partisan organization that will help define the way destination club memberships are structured, marketed and sold,” commented Slade. “Potential members should feel confident that the DCA will work diligently towards a goal that provides certain safeguards while creating a robust industry benefiting all.”

During the symposium, Slade participated in a CEO panel titled, “Responding To Market Conditions; Product Innovation; & Where The Greatest Opportunities Lie.” Slade was joined by CEOs from Exclusive Resorts, LUSSO Collection, Everlands, and Ultimate Resorts. He commented that the industry as a whole needs to raise the level of consumer understanding of the destination club concept and the benefits of club membership.

“The next wave of growth is dependent on generating more category awareness,” said Slade. “It will also be important to improve club value propositions, centering on the lifestyle/travel experience, and aligning club benefits so that, like with the equity club model, the focus is on the members and their interests.”

Abercrombie & Kent announced its Residence Club division earlier this year, naming Slade as president in April. The company enters the market with an impressive portfolio of luxury-home, villa and suite properties, realized in part through the 2007 acquisition of the former BelleHavens and Crescendo clubs. Unique to A&K Residence Club, members will be able to take advantage of the company’s core travel business by applying some of their vacation time allotment towards A&K travel adventures. The company plans to begin offering memberships in September.