Cendant Timeshare Resort Group and University of Nevada, Las Vegas Create First-Ever Timeshare Curriculum

Cendant Timeshare Resort Group (CTRG), the largest vacation ownership company in the world with more than 730,000 owners, has announced a unique partnership with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), in which both parties will design, structure and implement the school's new timeshare curriculum at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. School officials say UNLV will be one of the first major universities to offer a timeshare program, available to students for the first time in the fall semester of 2006.

The first courses will offer an introduction to the timeshare and the vacation ownership industry, timeshare marketing, sales and sales management, and an examination of the skills, tools and techniques needed for successful strategic management of timeshare organizations.

"We're excited to partner with UNLV to give these students the education and foundation necessary to pursue an exciting and lucrative career in the timeshare industry upon graduation," said Franz S. Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Cendant Timeshare Resort Group, and a 25-year industry veteran. "Timeshare continues to be a rapidly-growing industry and there will be an ongoing need for talented individuals in all areas for years to come."

Professionals within CTRG's two vacation ownership brands -- Fairfield Resorts and Trendwest Resorts -- will serve as course instructors and advisors for the timeshare program. They will also be instrumental in facilitating industry experts as guest lecturers within the classroom, as well as implementing various other initiatives for the field of study.

As part of the program, the university and CTRG have also formed a group called F.I.T. -- The Future's in Timeshare. F.I.T. is an active student organization designed to build relationships, build a knowledge base and enhance members' involvement in the timeshare program. Expected to be a highly recognizable initiative throughout the industry, F.I.T. and the coursework offered at UNLV will serve as models for future curriculums in vacation ownership. More than 125 students have already joined F.I.T.

"Given the growth of the industry and its impact on markets like Las Vegas, we believe there's a great need for this type of program within our hospitality curriculum," said Stuart Mann, Dean of the Harrah College of Hotel Administration at UNLV. "Cendant Timeshare Resort Group is the industry leader and has a significant presence here. Our students will gain invaluable experience and receive a fantastic foundation from which to begin their timeshare careers -- and we're thankful that CTRG has become a strategic partner in the growth and development of this program."