2008 Fractional Ownership conference - booking desk now open

3rd Annual Fractional Ownership Conference set to take place at Westin Grand Hotel, Cape Town, on 21 August 2008 followed by Fractional Ownership workshop the next day

The premier event on the vacation ownership calendar is the annual fractional ownership conference. Co-founder of fractionalownership.co.za, Dirk Wilson, says South Africa’s 3rd Annual Fractional Ownership Conference will feature16 specialist speakers from the industry, with the chance to ‘ask the experts’ through interactive Q&A sessions. “They will cover topics on the drivers and future growth predictions for the global and South African fractional ownership markets. Delegates will be enlightened as to how emerging players will shape this rapidly growing sector in the run up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup and beyond.”

The line-up of speakers includes John Loos, Property Strategist for FNB Home Loans and Erwin Rode of Rode & Associates. Both will be covering the state of the South African property market, with Rode’s emphasis on the ‘top end’ of the market. Troy Bingham, previously Vice President and Managing Director of RCI Pacific region will be jetting in from Australia to provide delegates with feedback on the state of the global vacation ownership sector. He will focus on how global exchange platforms will assist the growth of the South African fractional ownership industry going forward. Joop Demes of the Golding Group will be sharing some exciting, information on the integration of condominium products within the South African market.

On topics surrounding end-user finance, Jack Trevena and Gary Scallan will be taking the podium, Dirk Wilson will be quantifying the fractional market, and Thys Geyser of Geyser fractional consultancy services and Henry Greyling from SEEFF factional ownership will be mapping out the pre- and post-sale logistical landscape for fractional ownership developments.

Fresh trends out of the USA indicate that the leading fractional ownership companies are allocating  larger marketing budgets to on-line strategy. Robin Parker of BizCommunity.com will provide valuable insight on the power and future of Internet marketing in South Africa, demonstrating how South African fractional ownership companies can use the Internet for speed to market with measurable benefits. Tony Vaughn of Property Magazine will provide valuable tips on how to market luxury developments through the print media.

The Annual Fractional Ownership Conference is a valuable platform to get a status update of the market as well as to meet and greet key players. Adds Wilson: “It is also a fantastic once a year networking opportunity for you and your company. The 2007 Conference was attended by 163 delegates from all over the globe.”

Who should attend the 3rd Annual Fractional Ownership Conference 2008? Wilson gives us a list: individuals interested in fractionalizing a property or multiple properties; fractional promoters, service and exchange companies; hoteliers and property/resort developers; financial advisors; sales and marketing personnel involved in the fractional ownership industry; principals and property brokers; as well as hospitality service providers.

This year’s headline sponsor is IFA Hotels & Resorts Fairmont Zimbali (who will be giving away a free weekend to one lucky delegate), and co-sponsors are Pam Golding Properties, Seeff Properties, Destination Golf, Platinum Destinations and Orange Circle Concepts.

The next day at the Westin Grand hotel in Cape Town, fractionalownership.co.za in conjunction with Edward Nathan Sonnenberg are hosting a one-day fractional ownership workshop. Says Wilson: “This popular series of workshops exposes the ‘nuts and bolts’ of how to successfully fractionalise real estate in South Africa. The workshops cover the key components as well as the essential post-sale shareholder services and hospitality logistics.”

The workshop is presented by four industry experts: Dirk Wilson, Jackie Bauermeister, Shelley Mackay-Davidson and Robert Gad. Delegates attending will be given expert insight into the essential steps for successfully fractionalizing real estate. Speakers will cover consumer perceptions, sales and marketing logistics, vital industry statistics, legal and tax structures, compliance and post-sales hospitality and shareholder management. Also of value will be discussion of the strategy for identifying specialized consultants, partnerships and service companies for your fractional property or resort.  

The booking desk is now open for both events; the desk closes on 18 August.

For more information and bookings please contact Lynn Vermeulen on 021 556 5032 or lynn@fractionalownership.co.za. Visit www.fractionalownership.co.za