Just back from ULI's Council meeting in Chicago, and the four Recreational Development flights.

I was joined by other Star execs: Ron Frank and Ash Offermann and key alliance-guy Chirs Tivey he of Gravity.

Many old friends of 25 years including Bob Miller or Marriott, Ed McMullen, Sr. of hisself, Ed Spears among them.

Bob Miller recounted, yet again, his total praise of Howard Nusbaum as CEO or ARDA, and the job he has done to bring ARDA into the very mainstream of real estate lobbying groups. And, that the timeshare homeowner's PAC now raises some $3.5 million a year from $2 and $3 voluntary contributions from owners. Bob thought it up and Lynn Weas has been the honcho to bring it from pennies to multi millions.

The glamour side of the Rec Development function: Toni Alexander, as usual, lookin' LA great and Bryadyn Criswell 7 months PG, and looking very good, too. I can’t say as much for the ‘guys’ but I will state this: after Bob Miller and Ed McMullen, Sr showed up tieless for both Wednesday PM and all day Friday I sure has heck am not wearing mine next year

I was lamenting that we had not figured out how to sell fractions on an ‘event basis’ vs. tempo sales. Well, Randal Bone just opened up my thoughts with his Toscana experiences in selling, and how they 'evented' their way through the project by selling use vs. investment. Good stuff. Back to the drawing board, Carl.

As usual,, Mary Borgia, Red Flight Chair did a masterful job of programming and keeping the flight on track including that e mail sent at 3:45AM on the bus schedule!

Mary constructed a wonderful day of interactivity between members of the Red Flight that included round tables and panel discussions covering the whole spectrum of resort development and finance.

The Red Flight has such talented members. It's always a humbling experience to attend and learn. Sure, I've got the fractional side covered, but being a specialist of sorts can sometimes lead me to have tunnel vision. I certainly come away with my eyes wide.