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27
1976–2016
In 1976, an accountant and a lawyer set out to create a timeshare
exchange company. Challenging enough to start a business at any
time, let alone during an economic downturn, in a nascent industry
that had yet to overcome some PR problems.
But from the beginning, Interval International has aspired to
thrive — standing firm through economic heaves and spasms, see-
ing the industry through a reputation turnaround as regulation and
customer protections were put in place, and coming into its own as
part of a publicly traded company in 2008.
“Interval has been part of the brain trust that has shaped our
industry’s product, regulation, business model, and vision for the
future,” reflects Howard Nusbaum, president and CEO of the
American Resort Development Association. “If there is an issue
impacting timeshare anywhere in the world, you can count on an
Interval International leader to be involved.”
Peter Yesawich, vice president of MMGY Global, agrees: “One of
Interval’s greatest strengths is its thought leadership in the vacation
ownership category.”
The highlights that populate the Interval timeline have been lauded
aplenty. How consumer membership tripled within two years of its
beginnings, the introduction of the industry’s first quality recognition
program in 1982, the launch of the first enhanced membership pro-
gram from an exchange company in 1987, the affiliation wave of
renowned hospitality brands, and numerous product and program
launches along the way.
So what does it take for a company to stay relevant, improve,
expand, and innovate for 40 years? For Interval International, it takes
great resort affiliates (approximately 3,000) and loyal and satisfied
members (about 2 million). It takes a commitment to technology and
the willingness to invest in the tools necessary to remain competitive in
today’s ever-changing marketplace. And it takes a team of profession-
als dedicated to excellence. Here are some of their stories.
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A N D C O U N T I N G
You don’t stay in business for 40 years by accident.
It takes a host of intangibles and a team of people
committed to a shared mission to sustain commerce for
that period of time. Or so it has for Interval International.