Diamond Resorts International® Receives 2014 ACE Philanthropic Award from American Resort Development Association
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) May 14, 2014 -- Diamond Resorts International® (NYSE: DRII) (“Diamond”), a global leader in the hospitality and vacation ownership industries, has been named the winner of this year’s American Resort Development Association (ARDA) ACE Philanthropic Award. Diamond was recognized for organizing the first annual Brian Gay Golf Invitational, a best in class celebrity/amateur golf tournament hosted at Mystic Dunes Resort & Golf Club in Celebration, Fla. last December, raising more than $400,000 for the Florida Hospital for Children (FHFC).
ARDA, an industry leader in vacation ownership and resort development industries, annually recognizes resorts and industry members in categories that include overall professional excellence, outstanding sales and marketing accomplishments, product design, advertising and staff. Diamond was also a finalist for ARDA’s “top newsletter electronic format” and “brochure more than eight pages.” The company’s graphic design team was named a finalist for ARDA’s top graphic team award.
“While it is nice to receive ARDA’s ACE Philanthropic Award,” said Michael Flaskey, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Diamond Resorts International®, “the real satisfaction is helping those in need. In the Invitational’s first year, we were able to raise more than $400,000 in net proceeds with the immense support and tremendous generosity of all participating celebrities, golfers and sponsors. With their continued support, we hope to exceed that amount during our second tournament in December 2014.”
The net proceeds raised benefited the Walt Disney Pavilion at the Florida Hospital for Children (FHFC), a medical facility in Orlando, Fla. FHFC is home to a world-class panel of pediatric specialists and highly qualified staff dedicated to the care of children. The hospital offers a lobby designed by Disney that features characters and interactive games to ease the fear and anxieties of patients and their families. Through sponsorships and in-kind donations, the event was able to raise much-needed funds for the hospital to continue its mission.
The event was hosted by four-time PGA tournament winner and current PGA Tour professional Brian Gay. Brian hosted more than 300 attendees, including celebrity participants like retired MLB players Reggie Jackson and John Smoltz; retired NBA player Grant Hill; retired NFL player Marcus Allen; and country music star Darius Rucker, among others. The winning team included retired PGA Tour professional Carl Paulson.
For more information on the event, please visit http://briangayinvitational.tumblr.com/.
About Diamond Resorts International®
Diamond Resorts International®, with its network of more than 300 vacation destinations located in 33 countries throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa, provides guests with choices and flexibility as they design their dream vacation, whether they're traveling an hour away or around the world. Our hassle-free, relaxing vacations give guests a truly memorable experience every time, for a lifetime.
Diamond Resorts International® manages vacation ownership resorts and sells vacation ownership points that provide members and owners with Vacations of a Lifetime™ through 93 managed resorts, 210 affiliated properties and four cruise itineraries. To learn more, visit DiamondResorts.com.
# # #
Stevi Wara, Diamond Resorts International®, http://www.diamondresorts.com, +1 (702) 823-7069, [email protected]
Share this article