Financial Reporting Standards for a Global Association

SAG professionals developed the first "state of the industry report" on the vacation ownership industry for the industry's global association. The report concentrated on financial performance of the resorts, fractional and private resident clubs for the industry. SAG professionals also helped to create the first Timeshare and Vacation Ownership's Uniform Systems of Accounts. The Uniform Systems helped participating vacation ownership companies in creating financial statements which are in similar formats, accounting disposition of various revenue and expense items and corresponding footnotes.

Multi-Variable Regression to Establish Lending Underwriting Criteria

SAG team members helped modify a diversified global financial services institution commercial real estate lending criteria following the failure of commercial real estate loans in the early 1990s. The project began with a survey of loan officers to understand the primary variables that went into commercial real estate lending decisions. The next step was to gather project and market data that was available at the time of the loan commitment on 500 sample loans. This data was feed into a multivariable regression model to understand which variables were most correlated with loan success or failure. Variables included relationship data, past borrower performance, project data (occupancy, coverage, etc.), and market data (occupancy, growth rate trends, known new supply, etc.). The study determined that there were ten key project and market variables that were known at the time of lending that were reliable predictors of success. However, the survey of loan officers indicated that relationship and past performance were their key criteria in making loan decisions. The result was a modification of the lending practices that lowered commercial real estate lending delinquency.

Mind Mapping to Determine Strategic Priorities

SAG facilitated an in-depth and broad-based strategic planning effort for the Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Orlando's primary marketing organization. The three-year strategic plan culminated with a SAG-led Board of Directors retreat to prioritize key initiatives. SAG utilized the proven Mind Mapping technique to direct the large board and staff through the planning process. Areas analyzed and prioritized included branding, product development, marketing and advertising, competitive position, product quality, customer relations, performance measures, economic development, learning programs, digital strategy, membership, community issues, workforce issues, profit centers, funding and others.

Strategic Plan and Stadium Development for a Major League Baseball Team Relocation

SAG managed a multi-faceted team that successfully assisted the District of Columbia with relocating the MLB-owned Montréal Expos to Washington, DC and developing a new ballpark. Our team addressed every issue associated with developing the ballpark ranging from development budget creation, finance plan development, parking finance plan development, ballpark attendance projections, funding stream tax projections, ballpark tax impact projections, comparable ballpark finance structure data gathering, competitive market ballpark revenue due diligence, and assisted with lease and ballpark development agreement negotiations. The project budget increased over time as off-site infrastructure was added to the project and the finance plan evolved through a number of iterations. Ultimately, the ballpark was funded by team lease payments, taxes generated by ballpark activities, a business gross receipts tax (previously used for the MCI Center), and a business utilities tax. Nationals Park opened in March 2008.

Economic Development Strategy

SAG managed a multi-faceted team that successfully assisted the District of Columbia with relocating the MLB-owned Montréal Expos to Washington, DC and developing a new ballpark. Our team addressed every issue associated with developing the ballpark ranging from development budget creation, finance plan development, parking finance plan development, ballpark attendance projections, funding stream tax projections, ballpark tax impact projections, comparable ballpark finance structure data gathering, competitive market ballpark revenue due diligence, and assisted with lease and ballpark development agreement negotiations. The project budget increased over time as off-site infrastructure was added to the project and the finance plan evolved through a number of iterations. Ultimately, the ballpark was funded by team lease payments, taxes generated by ballpark activities, a business gross receipts tax (previously used for the MCI Center), and a business utilities tax. Nationals Park opened in March 2008.

Business Process Re-Engineering

SAG professionals served as a vacation ownership expert in a major business process re-engineering, sales force review, and customer relationship management companywide, as well as other individual projects for Westgate Vacation Ownership, entailing both timeshare and residence club divisions.

Market Entry Strategic Planning

SAG professional served as the vacation ownership expert in the preparation and presentation of the Promus International Hotels' entry into the vacation ownership industry.

Governance Structure Planning

SAG helped the City of Columbia create the governance and management structure for the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. From a governance perspective, the analysis addressed the relationship with other organizations (convention bureau, arena, performing arts center, etc.), governmental oversight structure (city, county, authority, etc.), board powers, linkages with private stakeholders and funding. Management issues addressed included public versus private management, operating policies and procedures. The analysis also addressed the potential for sharing resources such as physical infrastructure, staff, marketing and other resources with other organizations such as the convention bureau.