January 2009 - Opening Comments

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

As we enter into 2009, we are approached with the worst economic shift we have experienced in more than 70 years.  In this new year, the United States of America will be lead by a new President, and we will face many challenges to overcome within the economies of the United States, Mexico, throughout Latin America and across the globe. 

Montaña Verde is committed to continue working with government officials and agencies, allied real estate professionals and the financial institutions to keep you informed of the market trends and provide you with the information that effects business in the current economic climates in Mexico, Latin America, the United States and globally through these Bi-Monthly E-Newsletters.

This issue addresses “The Principals of Change: The Importance of Timeshares and Fractionals in the Current Economic Climate”.  We have identified professionals who can discuss the change in climate, and account for how the growth of this industry helps promote Calderon’s 2030 Plan through the increase of infrastructure, number of jobs and a stronger tourism market place.
 
I would like to thank all our contributors who have granted us with their insight in this issue.  In particular, I would like to thank Howard Nusbaum, the President of the American Resort Development Association(ARDA), for guiding the timeshare and fractional industry with his great leadership.  We are very thankful to have the opportunity to help promote the efforts of ARDA, who have been very fundamental in serving its members through legislative and regulatory advocacy, public relations and communications, education, membership development and ethics enforcement.

We would also like to thank other friends of Montaña Verde who have provided us with their take on the current climate of the industry in this E-Newsletter: ProMexcio, Jeff Heally, CEO of ResortCom International, Letvia Azra-Goderich, and Mauricio León de la Barra of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingresol, LLP, Jesse Gutierrez of Avant Insurance, and Mark Flinn of SER Construction Service.

I would also like to take this time to publicly thank the Montana Verde’s staff members for their hard work in 2008.  With their support we provided clients with more than 450 valuation assignments containing the most reliable information to help assist them in their investment decisions.  I would also like to thank Benjamin Greenberg for his strong visions.  With his guidance, we have built stronger relationships with the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, the Urban Land Institute, and numerous public and private organizations, helping our company become more involved with the Mexican communities associated with the real estate and financial industries.

Additionally, I would also like to ask for a warm welcome to Cecilia Gonzalez Liceaga, our new Director of Business Development, who is currently opening our office in Mexico City.  With this new addition into our Montaña Verde family, we are enthusiastic about our ability to become even more involved and active within the real estate and investment communities within Mexico City.

Once again, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and I look forward to hearing of each of your many successes over the next twelve months.  We look forward to your comments on our E-Newsletter and we welcome your submissions regarding current affairs and trends within each of your areas of expertise in tourism, finance and real estate throughout Mexico and Latin America.

Best Regards,


Bruce D. Greenberg, MAI, SRA, ASA
President

Bruce@MVConsultants.com
520.750.8200