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Group RCI : Two Legends Celebrate a Milestone: Golf Legend Arnold Palmer Joins Vacation Exchange Legend Christel DeHaan

^{Published on 2009-03-31 13:21:28, Last Modified on 2009-03-31 13:22:16 - Market Wire}
 

ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwire - March 31, 2009) - Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer joined thousands of vacation ownership industry leaders and RCI dignitaries to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the vacation exchange company. Pictured with Arnold Palmer from left to right are Stephen P. Holmes, Chairman and CEO, Wyndham Worldwide, the parent company of RCI; Christel DeHaan, co-founder of RCI; and Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI.

"We're very proud to celebrate this momentous occasion with Mr. Palmer, Christel and the valued affiliates and developers of RCI," said Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Group RCI. "We will continue to uphold and build on the leadership, innovation, quality and integrity originally instilled by the DeHaans in this great company 35 years ago."

Since its inception in 1974 by Jon and Christel DeHaan, RCI has grown to become the world's largest vacation exchange company. With a diverse selection of more than 4,000 affiliated resorts in approximately 100 countries around the world, RCI delivers exceptional value to more than 3.8 million members worldwide. Recognized as the inventor of vacation exchange, RCI continues to leverage innovative technologies to create unique and fun ways to interact with members.

"We're proud that our legacy of innovation rests on making many 'firsts' happen in the industry," Ballotti said. "RCI was the first to launch a weeks exchange program, first to launch a points exchange program, first to implement a high-end luxury fractional exchange and the first to create a dramatically unique and easy online search tool -- RCI's Enhanced Search. Now, our newest innovation is RCI® TV, an online video channel that will educate and entertain our members and help generate increased tours for our affiliated resorts."

About Group RCI

Group RCI, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies, (NYSE: [ WYN ]) is the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and the European leader in vacation rentals, with exclusive access for specified periods to more than 73,000 vacation properties in approximately 100 countries. The company is comprised of vacation exchange, including RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel services to businesses and consumers and The Registry Collection® program, the world's largest luxury exchange program; vacation rentals, including Endless Vacation Rentals®, Landal GreenParks®, Novasol®, and other renowned vacation rental brands, through which vacationers can rent a variety of property types, from city apartments to villas; and NorthCourse®, Leisure Real Estate Solutions, an international leader in providing a full spectrum of advisory, research, and asset management services. Wyndham Worldwide Corporation is one of the world's largest hospitality companies with leading brands in lodging franchising, vacation ownership, vacation rentals and vacation exchange. For additional information visit [ www.grouprci.com ] or the media center of [ www.wyndhamworldwide.com ].