The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announces its acquirement of approximately 200 units within the luxurious Grand Panama Beach Resort, located in the heart of Panama City Beach. The Resort Collection will be the on-site management company for Grand Panama, and will direct daily operations involving food and beverage, maintenance, housekeeping, reservations and front desk. This state-of-the-art Gulf-front luxury resort offers a first-class family destination that is surpassed only by its renowned sugar-white sand and emerald waters.

“Grand Panama Beach Resort is a great addition to the collection,” said Tom Sparks, general manager for The Resort Collection. “The nearly 200 units that we will manage are luxury at its finest, and we are confident that the addition of this property will allow us to continue to offer our guests an unrivaled quality vacation.”

Tom Donahue, previously director of rental services for The Resort Collection, will be the director of operations overseeing daily procedures and managing organizational strategies.

The Resort Collection has earned a reputation of excellence and, with Grand Panama at the helm as its signature resort, they are able to provide guests with optimal amenities. Multiple upscale retail shops, boutiques, eateries, and coffee shops are conveniently located nearby. The fitness center, with vaulted ceilings and abundant natural lighting, is also available. Their devoted management team is on-site for any requests or questions you may have. Two pools, including an adult leisure pool, contribute to a panoramic view of the spectacular location of Grand Panama Beach Resort.

For more information on Grand Panama Beach Resort, call toll free 1.866.621.8862 or visit Grand Panama Beach Resort.

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach recently introduced Marlon Phillips as its new director of front office operations. In his new position, Phillips will be responsible for the oversight of all daily front desk activities, payroll scheduling, customer services, and customer satisfaction.

“Marlon has proven that he can perform in any position we place him in,” Tom Sparks, general manager of The Resort Collection, said this week. “He has quickly moved to the top of our front office operations, and we expect that he will do outstanding work for us in his new management position.”

Since coming on board to The Resort Collection in 2007 as a front desk manager, Phillips has gained considerable experience with all aspects of customer relations. After achieving recognition of employee of the year in 2009, he was promoted to the position of front office manager where he oversaw the management of all the front desks of the company’s properties.

With The Resort Collection’s recent acquisition of Grand Panama Beach Resort, Phillips has maintained an integral role in the training and streamlining of staff for the management transition. He has been responsible for the implementation of all company guidelines and policies, and continues to monitor customer feedback to ensure customer service expectations are exceeded.

“The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach has given me a great opportunity to move up in the organization,” Phillips said in a telephone interview this week. “It has been great to work for a team that can consistently work toward raising, and surpassing, expectations.”

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach welcomes Thunder Beach 2010 Autumn Rally with up to 20% savings on all room types.* These great savings are available at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, Majestic Beach Resort, Emerald Beach Resort, Long Beach Resort and Grand Panama Beach Resort.

These biker-friendly resorts include full kitchens and a washer/dryer in each suite. With a unique list of amenities, The Resort Collection is the ideal location to enjoy the thrill of the Rally!

• Not applicable to existing reservations.

• Limited availability.

• Certain restrictions apply.

• Two-night minimum stay required.

To book your stay at Grand Panama Beach Resort please call 866.621.8862 and reference this promotion to receive rate.

The Beach Slide is back along with a new Bounce House that will be located behind the Lagoon Pool Deck at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort for Labor Day Weekend! The Beach Slide and the Bounce House will be here this Wednesday, September 1st and will be open through Labor Day. Both attractions will open at 10:00am and will close at 5:00pm each day.

Pricing for the Slide and Bounce House:

Edgewater Resort Guests:
All-Day Pass-$10.00 per attraction
Single Slide Ride or 5min. in Bounce House-$2.00

Homeowners & Immediate Family Members:
All-Day Pass-$10.00 per attraction
Single Slide Ride or 5min. in Bounce House-$2.00

General Public:
All Day Pass-$15.00 per attraction
Single Slide Ride or 5min. in Bounce House-$3.00

The August 26th Celebrity Golf Tournament was a huge SUCCESS! Over a hundred people came out to Hombre Golf Club and played with their favorite college and NFL Celebrities!

Congratulations to the winning team:  Todd Flanary, Matt Griffiths, Phillip Griffiths, Ralph Powers and Chad Harrison!

Thanks again to all who came out! We had a blast!

[Hole #7 on the Bad where Kenny Stabler was stationed during the Celebrity Golf Tournament]

The Resort Collection of Panama City Beach announced the hire of Tara Wilder as its new director of finance. Wilder will be responsible for the oversight of the accounting department, financial statement preparation for multiple companies, and direction of budgets and cost control.

“Tara’s experience in finance will be a great addition to our team,” said Tom Sparks, General Manager of The Resort Collection. “Her attention to detail and proficiency as a leader will ensure our growth as we move toward future endeavors.”

Wilder attended Arkansas State University studying accounting and business administration. With over 15 years of accounting and finance experience, Wilder’s most recent employment was with Emerald Waste Services, where she was the senior staff accountant and support services manager. Originally from Arkansas, Wilder earned nearly eight years of experience in the hospitality industry while working with Marriott Resorts.

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with an outstanding organization like The Resort Collection,” Wilder said. “I look forward to adding my experience to the talented team The Resort Collection has developed over the years.”

Country music singer-songwriter John Rich mentions the World’s Greatest Pre-Season Tailgate on NBC’s Today show! Kick off football season in Panama City Beach at the World’s Greatest Pre-Season Tailgate!  John Rich will perform live on the beach behind Boardwalk Beach Resort. The artist behind the theme song that opens the ESPN College GameDay Show, Rich’s lead-off single to his first solo project, “Shuttin’ Detroit Down.” The song is a fitting kickoff to Son of a Preacher Man, an album that finds country music’s Renaissance Everyman giving full rein to his own creative voice in a project that is personal as it is musically engaging.  There is no charge for this benefit concert.

For more information on this weekend’s event visit  http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/tailgate/

Watch John Rich’s newest video, “Shuttin Detroit Down” :

John Rich: Shuttin Detroit Down

It’s that time again!  If you’re staying with us at Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort, come out to the Lagoon Pool Deck  for our traditional Labor Day cookout on Saturday, September 4th & Sunday, September 5th from 11am - 5pm!  It’s always a great time!  Hope to see you there!