The ESOP in Action So, what’s an ESOP? Very simply it is a “qualified” employee retirement plan, meaning that is qualifies for certain attractive tax advantages. It was only natural, then, that the Welk family would respond with enthusiasm when they learned that they could address some pressing issues of shareholder liquidity through an arrangement that would allow family owners to sell stock to a retirement plan for the company’s employees – an arrangement known as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The employees have returned the love with loyalty to the Welk family and their business, taking excellent care of each guest who comes to a Welk resort. Employees are shown appreciation and respect, paid well and offered generous benefits. One of the keys to their business success has been their philosophy of treating their employees like family. Current CEO Jon Fredricks – grandson of the founder – is in charge of keeping the resorts humming and the Welk family traditions thriving. Throughout this period of growth, ownership of the business has remained primarily with the Welk family. The company has more than 44,000 vacation owners, 1,000 villas, and 1,200 dedicated associates, with annual revenues in excess of $130 million. These facilities have earned Gold Crown status by Resort Condominiums International, and Interval International Premier Resort designation as well as top tier Trip Advisor and Expedia rankings in each market. In the years since then, the Welk legacy has grown into an international hospitality business, featuring four-star quality resorts in the original San Diego location as well as Palm Springs, Tahoe Northstar, Branson, Mo., and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with plans under way for future resorts to be built in Breckenridge, Colo., and Kauai, Hawaii.
When he staged his TV show there, it gained instant celebrity as a tourist hotspot, eventually growing to include a theatre, more golf and vacation homes. Instead he bought a motel and a nine-hole golf course. planning to invest in a grove of orange trees. In 1964, the famous television bandleader Lawrence Welk went for a drive in the country north of San Diego, Calif. The Welk Resort Theatre is home to top-notch talent performing Broadway style musicals and starring in comedy and variety shows, including tribute bands.Wunnerful, Wunnerful! The Lawrence Welk ESOP
Guests will experience fun in the sun with one colossal pool and seven larg e pools & 8 spas, two water slides, two kids’ splash pads and playgrounds, table games, catch and release fishing pond, hourly planned activities for all age groups, lighted tennis courts, and a relaxing round of golf on one of two 18 hole golf courses. Parking is complimentary and there are no resort fees.
Villas include sitting and dining areas, complete kitchens with full cookware and dishware, patios or balconies, and complimentary high speed Internet access. Just minutes from world famous destinations San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park (20 minutes), LEGOLAND (25 minutes), San Diego Zoo (40 minutes), San Diego Gaslamp District (35 minutes), SeaWorld (40 minutes) Temecula wineries, area casinos, and some of the most beautiful beaches (30 minutes) in the world! Welk Resorts offers luxurious and spacious one and two bedroom villa suites, with panoramic views of golf courses or surrounding mountains.
Welk Resort San Diego is a Southern California vacation all suite/villa destination Resort and Water Park offering couples and families the ultimate San Diego getaway experience. Including San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, LEGOLAND, and the Pacific Ocean beaches. One of the most popular resort destinations in the world, Welk Resorts San Diego is a peaceful haven surrounded by towering mountain panoramas, making it an ideal place to play, relax and unwind. Welk Resort is close to all the attractions in Southern California.
The resort has eight pools featuring watersides, interactive splash zones, and resort activities for all ages. The newly-renovated resort has five separate recreation centers. Lawrence Welk Villas of Escondido is a gorgeous destination resort for vacations, retreats, and family gatherings. Located on 450 acres just north of San Diego, California.