In 2003 Jim Davidson, the master developer of World Golf Village, offered a unique challenge to two of his employees — Alayna Kimball, vice president of marketing for Davidson Development Inc. and Karen S. Palmer, vice president of residential sales for Davidson Realty Inc.
Davidson made a bet with the women that if they could attain more than $100 million in residential retail sales for Davidson Realty in 2004, he would treat each to an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Africa.
“I don’t think he ever dreamed that we’d actually make the goal, yet alone exceed it,” Palmer said.
The overachievers accepted the challenge and the company ended the year with more than $209 million in sales, including $135 million in residential sales.
In early July, Jim and wife Sherry Davidson — who is president of Davidson Realty — and their two sons, escorted Kimball, Palmer and their guests on a 12-day vacation to Africa. The group flew first class to Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, where they spent their first evening at a private compound before traveling to Kariba and boarding a yacht for a three-day, two-night cruise down Lake Kariba.
The group then spent three days at Sengwa Camp, a private safari camp on Lake Kariba, and enjoyed game drives in Land Rovers. Another special moment was a sunset cocktail party on the flood plain. While staying at the lake camp, the group also visited the Sinamusanga School and gave the children school supplies.
The crew then took three private, chartered planes to Victoria Falls where they stayed for two nights at Victoria Falls Hotel.
The group enjoyed a farewell dinner at the hotel during their last evening, where they ran into one of World Golf Village’s builders — Bill Cellar of Providence Homes.
“We were walking through the hotel, when someone called Jim’s name. You can imagine our shock at running into Bill in Africa,” said Kimball.
Kimball and Palmer both said the trip was a reflection of the generous, giving spirits of the Davidsons.
“Not only did they share their family vacation with us, they also shared their passion for Africa with us,” said Kimball. “They have broadened my horizons and changed my life — all because of a bet we made in 2003. You can definitely depend on Jim and Sherry’s word — it’s worth more than a signed contract.”