ARDA Reflects on the 2025 ARDA-ROC/TBMA Spring Conference  

Save the Date for the Fall ARDA ROC TBMA Conference, September 16-18, 2025, The Westgate Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV! Registration and Schedule Information Available in July.

The 2025 ARDA-ROC/TBMA Spring Conference, held May 13-15 at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, CT, provided valuable connections and educational resources for board members and resort managers of legacy timeshare resorts. 

The two-day event was jam-packed with educational sessions and discussion on essential topics, open idea exchanges with HOA and resort managers, and networking opportunities with other board members and the ARDA-ROC team. 

Welcome Reception 

The event kicked off with a networking welcome reception where attendees connected with colleagues. 

Day 1 

The first day of programming began with welcome remarks from Jason Gamel, ARDA President & CEO, and Shep Altshuler, President of TBMA. 

Following the welcome remarks, a series of panel discussions were held on various topics impacting independent resorts today – from banking and financials, to  strategic planning, to hot-button legal issues and how to generate revenue for resorts.  

Michelle DuChamp, Head of Partner Services at Vacatia, moderates the “Best Practices for Banking, Accounting and Financials” panel with Stacy Dyer, Senior Managing Director- East Region and Timeshare HOA, Alliance Association Bank; Dennis Levy, VP, Operations, FantasyWorld Management Services; and Stephen Furrer, Chief of Resort Operations, InnSeason Management 

Moderator Gary Hyde, EVP, Hospitality, Capital Vacations leads the “Strategic Planning for a Strong Future” panel with Paula DiPaola, Board President, Magic Tree Resort; Scott MacGregor, EVP and COO, Lemonjuice Solutions; and Gary Porter, CEO, Facilities Advisors 

ARDA Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs and ARDA-ROC, Justin Vermuth, leads the ” Ask the Attorneys” panel with Rob Webb, Partner, Baker Hostetler LLP and Alex Costopoulos, Corporate Counsel, FantasyWorld Management Services    

Moderator Chris McGill, AVP, Client Services, Interval International poses with the “Generating Revenue for Your Resort” panelists Jay Anderson, VP Business Development & Operations, Grand Pacific Resorts; Dennis Levy; VP, Operations, FantasyWorld Management Services; and Fraser Kirkpatrick, Director of Inventory/Revenue Management, InnSeason Resorts  

Day one concluded with a buffet-style networking dinner, where attendees gathered to discuss new insights learned throughout the day.  

Day Two 

Day two began with opening remarks from ARDA Chairman and COO of Hilton Grand Vacations, Gordon Gurnik. 

Programming for the day focused on the overall state of the timeshare industry, as well as insights into risk management, a legislative update, and a look at how emerging technologies can help resorts thrive.  

ARDA President & CEO Jason Gamel leads a “State of the Industry” panel discussion with David Callaghan, VP, Business Development at RCI and Jay Wilson, Vice President, Business Development at Interval International 

David Fischer, President of Gregory & Appel and Terry Ford, SVP, Property & Casualty, Gregory & Appel share insights and perspectives on risk management with attendees 

Peggy Roberts EVP, Aon; Laura Betten, Aon and Tracy Williams, Aon continue the discussion on risk management  

ARDA’s Legislative Team discuss the hot-button topics and issues impacting timeshare resorts and owners today 

Gordon McClendon, CEO, SPI Software leads a discussion on emerging technologies with panelists Mike Norton Director, Client Relations, Timeshareware; Candice Leonard, President, McCall Area Timeshare Association & Board of Trustees, Aspen Timeshares & Rentals; and Joel Stoyer, General Manager, Cold Spring Resort 

Bringing Board Members and Resort Managers Together at ARDA-ROC/TBMA Conferences 

Registration for ARDA-ROC/TBMA events is ALWAYS free for qualified board members and HOA leaders. However,  ARDA-ROC  also provided scholarships for the first 25 qualified board members who registered for the event, which included complimentary two-night lodging at the host hotel and up to $500 towards airfare. 

Here’s what some of this year’s scholarship recipients said about the event. 

“This event was such a rewarding experience! Gaining different perspectives on the wide range of challenges we face daily in the hospitality industry was truly enlightening. We hope to get to participate in another event in the future.” 

Amanda Greenwood, Manager Vacation Owner Services, Berry Companies 

“This was my first ARDA-ROC/TBMA meeting. The first thought that comes to mind is how well organized the entire event was. I also want to recognize the amazing presenters. There was an immense list of information coming at us. Some information was encouraging because our resort managers and board are following the guidelines listed. One example would be our strategic planning for a strong future.  

Other information, such as partnering with banks and negotiating rates to increase interest rates rather than just accept what we are told and not ask more questions was very helpful.  Each session for both days were valuable and it’s difficult to condense each individual topics into a couple sentences.  

My take-away as a first timer is the immense value of attending the sessions and also the networking during breaks and post-sessions. Everyone, presenters, sponsors, and attendees were kind and willing to help answer our specific questions without hesitation.” 

Linda Connelly, Board President of Harbor Ridge OA 

Thank you to all of our sponsors and attendees for making this conference truly unforgettable!