2025 ARDA Spring Conference Recap: The Road Ahead for the Timeshare and Vacation Ownership Industries  

The 2025 ARDA Spring Conference, held at the The Signia by Hilton at Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida gathered 1,300 industry professionals together to discuss the future of the timeshare and vacation ownership industries. 

The event – which featured educational sessions, networking, special keynotes, and the annual ARDA Awards Ceremony – outlined the importance of storytelling and an “all-in” approach as the industry continues to evolve.  

                    Dr. Magie Cook, CEO and Founder of Maggie’s Salsa 

The Leading and Learning with WIN Luncheon, sponsored by Disney Vacation Club, featured keynote speaker Dr. Magie Cook, CEO and Founder of Maggie’s Salsa. Maggie shared her extraordinary journey from orphan to entrepreneur, captivating the audience with her insights on leveraging personal strengths to discover opportunities for growth. As an award-winning business expert and author, her story of resilience and success left attendees feeling inspired. 

ARDA President & CEO Jason Gamel 

The ARDA Kick-Off General Session started with engaging welcome speeches from ARDA’s President and CEO, Jason Gamel, and ARDA Chair, Gordon Gurnik. Jason and Gordon both emphasized the “brick by brick” strategy for building the road that will help the industry continue forward, starting with the importance of storytelling. 

ARDA Chair Gordon Gurnik 

The two leaders also emphasized the importance of getting and staying involved with ARDA to amplify our story across the hospitality sector.

Kat Cole, CEO at AG1 

The excitement continued as Kat Cole, CEO at AG1, took the stage to share her leadership insights. With over 20 years of experience in operational, brand, and executive leadership, including her time as President and COO at Focus Brands, Cole captivated the audience with her wisdom on leadership and innovation in the health industry and how other companies can “dig deep” to find the hidden solutions to their business growth needs.   

RCI Welcome Party

The RCI Welcome Party was an incredible way to cap off the first day! The party brought Thailand to Orlando, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind, network with peers and celebrating the start of conference.  

Leadership Line Up: Executive View of the Industry general session 

Day two began with the Leadership Line Up: Executive View of the Industry General Session. During the session, Jason Gamel spoke with Vacation CEO & Co-Founder Caroline Shin; Marriott Vacations Worldwide Chief Membership & Commercial Services Officer, Lori Gustafson; Hilton Grand Vacations Chief Customer Officer, Derek DeSalvia; and Travel + Leisure Co. Global Chief Brand, Comms & Digital Officer Amandine Robin-Caplan about the current challenges and opportunities facing the industry today.  

Paul Whelan 

The Leadership Luncheon, sponsored by Westgate Resorts, was unforgettable. Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine held hostage in Russia, has served as a police officer, Marine, and corporate security expert. With U.S., Canadian, UK, and Irish citizenship, he was arrested in 2018 in Moscow on false espionage charges, enduring over five years of imprisonment before his release in a 2024 prisoner swap.  Drawing from his remarkable story, Whelan inspired the audience to overcome their own most difficult obstacles, offering valuable strategies for mental resilience.   

Jason Gamel and Patrick Scholes  

Day two’s Power Session: A View from Wall Street, included a fireside chat with Jason Gamel and Patrick Scholes, Lodging and Leisure Equity Research Managing Director, who offered in-depth knowledge on how Wall Street views the hospitality and timeshare industries.

Jason Gamel with speakers Justin Lumadue  and Jerry Kilgore 

The day concluded with a session on Navigating Political Change: The Impact of a New Administration on Our Industry. In the first part of this two-part panel, Jason Gamel moderated a discussion with speakers Justin Lumadue  and Jerry Kilgore. They explored the effects of the new administration on federal issues impacting our industry. 

ARDA’s Government Affairs Team discuss the political climate today  

The session continued with a second part, moderated by ARDA’s Senior Vice President, Global Public Policy, Sam Depoy, and featuring ARDA’s Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & General Counsel, Robert Clements, and ARDA’s Senior Vice President, State Government Affairs and ARDA-ROC, Justin Vermuth. Together, the panel provided an in-depth look at how political changes influence both federal and state levels in the hospitality and timeshare sectors.  

Skift research update and technology panel 

Day three kicked off with a Skift Research Update, followed by a panel discussion with Holiday Inn Club Vacations President, John Staten; Hilton Grand Vacations Chief Technology officer, Onkar Birk; Marriott Vacations Worldwide Chief Information Officer, Raman Bukkapatnam; Travel + Leisure Co.’s  Vice President of Digital Marketing &  Growth, Brian Lomonico; and  Holiday Inn Club Vacations Chief Information Officer, JP Hurtado on how AI and digital innovation are reshaping the travel experience.  

Speaker Anthony Robles 

The General Session Luncheon with Anthony Robles, sponsored by Hilton Grand Vacations, was a masterclass in inspiration. Robles shared his extraordinary, against-all-odds story of becoming a three-time NCAA champion wrestler despite being born with one leg. In addition to his achievements on the mat, Anthony is a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee, a sports analyst for ESPN and Pac-12 Network, a Nike athlete, and the author of “Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated.” 

Evolution of Timeshare F&B & Activities Power Session 

Finally, the day concluded with a power session on the Evolution of Timeshare F&B & Activities, which highlighted the timeshare industry’s response to rising guest expectations. The session featured discussions from member resort teams on how the demand for exceptional food, beverage, and onsite experiences is driving innovation.   

Members of the Siegel family and Westgate Resorts accept the ARDA ACE Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of David Siegel 

Following an impactful week of events and networking, the 2025 ARDA Spring Conference concluded with the ARDA Awards Ceremony, which recognizes the best and brightest in the industry. Congratulations to all this year’s winners!  

Thank you to all of our sponsors, members, and attendees for making this year’s Spring Conference an unforgettable experience!