ARDA Awards Honor Brands, People, and Products that Showcase the Highest Level of Excellence in the Industry
Each year, The ARDA Awards celebrate the industry’s top performers in categories that include overall professional excellence, outstanding sales and marketing accomplishments, product design, advertising and promotion. The ARDA Circle of Excellence (ACE) division honors those who have attained the highest level of excellence in the resort industry.
This year’s award winners were announced at ARDA’s 2025 Spring Conference at the Signia by Hilton at Bonnet Creek, in Orlando, Florida, during a special awards ceremony and celebration that closed out the annual event.
David Siegel, founder of Westgate Resorts, was honored with the ACE Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his 40+ year career. A pioneer in the timeshare industry, David has built some of the world’s most unique resorts, including the first timeshare dude ranch and the first fully integrated timeshare resort and casino. His company has sold billions of dollars in vacation ownership – all driven by the belief that luxury should be accessible to all. But his legacy extends far beyond hospitality. Following the tragic loss of his daughter, he became a tireless advocate – lobbying Congress to pass critical legislation that has saved countless lives in the fight against the opioid epidemic. He has also generously gifted over 28,000 vacations to military service members to honor their service.
The ACE Culture & Belonging Award, honors an organization that strives to build and sustain an exceptional work environment for employees by creating and upholding the values, beliefs, and practices necessary to support staff well-being, growth, and satisfaction. Award recipient Hilton Grand Vacations has created a best-in-class workplace culture by embracing a simple yet profound philosophy, “Take care of your people, and the rest will take care of itself.” With a global workforce of over 22,000, Hilton Grand Vacations has achieved unprecedented team member engagement by fostering a culture of belonging and inclusion, launching programs like the Inspired Hospitality training program, which aims to instill a hospitality-centered approach and has been recommended by 96% of participants, and the Sparks Recognition Program, where 77,000 messages of positivity were exchanged in 2024 alone.
The ACE Philanthropic Award recognizes an outstanding community contribution by an ARDA member company during the 2024 calendar year. The award was presented to Travel + Leisure Co.’s Wyndham Championship Team for their partnership with local charity First Tee of Central Carolina and the City of Greensboro to develop a breathtaking mural honoring the legacy of Civil Rights pioneers. On December 7th, 1955, six brave men took a stand against racial injustice by playing a round of golf at the Gillespie Golf Course in Greensboro, North Carolina in defiance of their “Whites Only” policy, directly leading to the end of segregation in Greensboro golf courses. Spanning 2,000 square feet, this historic piece of public art has already had a profound impact on the local community by increasing awareness of the Greensboro Six, inspiring adults and children alike to reflect on their shared history, and leading to a record fundraising year for First Tee of Central Carolina.
The ACE Employee of the Year Award, which recognizes an outstanding employee who has demonstrated commitment and loyalty to his/her organization, has a history of superior performance and contributions and has set a positive example for his/her co-workers, was awarded to Jeanette Greene from Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Over her decade long career with Mariott Vacations Worldwide, Jeanette has earned a reputation marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. Since joining the company in 2014, she has become a deeply trusted industry voice, rising to the role of Vice President of Registration & Government Affairs – the only non-attorney Vice President in the company’s law department. From seamlessly integrating major acquisitions, to spearheading efficiency-driven initiatives that’ve saved hundreds of thousands of dollars, her impact has been undeniable.
The ACE Emerging Leader Award honors a professional on the rise within the resort industry in recognition of his or her outstanding accomplishments to date. This year, this award went to Giseth Morales from Holiday Inn Club Vacations. Since joining Holiday Inn Club Vacations in 2017, Giseth has proven herself to be a force for innovation and a dedicated advocate for inclusivity. From her exceptional work revamping Holiday Inn Club Vacations package room delivery service, to her groundbreaking marketing initiatives that expanded their accommodations portfolio by 25%, she has shown visionary leadership and an unbeatable work ethic. Giseth’s efforts have driven cost savings of over $2 million – all while enhancing guest experiences.
Lastly, the ACE Resort of the Year Award is awarded to a timeshare resort that is considered the best of the best. This year’s recipient is Maui Bay Villas, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club from Hilton Grand Vacations. Nestled along the stunning coastline of Ma’alaea Bay in Maui, this resort is a seamless blend of tradition, luxury, and authentic Hawaiian hospitality. Covering 27-acres of lush mountainside, the resort’s innovative architecture features wood-framed, low-rise suites perfectly designed to harmonize with the surrounding landscape, while offering stunning views and first-class amenities to owners and guests. Renowned for a culture of ‘ohana that sees each guest treated like a part of the family, the resort team has also extended their hospitality throughout their local community, supporting first responders and donating over $1million towards relief efforts following the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires
A complete list of 2025 ARDA Award winners and finalists can be viewed here.
Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners, and thank you for all that you do to make our industry great!