Industry experts & thought leaders gather in Orlando for ARDA’s 2022 VIP Summer Meeting
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) hosted its VIP Summer Meeting, an exclusive business forum, at The Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida, from Thursday, July 28, 2022, to Friday, July 29, 2022.
The meeting sought to combine industry insights, renowned speakers, and networking sessions to engage timeshare innovation and thought leadership – and ARDA delivered, bringing together industry experts and leaders from around the country to gather to discuss timeshare and tourism.
One reoccurring theme throughout each of the panels was finding and retaining top talent for corporate and owner-facing positions – all essential parts of the vacation ownership experience. Each of the panelists provided some helpful insights on how they are approaching this important topic.
The first panel was a highly collaborative session that discussed topics on the return of travel, the economic impact on Orlando and the broader Florida market, as well as highlighted how Orlando is a quality place for work and life for employees. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings shared impressive insights about tourism in Orange County, which includes the city of Orlando, including how the county welcomed 59.3 million visitors in 2021, putting them ahead of New York at 33 million visitors and Las Vegas at 32 million visitors.
The second panel dove into topics of the impact of travel recovery and the growth of the timeshare industry today, focusing on adapting and innovating in the industry as it looks to continue to invest in its future. It also covered how to balance the continued demand for travel and vacation even in times of uncertainty, as well as the constant need for members to provide new and different services to consumers, including the need to focus on technology and self-service features without losing the service that sets the industry apart.
The third and final panel explored topics on the positive public image of timeshare following a presentation from FINN Vice President Paula Carreiro, who discussed the work that FINN has done thus far alongside ARDA. The presentation and panel tapped into the following themes, which are also the focal points of ARDA’s messaging: flexibility, credibility, unique experiences, and value.
In addition to these insightful and engaging panels, attendees were able to cap off their night with a smoked whisky cocktail and a cigar rolled onsite, as they mingled and networked following a day of thought-provoking panels.
At breakfast Friday morning, attendees were able to listen to Keynote Speaker John Heilemann, – Co-Host, Creator, and Executive Producer of Showtime’s The Circus, National Affairs Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, Executive Editor and Co-Founder of The Recount, and New York Times No. 1 bestselling Author of Game Change and Double Down – who shared an insider’s look at politics. This memorable insight from Heilemann officially concluded the 2022 VIP Summer Meeting.
As the voice of the timeshare industry, ARDA prides itself on being able to gather thought leaders and experts to discuss trends and knowledge about the tourism industry and timeshare, and this meeting was no different. This not-to-forget VIP Meeting was made possible through the support of champion sponsor First American Title Insurance Company and supporting sponsors Flywire and North Highland Consulting Group.