When Marco Madrazo speaks about learning and development, his passion is unmistakable. As Chief Learning Architect of ILX Studios, Marco is redefining how companies in the vacation ownership industry approach training, combining technology, practicality, and heart.

“Learning is a never-ending cycle,” Marco says. “Every day, a new version of yourself wakes up—make sure it’s a better one.” It’s a philosophy that has shaped his career and fuels the innovative solutions ILX Studios offers to timeshare companies large and small.

Marco’s journey in the industry began in 2014, when he stepped into corporate learning and development at a major hospitality brand. There, he provided learning design services across corporate functions, partnering with sales, marketing, and operations leaders to strengthen organizational capabilities. After seven years, Marco’s entrepreneurial spirit took flight. Encouraged by colleagues and friends, he launched ILX Studios in 2021, driven by a mission to deliver smarter, more agile learning solutions.

In just a few years, ILX Studios has grown from a solo venture to a robust team of eight, including trainers, instructional designers, and demand generation specialists. “Everything had been word of mouth for four years,” Marco reflects. “I wanted to scale. So I reimagined the brand, hired a team, and started sharing our story more broadly.”

Central to that story is ILX’s commitment to helping clients uncover and leverage existing strengths. “I align curation before creation,” Marco explains. “Most companies already have a wealth of expertise. Our job is to help curate that knowledge, make it actionable, and fill any gaps to create meaningful learning experiences.” This value-driven approach has won ILX Studios partnerships with respected industry leaders like Vacatia and Exploria Resorts, where Marco helps build custom learning systems that fit each brand’s unique identity and goals.

At Vacatia, Marco and his team have supported the development of innovative sales and marketing training programs, tailored to align with the company’s forward-thinking strategies. “It’s incredibly rewarding to collaborate with a client that’s eager to elevate training as a strategic priority,” Marco shares. “Together, we’re building something that truly supports their vision for growth.”

A standout feature of Marco’s work is his integration of AI into learning. From AI-assisted content development to proprietary tools like Debrief 360—an interactive coaching app that provides instant feedback and readiness assessments—Marco’s solutions are designed to deliver meaningful results efficiently. “I’m not here to cater to the big consulting firms,” he says. “I’m here to create learner-centric solutions that save time, save money, and make a real impact.”

Marco’s clients appreciate this blend of innovation and practicality. He is known for challenging assumptions in the best possible way. “Companies sometimes think anybody can do training and development,” he says. “And you know what? They’re not wrong. I tell them, if you think you can do it yourself and have the resources, go for it. I’m here to build relationships and provide value where I can.”

His clients’ successes speak volumes. At Exploria Resorts, Marco is guiding leadership through a tailored learning journey that celebrates the brand’s distinctiveness while enhancing team capabilities. “It’s not about replicating what worked elsewhere—it’s about helping each client find what makes them special,” he says.

Beyond his professional achievements, Marco is a dedicated family man and an avid traveler. With four children, family time is precious—and often adventurous. “We love to travel. I’m a big aviation geek—I can identify almost any plane in the sky,” he shares. The Madrazo family makes annual trips to Hawaii, staying at villa-style accommodations that provide the space and convenience they value. Recent cruises have turned even Marco, a former skeptic, into a fan. “I went on a cruise once in my twenties and swore off boats. But last year, I gave it another try, and I loved it,” he admits with a smile.

When asked about his favorite book, Marco points to The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. The lessons of balance, purpose, and continuous improvement resonate deeply with his personal and professional outlook. “It’s not just about leadership or high performance. It’s about life,” he says. Through ILX Studios, Marco is setting a high bar for learning innovation in the timeshare sector. His unique combination of technological savvy, practical solutions, and genuine care for people is helping shape the future of training in vacation ownership—and earning him the respect of clients and colleagues alike.