ARDA Reflects on The 2024 ARDA Win Winter Conference

Each year, ARDA-WIN hosts its WIN Winter Conference – a meeting created by women in timeshare, for women in timeshare. The conference, which was attended by over 300 industry professionals this year, serves as both a networking opportunity and a chance to learn from female leaders inside and outside of our industry.

As the WIN Winter Conference continues to grow in attendance and prestige, we’re reflecting on how the ARDA-WIN program developed, recapping this year’s event, and sharing how members can stay connected through WIN events throughout the year.

WHAT IS ARDA-WIN

ARDA-WIN was created by ARDA as a resource for women in timeshare – and their allies – to form meaningful relationships with peers and mentors, learn about interesting industry trends and developments, and benefit from programming that inspires career growth.

Since its inception 20 years ago, when ARDA member Lani Kane-Hanan came to the organization with the idea to start a group for women in the industry, ARDA-WIN has grown from a 30-person meeting into a vast network of hundreds of women.

2024 ARDA WIN WINTER CONFERENCE RECAP

The ARDA-WIN program kicks-off each year with the WIN Winter Conference. This year’s event was held at the Hilton Orlando and featured insights from female timeshare executives, as well as guest speakers Julie Conway, Cary Carbonaro and Jennie Blumenthal.

After a welcome from Jason Gamel, President & CEO of ARDA, the event began with a panel on career lessons from leaders within the industry.

_{Timeshare executives share their advice for other women in the industry} 

Yvonne Chang, Executive Director, Business Operations at Disney Vacation Club moderated a discussion with Karen Calufetti, SVP, Financial Planning and Analysis at Travel + Leisure Co., Robin Suarez, SVP & Associate General Counsel, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, and Chelsea Wynn, Regional Vice President at Holiday Inn Club Vacations.

The group reflected on their respective career paths and shared their advice on how to rise through the ranks, lead a team, and make the most out of opportunities as they come.

_{ARDA’s SVP of Global Public Policy, Sam DePoy, speaks with Julie Conway, CEO, Gender on the Ballot, Executive Director at VIEWPAC (Value in Electing Women PAC)}

Next, Sam DePoy, SVP Global Public Policy, ARDA, spoke with Julie Conway, CEO, Gender on the Ballot, Executive Director at VIEWPAC (Value in Electing Women PAC) about the importance of gender representation in leadership.

_{Cary Carbonaro share financial literacy tips with the group}

Cary Carbonaro, women and wealth expert and advocate and author of The Money Queen’s Guide, imparted her financial wisdom on attendees. Cary shared some of the money pitfalls women typically encounter and how to avoid them.

_{Blitz Session: Industry leaders discuss hot topics in mini presentations}

During the “Blitz Session,” female leaders presented “mini” presentations on hot-button topics within the industry and beyond. Topics included: effective communication, the importance of finding/becoming a mentor, self-marketing and personal branding, networking tips and more.

Related: ARDA Meets Industry Needs: Reimagined Programs Put Members First

_{Keynote speaker Jennie Blumenthal talks about how corporate burnout affects women}

Finally, the day of intriguing programming ended with keynote speaker Jennie Blumenthal, CEO and best-selling author of Corporate Rehab: Ditch the Hustle Culture and Thrive Again. Jennie shared her experience with burnout and how she took proactive steps to find a new purpose after years in the corporate world.

“Our talented contributors all brought their A-game this year with a broad range of topics that ensured there was something pertinent to every attendee,” said ARDA-WIN Commitee Member Alana Wittig. “Some of the subjects were tailored to women (personal finance, for example) but all could be benefited from regardless of age or gender.”

While ARDA-WIN programming is generally geared toward women in the industry, the men in attendance expressed how the sessions were just as impactful for them.

“I have always been told that the event features great speakers and panels, and I was not disappointed,” said ARDA member Jesper Tejsen Lykke. “In fact, I believe the issues addressed so eloquently by both speakers and panelists are relevant to all regardless of gender, and it never hurts to be reminded of some truths that I may not always pay sufficient attention to.”

_{Attendees network and bid on items for a silent auction benefiting One Heart for Women and Children Foundation}

The day concluded with a reception, sponsored by First American Title Insurance Company, that featured a silent auction benefiting One Heart for Women and Children.

The auction raised $10,000 in a single day, and is just one of the philanthropic causes ARDA-WIN champions throughout the year.

“ARDA-WIN has always recognized philanthropy as one of our key areas of focus,” said ARDA-WIN Committee Member Laurie Hansen. “We have been very successful in growing these efforts over the last several years. In addition to supporting One Heard for Women and Children at our Winter WIN Conference, we also support the National Breast Cancer Foundation during our PinkTober fundraiser in October.  It has been amazing to see our donations grow from a few thousand dollars to over $40,000 combined between the two organizations this past year. The generosity from ARDA and ARDA members is amazing and speaks volumes about our close-knit industry and their continuous support of our efforts.”

STAYING INVOLVED WITH ARDA-WIN IN 2024

ARDA members who want to keep in touch with their fellow industry professionals and make new contacts can attend ARDA’s WIN Wednesday events, held every third Wednesday of the month, all year long.

To learn more about how you can get involved with ARDA-WIN, please feel free to reach out to me directly: catherine.lacey@arda.org.