Gathering Timeshare Professionals Back Together!
ARDA World is now the “Timeshare Together ARDA Spring Conference 2021.” As the timeshare universe appears to be reemerging after a hard-go-of-it through the pandemic, ARDA’s annual event is scheduled to be held June 6-10, 2021 at the JW Marriott at Grande Lakes Orlando. As ARDA says, it’s the “same great industry event with a new name, new format, and new location. Face-to-face or virtual — your choice!”
The storm clouds are parting! Smiles are returning; bags are being packed; reservations are starting to pour back in; the timeshare resort industry is showing its resiliency; as ARDA once again rolls out the red carpet! Folks…we are back!
Here’s what’s in store:
Registration begins on Sunday, June 6, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET, but you can begin hobnobbing with your buddies and building relationships throughout the day in one of the many food and beverage venues on site. There are several choices including The Lobby Lounge & Sushi Bar; the fine dining spot, Primo, with its view of the organic garden; Quench Poolside Bar & Grill; Whisper Creek Farm: The Kitchen; Café Bodega; Citron, An American Brasserie; and Starbucks®.
The fun begins early each day with networking opportunities in various (heavily sanitized and socially distanced) gathering areas including a Zoono Safety Zone, the VIP Lounge, and invitation-only lounges sponsored by RCI, Interval International, and arrivia.
MONDAY
Kaplan Mobray, an executive coach, best-selling author, and personal branding expert will lead the “Together with TYPG Workshop” beginning at 10:00 a.m. (TYPG [The Timeshare Young Professionals Group] is dedicated to integrating young professionals and new industry entrants into ARDA through networking opportunities and educational initiatives.) Mobray is often referred to as one of the world’s most dynamic and inspirational business speakers. He is the award-winning author of The 10Ks of Personal Branding.
Later that day, the “Together With WIN Workshop with Speaker Siri Lindley” begins at 12:30 p.m. Lindley is a world champion triathlete and high-performance coach. She will share the fear-shattering strategies for changing the thoughts, habits, and behaviors that hold people and organizations back that she created after overcoming adversity including surviving cancer. In her book, Surfacing: From the Depths of Self-Doubt to Winning Big and Living Fearlessly, Siri offers a breathtakingly honest and bold account of her journey to self-belief and self-discovery and unlocking the champion within. Siri is currently working on her second book.
Keynote speaker for the day’s General Session (from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) is Shark Tank reality TV judge Daymond John. As a motivational speaker, Daymond’s quintessential rags-to-riches success story of sacrifice, hard work, and perseverance as well as the unique and charismatic way he communicates it, will inspire any audience. Much more than a business advisor, Daymond shares his unique goal setting and achieving strategies, which will empower audience members to make positive changes in every aspect of their lives for immediate and long-term success
From 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. there is a reception scheduled in honor of ARDA’s “Love My Timeshare” initiative. You can learn more about the consumer-oriented social media campaign from ARDA President & CEO Jason Gamel, RRP, on the Resort Trades YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/_12L_8UB_Po).
TUESDAY
Each year previously, the ARDA World Convention would present a general session during which senior executives from various disciplines within the timeshare industry shared their insights. This year, the “General Session: Leadership Line-up” is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. ARDA CEO Jason Gamel will host one-on-one lightning round interviews with leaders from several top development companies.
Later, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., some of Florida’s top legislative and regulatory leaders discuss the unique challenges that COVID presented in the “General Session: Florida’s Economic Recovery: A Path Forward.” Attendees will be able to learn what actions set Florida apart from the rest of the nation and their path forward first-hand from these decision-makers.
Tuesday’s final general session, “Chief Sales and Marketing Officers Update,” will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The session will be moderated by Diamond Resorts CEO Mike Flaskey who will lead a panel exchanging ideas on selling and marketing through the pandemic and looking ahead for what’s in store for our industry.
Interval International holds its 45th Anniversary Reception to wrap up the day, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., after which attendees will have a much awaited opportunity to dine and network with their peers.
WEDNESDAY
The day’s first general session is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and features “Timeshare Stories: Great Campaigns and Innovations.” ARDA members will share how they were able to innovate and adapt to the many challenges brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic and their plans for moving forward.
Later in the day, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., attendees have the opportunity to hear from the NFL’s first female official. During the “General Session: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion,” speaker Sarah Thomas tells how she attained the honor of being named one of Sports Illustrated’s “100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time.” On April 8, 2015, Sarah Thomas was one of nine new game officials added to the NFL officiating roster for the 2015 season, becoming the first full-time female official in NFL history.
There will be an ARDA Awards Ceremony from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by the ARDA Awards Celebration from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. While the ceremony is open to just companies which participated by submitting nominations or 2021 Awards program sponsors, the celebration is open to all Timeshare Together attendees. The latter will be an “outdoor event with full food and beverage service, live music and lots of fun and surprises.” The dress code for both events is “Florida’s Best Resort Attire.” Attendees are advised to “Dress in your finest, or come in your sundress and sport coat!”
THURSDAY
ARDA attendees are invited to “grab some breakfast before you head home!” The Grab and Go Breakfast will be available between 8:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
