Jason Gamel and Avish Parashar Keynote Speakers for C.A.R.E.’s 69th Conference
C.A.R. E. has officially announced its lineup of keynote speakers for its 69th Conference to be held at the Wyndham Philadelphia Historic District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from April 5 – April 8, 2022.
The C.A.R.E. Board of Directors is excited that the footprint of the conference schedule has changed to a weekday format (Tuesday – Thursday) to accommodate the needs of organization members and resort industry representatives. “Over the years, many industry colleagues have expressed they would prefer to attend a (work) conference during the week rather than over the weekend, so we decided to try something different with our event this year,” said President Linda Mayhugh. “Our hope is that this change will encourage more attendees, both previous and first-timers, to join us during the workweek.”
C.A.R.E. conference attendees include Resort Developers, Management and Exchange Companies, HOA’s, Travel Clubs, Wholesalers, and Inventory Suppliers, and educational opportunities presented at the conference have been selected with those diverse attendees in mind. Author, speaker, and humorist, Avish Parashar, will open the conference with his keynote, “Ding Happens! How to Improvise, Adapt, and Innovate in an Ever-Changing World!” Known for transforming high-energy improv comedy into practical business skills, Parashar will weave together humorous stories, witty observations, and interactive exercises from improvisational comedy to get conference attendees laughing, learning, and motivated. On Thursday, ARDA President and CEO, Jason Gamel, in his keynote “The Timeshare Industry – Past, Present, and Future” will lead conference attendees on a journey through his 24-year career from a practicing attorney to his current role at ARDA. Gamel will share personal, professional, real-life successes and failures: all while sharing ARDA’s goals for the vacation industry over the next 18-24 months.
Philadelphia often referred to as ‘The City of Brotherly Love’ is known as the home of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the ‘Rocky Statue’ and provides the perfect backdrop for C.A.R.E.’s renowned networking opportunities. Conference attendees will enjoy multiple occasions to solidify existing business relationships and establish new collaborations. Attendees will dine and dance while taking in the amazing views of Philadelphia’s Historic Waterfront aboard The Spirit of Philadelphia dinner cruise as conference sponsors are recognized. On the final day of the conference, attendees will enjoy a unique and memorable local experience aboard a London-style double-decker bus providing a unique and unobstructed vantage point to discover Philadelphia. It would be a sacrilege to visit Philadelphia without sampling a cheesesteak sandwich, so the conference will end with a casual authentic cheesesteak dinner at Philly’s Gourmet Steaks.
C.A.R.E., now celebrating its 36th year of promoting ethical and outstanding vacation services, is proud to continue to offer affordable conference rates that include meals and activities throughout the event. C.A.R.E.’s room block at The Philadelphia Historic District Downtown will expire on March 18, 2022. For additional information, contact Bonnie Kosco, 800-636-5646 ext. 0.
Jason Gamel President and Chief Executive Officer American Resort Development Association (ARDA)
Jason Gamel has served as President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) since 2019. His current role at ARDA includes serving as President of the ARDA Board of Directors, the ARDA International Foundation (AIF) Board of Trustees, and the ARDA-ROC Board. Outside of ARDA, Jason serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association and is a member of SKAL International, Washington D.C.
Jason brings more than twenty years of experience in the hospitality and timeshare industries. Prior to his current role, he served as Senior Vice President of Legal at Wyndham Destinations (now Travel and Leisure). Before his time with Wyndham, he served as Vice President of Government Affairs at ARDA where he oversaw the direction and management of local, state, and regional legislative and lobbying activities in the United States and throughout the Caribbean. He also worked as an associate with BakerHostetler, one of the nation’s largest law firms, in their timeshare and hospitality practice.
About Avish Parashar
Avish grew up in “exotic” Poughkeepsie, NY, and now makes his home in Philadelphia, PA. Though he performed all through high school, he decided to stop performing when he went to college to “focus on his studies” (his parents were very proud of this decision).
That resolve lasted only a few months, and the first time, he saw an improv comedy show he fell in love (his parents were slightly less proud). One week later he auditioned for the campus improv group, got in, and the rest is history. After graduating, he started Polywumpus Improv Comedy, which performed regularly in and around Philadelphia for seven years. Avish closed up Polywumpus to focus on the speaking and training side of the business – using improv comedy as a tool to teach valuable business skills such as creativity, innovation, and adaptability.
Weaving together humorous stories, jokes, audience interaction, and improv comedy games, Avish keeps the audience engaged while imparting a key lesson: Planning is Important, but Improvising is Essential! No matter how well you plan, things will go wrong, surprises will arise, and the Universe will throw you a curveball. Your success and sanity are directly related to how you respond to these challenges. By the end of one of Avish’s presentations, you will have key tools to flow with all that life throws at you. Avish has spoken to the very creative (actors and directors), the very un-creative (accountants), the very casual (college students), and the very business-like (sales professionals). The end result is always the same – smiles, laughs, and a new way of looking at life and business.
Avish is the author of “Improvise to Success!” and the Amazon best-selling, “Say ‘Yes, And!’” (And yes, his parents are once again very proud.)
About C.A.R.E.
Established in 1985, (C.A.R.E.), the Cooperative Association of Resort Exchangers is one of the industry’s leading associations in ethical standards and value propositions. Its internationally diverse member base includes Resort Developers, Management and Exchange Companies, HOA’s, Travel Clubs and Wholesalers as well as many respected industry suppliers bringing value-added revenue enhancement opportunities. Members that possess rentable inventory or seek inventory for the fulfillment of rental requests set the foundation of C.A.R.E. with a multitude of scenarios for securing client vacations, increased inventory utilization, and heightened yield management. C.A.R.E. members can share inventory via week-to-week exchanges, weekly wholesale rentals, guaranteed and free-sale blocks as well as year-round and seasonal leases all over the world. C.A.R.E. members must comply with a strict Code of Standards and Ethics and will undoubtedly gain professional and personal development by attending C.A.R.E. Conferences. With nominal annual membership fees and some of the industry’s lowest conference registration rates, C.A.R.E. can prove an undeniable value and return.
