Westgate Resorts Founder David Siegel Honored with ACE Lifetime Achievement Award

Westgate Resorts proudly announces that its Founder and Executive Chairman, David Siegel, has been awarded the prestigious ACE Lifetime Achievement Award for his remarkable vision, leadership, and contributions to the hospitality and vacation ownership industries.

A self-made visionary, David Siegel has spent more than forty years developing Central Florida Investments/Westgate Resorts into the largest privately owned company in Central Florida. Under his leadership, the Westgate portfolio has expanded beyond timeshare resorts to include hotels, casinos, restaurants, water parks, spas, apartments, travel services, sports betting, citrus & land, insurance services, and many other ventures throughout the United States.

David Siegel’s journey began in 1982 when he purchased a prime piece of land in Kissimmee, Florida, and transformed it into the Westgate Vacation Villas Resort. Over four decades later, Westgate Resorts has grown into a hospitality empire, boasting more than 15,000 hotel rooms and timeshare villas across twenty-seven premier resorts in the country’s most sought-after destinations—with even more expansion on the horizon.

Throughout his career, Siegel has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the ARDA Community Service Award, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Hall of Fame, the Dick Pope Legacy Award, Orlando Business Journal CEO of the Year, the Central Florida Hospitality Hall of Fame, and Ernst & Young’s 1996 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Beyond his business success, Siegel has demonstrated a deep commitment to philanthropy. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Westgate Foundation, which he founded in 2001 to strengthen families and communities surrounding Westgate Resorts properties. Since its inception, the Foundation has contributed millions of dollars annually to nonprofit organizations nationwide. Additionally, Siegel is Chairman of Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a charity he founded after the tragic passing of his daughter, Victoria “Rikki” Siegel, to an accidental drug overdose. The foundation is one of the nation’s leading advocates for drug policy changes, access to Naloxone, drug education, and prevention initiatives. A noted speaker on the topic of drug addiction, Siegel has dedicated his life to ensuring no other family experiences the same tragedy.

Siegel studied marketing and management at the University of Miami and holds an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M University.

“David Siegel’s impact on the hospitality industry is unparalleled. His passion for innovation, customer experience, and community service has left an indelible mark, and this Lifetime Achievement Award is a testament to his enduring legacy,” said Barry Siegel, Executive Vice President at Westgate Resorts.

The ACE Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) to individuals who have significantly influenced the growth and success of the vacation ownership industry.

For more information about Westgate Resorts and David Siegel’s contributions to the industry, please visit www.westgateresorts.com.