What We Learned at the 2026 WIN
Early in the ‘90s, my friend Cathy Backus (founder of the charitable organization, Send Me On Vacation) said, “Wouldn’t it be great to have a support group in the timeshare resort industry for women?” She suggested the name, “WIN,” for a group – Women in the Industry. Eventually, ARDA picked up the idea, expanded it to encompass “winners in the industry,” as then-ARDA President Howard Nusbaum put it to be more inclusive.
These days the WIN mission statement explains, “ARDA-WIN is a committee within ARDA that aims to advocate, educate, and connect members by fostering personal and professional growth through a core focus on education and networking.” If you work for an ARDA member company, you are invited to join this growing and important group. Through various local events and the annual conference, ARDA-WIN offers very relevant benefits, particularly for those interested in growing a lifelong career in the timeshare/vacation ownership resort business, including meeting education and about the industry and important connections.
On January 22, 2026, I joined a group of nearly 400 attendees, principally women, who came from across the vacation ownership industry for the annual ARDA WIN Conference. We enjoyed listening to several speakers and panelists, whose remarks I’ve endeavored to highlight.
ARDA Initiatives and the Expanding WIN Community
Jason Gamel, President & CEO, American Resort Development Association (ARDA), opened the conference by outlining recent and ongoing ARDA initiatives, including the AIF Newsletter, GoTimesharing.org, and ARDA WIN’s annual meeting and monthly happy hours. The ARDA team has been virtually tireless in providing services to the association’s constituency.
His updates helped reinforce the mission of ARDA WIN, one that is built on consistent engagement—not one-off programming. The programming that day was led by volunteer leaders Laurie Cox-Hansen, Director of Owner Relations, Interval International, and Alana Wittig, Account Manager at Fidelity National Timeshare, whose leadership has helped create a welcoming and practical professional networking event.
Health, Longevity, and Performance
Dr. Vonda Wright, Orthopedic Surgeon, Performance Expert, and Author, discussed peri-menopause and menopause with a focus on bone health, nutrition, and strength training. Speaking to an audience largely composed of professional women between the ages of 30 and 50, Dr. Wright emphasized that proactive health choices directly impact long-term independence and sustainability.
Her guidance, drawn from her book Unbreakable, resonated strongly. The post-session conversations I observed made it clear this topic addressed a real and often under-discussed need.
Leadership and Work-Life Integration
The General Session panel featured senior women leaders from across the industry who shared candid experiences balancing professional growth with family responsibilities. Panelists discussed how to be visible and respected at work, emphasizing that authenticity is essential to effective leadership.
Alana Wittig served as moderator of the panel, guiding a candid and experience-driven conversation with Stephanie Choy, Senior Director, Title Operations, Hilton Grand Vacations; Dottie Clendenin, Vice President of Sales, Disney Vacation Club; and Robin Suarex, Senior Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Marriott Vacations Worldwide. Together, the panelists shared practical insights on leadership visibility, credibility, and balancing professional growth with personal responsibilities, offering perspectives shaped by different career paths and organizational cultures.
They also agreed that adapting to AI tools is no longer optional. From my vantage point, the discussion reflected a realistic understanding of today’s leadership environment—one that values flexibility, credibility, and continuous learning.
Financial Confidence Through Education
Cary Carbonaro, Senior Wealth Advisor, Aspiriant, and Author of The Money Queen’s Guide, addressed common financial topics women often avoid, including Social Security planning, budgeting, and understanding market fundamentals. You can read more about Cary’s important message in the article, “Owning the Conversation—and the Outcome: Cary Carbonaro on Women, Money, and Financial Confidence.”
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Stephanie Ketron, Vice President of Learning and Development, Westgate Resorts, challenged attendees to confront—not avoid—difficult workplace conversations. She outlined the three indicators of Crucial Conversations: strong emotions, high stakes, and differing opinions.
Her reminder that people often default to “silence or violence” resonated with the audience. The tools she shared—naming the stakes, separating intent from impact, and leading with facts—offered practical guidance for clearer communication.
Federal Advocacy: A Reality Check
Sam DePoy, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, ARDA, held the audience’s attention with behind-the-scenes insight into the political realities shaping the vacation ownership industry. Her presentation underscored the importance of sustained advocacy and informed engagement. DePoy has provided her expertise for the association for 27 years. She noted the relative rarity of women in federal lobbying, despite estimates showing that women represent only about 37%–40% of registered lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
AI as Support, Not Replacement
Amanda M. Main, Ph.D., Chief Innovation Officer and Assurance of Learning Coordinator, UCF College of Business, discussed how artificial intelligence can help organizations manage cognitive overload. She highlighted AI applications in employee coaching, customer-interaction simulations, personal development, and knowledge capture.
She emphasized that while AI can streamline processes and create more effortless consumer experiences, the human ability to read emotions and build trust remains essential.
Resilience and Perspective
Rachel Druckenmiller, Leadership Consultant and Speaker, closed the conference by sharing her personal journey through extreme medical adversity. She encouraged attendees to replace low self-confidence with what she described as “Confident Humility”—confidence grounded in self-awareness and purpose.
Moving Forward With Clarity and Confidence
The 2026 ARDA WIN Winter Conference underscored the evolving realities facing women in the vacation ownership industry—and the importance of addressing them directly. From health and financial literacy to leadership, communication, advocacy, and the thoughtful use of AI, the day’s sessions offered practical guidance grounded in real-world experience. Just as importantly, the conference reinforced the value of connection and community, reminding attendees that progress is strengthened when professionals learn from one another and face industry challenges together.
Sharon Scott Wilson, RRP, operates Resort Trades Media Group, publishers of Resort Trades magazine and other media, delivered nationwide at no charge to timeshare resort professionals. Subscribe at https://resorttrades.com/subscribe.
