Every year, the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) holds its prestigious Spring Conference, a gathering of industry leaders from ARDA and top timeshare brands to network, discuss the evolution of timeshare, and celebrate successes and innovations in the field. This year’s Spring Conference took place April 14-17 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Highlights included sessions on marketing, tourism, and security, illustrious speakers such as Frank Abagnail, the unveiling of a new ARDA logo, and a big win for Elara and Hilton Grand Vacations at the 2024 ARDA Awards ceremony. Fidelity Real Estate is proud to be an accredited and recommended member of ARDA, providing owners and buyers with safe, successful resale solutions. So, see what you missed at the ARDA Spring Conference 2024. Then, stick around to learn how Fidelity Real Estate can help you with all your timeshare resale needs.
What is the ARDA Spring Conference?
The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) has been regulating the timeshare industry and protecting the interests of owners for more than 50 years. With its annual Spring Conference, ARDA recognizes the brands, resorts, and individuals who exemplify their customer-first values while offering educational and networking opportunities for more than 1,000 industry professionals and stakeholders. In fact, the ARDA Spring Conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the world. Events include general sessions, all-star speakers, parties, networking events, award ceremonies, and more.
Selected Sessions From ARDA Spring Conference 2024
General sessions from the ARDA Spring Conference 2024 focused on topics such as marketing, security, and tourism. Here’s an overview of some of the biggest talking points from this year’s conference.
Marketing: ARDA Spring Conference 2024
Perhaps the biggest talking point at the ARDA Spring Conference 2024 was marketing. Several sessions centered on marketing, from a comprehensive presentation of market research to talks about data, AI, branding, and more. Here are some of the biggest marketing-focused sessions from the 2024 ARDA Spring Conference:
- Timeshare 101: Session 1: AIF Market Research Revealed – Using the results of surveys, focus groups, consumer studies, and more in order to build a model of today’s average timeshare consumer.
- Power Innovation Session 3: Communications/Branding – Rebranding as a key marketing strategy.
- Power Innovation Session 1: The Digital Experience – Are you using all the tools available to you to enhance your consumer experience? – Exploring the digital tools and analytics essential in order to guide the consumer journey.
- Slot 6: Chris Clark, Digital Ignite: Harnessing Data to Reach Emerging Travel Audiences – How cutting-edge data-driven approaches are helping the timeshare industry reach consumers under 45.
- Slot 9: Danny Wymer, Cresta: Transform Your Guest Experience & Your Bottom Line with AI – How AI can uncover insights that increase customer satisfaction as well as sales conversion.
Security: ARDA Spring Conference 2024
This year’s ARDA Spring Conference also turned a sharp eye on security. In fact, it was the topic of two different sessions. The first, FBI Briefing on Timeshare Scams, featured two bureau agents giving accounts of investigations into sophisticated timeshare scams as well as advice on how to protect owners against scammers. The second, Spotting and Preventing Fraud, featured Frank Abagnail, the subject of Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me if You Can. spent almost 50 years working with the FBI to combat scam artists and cybercriminals.
Las Vegas Tourism: ARDA Spring Conference 2024
Apropos of the conference’s 2024 setting, Hospitality Focus: Las Vegas put the spotlight on the Las Vegas tourism industry. In this general session, attendees learned about how attractions and events such as Formula One Racing, Sphere, and the 2024 Super Bowl were driving tourism in the City of Sin.
New ARDA Logo Unveiled at the 2024 Spring Conference
One of the major highlights of ARDA’s 2024 Spring Conference was the unveiling of a brand-new ARDA logo. According to ARDA’s president and CEO, Jason Gamel, ARDA set out to “make (their) brand look like where (they were) heading as an industry,” citing values such as advocacy, innovation, and insights as polestars. This fine-tuned, focused vision of the future is reflected in ARDA’s new minimalist logo.
2024 ARDA Awards
The 2024 ARDA Spring Conference ended ceremoniously as exemplary employees, developers, and industry partners received recognition for their hard work and contributions at the annual ARDA Awards. Some of the winners included:
Marketing and Sales Division: ARDA 2024
- Sunrise Ridge Marketing Team | Hilton Grand Vacations (Marketing Team: Large Developer)
- Breckenridge Grand Vacations Colorado Rockies Partnership | Breckenridge Grand Vacations (Marketing Program)
- South Beach Resort Owner Sales Team | Holiday Inn Club Vacations (Sales Team: Medium Developer)
Management and Administration Division: ARDA 2024
- Ryan Moon | Hilton Grand Vacations (Business Administration or Operations Team Member)
- Human Resources Maui Wildfires Response Team | Marriott Vacations Worldwide (HR Team)
- Kyle Anderson | Hilton Grand Vacations (Training Professional)
Advertising Promotion Communications Division: ARDA 2024
- Club Wyndham Connections Event | Travel + Leisure Co. (Special Event: Owner Guest)
- Club Wyndham and WorldMark Freeze the Moment Photo Contest | Travel + Leisure Co. (Owner/Guest Engagement or Communications Campaign)
Resort Design Division: ARDA 2024
- Penthouse Suites at Grand Seas Resort | Sena Hospitality Design (Refurbishment: Unit)
- Serenity Spa at Westgate Park City Resort & Spa | Westgate Resorts (Amenities)
ARDA’s Highest Honor, the ARDA Circle of Excellence (ACE) Award
- arrivia (ACE Diversity and Inclusion Award)
- Hilton Grand Vacations and Marriott Vacations Worldwide (ACE Philanthropy & Community Service Award: Developer)
- Scott Cavanaugh of Travel + Leisure Co. (ACE Employee of the Year Award)
- Alex Glover of Vacation Innovations (ACE Emerging Leader Award)
The biggest winner of the night, however, was Hilton Grand Vacations. HGV took home eight ARDA awards at the 2024 Spring Conference, including two ACE Awards: the ACE Philanthropy and Community Service Award for contributions to Maui wildfire relief efforts, as well as the ACE Project of Excellence Award for the newly opened Elara Resort in Las Vegas. HGV’s ninth Vegas resort, Elara, overlooks the Strip and boasts a 52-story glass facade, on-site restaurants, and a casino. Moreover, it features two floors of luxury accommodations ranging from studio suites to two-bedroom villas.
Fidelity Real Estate: ARDA-Accredited Resale Specialists You Can Trust
Looking to buy or sell a timeshare on the resale market? You’ve come to the right place! As long-standing members of ARDA, Fidelity Real Estate adheres to a strict code of ethics and is committed to impeccable service and great results. Moreover, as a fully licensed real estate company, we can assist buyers and sellers at every step of their transaction.
Browse our resale marketplace today to see for-sale-by-owner timeshares from top brands such as Hilton Grand Vacations, Disney Vacation Club, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, and more. Want to list a timeshare you already own? Then fill out the form below to get started!
