The pandemic has disrupted the travel industry like never before, and even as signs of recovery are beginning to show, the return to pre-COVID occupancy levels will be reliant upon many new factors, including the safety measures implemented by resorts to make vacationers feel comfortable. Learn how you can turn this into an effective competitive advantage by harnessing the unique benefits of air purification and COVID testing at your resorts and sales centers.

Richard Orchard is founder of VantageRX Testing Solutions, a distributor of COVID-19 rapid fingerstick Antibody, nasal swab Antigen and saliva PCR Tests. The company also provides the Vollara Air & Surface Pro, an air purification device with patented ActivePure Technology which was developed to protect astronauts on the NASA International Space Station. It is one of only 75 technologies that have been inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame. Each unit fills up to a 3,000 sq. ft. area with safe oxidizing molecules that seek and destroy harmful pathogens and contaminants (including the SARS-CoV-2 virus) that are in the air—and on surfaces; and is being used in our GNEX Conference space!

Since the beginning of the pandemic everyone has looked for better ways to connect, engage, and network. With all the social distancing mandates throughout our country; families, businesses, teachers, and so many others were forced to find ways to feel connected with one another again. The most successful resource for those that have been prospering through the challenges of our “new normal” are those that embraced and empowered their creative side and closed the Social Distancing gap through finding connection through Facebook, Instagram, and many others!

Greg is the founder and CEO of Vacations 4 You, which in just over 2 years has become one the premier Travel Membership companies in the industry. Based out of Nashville, Tennessee Greg is going to share how his organization shifted their way of operation through Social Media to allow them to thrive!

As the world begins to recover, how will the U.S. economy react to a booming real estate market, roaring stock market, and unprecedented government stimulus? We’ll look at where the economy was, where it is, and where it may be going; all with an eye toward how those changes will affect the hospitality and vacation ownership industries.

Shawn Brydge is Executive Vice President at Wellington Financial, which has consistently provided financing to the vacation ownership industry since 1981; and since 1995 has worked with Liberty Bank as their exclusive Resort Finance correspondent, specializing in receivables hypothecation, inventory and development loans and have funded over $8.0 Billion through their group of lenders.

If you are ready to win in business, in family, and in life, it all starts with the end in mind. On the path to winning, you’ll encounter challenges with people and circumstances, but as Shawn always says, “Winners focus on what they are going to, not on what they’re going through!” This session will inspire you to “PLAY TO WIN” by harnessing the vision, mindset, strategies, and teamwork needed to rise to your highest potential using some of the methods from Shawn Harper’s book, “The Winning Edge” which outlines his personal story of overcoming many obstacles to realize his purpose and manifest his dreams.

Shawn Harper is a former NFL offensive lineman who played a total of seven seasons with the Rams, the Oilers, the Colts, and NFL Europe. Since 2004 he has owned and operated American Services and Protection, a growing multi-million-dollar security services firm headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. He uses many of the powerful lessons he learned in the NFL and strategically applies them in running his company. He is also the author of The Winning Edge: 8 Laws and Principles That Will Bring Out the Winner in You”.

The leisure-based vacation rental market outperformed anyone’s expectations in 2020, and 2021 is shaping up to be a record-breaking year in this sector. Hinote will share past and forward-looking ADR, RevPAR and occupancy data across key leisure markets and discuss current industry dynamics and trends, including the need for additional vacation rental supply.

Amy Hinote is the founder and editor-in-chief of VRM Intel Magazine, which provides news, information, and resources for the professionally managed vacation rental industry. With over 15 years in the vacation rental industry, Hinote has worked with property management companies, technology companies, intermediaries, and investors, and provides insider information about the growing vacation rental industry. She also founded and sold the data company, now known as Key Data Dashboard, which provides aggregated market intelligence and reporting for vacation rental managers.

There will always be constant change in our world. In 2008, it was the financial crisis, now it shifted to Covid-19, and in the future, there will be a new shoe to drop. How do companies create resilience to market conditions, and how do they weather the storm to enjoy the sunshine yet to come? Innovation is not easy but is the driving force to remain relevant and thrive in the future. In this session, you will learn the fundamental mindset to examine your organization, your revenue generating process so that when the clouds cast darkness, you will have the tools and fortitude to remain the dominant company in your industry. You will be given the road map successful companies have adopted to navigate their company through change.

David Stroeve is the owner of ADS Consulting and helps companies enhance their sales process and system to achieve incremental lasting success. After leaving an industry success story, he now has become a Sales Process Expert helping companies go beyond their expectations. David is a 27 year industry veteran and helped take a company from a valuation of a couple of million to over 200 million in just over 19 years. Through many market changes from the dot com bubble and the financial crisis, he leveraged the marketing conditions to accelerate sales performance by changing the narrative of the story.