Westgate Resorts Recognized for Excellence with Seven 2022 American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Awards
May 10, 2022
ORLANDO, FL. – May 10, 2022 – Westgate Resorts is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the esteemed American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Awards in seven major categories for 2022 including the ACE Project of Excellence Award (Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo), Integrated Marketing Campaign or Program (Maurice & Sally, Westgate New York Grand Central), Best Information Technology Team and more.
Through its annual awards program, ARDA honors the best people, resorts, teams and campaign strategies within the vacation ownership industry.
“We are honored to have been recognized by ARDA, the leading organization advocating for the highest standard of excellence within the timeshare industry,” said Jared Saft, chief business officer of Westgate Resorts and member of the ARDA Board of Directors. “These awards recognize the dedication and outstanding efforts of our incredible teams and individual team members across the company.”
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo was honored with one of ARDA’s most prestigious recognitions, the ACE Project of Excellence Award, for achieving the highest level of excellence in the resort industry. As one of the premier ranch resorts in the country, this pioneer of the luxury glamping concept has led the industry with its introduction of its Luxe Teepees and Conestoga Wagons. In the last year, the resort has debuted its highly successful Nashville Singer-Songwriter Concert Series and most recently celebrated the opening of its new upscale steakhouse, River Ranch Cattle Company Chophouse & Bar. The resort’s distinguished activities team also took home honors for the best Activities Program or Professional Team.
Westgate is also proud to have been recognized for its top Integrated Marketing Campaign or Program, "Maurice & Sally Goller: A New York City Love Story 76 Years in the Making” – a storytelling campaign designed to celebrate one incredible couple’s 75th wedding anniversary by inviting them back to the hotel that started it all: Westgate New York Grand Central. The campaign culminated in a social media contest that allowed 20 winning couples to experience Westgate New York Grand Central for up to three nights at the same rate that Maurice and Sally paid during their 1945 honeymoon – $6.25 per night.
Westgate’s Information Technology Team took home top honors for the ARDA Award for Best Technology Team for its key role in the conception, execution and launch of the company’s groundbreaking loyalty program, the World of Westgate. This first-of-its-kind loyalty program was a tremendous technological effort and included making significant updates to the Online Account Management portal and Westgate Resorts mobile app.
"Developing a cutting-edge guest-centric loyalty program can only be achieved when you have the best technology team in the industry," said Tom Dugan, chief financial officer of Westgate Resorts. "We are incredibly proud of this recognition from ARDA and this award truly belongs to our talented group of industry-leading technology professionals.”
A full list of Westgate Resorts’ ARDA Awards Winners include:
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ACE Project of Excellence Award – Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
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Integrated Marketing Campaign or Program – Maurice & Sally, Westgate New York Grand Central
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Sales Management Leader – Ervin Matik
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Salesperson Traditional Line – Thomas Ellis
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Sales Trainer/Sales Training Team – Orlando In-House Training Team
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Technology Team – Information Technology Team
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Activities Program Professional or Team – Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, Activities Team
About Westgate Resorts
Westgate Resorts is the largest privately-held timeshare company in the world and one of the largest resort developers in the United States. Founded in 1982 by David Siegel, the company is headquartered in Orlando with eight Orlando hotel resorts and 22 themed destination resorts nationwide, featuring more than 14,000 luxury villas and hotel rooms in popular vacation destinations throughout the United States such as Orlando and Cocoa Beach, Florida; New York City, New York; Park City, Utah; Las Vegas, Nevada; Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Branson, Missouri; and Mesa, Arizona. In 2022, the company launched the cutting-edge World of Westgate (WOW) Loyalty Program, an exclusive program that rewards Westgate Owners and Hotel Guests with prestigious perks and privileges at no added cost. The company has garnered many distinct accolades, including the 2022 ACE Project of Excellence Award from the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) for Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo, recognition from Forbes Travel Advisor ranking Westgate Park City Resort & Spa as a recommended resort in its 2022 Star Awards and 73 Best of State Awards for Westgate Park City Resort & Spa after winning 10 years in a row. Westgate Resorts locations are known to feature a variety of unique restaurant, retail and spa concepts, including Los Amigos Mexican Grill & Tequila Bar, Villa Italiano Chophouse, Drafts Burger Bar, Edge Steakhouse, Westgate Marketplace & Deli and Serenity Spa by Westgate. For more information about Westgate Resorts, visit www.westgateresorts.com. Visit Westgate Resorts on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Vaughn
The Zimmerman Agency
(850)-668-2222