GNEX-CRTA 2025 SCHEDULE
This schedule is subject to change. We will keep you updated with any adjustments.
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| 8.00AM – 2.00PM | GNEX-CRTA 2025 GOLF TOURNAMENT |
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Join us for the 4th Annual GNEX-CRTA Golf Tournament on September 22 at Shingle Creek Golf Club, Orlando, Florida. This is a separate ticketed event and space is VERY limited and available to registered attendees only, on a first to purchase basis. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Participation Includes:
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| 5.00PM – 7.00PM | REGISTRATION & SPONSOR APPRECIATION WELCOME PARTY |
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We’re kicking off GNEX-CRTA 2025 with an official cocktail hour to start the event in style! Enjoy a premium open bar while you visit our Sponsor Exhibit Tables, reconnect with familiar faces, and make new industry connections in our beautiful Networking Lounge. This year’s welcome evening will also feature a special fundraising event, giving you the opportunity to support an important cause while enjoying the festivities. |
| 9.00AM – 4.00PM | GNEX-CRTA NETWORKING LOUNGE |
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GNEX stands for Global Networking EXperience, and so the first day focuses heavily on networking to help everyone develop new relationships in our popular Networking Lounge where business deals are brokered, strategic partnerships are forged and new relationships are born. Early Access is from 9AM with Coffee & Tea with a working Brunch Served at 11:30AM. Use this time to hold meetings, network and visit our exhibitors at your leisure in-between our planned educational sessions and networking events below. Attracting senior executives from Canada, USA, Mexico, Caribbean and beyond, your day will be filled with new opportunities to advance your business. |
| 8.30AM – 10.00AM | CRTA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
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CRTA Members are welcome to attend and spectate as the CRTA Board of Directors meet to discuss association business and hold the Annual General Meeting ahead of the conference starting. |
| 10.00AM – 10.15AM | CONFERENCE WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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 Jim MadridFounder Madrid Partners, LLC |
Our resident Emcee will outline what’s coming up in our packed agenda, and give you a preview of upcoming events in Cancun and Nashville! |
| 10.15AM – 10.30AM | ORLANDO TRAVEL & TOURISM: THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY |
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 Maria HensonSr. Director of Market Research & Insights Visit Orlando |
Maria has been fortunate to be part of travel and hospitality industry for most of her professional life. Today, as a Sr. Director of Market Research and Insights, Maria leads a breadth of insight initiatives that help shape Visit Orlando’s business strategies, supporting the entire destination. Prior to joining Visit Orlando, Maria spearheaded numerous consumer insights studies for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment as part of United Parks Corporate Research team. Maria’s resume also includes four years with TNS (now Kantar), where she was responsible for delivering insights and strategic direction for clients in travel, hospitality, transportation, and technology sectors. An avid supporter of professional volunteering, Maria served on the Board of Florida Chapter of Insights Association and Central and North Florida Chapter of the Global Business Travel Association. Today she is a member of the Board for TTRA’s Southeast Chapter (SETTRA). When not crunching numbers and digging for trends, you can find Maria reading fantasy books, painting, figuring out piano or watching her son play soccer. Maria holds BA in International Economics from Tomsk State University in Russia, BBA in International Business from Stetson University and MBA from Rollins College. In addition to formal education, Maria has also obtained certification in Advanced Analytic Techniques from the University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education. |
| 10.30AM – 11.30AM | 60-SECOND PITCH |
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This session helps you put faces to names of those you haven’t met yet to help with your networking throughout the event! The 60-Second Pitch session gives one representative of each participating company the chance to take to the microphone for just 60-seconds to provide a fast elevator pitch about who they are and what their company does, so that members of the audience can make a quick note of who they want to meet during the conference, and put a face to the name so they can more easily find them. Please Note: This session only lasts one-hour and so participation is only guaranteed to the first 60 companies to purchase delegate tickets, so if you haven’t already, REGISTER NOW to secure your spot! |
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| 11.30AM – 12.30PM | WORKING BRUNCH |
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Indulge in a heavy brunch in the Networking Lounge as you continue to meet new people and hold meetings ahead of the first conference sessions. |
| 12.30PM – 2.00PM | THE BOARDROOM | |||
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| Unique to GNEX, this compelling session is the “ultimate” meeting of minds. The audience gets a fly-on-the-wall experience as our C-Suite industry experts conduct a round-table discussion on trending topics that impact the vacation industry, and their opinions of what the future holds. | ||||
 Warren SmithExecutive Vice President Living Water Resorts |
 Rebecca CurrierRegional VP – South FL & Caribbean Marriott Vacations Worldwide |
 Rinaldo FernandezSenior Vice-President, Club Division Blue Diamond Resorts |
 Blake PlumleyCEO BluWater Capital |
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President & CEO |
 Robert WebbPartner BakerHostetler |
 Jay WilsonVP, Client Sales & Service Interval International |
 Justin VermuthSenior VP, State Goverment Affairs & ARDA-ROC ARDA |
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Gaetan Babin| 2.00PM – 3.00PM | NETWORKING BREAK |
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Head back to our Networking Lounge for an hour of networking while enjoying some tasty bites, coffee and tea. |
| 3.00PM – 4.00PM | PANEL SESSION: TBA | |||
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| 5.00PM – 8.00PM | EXCLUSIVE GNEX-CRTA PARTY: PBR COWBOY – A COWBOY BAR |
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Experience a true taste of country at GNEX-CRTA 2025 with our exclusive main party at PBR Orlando – A Cowboy Bar, located at Pointe Orlando on I-Drive. Join us on Tuesday, September 23, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for an unforgettable evening featuring a live country band, mechanical bull riding, line dancing, and complimentary food and drinks. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of conference sessions and connect with fellow industry professionals in a lively, high-energy setting.
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| 9.00AM – 10.30AM | NETWORKING BREAKFAST |
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Enjoy a hearty breakfast ahead of a day of general sessions and more networking. |
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| 10.30AM – 11.00AM | DAY TWO INTRODUCTIONS |
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 Jim MadridFounder Madrid Partners, LLC |
Grab your seats for some not-to-be-missed sessions! |
| 11.00AM – 12.00PM | PANEL SESSION: TBA | |||
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| 12.00PM – 1.00PM | NETWORKING BREAK |
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Head back to our Networking Lounge for an hour of networking while enjoying some tasty bites, coffee and tea. Don’t forget to visit all of our exhibitors to learn more about what they can offer to your business. |
| 1.00PM – 2.00PM | PANEL SESSION: TBA | |||
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| 2.00PM – 3.00PM | LUNCH |
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Enjoy a full lunch as you continue your conversations and take time to visit our exhibitors in the Networking Lounge. |
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| 3.00PM – 4.00PM | INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: A FOCUS ON YOU! |
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| Jim Madrid Founder Madrid Partners, LLC |
In a fast-paced industry with constantly increasing targets to meet it’s easy to lose yourself in your work. This session challenges you to take a break for a couple of hours to “Focus On You”. Jim Madrid, our resident mental toughness coach will take you on a journey of personal discovery and development that will give you not only the tools to better navigate the day to day work environment but also give you the skills to take better care of yourself and lay out the pathway to the future growth as an individual that you desire. |
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| 4.00PM – 5.00PM | FAREWELL COCKTAILS |
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Your last chance to network and build relationships with new friends as the conference comes to a close. |
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Introducing Our GNEX-CRTA 2025 Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring our upcoming event? Download our Sponsorship Brochure.
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| SILVER SPONSORS | |
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| BRONZE SPONSORS | |
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| SUPPORTING SPONSORS | |
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| ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY PARTNERS | |
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