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Holiday Inn Club Vacations Named One of Newsweek's Greatest Workplaces for Women We are thrilled to announce that for the second consecutive year, Holiday Inn Club Vacations has been named by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. This prestigious recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for women in the workplace. We have made great strides in fostering gender equity and championing professional growth for all team members, and this recognition speaks volumes about our culture of caring and courage. Erin Booth Honored on Ragan's Top Women in HR List for 2025 We are also incredibly proud to share that our Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Erin Booth, has been named one of Ragan's Top Women in HR for 2025. This honor is a testament to Erin's exceptional leadership, vision, and tireless dedication to improving the team member experience across our organization for the past 30 years. Erin's leadership has been key to creating a workplace where we feel supported and empowered every day.
As we celebrate Employee Appreciation Day, we want to take a moment to recognize the incredible work you do every day. You are the heart of HICV, creating memorable experiences for our guests, building trust, and driving our success. Whether you’re working behind the scenes, interacting with guests directly, or collaborating with colleagues, your dedication, creativity, and passion make all the difference. Because of you, we continue to thrive and deliver the exceptional experiences we’re known for. Thank you for your hard work, commitment, and the impact you make every day. We’re grateful to have such an incredible team and look forward to all we’ll accomplish together. Happy Employee Appreciation Day to all of our incredible team members. Your impact is immeasurable, and we look forward to continuing this journey with such a remarkable HICV family.
Royal Resorts and The Royal Sands were recently honored by Cancun City Hall for their outstanding participation in the annual Sea Turtle Conservation Program. The Benito Juarez Municipal Ecology Department presented the award in recognition of the efforts of The Royal Sands security team, who protect sea turtles during their nesting season. In 2024 alone, they safeguarded 229 nests and released 19,393 baby turtles. Since 1998, over 1.2 million hatchlings have been released. This award reflects the dedication of Royal Resorts' team members, who have been involved in the program since 1985, ensuring the conservation of Cancun’s vital sea turtle population.
This year, our Resort Operations and Talent Acquisition teams expanded on the previous format of the one-day job fair at Orange Lake Resort to two days of meeting with community members and showcasing the wonderful opportunities at the resort. Day one focused on front-of-house positions such as front desk, food and beverage, and activities, and day two targeted back-of-house roles like repairs and maintenance and warehouse services. This allowed the team to better connect with a diverse group of applicants, leading to impressive results. Because of the dedication and hard work of the department leaders and Talent Acquisition partners, 508 candidates were welcomed to the resort to learn more about how they could be a part our team, and 103 offers were extended to new team members. This incredible two-day event is a testament to the effort and collaboration of our team members, who worked tirelessly to create a seamless and efficient recruitment experience. Thank you to all of the teams that worked to make this event a success!
As we approach Black History Month in 2025, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of Black history, culture, and achievements at HICV and beyond. We conducted a Q&A with our Scottsdale Resort General Manager, Purnell Vick to learn what Black History Month means to him. Q: Who are your biggest inspirations throughout Black history and why? A: My parents, Gwen and Bobby—hands down. They set the pace for the man I am today, teaching me the delicate balance between self-sufficiency and service to others. Q: What is your advice to young Black professionals who may want to follow your career path? A: Fear has no seat at the table—courage does. If you have a vision, don’t overthink it. Collapse time with knowledge and seek out mentors and like-minded people who will fan the flames of your passion, not extinguish them. Surround yourself with those who have already walked the path you want to take. Q: What are some key lessons you have learned throughout your career that you would like to pass on to others? A: Believing in yourself is far more profitable than doubting yourself—Black history itself is proof of that. At the end of the day, success isn’t just about what you achieve; it’s about who you empower along the way. So be bold, be brilliant, and always bet on YOU.
Every year, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November to commemorate the significant contributions of the Native American people and their unique traditions, cultures and histories. At Holiday Inn Club Vacations, we value all cultures and backgrounds. Our Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Council is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members to feel safe, welcomed and accepted within our organization. This year we have the privilege to learn more about the Taíno people from one of our own team members, Edwin Villanueva, Paralegal Specialist. The Taíno people, an Arawak subgroup, migrated to Puerto Rico from Venezuela and the Orinoco River between 500 BC and 600 BC. They were not the first indigenous people to arrive in Puerto Rico, however, as the Archaics had arrived from Florida around 2,500 years earlier. The Taíno were a matrilineal society with a hierarchical culture. They lived in small villages called yukayekes and were led by a “cacique” or tribal chieftain. As of 2006, there were a couple of dozen Taíno descendant organizations with memberships in the thousands. These efforts are known as the Taíno restoration, a revival movement for Taíno culture that seeks official recognition of the survival of the Taíno people. DNA evidence shows that a large portion of the current populations of the Greater Antilles have Taíno ancestry, inclusive of 61% of Puerto Ricans, 30% of Dominicans, and 33% of Cubans.
In honor of Veteran's Day, we met with some of HICV's own veterans to learn more about their service and how this experience shapes their lives today. Jim Vagts, Senior Manager, Facilities, Smoky Mountain Resort: Q: Which military branch did you serve in, where were you stationed, and how long did you serve? A: I served in the Marine Corps, and was stationed in Twentynine Palms, California. I served for six years. Q: Could you share the most significant lesson you learned during your time in the military? A: I learned how to run different scenarios for any situation by adapting and improvising is critical in determining the required outcome. Siara Soto, Security Officer, Orange Lake Resort: Q: Which military branch did you serve in, where were you stationed, and how long did you serve? A: I served in the Marine Corps, specifically the 4th AAB battalion, H&S company. I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and Camp Pendelton, California. I served for four years. Q: How has your military service influenced your career trajectory in the vacation ownership industry? A: Just like the Marine Corps, I’ve found a place where I can help others and make a difference every single day. The camaraderie I have with my fellow security team remind me of my time in the Marine Corps as well. Going through tough times as a team fulfills me as a person, and I am grateful for this team.
We are thrilled to welcome Karl Grissett to the position of General Manager at Mount Ascutney Resort. Karl assumed his new responsibilities on October 14, 2024, overseeing the overall success of the resort, and providing support to team members. Karl is new to the HICV family, but he joins us with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, starting with his family-owned campground at age 12! Prior to joining HICV, Karl held multiple leadership roles, most recently with Wyndham Destinations as a multi-site General Manager for six properties in Rhode Island. These experiences have shaped him into a well-balanced and approachable leader who prides himself in staying calm during chaos and working together to create achievable plans. When he is not at work, Karl enjoys spending time with his family and soaking up all of the time he can with his husband and recently adopted son, watching them play video games or starting a home improvement project.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations announced that it is recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2024 by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group. Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group recognized the America’s Greatest Workplaces in the United States, by conducting a large-scale employer study based on over 1.5 million comprehensive company reviews from over 250,000 employees. “Being recognized as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for 2024 is a tremendous honor and a testament to the passion, dedication, and commitment of our entire team,” said Erin Booth, Sr. Vice President of Human Resources. “At HICV, we strive to create an environment where our employees feel valued, empowered to grow, and supported by our core values of caring, courage and creativity. This recognition reflects our ongoing efforts to foster a workplace culture of inclusivity, innovation, and excellence. We’re proud of this achievement and remain committed to making HICV a place where our team members can thrive.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time dedicated to recognizing the diverse contributions of Hispanic and Latino individuals to our society. From September 15 to October 15, we pay tribute to the vibrant cultures, histories, and achievements of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. At Holiday Inn Club Vacations, this annual celebration takes on a special significance, as we are fortunate to count, among our ranks, many talented leaders with Hispanic backgrounds who help HICV thrive! Below, learn more about one of our leaders, Chief Information Officer, JP Hurtado, and the invaluable insights he brings to the HICV "familia." Q: How has your heritage influenced your leadership style and approach to decision-making? A: I take great pride in my Colombian heritage and am deeply grateful to my parents for raising me in a traditional Colombian household. Their influence has profoundly shaped both the person and the leader I am today. Q: How do you incorporate elements of your cultural background into fostering a cohesive and collaborative work environment? A: Servant leadership! I strongly believe in the importance of empathy and situational awareness. Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Building genuine relationships and being authentic, while clearly communicating your vision, goes a long way in fostering cross-team alignment and collaboration.
