GNEX-ACOTUR 2025 SCHEDULE
This Schedule is currently a work in progress and may be changed without notice as we build another great event.
Turn your mobile phone on its side to view the detailed schedule…
| 7.30AM – 3.00PM | GNEX-ACOTUR 2025 GOLF TOURNAMENT |
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Our 5th Annual GNEX-ACOTUR Golf Tournament will take place at El Tinto Golf Course, a stunning Nick Price design in Cancun. Stretching 7,435 yards, the course is home to several qualifying and sectional tournaments and offers a challenging yet fair test for players of all skill levels. Surrounded by natural beauty, El Tinto seamlessly blends into its environment with well-positioned bunkers and lakes that come into play throughout the round, while multiple tee boxes ensure accessibility for every handicap. The format will be Best Ball, where 2 x Twosomes play together and use the lowest score per hole within the Twosome, adjusted by handicap, as they compete for the title of GNEX-ACOTUR 2025 Golf Tournament Champions. Limited Spaces available to registered attendees only. This is a separately ticketed event so CLICK HERE to purchase your spot! |
| 6.00PM – 7.00PM | UNOFFICIAL GATHERING @ KEMPINSKI CANCUN LOUNGE BAR |
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The drinks aren’t on us just yet, but for those staying at the hotel and want to find some attendees to hang out with, head over to the lounge bar at the Kempinski. |
| 9.00AM – 5.00PM | GNEX-ACOTUR 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 11AM. 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. |
| 11.00AM – 12.00PM | 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. |
| 12.00PM – 12.30PM | 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 our upcoming 15th Anniversary event in Las Vegas! |
| 12.30PM – 1.00PM | MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER |
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| 1.00PM – 2.00PM | 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! |
| 1.30PM – 2.30PM | 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. |
| 2.30PM – 3.00PM | GUEST SPEAKER: CAPITAL MARKETS IN THE MEXICAN HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY |
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Christian Lega |
Christian Lega holds extensive experience in Hospitality and Real Estate, where he has had active participation in Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Development, Consulting and Advisory for over 20 years. Today, as VP for CBRE, he oversees CBRE Hotels & Hospitality, Development as well as the Spanish Investments Desk in Mexico. Until 2024, as partner for Deloitte in the S-Latam Region he headed Investment Banking for the Real Estate Industry in Latam. He also coordinates the MDI Hotel Investment post-graduate, a 6-month program between the ITAM and the UPM for complete analysis of the cycle of Hotel Development and Investment. |
| 3.00PM – 5.00PM | NETWORKING TIME |
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Use this time to hold meetings or visit our exhibitors in the Networking Lounge. Coffee and tea available. |
| 5.00PM – 7.00PM | TEQUILA! |
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More information to come! |
| 8.00AM – 5.00PM | GNEX-ACOTUR 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 starts at 8AM with breakfast in the foyer. 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. |
| 8.00AM – 10.00AM | NETWORKING BREAKFAST |
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Enjoy a hearty breakfast ahead of a day of general sessions and more networking. |
| 10.00AM – 10.15AM | DAY TWO INTRODUCTIONS |
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| Jim Madrid Founder Madrid Partners, LLC |
Grab your seats for some not-to-be-missed sessions! |
| 10.15AM – 10.30PM | GUEST SPEAKER: TBA |
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TBA TBA |
| 10.30AM – 12.00PM | 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. | ||||
 Gerardo RiosecoChief Loyalty Officer Grupo Posadas |
 Warren SmithExecutive Vice President Living Water Resorts |
 Jorge BravoCEO Holidays Network Group |
 Blake PlumleyCEO BluWater Capital |
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 Robert WebbPartner BakerHostetler |
 Robert ClementsVP, Government Relations ARDA |
 Paul MattimoePresident & CEO Perspective Group / Shopr Rewards |
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| 12.00PM – 12.45PM | 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. |
| 12.45PM – 1.45PM | THE POWER OF SUSTAINABILITY: BUILDING A RESPONSIBLE TOURISM INDUSTRY | ||||
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| This panel will explore how sustainability has evolved into a core pillar of modern hospitality, and how the vacation ownership model can meaningfully align with responsible tourism principles. Through insights spanning global frameworks to on-the-ground initiatives, panelists will share strategies for building a more resilient, innovative, and purpose-driven tourism industry that creates lasting positive impact in destinations worldwide. | |||||
Jorge Moller |
Mourad Essafi |
 Miriam Alonso PachecoSubdirección de Sostenibilidad Grupo Xcaret |
 MODERATOR: Vincente Ferreyra AcostaCEO Susentur |
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| 1.45PM – 2.45PM | 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. |
| 2.45PM – 3.45PM | THE VALUE OF WELL-BEING IN THE TOURISM EXPERIENCE (WELLNESS AND MEDICAL TOURISM) | ||||
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| This panel explores the rise of wellness and medical tourism, examining why travelers seek health-focused experiences and how destinations like Cancun are meeting that demand. Discussions will cover marketing strategies, the benefits for both visitors and local industry professionals, and insights into the Canadian market, where some treatments are even covered by healthcare. | |||||
Andrés Jurado |
 Ana Mayra GuilbertClinical Psychologist Sha Wellness Clinic |
 Ivan RiosCorporate Partner Defend Abogados |
 MODERATOR: Jesus CalahorraExecutive Director ACOTUR |
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| 3.45PM – 5.00PM | INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: MEATBALLS AND MINDSET: RECIPES FOR A POSITIVE LIFE |
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| Jim Madrid Founder Madrid Partners, LLC |
This immersive and energizing workshop blends the warmth of Italian culture with the science of mindset mastery. Through powerful stories, practical tools, and a dash of humor, participants will learn how to build resilience, shift perspective, and cultivate a winning mindset—both in life and work. Like the perfect meatball recipe, lasting success begins with the right ingredients. Attendees will leave inspired, equipped, and ready to create their own recipe for a positive, purpose-driven life. |
| 6.30PM – 9.30PM | SHOPR REWARDS PARTY |
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Join us at the fabulous Chambao Restaurant for a lively night of premium food, drink and entertainment. Sponsored by |
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Introducing Our GNEX-ACOTUR 2025 Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring our upcoming event? Download our Sponsorship Brochure.
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| ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY PARTNERS | |
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| BRONZE SPONSORS | |
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