CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
This Schedule is currently a work in progress and may be changed without notice as we build another great event.
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8.30AM. – 3.00PM | GNEX-ACOTUR 2024 GOLF TOURNAMENT |
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Our 4th Annual GNEX-ACOTUR Golf Tournament will be held at Iberostar Cancún Golf Club which boasts a fantastic location in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone. It is set between the Caribbean Sea and the mysterious Nichupté Lagoon and is surrounded by mangroves with abundant native plants and exotic animals.
The format will be a round of Best Ball, where 2 x Twosomes will navigate the course together and use the lowest score per hole within the Twosome, adjusted by handicap as they battle it out to be GNEX-ACOTUR 2024 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 Madrid President Advance Sports Technology, Inc. |
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 – 1.30PM | 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: CURRENT POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE OF MEXICO |
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Armando Rios Piter Political Analyst |
Armando Ríos Piter has a degree in Law from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a degree in Economics from ITAM University. He also has a master’s degree in National Security from Georgetown University and has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University.
He was a Federal Deputy in the sixty-first legislature of the Union Congress, and Senator of the Republic in the sixty-second and third legislature representing the state of Guerrero. He also was independent candidate for the presidency of Mexico in the federal elections of 2018. He became an official in the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público, and, sub secretary in the Secretariat of Agrarian Reform at federal level, as well as sub secretary of Government for Political Affairs, and Secretary of Rural Development in Guerrero. As a public administrator and legislator, he dedicated himself to the construction of public policies aimed at improving the conditions of democratic governance, food security, entrepreneurship and innovation for the youth sector and support for the productive development of women. He is an expert in public finances, economic development, combating corruption and national security. At the end of his duty as Senator in 2018, he founded Warwick Intelligence, a firm specialized in digital strategy, conversation and organization. He was Until this year he was Director of Strategic Analysis at Grupo Financiero Actinver and now stands out for his erudition as a great political analyst. |
3.00PM – 3.30PM | GUEST SPEAKER: WHAT IS SOMEONE LIKE YOU DOING IN A PLACE LIKE THIS? |
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Daniel Gomez CEO & Founder ANAPANA |
This session will focus on the search for mission and purpose, personally and spiritually and motivate attendees to embrace the challenge of reinventing themselves and being persistent in their search for personal and professional transformation.
Receive insights and tools to help with vulnerability, acceptance, decision-making and innovation. Daniel Gómez Íñiguez, born in Monterrey, is a chemical engineer and a serial entrepreneur. In 2008, he founded SOLBEN, which has since become Mexico’s largest assembler of biodiesel production technology. His remarkable achievements earned him the National Youth Award in 2012, and in 2013, MIT Technology Review recognized him as Innovator of the Year. In 2015, he was featured on Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list, highlighting the most impactful young leaders globally. In 2017, Daniel co-founded Talent Network, which organizes the renowned Talent Land event. He also authored The Abstract of Entrepreneurship (2017), and the following year, he received the Civic Merit Medal from the State of Nuevo León, the highest civilian honor, in recognition of his contributions to civil society. Throughout his career, Daniel has delivered over 1,300 lectures worldwide, promoting entrepreneurship, science, technology, citizen participation, and culture. He serves as an advisor to several global companies and has initiated numerous social projects, particularly in the areas of art, education, and entrepreneurial funding. Currently, Daniel is the founder and CEO of ANAPANA, a company dedicated to setting the standard for continuous indoor air monitoring and purification. Through ANAPANA, he champions preventive health and raises awareness about the importance of the air we breathe. |
3.30PM – 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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Enjoy Tequila Tasting, Premium Open Bar, Appetizers and Live Music at Kempinski Cancun. |
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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 AST |
Grab your seats for some not-to-be-missed sessions! |
10.15AM – 10.30PM | GUEST SPEAKER: TOURISM PERSPECTIVES |
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Dr Francisco Madrid Flores Director of the Center for Tourism Research & Competitiveness Anáhuac University |
More details to follow… |
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. | ||||
Rinaldo Fernandez Senior Vice-President, Club Division Blue Diamond Resorts |
Warren Smith Executive Vice President Living Water Resorts |
Fernando Garcia Director INSPIRA Elite Vacations |
TBC | |
Robert Webb Partner BakerHostetler |
Robert Clements VP, Regulatory Affairs & General Counsel ARDA |
Paul Mattimoe President & CEO Perspective Group |
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 | WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE CUSTOMERS TRANSACT? | ||||
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This panel session will delve into the mechanics behind customer acquisition that drives our industry to greater heights year over year. From innovative marketing and sales techniques, to customer engagement and critical retention, these industry professionals will share ideas and solutions to get new and existing customers to transact for years to come. | |||||
Michael Finn Chief Development Officer The BluWater Group |
Alex Glover Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Shopr Rewards |
Eliana Jones Marketing Director MDC by XCARET |
Mike Osuna Bertotti Corporate Director of Marketing Communication Unlimited Vacation Club | Jack Waller SVP Business Development arrivia |
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 | ENHANCING VACATION CLUB MEMBERSHIP EXPERIENCES | ||||
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Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring influential representatives from the restaurant and entertainment sectors, airlines, transportation providers, and nautical services. This session will explore the vital role these stakeholders play in shaping the customer experience for vacation club members. We will delve into the significance of the customer relationship, how it has evolved across different industries, and share compelling statistics that highlight these trends. | |||||
3.45PM – 5.00PM | INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP: TAKE CHANGE BY THE HAND…BEFORE IT TAKES YOU BY THE THROAT! |
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Jim Madrid Founder AST |
This interactive workshop emphasizes that change is now a constant factor in both personal and national experiences. Some find this change stressful and overwhelming, while others, particularly high performers, see it as an opportunity for growth and empowerment. The key to managing change effectively lies in one’s mindset, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations. Jim’s session stresses that individuals can learn to control their thoughts and adapt to change constructively. His interpretation of this concept serves as the foundation for navigating change, overcoming obstacles, and achieving personal goals. 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. |
6.30PM – 9.30PM | LAGOON PARTY |
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Join us at the fabulous RosaNegra Restaurant for a lively night of premium food, drink and entertainment. |
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Introducing Our GNEX-ACOTUR 2024 Sponsors!
Interested in sponsoring our upcoming event? Download our Sponsorship Brochure.