While smaller in terms of exhibitors and attendance, this year's ARDA Convention was far more upbeat than last. As SPI observed earlier this month, CNN’s Anderson Cooper’s blog quotes economic guru Lakshman Achuthan (managing director, Economic Cycle Research Institute) as saying the U.S. recession is ending. Goodbye ‘Staycation.” Families can once again plan on a week’s (or longer) vacation that will refresh them and bring them valuable ‘together’ time.

One of the more thought-provoking sessions during the March 14-20, 2010 meeting in Las Vegas was held on the final day of the convention. Kendall Wright, of Pope & Associates, facilitated a session entitled “The Secret Differentiator: What it Takes to be a Market Leader in Today’s Dynamic Global Marketplace;” a long-winded title for a session addressing diversity.

This session was an eye-opener….After years of hearing the word used as a synonym for ‘inclusion,’ I finally “got it.” Diversity is not only about different generations, genetics or gender. It’s also about differing beliefs, educational backgrounds, income levels, work styles, job titles, employment status, hobbies and so forth – the list goes on, almost ad infinitum.

Wright says we normally make 11 judgments about a person in the first seven minutes; and our judgments tend to be based upon how others are different from, or similar to, ourselves. Over the years, you’ve probably been trained to respond negatively to those characteristics in others that you see as different. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, actually; you’re just normal. What is essential not only to being a good person, but also a good leader, is to manage this natural response to be inclusive.

As we look at the resorts in our industry, we can see that those which wholeheartedly embrace diversity are light years ahead. The organization in which an idea from a housekeeper or landscaper is just as valued as that of a CEO is unquestionably a more exciting place for vacationers to visit. And a resort entity that not only tolerates, but encourages, participation from employees of different backgrounds, experience and education is going to appeal to a wider audience, as well.

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