Happy New Year from everyone at Hilton Grand Vacations! In my first day as your new chief customer officer, I couldn’t be more excited about the future of HGV and the Embarc program.

One thing is certain: Stan Soroka’s departure will surely be felt. We will never forget the huge impact he’s had on how HGV serves our Members, Owners and Guests. We wish Stan all the best in his retirement and hope to continue seeing him around our wonderful resorts!

As for me, I attended the University of Central Florida (Go Knights!) and call Florida home with my wife and kids. I came to HGV in 2019 from Disney Vacation Club and with more than 20 years in the timeshare industry.

I’ve been honored to be part of several teams that launched exciting new products and programs in 2022, including HGV Max, our new membership offering. Members with HGV Max benefits have access to an expanded portfolio of properties and new features. I am happy to announce we are working on expanding HGV Max to our Embarc Members this year and promise to keep you updated as final details emerge.

Also in 2022, we began rebranding many Diamond Resorts properties to Hilton Vacation Club. This is part of a multiyear, phased initiative that aligns these properties with HGV’s brand and service standards. Twenty properties were rebranded last year in many sought-after destinations like Sint Maarten, Sedona (Arizona), and Williamsburg and Virginia Beach (Virginia), with additional properties to be rebranded over the next few years. 

I know Embarc Members are always eager to know what changes lie ahead in the new year with your program. The following resources can help you make the most of your membership in 2023:

- Member Information Page. Find your updated Member Benefits Directory, which contains details about your membership.
- Club Traveler newsletter. Arriving in your inbox quarterly, this informative resource provides everything from tips on maximizing your Points to saving on transactions fees.
- Club Traveler magazine. We are excited to announce that our award-winning magazine will begin delivering straight to your inbox three times per year starting in 2023. From front to back cover, you’ll find destination articles and vacation planning tips to inspire you to “Dream, Plan and Go.”

I hope you’ve already started planning your vacation getaways in 2023! Here’s to an amazing year of travel with family and friends.

Happy journeys ahead,

Derek De Salvia
Executive Vice President & Chief Customer Officer
Hilton Grand Vacations