Conversion and risk management remained hot issues, along with new sessions on revenue management and compensation plans. Revenue management is crucial in a mature market; compensation planning will become critical as states and the federal government push minimum wages higher. Already, 29 states have raised their minimum wage, and more are considering the move. Millennials, and therefore diversity, also received attention. Other sessions addressed the technological changes that continue to evolve the way resorts communicate with guests.

Climate change was on everyone’s mind, and on the agenda as well. Mark Reynolds, executive director of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, addressing how a market-based solution—a carbon tax—could be both effective and a boon to the economy. Reynolds argued that climate change science is real, and acknowledged that there really is a consensus, with 97 percent of climate scientists in agreement.

As always, NSAA recognized both individual and organizational excellence with a variety of awards, from lifetime achievement and conversion to safety and marketing.