23 Mar 2018
WTS International client wins gold award for lifestyle programme
BY Jane Kitchen
Spa, fitness and lifestyle consultancy and management firm WTS International is celebrating a longstanding client’s recent accolade.
Connerton, a master-planned community near Tampa, Florida, US, has won a national Gold Award at the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Sales and Marketing Awards gala for Best Lifestyle Program in a Community.
Known as ‘The Nationals’, the awards honour the best in the building industry for their determination, integrity, creativity and endurance.
Extending over 4,800 acres, Connerton is Pasco County’s largest master-planned, mixed-use community, where WTS currently manages the community’s 10,000 square-foot clubhouse, Club Connerton, and its lifestyle programming.
Commenting on the company’s involvement, WTS corporate operations director Amy Gallogly said: “WTS has had a wonderful partnership with Connerton for the past 12 years. In 2007 we were engaged as design consultants and to deliver pre-opening services for Club Connerton. Once it opened in 2008 we began management of the amenity centre and still operate it to this day.
“In 2017 we added management of the Welcome Center, exposing and educating prospective buyers and realtors about all that Connerton offers and the numerous benefits of this growing community.”
Connerton combines community living with life enrichment and social programmes for all ages, together with natural, protected spaces with parks and miles of nature trails and boardwalks for biking and hiking.
In addition, its clubhouse, with a resort-style pool and fitness centre, serves as the community’s social hub, where families gather for a day of sun and splashes, or make use of the Fit & Flourish room with all the latest exercise equipment, and yoga, and other group fitness classes.
There’s also a Kidz Zone club for children and the Conner Town Café for snacks and beverages, as well as three tennis courts, a sand volleyball court and basketball court adjacent to the pool. An outdoor amphitheatre and stage for concerts, bands and watching fireworks completes the mix.
Under the guidance of WTS, Connerton offers programmes, events and activities that are enjoyed each day by more than 1,500 residents.
“Our WTS team is comprised of a general manager, lifestyle director, welcome centre manager and a large support team of camp and café attendants, group exercise instructors and personal trainers,” explained Gallogly. “We plan a variety of programmes, camps and activities for all ages to enjoy. Our signature events have become yearly traditions and are enjoyed by generations of Connerton families.”
These include the ‘Noon’ Year’s Eve, a gala celebration for younger residents; Eggstravaganza, the annual Easter egg hunt; and Nation Celebration, an Independence Day gathering open to the public. All these, in addition to Hometown Harvest and Winter Wonderland, are eagerly anticipated by residents each year.
In addition, adults can enjoy weekly and monthly activities such as fitness classes, Parents Night Out, Men’s Brew & Poker Nights, Scotch and Cigar Nights, Ladies Design with Wine, Margarita Madness and Girls’ Night Out.
There are also family-specific events like the Polar Bear Plunge, Dive-in Movies, Star Party & Camp Out and Jingle Bell Rock.
At the resort-style waterpark with its big splash pool, kids can enjoy the Wiggles and Giggles fitness classes, music classes, arts and crafts events, poolside snow cones and cotton candy, Social Sandbox, Kids Fearful Factor and Lil Campers’ Summer Camp.
Connerton celebrated its hallmark event of 2017 with Operation Finally Home, a cooperative effort that awarded a deserving veteran and his family with a mortgage-free home in the community.
The only leisure management team in place since Connerton’s inception, WTS provides the community with numerous opportunities to recreate, socialise and have fun.
“We’ve grown smaller programmes into signature events over the last 10 years with upwards of 600 resident families attending,” said Gallogly. “Our largest and most popular event is Connerton’s Nation Celebration, now in its fourth year with some 8,000 attendees last year. It works to expose the community to prospective buyers, allowing them to mingle with Connerton residents while enjoying a fireworks show, food truck rally, carnival games, DJ, mini golf, craft market, beer garden, bouncers and slides.”
Commenting on the enduring relationship between WTS and the Connerton community, Homeowners’ Association Board President of property developer The Gibbons Group, W. Stewart Gibbons, said: “Connerton contracted with WTS International over 12 years ago and our relationship has never been stronger. In our view WTS is the most professional and competent company in its field. From the bottom of the market collapse to record-setting sales in 2017, WTS has been a constant and loyal partner. Their team of professionals helps form the soul of Connerton and are beloved by our residents. We couldn’t do better.”
For more information on WTS International, click here.
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