Veteran Impact Summit, 1950 W Magnolia Palm Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL (2026)

01/05/2025

FREQUENLTY ASKED QUESTIONS
(Conference and Shades of Green Resort):

What should I expect to learn from the conference?
You will obtain extensive knowledge as far as what it takes to recruit service members from around the world and what it takes to retain them.

Will I walk away with knowledge to better understand the hiring of service members?
Absolutely. A huge mistake is only pin pointing one base for your career opportunity. Our conference will provide step-by-step recommendations for recruiting worldwide.

Will I obtain direct contacts that “DON’T” charge fees for advertising career opportunities?
Absolutely. You will receive contacts and more importantly how to utilize and create partnerships with key organizations that work with service members, Reserve/NG and spouses daily.

Is there a specific industry that is covered at the conference?
No. We cover topics that are used within many industries to include insurance, transportation, medical, franchise entrepreneurs, law enforcement, manufacturing, energy, accounting, engineering, real estate, and hospitality to name a few.

If I do not have a veteran program and want to create one that is beneficial to the company and the service members, is this the conference that will guide us in creating a 2nd to none plan?
Absolutely YES! So many companies want to hire service members and/or their spouses but don’t know where to begin. You will learn who to contact and what a service member is seeking after service along with a talent pool that is worldwide.

What are the requirements to stay at Shades of Green?
There are strict, federally mandated laws regarding eligibility. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the amenities while attending the leading veteran conference on-site.

What is Shades of Green cancellation policy?
Shades of Green has 14 days prior to arrival cancel policy. If you cancel within 14 days of the arrival date, they will charge a one-night deposit.

What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is after 3 p.m. Check-out is before 11 a.m.

Does Shades of Green have an Exchange on the property?
Yes. The AAFES Exchange provides a limited selection of snacks and beverages. To***co and Alcohol may only be purchased by the military service members with a valid military I.D. card. Hours of Operation: 8am - 10pm, Daily.

Can I buy my theme park tickets at Shades of Green?
Absolutely. You will be asked to provide a valid military I.D. card to access Shades of Green property and to purchase your tickets at the Shades of Green Attraction Ticket Sales Office.

Does Shades of Green provide transportation from Orlando International Airport?
No, but you can UBER or LYFT from MCO to the resort or rent a car at the airport. From MCO to the resort is a 35-minute drive +/-.

Does Shades of Green have transportation to the Walt Disney World parks?
Yes. Shades of Green provides complimentary bus transportation to and from the Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs. Buses run regularly throughout the day and schedules may change based on park hours of operation. We have the schedules posted throughout the resort. You must show your Resort I.D. card and Military I.D. card (or photo I.D. if you are a sponsored guest) to access Shades of Green bus transportation.

REGISTER NOW: https://www.VeteranImpactSummit.com

01/05/2025

The Veteran Impact Summit will be held at the amazing Army MWR Shades of Green in Orlando FL. Once you have registered for the conference, you will receive your receipt with a code for booking your resort accommodation. Please note there is a limited block of rooms available so register during the early registration period before the increase takes place and the block of rooms are sold out.

Shades of Green website https://www.ShadesofGreen.org

Shades of Green History:

Shades of Green originally opened as a Disney-owned resort known as the Golf Resort in December 1973 with 151 rooms. The Golf Resort was in the middle of the Palm and Magnolia golf courses. The resort was built of wood and volcanic rock in the style of a country club. The core building of the resort was opened in 1971 as a two-story clubhouse for the golf courses and did not actually have guest rooms. Guest wings were added to the original clubhouse in 1973, due to the need for overnight accommodation. Every guest room at the resort felt like a suite with at least 480 square feet.

Disney renamed the resort The Disney Inn in February 1986 to try to appeal to a wider guest base than just golfers. It received an additional 150 rooms with a new Snow-White theme during that renovation. The resort was still small though for Disney standards, with only 288 rooms. The resort was described as having the rustic charm of a quiet country inn. The guest rooms were decorated in a bright and airy style. The sitting area of each guest room had pale green paint, an oak table and chairs, along with a chandelier and a pull-out couch.

Transition to the Military
By the early 1990s, Army officials decided it was time to build a new Armed Forces Recreation Center in the continental United States. Orlando was the top choice in a market survey of soldiers. During 1992, in the aftermath of Desert Storm, Army MWR advertised in the Orlando Sentinel; inquiring if anyone in the local business community would be interested in leasing resort property to the Army. The desired number of rooms and required amenities, such as a pool, restaurant, and lounge were listed.

They received more than 40 responses! It was decided that the offer from the Walt Disney World Company to lease the Disney Inn was the right offer. After negotiations were completed, the Shades of Green opened on 1 February 1994. The Department of Defense leased the resort and the land it sits on with a 100-year lease.

There was a long process for deciding what to call the new resort. The new name had to be acceptable to both Disney and MWR. At the time, all branches of the military wore some form of green utility/battle dress uniform. It was decided to call the resort the Shades of Green to refer to the different shades of green in the various services uniforms thus encompassing all the services. In addition, Shades sits between two of Disney’s lush green PGA golf courses. It seemed the perfect name.

Military Operation
The resort was so successful and popular that MWR decided to purchase the resort in 1996. The resort was purchased outright from Disney. However, Disney still owns the more than 30 acres of underlying property on which the resort sits. Shades of Green is a self-sustaining resort, no outside/taxpayer funds are used in its operation or upkeep.

In the following years, the huge popularity of Shades caused it to fill to capacity often and early. Reservations were hard to get in busy seasons. So, in 2002, the resort closed its doors for almost two years to expand the resort by 298 rooms.

During this time Shades of Green guests were housed in Disney’s Contemporary Resort North Garden Wing (now replaced by the DVC Bay Lake Tower). This section of the Contemporary was turned over totally to the Army MWR. Shades of Green set up their ticket sales office and gift shop in some of the guest rooms. This was a fantastic opportunity; military families were able to stay in a Disney Deluxe resort for Shades of Green prices!

The aim of the renovation was to create an even better resort that included more guest room options, meeting/wedding space, additional fine dining, and more guest amenities. The renovation doubled the number of guest rooms with the addition of the Palm Wing and added ten family suites. Additional restaurants were added as well as 7,500 square feet of meeting facilities, a fitness center, and a multi-level, 500 space parking garage. The first parking garage on Walt Disney World property!

The resort reopened in March 2004 with a total of 586 guest rooms, a new Italian restaurant, a guest fitness center, as well as roomier ticket sales and gift shop areas. The newer Palm guest rooms are the same size as the original rooms. The Shades of Green is widely recognized as offering the most spacious rooms at Disney World.

Finding Shades of Green can be easy if you are driving through either I-75 to the west or I-95 to the east. Once you make it to the I-4 corridor, you’ll find the Walt Disney World highway system is extremely easy to navigate, with signs that are well marked. Shades of Green is in the Magic Kingdom resort area, right across from Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

If you’re flying, you’ll arrive at Orlando International Airport (MCO). From there, you may find ground transportation options to Shades of Green, which is about a 30-40-minute drive away.
Driving directions to Shades of Green from Orlando International Airport:

Please be aware that this is the fastest route and includes toll roads.

Get on FL-528 W/FL-528 Toll W
Take I-4 W to Epcot Center Drive
Take exit 67 from I-4 W.
Continue on Epcot Center Drive
Take World Drive to Magnolia Palm Drive in Bay Lake

01/05/2025

The decisions you make as a “leader”, affect the lives you lead.
We are excited to announce the 2025 Veteran Impact Conference that will be held at the amazing Shades of Green MWR resort located in Orlando Florida. The conference is set for a reception on 10/14/2025 and two full days (10/15/2025 and 10/16/2025) of amazing guest speakers, round tables, breakout sessions and key industry personnel that work directly with transitioning personnel, spouses, Reserve, National Guard and retired service members.

Discounted registration closes soon. Act quickly as there is a limited block of rooms available at Shades of Green.
Registering for the Veteran Impact Conference allows access for one representative to all conference activities on 10/15/2025 and 10/16/2025.

These activities include:

Keynote speakers (retainability, state of veterans, trust factor, what a veteran brings to an organization, cross trained in the service, and so much more).

Individual speakers from organizations that work with transitioning personnel, Reserve/National Guard and spouses daily.

Breakout sessions with key topics for your veteran program.

Panel discussions with real world opportunities to better your program.

Access to welcome reception on 10/14/2025.

Packet with direct contacts, description of organizations to utilize whose services are “FREE”, MOS by Branch and defining of DD214 for hiring personnel along with other items.

Breakfast, Lunch, drinks and snacks both days of conference.

SPECIAL Guest Speaker covering recruiting through “trust” and how to show ROI with retainability.

We look forward to you attending this “2nd to None” conference that will make your impact on hiring service members beneficial for both parties.

Final schedule with all the details will be emailed to you concerning speakers and events once they are finalized.

REGISTER NOW! https://www.VeteranImpactSummit.com

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1950 W Magnolia Palm Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL
32830

Website

https://www.VeteranImpactSummit.com/

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