Veterans Institute Summit Returns to Walt Disney World for First Time in Almost 10 Years

We want you to get the most out of your ‘luxury villa’ stay in Solterra, Davenport (near Championsgate and just south of the Disney World Resort area). To help out, we have sourced the following blog post to keep you up to date with news from Walt Disney World Resort. Thanks to the guys over at Disney Parks for the original post...

For the first time in nearly a decade, Disney’s
Veterans Institute Summit presented by Disney Institute and Wounded
Warrior Project returned to the Most Magical Place on Earth! It was a
star-spangled event that heralded our country’s service members and veterans
and challenged organizations and individuals to determine “what’s next” as they
seek to champion effective veteran and military spouse hiring, training, and
support programs of their own.

The complimentary event, which originally began in 2013, featured two days of highly engaging content and conversations at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The summit featured a robust schedule with nearly three dozen speakers, representing U.S. government, public, private and non-profit sectors who shared their insights and advice on effective veteran support programs with the in-person and online audience.

The Summit included Disney executives, veterans service organizations
and veterans and military spouses who shared firsthand stories about their
transition to the civilian workforce, and best practices from organizations
that have created their own successful programs delivered through keynote
presentations, panel discussions, and Disney Institute content.

An inspiring opening ceremony set the
precedent for what was to come on August 19^th and 20^th,
with our very own Voices of Liberty singing The Star-Spangled Banner. The U.S.
Special Operations Command Color Guard showcased the Presentation of Colors.

Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, welcomed U.S. Army General Paul Funk II, Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, to the stage to deliver the opening keynote presentation where the public, Disney cast members, representatives of veteran’s service organizations, government, military, sponsors, and their guests were all invited to attend the event in person.

“We’re proud of the veterans and military spouses who work here at Disney and the powerful impact they make across our company, our teams and our guest experience,” said Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products.

The Veterans Institute Summit panels and keynotes included
discussions on creating a culture of support, understanding how military
experience can be adapted to organizations and a panel on military spouse
employment. Some of the speakers included, Dr. Beth Funk, a Hero’s Light
and Warriors at Ease; David Bellavia, Medal of Honor Recipient; Rear Admiral Jo-Ann F. Burdian, Assistant
Commandant for Response Policy, U.S. Coast Guard; The Honorable
Cheryl Mason, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; a special video message
from Gary Sinise, award-winning actor, humanitarian, musician and
Founder of the Gary Sinise Foundation; Mark Elliott, Managing Director
& Global Head of Military and Veterans Affairs, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Brian
Alvarado, Director, Military Spouse Programs, Hiring our Heroes; Stephanie Ramos, Correspondent for
ABC News, and many others.

“Those who have served in the military
have a strong sense of mission, purpose and culture that makes them valuable
employees as they transition to their civilian lives,” said U.S. Army General Paul
Funk II, Commanding General, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
“I am happy to see organizations like Disney supporting so many of our men and
women who have valiantly served their nation.”  

Supporting those who have served in the military is important to us as active military veterans and their families have given so much, and we are honored to continue giving back to those who risked their lives to protect our freedoms.

“I’m a proud supporter of the Armed Forces. I’m also a proud mom of a West Point graduate who is currently serving the U.S. Army as a Black Hawk pilot,” said Stephanie Young, President of Disney Vacation Club, Adventures and Expeditions and Disney Institute, who delivered opening remarks on the final day of the Summit.

Veterans Institute Summit was created to inspire business professionals and organizations alike to create their own military veteran hiring programs using insights from The Walt Disney Company’s Heroes Work Here initiative. Heroes Work Here was introduced in 2012, and to date it has resulted in more than 11,000 veterans joining the company, representing all lines of work.

We appreciate the
support from event sponsors Wounded Warrior Project, Amazon Global Military
Affairs, The Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, USAA, Optum Serve, Enterprise
Holdings, Inc., and JPMorgan Chase & Co., who all share a passion for
helping set veterans and military spouses up for success following their
service to our country.

There is still more to come, and we’re not done yet! On August 31^st, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring our Heroes” program will be hosting a Virtual Career Fair. Held in collaboration with Disney’s Veterans Institute, job seekers from the military community can network and interview with employers from multiple industries. To learn more and register for the Aug. 31 Virtual Career Fair as a job seeker, visit HiringOurHeroes.org.