Welk Resorts has expanded its team with the appointment of Patrick Dolan to the position of Chief Fun Officer. Concurrently, Welk has also introduced their innovative and exciting guest experience program, INSPIRED FOR YOU: Unforgettable Moments, Unique Experiences.
INSPIRED FOR YOU has been meticulously and thoughtfully crafted for Welk’s valued guests to stimulate every one of the five senses, provide a true sense of place, and to push the limits of fun. This unique approach to guest engagement sets Welk Resorts apart from the competition, as it provides a broader spectrum of experiences designed to make incredible memories. Dolan, a former college athlete with a passion for world travel and experiential activities, will be responsible for the creation and implementation of the INSPIRED program across Welk’s family of resorts in San Diego, Palm Springs, Branson, Lake Tahoe and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
“Our new Chief Fun Officer will be a key player in furthering our mission – to create vacation memories that families will cherish for a lifetime,” said Glen Clinton, Senior Vice President of Resort Operations. “Patrick brings an adventure-seeking spirit and passionate nature to the team, and has already begun injecting an unprecedented level of fun, laughter and camaraderie into the Welk Resorts guest experience.”
In his first weeks as CFO, Dolan has implemented a number of new activities and guest experiences under the new INSPIRED program – including an interactive molecular cooking experience complete with smoke guns, dry ice and a cultural walk through the unique artistry of food in San Diego. The INSPIRED experience will reflect the geographic location of each resort featuring local arts, food and entertainment unique to the area. In addition, INSPIRED is designed create an overall signature guest experience across Welk Resorts’ entire portfolio.
A graduate of the University of Utah, Dolan spent his early years designing snowboard parks in the Wasatch Mountains and he eventually surfed his way through Europe, South America, New Zealand, Australia and Asia. Landing in San Diego, CA, he used his diverse background to secure several hospitality industry positions, serving most recently as the Director of Resort Services at a top San Diego resort and spa, and previously as Director of Food and Beverage for a local boutique hotel.
“I am both honored and excited to take on the role of Chief Fun Officer at Welk Resorts,” said Patrick Dolan. “After a decade of experiencing the world through travel, I look forward to defining the true ‘Welk Experience,’ with unforgettable experiences that stay true to each unique destination.”
With a legacy dating back to founder Lawrence Welk’s days as the long-running host to ABC’s popular daytime show “The Lawrence Welk Show,” Welk Resorts has grown from an initial land purchase in San Diego in 1964 to a family of five premier vacation resorts. These properties operate as both resorts and timeshares with all five designated as Interval International Premier Resort properties. Three are also affiliated with Resort Condominiums International (RCI), a major worldwide vacation exchange organization, and have been honored with Gold Crown status. Welk Resorts plans to open new vacation properties in Breckenridge, Colorado, and Kauai, Hawaii.
