Focus groups begin Survey Phase of The Villages 2025-2028 Strategic Plan

As part of The Villages 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, Villagers have been invited to join focus group discussions led by the McMahon Group. These discussions identify what is important to Villagers and will be incorporated in a July 2025 survey where all Villagers will have an opportunity to participate. Villagers who responded to the focus-group invite will meet with the McMahon team on May 7 or 8. In these 90-minute sessions, McMahon will receive input about The Villages various programs, clubs and events, services and amenities that best serve The Villages and our membership.

The McMahon Group has been working with the Boards and Management since the fall of 2024. The 2025-2028 Strategic Plan’s purpose is to guide the decisions and actions of the leadership of The Villages as it carefully and thoughtfully addresses critical experience, development, safety and financial issues covering this three-year period. The Villages leadership has invested considerable time and effort in the plan’s development. To date, the planning process includes:

  • Reviewing trends in the community/club industry

  • Reviewing the trends within our community and marketplace

  • Developing/refining statements on our direction and culture: Mission, Vision and Values

  • Analyzing and updating our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT)

  • Identifying top goals for the next immediate three years – becoming a rolling three-year outlook that evolves annually to guide future priorities

  • Developing strategic initiatives, including action items, to meet our goals

The development of this plan comes at a critical time in the history of the community where The Villages aging infrastructure and dated amenities demand financial attention while the popularity of 55+ communities increase, creating competition to attract future Villagers.

Survey timeline 

  • May 6 – Board Session

  • May 7-8 – Focus Groups Sessions

  • May End – Focus Group Report & Survey Draft

  • Mid-July – Survey Draft Approved

  • Mid-August – Survey to Villagers

  • September/October – Executive Summary

Sussner Joins the survey effort 

To leverage what the McMahon Group is accomplishing with the focus groups, our branding partner—Sussner Design Company—will join this phase as an ideal time to align member feedback with our branding initiative. Sussner’s partnership with us is to develop a brand strategy that authentically reflects who we are as a club and community—a slightly different but complementary focus than McMahon’s objective.

For more on Sussner and branding, please read this month’s GM Corner here.

Questions? Please contact the General Manager’s office by emailing Theresa Ostrander at tostrander@the-villages.com or by calling the team at (408) 223-4634.