The OHI Foundation announced the recipients of its OHCE 2026 scholarships, awarding 11 outdoor hospitality professionals financial support to attend the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo scheduled for Nov. 9-11, in Fort Worth, Texas.
According to the foundation, the scholarships are funded through contributions from OHI members, industry partners and donors and are intended to provide emerging leaders and industry professionals with access to educational and networking opportunities.
The scholarship recipients are Nicole Burrell of Sun Outdoors Frontier Town in Berlin, Maryland; Michelle Fleming of Spacious Skies Campgrounds; Lilly Gilbertson of Whiskey Creek Family RV Park in Sparta, Wisconsin; Allison Holcomb of CRR Hospitality Management in Plymouth, Minnesota; Stacy Kobielusz of Eagle Canyon Hideaway in Brule, Nebraska; Jeff Miser of Jellystone Park Plymouth in Plymouth, Indiana; Dustin Palma of RiverWest Properties in Columbus, Ohio; Shannon Powell of Riverbend on the Frio in Concan, Texas; Lilly Pritchett of Aspen Grove RV Park in Tremonton, Utah; Ashley Rogers of Greensport RV Park and Campground in Ashville, Alabama; and MaKayla Wells of Lone Mountain Riverfront Campground in Andover, Maine.
OHCE 2026 will feature educational sessions, networking opportunities, industry insights and exhibits showcasing products and services for the outdoor hospitality sector.
Preconference activities on Nov. 8 will include POW!, the Prospective Owners Workshop, and the Outdoor Hospitality Innovators Summit. Takeaway Tours are scheduled for Nov. 12 and will provide attendees with visits to local parks.
Several recipients shared their reactions to receiving the scholarship.
“Winning this scholarship means a great deal to me, both personally and professionally. I am especially excited for the opportunity to learn from industry leaders, and bring back new ideas, tools, and connections that will benefit my team and our property,” said Lilly Pritchett. “I look forward to growing through this experience and continuing to contribute to the advancement of our industry.”
MaKayla Wells said receiving the scholarship affirmed the value of attending the conference.
“I am very grateful to be able to win this scholarship this year,” Wells said. “It is very rewarding to know that after the judges reviewed my application, they knew how beneficial this conference was to myself and the continuing growth of my campground.”
Jeff Miser said the award will provide an opportunity to expand his knowledge and improve operations.
“It’s a blessing to have this great opportunity to learn, make a difference in the outdoor hospitality industry and improve my guests experience with the offerings at OHCE,” Miser said.