The Canadian Camping & RV Council (CCRVC) wrapped up its multi-day event yesterday by conducting more informative marketing & technology, operations, and customer experience sessions. Towards the end of the day, attendees were present to witness the awards ceremony.
Outstanding parks and notable industry individuals were honored with awards like Campground of the Year for a large park and another for a small park, Person of the Year, The Rising Star Award, and Supplier of the Year.
“Campground owners and their staff work very hard to ensure their guests have unique and enjoyable camping experiences, and our awards serve to recognize not only those efforts but also acknowledge their volunteer efforts for the industry as a whole with associations and other entities that help to improve and sustain long-term success,” CCRVC Member Services Coordinator Cara Csizmadia told Modern Campground.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Niagara Falls bagged the Campground of the Year award for large parks, while Sheridan Lake Resort in Lone Butte, BC received the award for the small park category.
CCRVC hailed Joss Penny of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) Person of the Year for his years of devoted service in the industry.
Sylvain Gauthier of Parkbridge Lifestyle Communities Inc. is the recipient of this year’s Rising Star Award for bringing new experiences to the table and impacting the industry.
“It’s exciting to see so many fresh faces in the industry making an impact like this,” said Csizmadia as she announced the winner.
“I think I know why this industry is so resilient: in the world today, people are seeking heartfelt experiences and a return to basic values. Camping with your family accomplishes just that,” Gauthier said.
En Route Travel Canada, a division of ERTCU Travel Group, took home the Supplier of the Year award.
The company organizes RV trips through self-guided, pre-booked itineraries for independent travelers and guided travel groups.
“As much as we are being recognized as supplier of the year, I really would like to thank all of our campground suppliers [and] all of our partners. We couldn’t have really done it without you,” said Kimo Linders, the co-founder of ERTCU Travel Group. He also thanked the CCRVC, the BCLCA, Joss Penny, and everyone on the En Route team.
Throughout the 2022 Candian Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo, attendees gained access to educational discussions and networking sessions. There was also a bit of competition through networking games and challenges built into the website.
For three days, attendees improved their business knowledge through topics such as Safety & Mitigation Procedures, Retail and Add Ons: POS Revenue, Branding Consistency, Contactless Guest Communication, Glamping Accommodations, and more.
Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s (KOA) Larry Brownfield armed industry members with knowledge on looking into the future during his keynote address on opening day. Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s CEO and President Beth Potter opened the second day with a look into the association’s mission and strategies for this year and beyond.
There was also a session that focused on RVing, featuring a panel of full-time RVers comprising the Getaway Couple and RVGeeks. Another panel, held on the second day, shed light on Green Strategy Implementation and how owners can take advantage of new technologies—may it be solar or electric vehicles—to make for a sustainable campground and drive new revenue.
This year’s event was virtual, taking advantage of technology with easily-accessible sessions.
The event may have concluded, but the educational portion of it continues as conference content remains available for ticket holders 30 days after the event to re-watch. Those who could not attend can register to gain access to the video recordings, CCRVC Member Services Coordinator Cara Csizmadia told Modern Campground.
Feedback for this year’s conference was overall positive, she said, with organizers looking forward to planning for 2023.
CCRVC wishes to thank all sponsors, speakers, and attendees for their time and support for the Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo. This is a vital component of continuing to grow and improve the industry, and would not be possible without them.”
The Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo showcased top parks and individuals with its prestigious awards. Attendees benefitted from insightful seminars on sustainable practices and industry innovations. Looking forward to the detailed report capturing these enriching experiences and trends!