The Western Ideas Forum is set to debut this November 3 to 6 at St. Eugene Golf Resort in Cranbrook, British Columbia, marking a new collaborative event for the outdoor hospitality sector in Western Canada.
Organized by the Canadian Camping and RV Association (CCRVA) and the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA), the event combines educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a trade show designed to strengthen industry connections.
Event Origins and Goals
Joss Penny, executive director of BCLCA, said the forum grew out of discussions with provincial associations during the Canadian Camping and RV Association’s 2024 national conference in Niagara Falls.
“While we were there, we got into discussions with people from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan who had their own smaller annual general meetings but no face-to-face educational sessions,” he explained.
“We thought we should put a western event around the BCLA Ideas Forum that we already had and reintroduce our trade show,” he told Modern Campground.
The inaugural gathering is envisioned as a recurring event, with the goal of rotating among provinces in future years.
According to Penny, the Western Ideas Forum could eventually replace smaller regional meetings by providing one consolidated platform for operators and suppliers in the West.
The event also complements the national Canadian Camping Conference, scheduled for 2026 in British Columbia.
Addressing Industry Challenges
One of the central challenges the forum seeks to address is operator isolation. Penny noted that campground and RV park owners often lack opportunities to connect beyond their immediate region.
“They’re not actually talking to fellow operators and being able to make connections,” he said. “We hope this event brings new connections with operators outside of the area they operate in so they can bounce ideas off each other and develop camaraderie.”
In addition to building relationships, the forum will tackle pressing issues facing the industry. Artificial intelligence is expected to be a major topic of discussion. “A lot of campground operators are using it but only scratching the surface,” Penny said.
He emphasized that the forum aims to help operators understand how AI can be better integrated into daily operations and how reservation systems and other technology providers are using AI to improve data quality and business decisions.
Pricing and consumer sensitivity will also be on the agenda. Penny observed that dynamic pricing models and rising camping costs are now common across the industry.
“The cost of camping and RVing has definitely gone up,” he said. “We’re probably going to see people discussing the price sensitivity that we’re seeing from consumers.”
Sponsorship and Trade Show Highlights
Organizing the event has come with its own challenges, particularly around sponsorship and trade show participation.
Penny said securing early sponsor commitments was essential to keeping registration fees affordable.
“Fortunately, CampLife came on board as the first partner sponsor,” he noted.
Additional support has since come from companies including 76 North Street and Signature Risk Partners. WorkSafeBC is also supporting the event.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available at multiple levels, ranging from platinum packages at CA$5,000 to bronze at CA$1,500. All sponsorships include trade show access.
Current platinum sponsors include Canadian Sleeping Barrels and CampLife. Signature Risk Partners and 76 North Street have committed at the silver level, while WorkSafeBC is supporting at bronze.
The trade show is another area of focus. “We have 25 booths and some outdoor space where glamping units will be showcased,” Penny said. This marks a significant expansion from the Ideas Forum’s tabletop displays in previous years.
Organizers opted not to use “pipe and drape” for this first year, instead aiming to assess exhibitor demand and build momentum for future events.
On the programming side, the forum will feature a mix of keynote presentations, educational sessions, and interactive formats.
Peter Pilarski, president of CIPR Communications, will deliver the opening keynote on November 5, focusing on the practical use of AI in tourism and hospitality.
His presentation, “AI Made Simple,” is designed to help operators cut through technical jargon and identify actionable strategies for adoption. Pilarski will also lead a workshop later in the day to walk delegates through real-world AI case studies for tourism businesses.
The program begins on November 4 with Shane Devenish, president of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association (CRVA). Devenish will provide an overview of CSA standards for recreational vehicles in Canada, how they align with U.S. NFPA 1192 standards, and upcoming changes to the electrical code.
His session will also clarify definitions of RV classifications under Canadian regulations.
Networking opportunities are built directly into the schedule. A campground tour of two sites—the KOA at St. Eugene and nearby Fort Steele Campground—will open the forum.
“Part of that is to build confidence amongst the delegates, so they actually meet and mingle,” Penny explained.
Following the tour, a meet-and-greet “cracker barrel” session will give first-time attendees the chance to introduce themselves, share expectations, and highlight key questions for the days ahead.
Cracker barrel discussions will continue throughout the event, including a second-day session featuring rotating roundtables led by directors on various topics. The closing cracker barrel on November 5 will recap takeaways and identify ideas to carry forward.
Penny said these sessions are structured to maximize interaction and help operators identify peers facing similar challenges.
Beyond in-person engagement, Penny said the forum encourages ongoing collaboration through industry channels such as Facebook groups and CCRVA’s online platforms. These tools are intended to help participants continue conversations and problem-solving after the event ends.
Looking ahead, Penny envisions significant growth for the Western Ideas Forum.
“This year we’re hoping to have 80 to 100 campground operators register,” he said.
When the forum expands over the coming years, organizers aim to attract 200 operators and expand the trade show to 50 exhibitors. Plans also include adding more concurrent educational streams and breakout sessions.
Ultimately, Penny views the forum as a “think tank” where operators can learn from one another while gaining practical solutions for day-to-day challenges.
“It’s really important that we as an industry get together and start talking about things that are important to us,” he said.
Topics could range from staffing to setting rates, or from adding pickleball courts to managing utility costs.
With education, networking, and supplier engagement all built into its framework, the Western Ideas Forum is positioned to become a central gathering for the Western Canadian outdoor hospitality industry. Penny said he encourages both members and non-members to participate.
For more information about the Western Ideas Forum, visit their website here.
Featured image by Western Ideas Forum