The 2026 Florida and Alabama Outdoor Hospitality Convention & Expo will provide in-depth analysis of campground and RV park occupancy trends across the region, with sessions scheduled from April 28 to May 1 in Orlando.
Industry experts Scott Bahr of Cairn Consulting Group and Casey Cochran of Campspot.com will present data comparing Florida and Alabama occupancy and booking trends to national averages.
“Bahr and Cochran will present some of the best statistical and trend analysis available in the RV park and campground industry,” Bobby Cornwell, executive director and CEO of the Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association, said in a press release.
Bahr has decades of experience researching camping trends for clients including Kampgrounds of America (KOA) while Cochran represents Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Campspot.com, which hosts more than 3,000 private and public parks nationwide.
Bahr and Cochran will join Sandy Ellingson, an RV industry consultant, and Robert Preston of Pensacola, Florida-based Unhitched RV, which operates 21 parks across six Southeastern states, in a three-hour “mini summit” titled “What Park Owners Believe vs What’s Actually True: Unveiling the Research.” The session will examine consumer behavior projections for the next decade and strategies for park adaptation.
The convention will offer more than 15 educational sessions addressing operational, financial, and marketing challenges, including panels on refinancing and protecting park value, designing connected guest experiences, and using AI to improve revenue and efficiency.
Additional topics include legal guidance for park operations, preparing for new RV electrical standards, and techniques to improve occupancy and guest loyalty.
Other featured sessions will cover small operational efficiencies, financial management, dynamic pricing, digital marketing strategies, and entry-level guidance for new operators in the outdoor hospitality sector.
The three-day event also includes networking and crackerbarrel sessions, a tradeshow, and the association’s annual awards ceremony. Pre-convention activities will include an offsite dining event at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse in Orlando.
The Florida and Alabama RV Park & Campground Association, based in Tallahassee, represents privately owned RV parks and campgrounds in both states. Established in 1966, it provides business services, advocacy, promotional support, and publishes free camping guides.