Longtime KOA franchisee Ted Bell, founder of Kampgrounds Enterprises, Inc. (KEI), was awarded the Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) Darrell Booth Lifetime Achievement Award at the KOA annual International Convention held in Florida.
Named in honor of Darrell Booth, KOA’s first president, the recognition was awarded to Bell after nearly 55 years of service in the outdoor and camping hospitality industries. Since breaking ground on their first campground in 1968, KEI currently operates six award-winning KOA franchise campgrounds.
Darrell Booth Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize people who have dedicated a substantial part of their lives to improving the KOA system and the camping lifestyle throughout North America.
What began as a KOA campground in San Diego, Bell’s third-generation family business owns and operates some of the brand’s most successful campgrounds, San Diego Metro KOA Resort, Palm Springs/Joshua Tree KOA Holiday, Grand Canyon KOA Journey, Williams/Circle Pines KOA Holiday, Flagstaff KOA Holiday and St. Louis West KOA Holiday.
A forward-thinking leader in the industry who is passionate about the great outdoors, Bell was a proponent and visionary of the KOA Owners Association, strengthening the relationship between the KOA brand and franchisees.
Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc., said that Ted’s unique vision, foresight, and commitment to the mission of connecting people to the outdoors and each other have elevated and refined camping for decades.
“Our system and the camping industry at large have been made better by Ted and his family,” O’Rourke added.
According to the release, Bell and his family have revolutionized campground lodging, introducing new ways to camp, including Eco Structures glamping tents. Bell is also recognized for his passion and support for Care Camps, a non-profit that supports pediatric oncology summer camps across North America.
Since its inception in 2011, Bell has been the eighth individual to receive the prestigious award.
As per its website, KOA is the world’s largest family camping company, helping family and friends enjoy the great outdoors for 55 years. Founded in 1962, KOA has over 500 campground locations across North America.