In an exclusive interview with Modern Campground, Joann DelVescio, the executive director of the New Jersey Campground and Outdoor Lodging Association (NJCOA) shed light on the invaluable opportunities awaiting campground and RV park owners at the 33rd Annual Mid-Atlantic Campground Conference & Trade Show.
Her insights underscore the event’s significance as an essential convergence for industry networking, education, and growth.
The event, set in Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort Area in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, promises to be an invaluable experience for campground and RV park owners and outdoor hospitality operators.
Scheduled from February 19 to 21, the conference aims to provide a comprehensive experience that combines education, networking, and fun.
The conference organizer underscored the importance of this event for those in the campground industry, highlighting its role in offering essential tools for success, including marketing, legal, and accounting knowledge.
“We host between nine and eleven educational seminars along with a trade show. We give them the tools to be successful to operate their campground in the year. There’s marketing seminars, there’s legal seminars, there’s accounting seminars. So we try to give them a packet of information that we think they can use to operate more efficiently and more profitably,” DelVescio highlighted.
The conference is expected to attract approximately 70 campground owners. It’s characterized by an intimate setting, conducive to fostering closer interactions and more effective networking. According to DelVescio, such an environment is vital for campground operators to share experiences, challenges, and strategies.
A significant draw of the conference is the trade show, featuring various industry vendors. These vendors represent a range of services and products essential to campground operations, from financial companies and reservation systems to insurance providers. This diversity ensures that attendees can explore a broad spectrum of tools and services relevant to their needs.
Networking opportunities are a central theme of the conference. DelVescio highlighted scheduled lunches, dinners, and free time as prime opportunities for attendees to engage with each other in a relaxed setting. These informal interactions are often where the most valuable exchanges occur.
The conference is not just limited to campground owners in the Mid-Atlantic region. DelVescio clarified that it’s open to operators nationwide, ensuring a diverse and enriching experience for all attendees. She also expressed her personal excitement about the Orlando location, especially considering the timing in February, a month typically quieter for the campground industry.
As for the schedule, the conference kicks off with a Pre-Conference Welcome Day on Sunday, February 18, featuring a tour of Fort Wilderness, Disney’s Camping Resort (pre-registration required).
The main event starts on Monday, February 19, with seminars in the morning, followed by a lunch with vendors, the trade show, and concludes with a dinner and auction. Tuesday continues with breakfast, more seminars, and lunch. The event wraps up on Wednesday, February 21, with a final series of seminars and a farewell lunch.
Sponsors for the event range from platinum supporters like Acrisure and Lake Kandle Campground, Northeast Campground Brokers, and Utility Supply Group to gold sponsors such as CampgroundViews.com and Modern Campground. The list of vendors includes The Towne Law Firm, P.C., Wild Energy, and Kampgrounds of America, among others.
“Why should you attend? The conference is planned for campground owners/operators and staff. One of the key takeaways, in addition to important education and networking, is that you can just have FUN away from the pressures of running your business, surrounded by people who have the same challenges and goals for running a successful campground operation,” the conference website emphasized.
DelVescio’s message to the campground industry is clear: the Mid-Atlantic Campground Conference & Trade Show is an opportunity to learn, network, and take a break from the daily grind.
With a focus on both business and pleasure, it’s an essential date for the calendar of any campground owner or operator looking to enhance their business and connect with peers in the industry.
For more information, visit campgroundconference.com.
Thinking about joining the Mid Atlantic Campground Conference & Trade Show? You’ll connect with fellow owners, discover industry trends, and gain insights to boost your campground success. It’s a great opportunity!