The Florida and Alabama RV Park and Campground Association (FRVCA) is gearing up to host its annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo from May 15 to May 17 in Orlando, Florida. Over 100 campground industry businesses and 94 supplier companies will participate, and more than 450 attendees are expected.
In an exclusive e-mail interview with Modern Campground, Bobby Cornwell, president and CEO of FRVCA, emphasized the role of networking at this event for personal and professional growth. He said the upcoming conference would be a large event, featuring more than 20 educational sessions and group discussions covering topics beneficial to all owners and operators.
“Networking is the most important part of our conference, and being able to talk to someone face-to-face is priceless. We have had many attendees who were just interested in getting in the business and were under construction or looking for a piece of property to build on,” Cornwell said.
Additionally, he highlighted the enthusiasm surrounding the conference and the anticipated announcement of new initiatives and member benefits. These include a potential group captive insurance program, a new music and movie licensing discount program in partnership with ASCAP and MPLC, and enhancements to the association’s website, which will offer easier access to industry information, and a new document library.
On Wednesday, May 15, the conference will commence in the afternoon with a general session, followed by breakout sessions focusing on asset protection, glamping, staff hiring and retention, and leveraging technology and branding to evolve properties. The evening will conclude with a welcome reception.
The agenda for Thursday, May 16, begins with breakfast, introductions, and a tourism update by VISIT FLORIDA. The day features a panel discussion with representatives from various industry organizations, including the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the Recreation Vehicle Training Institute (RVTI), the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA), and Kampgrounds of America (KOA).
There will be a Chairman’s Lunch, which will focus on legislative efforts and recognize Political Action Committee (PAC) fund honorees. Marc Dunbar, a legislative consultant, will discuss key issues related to industry insurance challenges.
“We will be discussing the most important issues and challenges facing our industry and park owners, specifically the insurance crisis and how the association is exploring options to find solutions that will lower costs and bring some stability to the market,” Cornwell explained.
Throughout Thursday, educational sessions will cover booking trends, park management best practices, monetizing WiFi services, utilizing artificial intelligence for business growth, and navigating the regulatory environments in Florida and Alabama. The day will conclude with an appreciation reception and awards dinner featuring entertainment by Them Sweeney Boys and the recognition of industry leaders.
On Friday, May 17, a sponsored trivia breakfast and discussions on key industry topics will occur. The industry trade show will showcase 100 booths, including an inside display from Plainscraft Cabins. This will be a large trade show, and all exhibitor spaces are sold out.
The conference will end with sessions about campground development and construction, ADA compliance, exploring unexpected partnerships for ancillary income, and a closing cracker barrel session on pertinent industry issues.
The FRVCA conference has seen consistent growth and improvement. Notable sponsors for this year’s event include Vacavia Cottages and Cabins, Access Parks, and many others.
As the conference approaches, Cornwell highlights numerous instances where attendance led to valuable insights and connections with seasoned professionals and suppliers. “Coming to the conference saved park owners and their developers hundreds of thousands of dollars in the long run – what they learned at the conference set them in the right direction,” he said.
To learn more about the 2024 Florida and Alabama Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo, visit rvparkconference.com.