Campground owners and operators gathered in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 10, for the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) Campfire Sessions, focused on peer-to-peer learning and regional collaboration.
These facilitated discussions provided participants with practical strategies for improving occupancy, units, guest experiences, and operational efficiency while connecting operators across neighboring states.
The OHCE Campfire Sessions are designed to encourage open dialogue among campground operators within defined regions, providing a platform for participants to discuss challenges, share solutions, and exchange insights with peers.
The Central region session included representatives from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The Central region session included operators from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
According to the agenda, Sam Mueller, owner of Forest Haven RV Park, and Jen Molesworth, general manager at The Resort at Erie Landing, were among the participants.
In the Northeast session, operators from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia exchanged experiences on revenue management and guest engagement strategies.
Kitty Winship of Papoose Pond Campground and Ashley Cary of Hidden Acres Family Campground were part of the session.
The Northwest session brought together operators from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and northern California.
The Southeast session also featured participants from Virginia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
The Southwest session included campground operators from central and southern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. Mike Harrison, chief operating officer at CRR Hospitality, led the dialogue.
All Campfire Sessions emphasized the value of peer learning in addressing common operational challenges, from pricing strategies to amenity upgrades and guest experience enhancements.
Participants left the sessions with actionable takeaways, new industry contacts, and a reinforced sense of community, reflecting OHCE’s commitment to fostering professional growth and collaboration within the outdoor hospitality sector.
Modern Campground is on site at OHCE 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, covering the event firsthand. Our team is attending sessions, engaging with campground owners and operators, and reporting on the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the outdoor hospitality industry.
Featured image by Brian Searl/Modern Campground