Kampgrounds of America (KOA) completed an eight-week graduate innovation program with Georgia State University and AI platform provider Airia aimed at developing artificial intelligence solutions for business challenges in the outdoor hospitality sector.
According to KOA, more than 30 graduate students across six teams participated in the initiative through Georgia State University’s Special Projects course, working directly with the company and Airia to design, build and evaluate AI-powered agents using KOA data and AI tools.
The program concluded with final presentations to KOA leadership, Airia representatives and university faculty, where students shared findings and recommendations developed during the course.
The collaboration was designed to explore practical applications of AI in a controlled environment while giving students experience with enterprise-level decision-making. Student teams conducted stakeholder interviews, developed prototypes, tested use cases and presented recommendations tied to business objectives and defined success criteria.
The projects focused on balancing technical feasibility with strategic value while addressing operational and customer-focused challenges across the company’s business.
“Real AI innovation requires context rooted in actual business problems. By collaborating with GSU students on these tangible challenges, we’re testing new solutions while gaining fresh perspectives from the next generation of technology leaders,” said Brian Elsmore, chief information officer at KOA.
Elsmore said the partnership also supports broader AI adoption within the outdoor hospitality industry.
“Partnerships like this advance not just our competitive advantage, but the entire outdoor hospitality sector’s maturity with AI adoption,” Elsmore said.
Graduate students participating in the program were primarily from Georgia State University’s Computer Information Systems program, according to the announcement.
“This course is about giving students the chance to wrestle with real problems using tools that are reshaping entire industries,” said Dr. Denise McCurdy, instructor of the Special Projects course at Georgia State University.
McCurdy said the partnership provided students with direct exposure to industry feedback and practical problem-solving opportunities beyond a traditional classroom setting.
For Georgia State University, the initiative reflects an emphasis on combining academic coursework with industry experience, while KOA said the collaboration aligns with its efforts to support innovation and technology development for campground owners and campers across North America.
KOA operates more than 500 franchised and company-owned campgrounds through its KOA brand and also operates the Terramor Outdoor Resorts glamping brand.