The 2026 Midwest Campground Conference & Expo (MCCE) opened Monday (March 16) with a full slate of sessions centered on risk management, insurance strategy, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in campground operations, setting the agenda for a second day focused on cost control and extending occupancy beyond peak seasons.
Held March 16-17 at the Delta Hotels Kalamazoo Conference Center in Kalamazoo, the event brought together campground operators for back-to-back programming beginning with registration and a welcome session, followed by concurrent educational tracks.
Sessions on the opening day included “Risk Reduction for Campgrounds” and “Value Focused Insurance Strategies,” both emphasizing approaches to managing exposure and aligning coverage with business needs.
Additional sessions explored distribution strategy in “Myths, Margins, and Missed Opportunities: Understanding OTA Power Without Losing Control,” alongside a hands-on workshop titled “Hands On with Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
Midday programming transitioned into a lunch session before state-specific meetings for Michigan and Indiana attendees. The afternoon featured a vendor expo, followed by a social hour designed to facilitate networking among operators and suppliers.
The day concluded with a keynote presentation, “Power of the Pause,” delivered by Tim Richarson, and a dessert reception paired with a fundraising live auction.
Programming on Tuesday continues with a focus on operational efficiency and revenue optimization. Sessions include “Smarter Operations: A Practical Workshop for Using AI and Remote Support to Reduce Costs,” which builds on the prior day’s technology discussions, and “EGLE Updates for Campgrounds,” addressing regulatory developments affecting operators.
Additional sessions scheduled for the day include “Stretch the Season: Boost Shoulder Season Occupancy,” aimed at increasing bookings outside peak periods, and “Stop Throwing $$ Down the Toilet!,” which targets cost-saving opportunities.
The second day also includes continued access to the vendor expo and a closing segment featuring wrap-up activities and prize drawings.