The 5th Annual Campground Owners Expo (COE) is set to conclude today (December 6) at the Hilton Branson Convention Center (Missouri).
Organized by Severson & Associates, the final day of the event shifts focus from the trade show floor to a series of intensive educational workshops designed to prepare owners for the 2026 season.
Saturday’s schedule features a half-day format, commencing at 9 a.m. and running through 12:30 p.m. Attendees will participate in two distinct blocks of one-hour education sessions, with six class options available per time slot.
Operational risk management headlines the morning curriculum. Mark Hazelbaker of Weld Riley is scheduled to present “Beyond the Incident Report,” a session emphasizing that post-accident review depends entirely on the quality of information gathered immediately after an incident occurs.
Financial literacy remains a priority for the final day. Joe Walter of O’Neil Creek Campground will lead “Foundations of Business Finance,” instructing attendees on managing seasonal cash flow and identifying key metrics for long-term viability.
On the management front, Lori Severson and Carla Brown of Severson & Associates are hosting a workshop on personality styles. The session aims to provide strategies for recognizing behaviors that hinder positive interactions to improve communication between staff and guests for campground owners.
Revenue generation is a critical theme for the closing hours. Joe and Kristen Ledger of Lakeside Fire Campground will discuss “Campground Give-Back Weekends,” outlining how fundraising events can boost occupancy and unite seasonal guests.
Sarah Krause of C&D Hospitality is set to present on entertainment amenities. Her session explores using live music and festivals to differentiate parks in a crowded market, covering essential topics such as music licensing and low-budget local partnerships.
Beth Standlee of TrainerTainment will also address ancillary revenue through “Birthdays in the Great Outdoors.” Standlee posits that birthday packages are a “golden opportunity” to grow revenue, detailing how to upsell experiences and keep calendars booked year-round.
The upcoming panel discussion, facilitated by Mark Hazelbaker, will provide a concise and practical overview of typical job descriptions at a campground, highlighting the importance of clearly defined roles for smooth operations.
The session will outline the core responsibilities and skills required for common positions, showing how each contributes to an efficient, guest-focused environment.
Following the educational tracks, the event moves to the Main Ballroom at 11:30 a.m. for a final wrap-up. This segment includes a “Cracker Barrel” session, allowing peers to exchange their primary takeaways from the week’s seminars and networking.