The Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE2023), hosted by the OHI, formerly the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC), has completed its first two days, setting the stage for a week of innovation and forward-thinking in the RV park and campground industry.
The event, which began on Monday, November 6, in Kansas City, Missouri, has already seen a flurry of activity, with industry leaders and stakeholders coming together to share insights and strategies.
Day 1: Kick-off with Takeaway Tours and Megatrend Insights
The conference opened with the Takeaway Tours, providing attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at successful park operations, as detailed in a previous report by Modern Campground.
These tours were designed to offer practical examples of excellence in the industry, allowing for a hands-on learning experience.
Following the tours, Newbook took the stage to reveal key megatrends reshaping the outdoor hospitality industry. Their presentation highlighted the importance of understanding evolving consumer behaviors and leveraging technology to meet new market demands.
Another Newbook session at OHCE2023 built on the momentum with a presentation focused on optimizing campground operations. Erin Stevenson discussed comprehensive strategies for business improvement, from revenue management to enhancing the guest experience, ensuring that attendees are left with a toolkit of ideas to implement at their properties.
In the evening, a welcome reception sponsored by Spot2Nite was held at the College Basketball Experience (CBE) where attendees rocked sports-themed outfits for a night of networking and entertainment.
Day 2: Rebranding Announcement
Day 2 was jumpstarted by a big announcement from the association, marking a milestone with a rebranding initiative aimed at reflecting its expanded mission to support the broader outdoor hospitality industry.
The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, also known as National ARVC, has rebranded to OHI. This change signifies a resolute commitment to steer the outdoor hospitality industry towards a brighter and more prosperous future.
Still in the morning, Kindra Hall captivated the audience with her keynote session on the power of storytelling in transforming business communication. Hall’s presentation demonstrated how compelling narratives could be employed to strengthen brand identity and connect with customers on a deeper level.
What came after was a series of sessions spearheaded by distinguished leaders in the industry. Outdoor Hospitality and the Future was a panel discussion that featured experts like Paul Bambei, Toby O’Rourke, Rafael Correa, Amir Harpaz, Ali Rasmussen, and Todd Wynne-Perry.
Tiffany Gholston also led a masterclass on a DEI roadmap for campgrounds. Other sessions for day 2 include A Deep Dive Into the Latest Industry Research, Masterclass: Guest Experience Design, and breakout sessions like Campground Connections: Building a Stronger Team, Defining and Delivering “Utility WiFi”, and more.
Afternoon cracker barrel sessions facilitated attendee-driven open discussions. The range of topics spanned from health and wellness at parks, landscaping/environmental awareness, building a glamping and RV park, creating greater value with DE&I, and the rise of automated RV parking concepts.
In the evening, attendees had the Hosted Buyer Meetings & Reception, Young Professionals Reception, and then Networking Among the Stars at The Midland Theater where conference goers came dressed as their favorite movie characters. A bar, band and heavy hors D’oeuvres at the Midland Theater completed Tuesday night’s treat.
Looking Ahead
With two days down, OHCE2023 has already provided a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities. Attendees have engaged with experts on a range of topics, from practical operational tactics to broader industry trends and marketing strategies.
As the conference proceeds, Modern Campground will continue to deliver comprehensive coverage of the sessions, workshops, and keynotes that define OHCE2023 as a critical event for outdoor hospitality professionals.
For more information on the sessions, announcements, and future events, stay tuned at Modern Campground’s top stories or follow us on LinkedIn.
