Executives from the Campground Association for Management Professionals (CAMP) convened for a two-day meeting at the new Kampgrounds of America (KOA) headquarters in Billings, Montana. The discussion focused on pivotal issues impacting the campground and RV park industries.
Joann DelVescio, CAMP president, commended KOA’s hospitality. “CAMP discussed several important issues facing our industry, and we look forward to working with KOA on ways to support each other to provide value for campgrounds,” Delvescio, who leads the New Jersey Campground Owners and Outdoor Lodging Association (NJCOA), said.
The agenda included a variety of topics, from evaluating the performance of state campground association conventions to exploring marketing strategies and the ongoing challenges related to ownership turnover within campground and RV parks, according to a press release.
They also discussed the ongoing challenge faced by park operators in educating state and local government and law enforcement agencies about the regulations, ordinances, and new laws that cover everything from new park construction and building codes to health, safety, and the procedures for evicting guests who fail to pay or violate park rules.
The meetings, which took place on May 7 and May 8, fostered a collaborative environment for sharing insights and strategies. Chris Fairlee, KOA’s chief acquisitions officer, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the spring meeting.
“We were proud to welcome this group of campground professionals to our new corporate headquarters and envision this will be the first of many hosted industry meetings. Our KOA team was excited to share knowledge and collaborate with CAMP to elevate outdoor hospitality,” Fairlee said.
In addition to discussions, CAMP members toured the newly inaugurated KOA facilities, which opened in late 2023. Stacey Campbell, KOA’s director of campground services, accompanied the tour.
The meeting featured briefings from several KOA executives, including Darin Uselman, KOA’s chief operations officer; Lance Bevier, KOA’s franchise development manager; and Diane Eichler, KOA’s senior vice president of marketing. Additionally, Brandi Simpson, KOA’s chief of staff, presented the findings from KOA’s recent North American Camping & Outdoor Hospitality report.
Attendees of the CAMP meeting hailed from 12 different states,, including Susan L. Brenton of the Arizona Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (Arizona ARVC), Dyana Kelley from the California Outdoor Hospitality Association (CalOHA), and Dee Witting of the Carolinas Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (CARVC).
Other attendees are Mary Arlington, who represents the Colorado Campground and Lodge Owners Association (CCLOA), the Kansas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (Kansas ARVC) and the South Dakota Campground Owners Association (SDCOA); Lisa Thibodaux of the Louisiana Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (LARVC), Joann DelVescio of NJCOA, Jason Vaughan of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA), Michael Moore of Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO), and Lori Severson and Carla Brown of the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO).
The meeting sponsors included AGS Guest Guides, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance, National Tenant Network, TACO, and WACO.
