Cheers and happy faces abound at the 2021 Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) on Monday. The event in Raleigh, North Carolina was organized by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC).
After a year of virtual meetings, attendees finally greeted each other outside their computer screens and brought out their inner happy campers.
More than 600 attendees gathered and networked at the event’s kickoff. Sponsored by RMS America, the welcome reception at Jimmy V’s at the Sheraton accommodated members of the outdoor hospitality industry catching up face-to-face.
Earlier in the day, guests visited the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp–Resort Asheboro and Oasis of North Carolina as part of the Takeaway Tours. The tours paved the way for attendees to share insights about the parks they visited to apply to their property.
Back at the Raleigh Convention Center, industry experts divulged on legal, insurance, and other matters that prospective owners need to know during the Prospective Owners Workshop (POW).
OHCE’s second day was commenced with a continental breakfast followed by a general session entitled “Charging Ahead on Electric” that looked into the future of electronic vehicles (EV). It has been unraveled that a huge portion of consumers expect their destination campgrounds to have EV charging stations.
Conference sessions also began today and served as learning opportunities for participants. The breakout sessions tackled: Finance Operations for New and Existing RV Parks and Campgrounds, Healthy Cultures Create Great Guest Experiences, Preparing Parks for Disasters in the Post Covid World, Trends Impacting Camping and the Guest Experience, Meeting the Needs of the 21st Century Camper, How To Welcome Complaints, and more.
Cracker barrel sessions discussed: Best Marketing Ideas for 2022; Buy, Build, Expand; Lessons Learned: Workforce Issues; and Tools of the Trade.
ARVC also announced Georgia as a new partnering state. The Georgia association will be led by Bobby Smith through its beginning stage.
To end the day, a reception on the plaza will feature a live performance by Lance Miller, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Rob Hatch. This will be followed by a networking event at the Sheraton Esplanade.
The 2021 Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo is in full swing and is taking place from November 8 to 11 at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. For many years, the event has been a learning and networking space for members of the outdoor hospitality industry.
Did you catch the ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Conference? Attendees enjoyed outdoor activities like hiking and zip lining plus workshops on sustainable practices. Valuable insights, right?
I sure did! The ARVC Outdoor Hospitality Conference was off to a fantastic start. Sounds like attendees had a blast with hiking, zip lining, and workshops on sustainable practices. It’s invaluable to merge professional development with outdoor fun. Can’t wait to hear more about the innovative ideas shared!