Day 2 of the Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) kicks off today, bringing a diverse range of engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and valuable insights to attendees gathered at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. Kicking off the day, the popular O-hi! Coffee Conversations at 7:00 a.m. promises attendees a chance to connect over a morning brew, facilitating casual networking.
The agenda will launch the Outdoor Hospitality Innovator’s Summit (OHIS), sponsored by Newbook, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in Room 208AB. This summit will attract innovators and campground owners in the industry, creating a space for attendees to explore transformative strategies and share forward-thinking ideas aimed at driving growth and enhancing operations in outdoor hospitality.
A session on Food Safety will unfold in Room 301A-D. Designed for park operators and staff, this session will cover critical elements of food safety, including ways to prevent foodborne illnesses and understand high-risk factors. Campground operators will leave with actionable knowledge to help safeguard both their staff and guests, emphasizing food safety’s importance in the hospitality landscape.
A Campfire Session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) will also provide an open forum for discussions on harnessing AI in the outdoor hospitality industry. Scheduled to run until 10:00 a.m. in Room 302A-D, this session invites participants to ask questions, share experiences, and explore ways to leverage AI tools to enhance operations.
The Trends & Insights to Drive Success panel will also dive into key data-driven strategies for campground owners. This session will highlight financial analysis, revenue trends, and emerging industry projections.
An essential focus on operational revenue follows at 10:30 a.m. in Room 205AB with a workshop titled “Driving Revenue with Short Stay Utility Metering.” This session will introduce participants to methods of billing short-stay guests for actual energy consumption, addressing an industry gap, and providing a compliant approach to revenue enhancement through metering.
Lunch will bring a celebratory tone to the day, with the Awards of Excellence Ceremony scheduled for 11:30 a.m. in the Ballroom. After lunch, the Expo will open its doors from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., featuring exhibitor booths, the OHI booth, and Fireside Chats in the Expo Hall. Campground owners will have the opportunity to explore new products, engage in discussions at the Activity Center, and enjoy light refreshments as they connect with vendors and peers, discovering the latest innovations shaping the industry.
For those interested in building stronger teams, a workshop on “Team Building from Theory to Practice” will also take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 302A-D. This immersive Train the Trainer course will offer experiential learning in team-building dynamics, helping participants refine their facilitation skills.
Key Takeaways from OHCE2024’s Opening Day
On the first day of OHCE2024, Vital Germaine, president of ENGAGE Teams 360, delivered a keynote that emphasized the role of emotional intelligence, creativity, and a positive mindset in achieving campground success.
Drawing from his experience as a former Cirque du Soleil team captain, Germaine used stories and interactive exercises, such as the “desert island” teamwork scenario, to highlight the importance of collaboration and understanding within teams. The OHCE2024 keynote encouraged campground operators to foster creativity by challenging mental limitations and underscored emotional intelligence as a vital tool for building trust and loyalty with both team members and guests for campground operations.
OHCE2024 also featured a series of engaging sessions that encouraged campground owners and industry professionals to share experiences and insights into customer service and growth strategies. In a Campfire Session on customer experience, attendees gathered in an open forum to exchange successes, address challenges, and discuss strategies for enhancing guest satisfaction. The interactive format fostered a sense of community, with participants freely offering their best practices and seeking advice on improving business operations.
Simultaneously, another Campfire Session focused on park expansion, specifically glamping opportunities, with attendees leading an open dialogue on expanding amenities and creating unique guest experiences. The discussion highlighted the growing demand for alternative accommodations and provided insights into planning and executing successful expansion projects. Operators exchanged ideas on infrastructure, guest preferences, and balancing the investment required for glamping developments.
The day also featured the “Advocacy Unleashed: Shaping the Future of Outdoor Hospitality” panel, where industry leaders discussed the importance of advocacy in protecting and advancing outdoor hospitality. Panelists shared personal stories of advocacy successes and outlined the legislative and regulatory wins of 2024 that benefit campgrounds.
For the complete schedule of today’s events, visit their website here.
Feature image by OHI/Orange Photography
