The Texas Association of Campground Owners’ (TACO) annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow is set to be the largest in the organization’s 51-year history. The two-day event at the Lone Star Convention & Expo Center in Conroe has already attracted 76 exhibitors, with over 170 people from 90 different private parks and other entities pre-registered to attend.
According to Brian Schaeffer, TACO’s executive director and CEO, the organization has never had as many exhibitors participate in the event before. The exhibitors include banks, insurance companies, reservation software companies, park model manufacturers, and other vendors and consultants that current or aspiring park owners may require.
TACO has experienced high levels of interest in its annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow this year, with more than a dozen companies already signed up as sponsors of the two-day event.
Platinum sponsors and show underwriters include Firefly Reservations, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance, Rowley Insurance, Utility Supply Group, and Wild Energy, while gold sponsors include Best Wash, Inc., Campspot, Lelands Cabins, and Sunstone Real Estate Advisors. Silver sponsors include CampersCard, Conestoga Wagon Company, PPL Motorhomes, and Tail Bangers.
The event will also feature six educational seminars on various topics, including forward thinking in the outdoor hospitality space, new park development, building/expanding parks, propane safety, a TACO legislative report, and developing RV destinations for tomorrow’s guests.
The seminars will be led by industry experts, including Kathleen Walsh of Advanced Outdoor Solutions; Jayne Cohen of Campground Consulting Group; Terry Munoz of Signorelli Company’s recreational properties division; April Richardson of The Railroad Commission of Texas; Ron Hinkle, TACO’s lobbyist; Randall Daily, TACO’s president; and Ed O. Bridgman of EOB Consulting and Homestead RV Community in Theodore, Alabama.
In addition to the seminars and tradeshow, TACO will host its annual awards competition and auction to raise money for the association’s government affairs program.
TACO, which is based in Crowley, represents over 420 campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts across Texas.
The organization provides a trade association for campground owners and operators to collaborate and advocate for their industry. Members receive access to various benefits, including marketing and promotional materials, legal and regulatory support, and discounts on various goods and services.
Private campground owners and operators can benefit greatly from attending TACO’s annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow. The event provides an opportunity to connect with industry professionals and vendors, learn about new developments and technologies, and gain insights into best practices and regulations.
Additionally, attending the event can help owners and operators stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations in the industry, ultimately helping them to improve their own parks and businesses.
Overall, TACO’s annual Spring Meeting and Tradeshow promises to be a valuable event for private campground owners and operators, providing a wealth of information, resources, and networking opportunities.