ARVC Blog Archive

Record attendance at the Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) translated directly to the Expo floor, with vendors at 140 booths able to share their products and services to almost 1,000 visitors.

A special thanks to everyone who joined us in beautiful Knoxville, Tenn. on November 4-7 for our annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE).  It was great to see so many familiar faces and to welcome so many new friends who are now in the process of building or opening new parks. We set an all-time attendance record this year, which shows just how much our industry is growing and thriving!

The 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) shattered modern attendance records, drawing large crowds to Knoxville, Tenn. for the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ (ARVC) annual conference. 

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) named this year’s best parks at the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), held November 4-7 in Knoxville, Tenn. 

You have a lot to gain by getting more involved in our great industry. Not only will you have an opportunity to learn from your peers and share your own ideas and expertise, you’ll be able to tap into networking opportunities that could easily lead to lifelong friendships!

Need another reason to get doggone excited for the Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo? The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and Jamestown Advanced Products have united to bring an interactive dog run into the Knoxville Convention Center, promising to give attendees at OHCE the chance to “Paws for a Break” and cuddle with dogs from local no-kill animal shelters. 

Everything you need to know about the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo now fits in one hand.  

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has announced a new, official smartphone app for OHCE2019, providing attendees with up-to-date information throughout the week, highlighted by the ability to customize schedules to sync with phone calendars, session reminders, education overviews, speaker bios and a fully interactive Expo floor map.  

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is pleased to announce Staylist as the latest industry supplier to join the ARVC Integrated Partnership Program. Staylist has signed on as a Select Partner for the next 12 months beginning November 1.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) created the Plan-It Green Friendly Park Program to incentivize and reward parks that participate in eco-friendly and sustainable practices, offering recognition including two Plan-It Green Park of the Year awards each year. In an effort to continue these initiatives at an organizational level, ARVC is making this year’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) its most environmentally-friendly event yet.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and builder of fine Lakeside Luxury Park Models, Clayton Home Building Group, have officially entered into a Select Partnership. These two companies will be working together to increase the Lakeside Luxury Park Models brand visibility throughout the year within the outdoor hospitality industry.      

As a philosopher once said, "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without." So that begs the question: Are your guests “doing without” musical entertainment that could enhance their enjoyment of your park and boost your business at the same time? If the answer is “yes,” you just may want to change your tune.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is announcing the opening of a new store featuring ARVC and GoCampingAmerica.com branded items. These items will make their debut at the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), allowing attendees the first chance to get their hands on merchandise at special OHCE pricing, before it’s available for purchase online. 

Whether you’re thinking about trading in the legal pad for an online reservations system or looking to upgrade your current system, the whole process can feel pretty overwhelming. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be!

When choosing the right system for your business, there are three key factors that you should consider. 

Advocacy efforts led by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continue following the latest decision by the National Electric Code (NEC) regarding the use of GFCI protection on 30- and 50-amp receptacles on RV park site equipment.    

Thank you to all the following parks, suppliers and state associations who took the time to participate in the ARVC Awards of Excellence. Winners of the 2019 Awards of Excellence will be announced at the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo during the Awards of Excellence dinner on Thursday, November 7.

If you operate a seasonal park that closes down for the winter, a few of the things you need to do to get ready are to shut off the water supply, then drain or blow out the pipes to prevent freezing. But your electrical system needs attention, too, so we asked Wade Elliott, president of Utility Supply Group in Kingston, Wash., and ARVC’s 2018 Supplier of the Year award winner for his advice.

In response to member needs, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has announced a new and improved education session and speaker lineup for the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE). The association’s annual conference will be highlighted by five new educational learning tracks taught in innovative formats by new expert voices. 

Our 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), which will take place in Knoxville, Tenn. on November 4-7, will soon be here! Whether you’re a long-time conference attendee or you’re new to the industry, you’ll find that we’ve packed this year’s OHCE with all kinds of opportunities for learning, networking, shopping and more!

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continues to work with a coalition of industry partners that represent 25 million RVers to preserve the provision of copyright law that allows DIRECTV and DISH Network to provide Distant Network Signals to RVers and long-haul truckers, among others. 

Think about all of the ways music enhances your life. Maybe you turn on the radio as soon as you get into your car or you stream music while you’re working, exercising or relaxing. It’s an easy way to add more enjoyment to your day. Many of your guests feel the same way, which is why playing music at your park can be good for business.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continues to build value for its membership by adding Hytropy as its newest Member Benefit Provider (MBP). Member Benefit Providers offer deep discounts exclusive only to ARVC members. 

Creating a campground environment that’s safe and healthy for guests is essential for successful park management, but it doesn’t happen on its own. It takes both a dedicated team and a focus on many factors that have a major impact on your park, including risk management, general maintenance and safety standards, and making your park more sustainable.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) and tourism technology platform NewBook, are pleased to announce they have entered into an Elite Partnership. ARVC and NewBook will be working together to provide education on how to operate more efficiently and drive more business, along with extended benefits to ARVC members within the outdoor hospitality industry. NewBook is the first company to join ARVC’s Integrated Partnership Program, taking their relationship to a new level and increasing NewBook’s brand visibility in the United States.    

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ (ARVC) Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) has been recognized as one of the top 100 trade shows in the U.S. in two categories at the annual Trade Show Executive Awards.

A guide for members to access their profile, pay invoices and more. 

There are so many important tasks like ensuring you have adequate insurance coverage, addressing your bookkeeping needs and managing your reservation system that happen “behind the desk” at your campground.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continues to build value for its membership by adding NewBook as its newest Member Benefit Provider. Member Benefit Providers offer deep discounts exclusive only to ARVC members.

NewBook, an award-winning online reservations and park management system within the outdoor hospitality industry, has partnered with ARVC as their exclusive technology partner to provide education and next-generation tools to help parks provide amazing guest experiences using technology and automation. NewBook is offering an exclusive $250 discount on all setup packages for ARVC members.

We love our members! This year we did a call for submissions to our first-ever ARVC Member Calendar. Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to those who participated! To see the winning photos, be on the lookout for our 2020 Member Calendar, it will land in member mailboxes this October with The Voice.

Yesterday, five groups representing manufacturers, dealers and owners of Recreational Vehicles (RVs), as well as the RV campgrounds, sent a letter to the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee urging them to vote to preserve the provision of copyright law that allows DIRECTV and DISH Network to provide Distant Network Signals to RVers and long-haul truckers, among others.    

The purpose of ARVC Young Professionals (YPs) is to create a network of young professionals within our industry and empower members with leadership opportunities, education, and community awareness. To help strengthen the bonds of our YP community, we have started a campaign to introduce some of the emerging leaders in the outdoor hospitality industry.

The outdoor hospitality industry is growing, and with that growth comes plenty of change. The demographics are getting younger and more diverse, technology is advancing rapidly and camping habits are shifting. Park owners need to be prepared to pivot and adjust to reap the rewards that come with a fresh crop of campers in search of new experiences.

To expand on this topic, Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of Kampgrounds of America (KOA), will present the first ever Trends and Insights session on November 6 at the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds’ (ARVC) 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) in Knoxville, Tenn.

Folks in the outdoor hospitality have a diverse set of experiences, so it's almost impossible to find a challenge another attendee at ARVC’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) hasn’t already seen and solved.

Tapping into this knowledge base and helpful nature, the Cracker Barrels at OHCE are full of peer-to-peer guidance and advice, bringing like-minded community members together to share ideas and solutions to common challenges in the industry. Each session is hosted by industry-professional moderators who lead the discussion and provide topic ideas, but it is the attendees and their unique experiences who are the star of the show.

The ARVC Foundation’s NFPA 1194® Completion Certificate class, offered Nov. 4 in Knoxville, Tenn. during this year’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), is designed to ensure park owners and operators have an in-depth understanding of the current standards for RV parks and campgrounds. The NFPA 1194 Completion Certificate class will provide guidance to park owners in interpreting the NFPA 1194 standard, a nationally-recognized standard developed, maintained and published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

In order to assist RV park and campground owners and operators in their search for the best reservation system for their park, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is hosting an interactive Reservation Systems Panel during this fall’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE). This panel will give attendees a chance to engage directly with eight of the premier companies in the market to gain a better understanding of the products and services each offer.

ARVC will be updating our database of member profiles with the goal of improving member experience and providing additional security to campground members and their employees. In order to provide this additional layer of security, the new database will require each employee to have a unique email address to log into and edit a campground profile. 

Having a dedicated team of employees is the lifeblood of any campground. But human resource responsibilities go far beyond the recruitment and hiring processes. Records must be kept accurately, legal requirements must be met and there are other factors that owners need to know such as why something as seemingly harmless as using volunteers can actually put the campground at risk for liability issues.

One of the best ways to learn is to go directly to the source, and ARVC’s re-imagined Takeaway Tours program is sure to provide attendees that opportunity.

The Takeaway Tours offered at the annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE)—the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ (ARVC) annual conference—are sure to be one of the most dynamic learning experiences available during the week. Attendees will learn directly from other park owners and gather insight on the day-to-day operations of two ARVC member-parks during a one-day tour.

It’s impossible to overestimate the importance of having your park’s managers and employees project the qualities of professionalism and leadership to help make your park as successful as it can be.

The ARVC Foundation is soliciting donations for the annual live auction that will take place during the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE). The auction is one of the highlights of the OHCE week and the money raised is vital to the ARVC Foundation’s continued efforts to support the outdoor hospitality industry.

When you run a campground, you know you must be constantly aware and prepared for danger. Some dangerous situations are brought about by mother nature, such as fire, flood, hurricanes and tornadoes, while others are unpredictable emergencies potentially involving your guests and employees.

In the outdoor hospitality industry, often all that’s needed after a job well done is a solid thank you and a smile. But one night every year, the best of the best in the industry receive a little more fanfare, as ARVC presents its Awards of Excellence at?the annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo?(OHCE). The Awards of Excellence honor the standout parks, individuals and other accomplishments, rewarding ARVC members for outstanding achievements.

Every RV park and campground has a brand. What’s yours? Are you family-friendly or focused exclusively on guests who are 55 and over? Or maybe your park specializes in outdoor adventures or is the ideal spot for those who want to escape and unplug. Whatever your brand identity is, the more you promote it on your website and through social media, the more successful you’ll be at attracting your target audience.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) wrapped up its participation in RVs Move America Week on Wednesday having successfully met with 34 different legislators about the value of RV parks and campgrounds and the RV industry.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continued advocacy efforts at RVs Move America: Advocacy Week in Washington D.C. this week, with the association’s president and CEO Paul Bambei telling an audience of more than 150 members of Congress, congressional staff and members of the RV industry about the growth and economic impact of our nation’s RV parks and campgrounds.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is seeking nominations to fill two positions on the ARVC Board of Directors, determined by election at the national conference in November.

Take a deeper dive into the topics ARVC's certificate programs cover. Each certificate program is designed to help learners develop five key competencies, each one customized to meet the stage the individual is at in their industry career.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) continues to build value for its membership through the recent expansion of its partnership with Sherwin Williams, the US-based paint company with more than 4,000 stores nationwide.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) will be sending a strong delegation to Washington, D.C. to participate in this year’s RVs Move America (Advocacy Week) as part of the organization’s partnership with the RV Industry Association (RVIA).

It’s always a good idea to continue your education so you can stay up to date on best practices for running a business. And when those learning opportunities are customized specifically for the business of running an RV park or campground, it’s even better.

As the old saying goes, “you have to spend money to make money.” And while that’s true when it comes to marketing your campground, it doesn’t always mean you have to spend a lot of money.

According to Pew Research Center, in 2019, millennials are projected to overtake Baby Boomers as America’s largest generation. It’s important to understand what millennials are looking for in a camping experience because they’ll have a big impact on your park’s business.

Has your park made a commitment to protecting the environment by implementing practices such as a recycling program, installing energy-saving devices and using biodegradable cleaning products? If so, your park may be eligible to participate in the ARVC Plan-It Green Friendly Park Program.

You are waiting for your last camper of the day to arrive, it’s late and you are tired. It’s been a long day. The last arrival has been driving for hours, they will be tired and ready to get settled. It will be important to get them checked in and moved to their site as quickly as possible.

If you operate a seasonal park, the weeks and months leading up to your opening day are no doubt an extremely busy time as you prepare to welcome your first group of guests.

At most RV industry conferences there are roundtables where the topic is Wi-Fi. It is a subject that confounds many a park owner, usually sapping their operational energy and staff morale. It also robs them of precious star ratings on Google.

Nothing warms our hearts more than watching our little ones play. Especially when we know they are safe and free from dirt and mess. Whether it is your adorable child or your loyal pet, you want nothing but the best for them.

Each year, at ARVC’s annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), four park owners take the stage to accept the prestigious ARVC Park of the Year award. One award is given in each of four park size categories: Small (0-100 sites), Medium (101-250 sites), Large (251-499 sites) and Mega (500 or more sites).

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of beloved ARVC member James “Jim” Leaming on February 22. Jim served on the Northeast Campground Association’s (NCA) Board of Directors as the Massachusetts representative from 2014 to 2018 and was the immediate past chairman of the Massachusetts Association of Campground Owners (MACO).

ARVC member-parks love to welcome guests to their campgrounds. It’s what they do best. After all, we’re in the outdoor hospitality industry. But unfortunately, there are times when it becomes necessary to ask a guest to leave.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) announced two leadership promotions—David Basler to Vice President, Membership and Marketing, and Paula Horwitz to Executive Director, Education and Events, and of the ARVC Foundation.

We’re very happy to announce that we have expanded our ARVC-member benefits with the addition of five new programs that can help our members save.

“Getting back to nature” is an expression we all use but can mean something different to each of us. Whether it is just taking a walk in the park, camping or playing on a playground. But with all these ideas, getting closer to nature is at the heart of it all. You can be in the deep woods or right in town, we all love to experience nature to different extents. Most of us would rather not see concrete or asphalt when we are hiking on a trail or camping out. But keep in mind that some of us need a firm stable surface in order to get closer to nature and enjoy these activities. If you are physically limited, using a wheelchair or pushing a stroller, maneuvering over rocky, uneven terrain or muddy ground can be a challenge.

The National School of RV Park & Campground Management enhances the skills of its students through a high-quality educational program focusing on business management principles and practices as applied to the RV park and campground industry. This is accomplished in a professional educational setting providing formal and informal student contact with an experienced, interdisciplinary instructors.

In recent weeks, a growing number of campgrounds have received letters and phone calls from legal entities raising questions regarding their websites’ compliance with ADA standards. In this case, ADA stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA was a natural extension of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life.

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) named this year’s best parks at the 2018 Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo, which was held November 5-8 in Oklahoma City.

“The Park of the Year awards honor the best of the best in the ARVC community,” says Paul Bambei, president and CEO of ARVC. “These parks have worked hard to be the best and it is our honor to recognize their efforts and to have them as part of the ARVC community.”

For the first time in its 25-year history, the Eastern Campus of the National School of RV Park and Campground Management met in Myrtle Beach, S.C. On February 18, 38 RV park owners and operators from across the country hit the ground running for an intense week of outdoor hospitality education and comradery.

In a newly finalized rule, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) redefines the RV exemption from manufactured housing standards and provides a critical solution to the regulatory uncertainty that has plagued RV parks and campgrounds, RV manufacturers and RV dealers for decades. RV park and campground owners, RV manufacturers, dealers, and RV owners now have regulatory certainty that the RV lifestyle will remain the most attractive way to recreate in America.

All but a few RV parks in Florida’s Big Bend Region are open following Hurricane Michael’s destructive landfall on October 10th, according to the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

“Fortunately most of our affiliated parks have been able to make the needed basic repairs to reopen and most utilities have been restored,” said Bobby Cornwell, president and CEO of the Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, which hosts www.campflorida.com, the statewide travel planning website.

Please join us in congratulating (and celebrating!) ARVC member-parks who are marking major milestones this year. Each of these parks has been in the same family since it was established, an impressive feat in itself. Their histories provide us with inspiring stories about how parks can grow and evolve with the times to create lasting legacies.

Who owns the coaxial cable and equipment that delivers TV & Telephone in your RV Park?
In many RV parks and campgrounds, the cabling run underground to the pedestals in your park and the other centralized equipment used to deliver TV and telephone service to those pedestals was installed by a local cable provider and is owned by that cable provider.

[PART THREE] Social media can deliver some pretty powerful revenue-generating opportunities for your park, but only if you know how to use it. We asked Erin Thiem, who co-owns ARVC member-park Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, Calif. with her husband Dan Thiem, to share a few of the secrets of her online success.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 20, 2018 — More than a dozen campgrounds and RV resorts across North and South Carolina are providing temporary shelter or a place to stay for Hurricane Florence evacuees, and several of them are offering discounts, according to the Carolinas Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds.

“Campgrounds and RV parks are uniquely positioned to accommodate evacuees and often provide emergency shelter during or after major storms, not only in the Carolinas, but across the United States,” said Dee Witting, executive director of the Carolinas Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds. Witting added that many areas of the Carolinas escaped damage during Hurricane Florence and campgrounds in these locations are able to accommodate evacuees as well as travelers.

A list of 10 fun activities while you’re attending OHCE, from the Adventure Sky Trail to CurioCity.

[PART TWO] Social media can deliver some pretty powerful revenue-generating opportunities for your park, but only if you know how to use it. We asked Erin Thiem, who co-owns ARVC member-park Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, Calif. with her husband Dan Thiem, to share a few of the secrets of her online success.

[PART ONE] Social media can deliver some pretty powerful revenue-generating opportunities for your park, but only if you know how to use it. We asked Erin Thiem, who co-owns ARVC member-park Inn Town Campground in Nevada City, Calif. with her husband Dan Thiem, to share a few of the secrets of her online success.