ARVC Blog Categories: What's Happening

Are you interested in getting involved in ARVC’s advocacy efforts to help ensure a strong future for our industry? Here’s your chance.

An advocacy effort led by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) that took more than eight months finally secured a vital victory in late December as the National Fire Protection Agency Standards Council approved a Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) to the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) regarding the use of GFCI protection on 30- and 50-amp receptacles on RV park site equipment. 

The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) announces its NFPA 1194® Completion Certification class will be available on Monday, Feb. 10, making it the first class available as part of the new ARVC Online Education Portal.

Are you considering getting into the campground business or are you in the process of building or buying a park? There’s a lot to learn, and as the saying goes, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” But now, there’s an easy way to tap into the knowledge and experience of industry experts to get answers to your questions. For the first time, the National Association of RV Parks and Campground (ARVC) is offering a workshop exclusively for prospective campground owners.

The three-day workshop will be held on May 4-6 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The 2019 Industry Trends and Insights Report, released Monday by the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, includes numerical data to support anecdotal evidence of the campground industry expanding rapidly in the past five years and an expectation of even greater growth in the next 12 months.

The ARVC Foundation announces six scholarship recipients for the National School of RV Park & Campground Management in Myrtle Beach, S.C. National School is a high-quality educational program that focuses on business management principles and practices as applied to the RV park and campground industry. The program brings leading industry experts into the classroom to provide attendees with the skills and expertise they need to make a positive impact on their campground and in the industry.

As we make plans for another great year in the hospitality industry, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at some of our most popular posts from 2019. As you scroll through them, you’ll meet some of your fellow ARVC members, learn about what makes their parks so unique and maybe even pick up a few ideas for your own park!

Recently, requirements set in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) related to access to buildings and physical locations have begun to be applied to websites. Companies working to comply with these requirements must often navigate a frustrating maze of conflicting information and confusing terminology.

The following information, while not legal guidance, is intended to assist our members in making sure your website is accessible to everyone.

Giving Tuesday is a global giving movement that has brought millions of people together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. The ARVC Foundation is a proud participant in Giving Tuesday, which will take place this year on Tuesday, December 3.

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. 

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) 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. 

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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.”

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.

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.

Accidents happen at campgrounds all the time. Someone trips on a log while on a hike or burns themselves around the campfire. It happens. These are just some of the inherent risks of camping.

It’s what happens after an accident that can be a body blow to you and the future of your campground.