The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI) has invited members to apply or nominate a deserving peer for the reimagined 2025 Awards of Excellence, with submissions accepted through Sept. 12. This year marks a bold new chapter for the signature recognition program to better honor the ideas, innovations and individuals shaping the future of outdoor hospitality, the organization said in a release.
OHI’s Awards of Excellence have evolved for 2025, with a bold new emphasis on innovation and industry progress. As the world changes, it’s the innovation that drives excellence in the outdoor industry. The Awards of Excellence will focus on the best in the business — the boldest risk-takers, idea-makers and trailblazers who are rethinking how to deliver the magic of the outdoors.
Several long-standing honors, including Park of the Year, Supplier of the Year and State Leader, have been reintroduced with an innovation-focused lens, OHI said. Slight variations on category names now align to showcase innovation, sustainability, leadership and generosity in action.
Park Innovator of the Year
Celebrating Creative Thinking in Every Corner of Outdoor Hospitality
Honors five standout parks that are transforming the guest experience or operations in creative, meaningful ways. Whether it’s a clever new guest experience, a tech upgrade that makes operations smoother or a bold take on what an outdoor hospitality business can be — this award is all about spotlighting those who aren’t afraid to try something innovative. In order to more accurately represent the industry, this category has been split into five separate buckets to ensure representation across all park types, including the following:
- Small Park (0-100 sites)
- Medium Park (101-250 sites)
- Large Park (251-499 sites)
- Mega Park (500+ sites)
- Multi-Park Corporate Entity
This award replaces the Park of the Year honors from previous years.
Supplier Innovator of the Year
Showcasing the Game-Changers Powering Outdoor Hospitality
Recognizes two OHI supplier members who are driving park success through bold ideas, innovative solutions and forward-thinking products or services.
This award replaces the Supplier of the Year honors from previous years.
Plan-It Green – Environmental Innovator of the Year
Honoring Parks That Go Beyond “Leave No Trace”
Celebrates two parks making measurable environmental impact, not just planning sustainability, but putting it into action. Whether it’s reducing waste, conserving energy, protecting local ecosystems, or getting campers involved in sustainable practices, this award recognizes parks that are taking it to the next level when it comes to environmental stewardship.
This award replaces the Plan-It Green Park of the Year from previous years.
These awards require a formal application, which has been redesigned (aka shortened) based on feedback to make the process easier for busy campground owners to complete. Awards are open to current OHI members in good standing.
To help support the growing scope of the program, a modest application fee has been introduced for the Park Innovator of the Year, Supplier Innovator of the Year and Plan-It Green — Environmental Innovator of the Year awards at $50 per entry, or $35 per entry for parks with fewer than 250 sites. These fees directly support an expanded judging process, increased exposure for winners, and meaningful on-site recognition during OHCE. Great ideas deserve a great spotlight, OHI said, and this application fee helps the organization raise the bar.
“Innovation doesn’t always mean flashy, sometimes it’s a small idea that changes everything,” said David Basler, chief strategy officer at OHI. “These awards are about giving credit where it’s due and spotlighting the innovations that push the overall outdoor hospitality industry forward and create more meaningful connections and experiences.”
The individuals and organizations who make an impact of the Outdoor Hospitality Industry through their leadership will also be eligible for recognition with the following awards:
Outdoor Hospitality Industry Leadership Award
Recognizing those that Strengthen Our Industry from the Inside Out
Celebrates those going above and beyond to lead, mentor and advocate across all levels of the industry: locally, regionally and nationally.
This award replaces the previous State Leader award, expanding to spotlight individuals making a meaningful impact across the broader Outdoor Hospitality Industry.
These awards also require a formal application. The Outdoor Hospitality Industry Leadership Award is open to current OHI members in good standing. Both self-nominations and peer nominations are welcomed.
Unity Through Generosity Award
Honoring Industry Leaders Who Put Service Above Self
This award recognizes those who have generously given their time, talents and goodwill to strengthen and uplift the RV park and campground industry at large. Sponsored by OHI, the OHI Foundation, the Maine Campground Owners Association (MECOA) and the Northeast Campground Association (NCA), this award honors the legacy of a peer whose dedication to community over self has left an indelible mark on our shared industry. The Unity Through Generosity Award nominations will be requested from national, regional and state leadership, OHI membership, partnering state associations, and NCA. Submitted nominations will be reviewed by OHI staff and presented to the Unity Through Generosity Award Committee (UTGAC) for final selection.
There is no nomination fee for either the Outdoor Hospitality Industry Leadership Award or the Unity Through Generosity Award.
This year also includes a refined judging process as well as clearer eligibility descriptions. Peer judging has been expanded and strengthened with the inclusion of past award winners, bringing fresh perspective from those who’ve recently walked the walk. OHI has also updated guidance that ensures parks, suppliers and individuals of all sizes and backgrounds can apply and be judged fairly, with built-in considerations for organizational size and scale. OHI is currently accepting applications for Awards of Excellence Judges through Aug. 28. Applications can be submitted here.
Applicants are encouraged to include photos/videos, testimonials, performance results and examples that bring their work to life. All entries must represent initiatives that were completed, or nearly completed, within the past three years.
Submit a nomination by Sept. 12 to be considered for the 2025 OHI Awards of Excellence.
The Stan Martin Award, Pioneer Award, Above & Beyond Award and the Jeff Sims Advocacy in Action Award, will be nominated and judged by the OHI Board of Directors, the OHI Foundation Board of Trustees, and/or the sponsoring organizations. This year’s winners will be announced and recognized at OHCE2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
For complete details, eligibility criteria and category descriptions, visit ohi.org/awards.
