The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) said it has compiled a diverse slate of education sessions and speaker lineups for its 2021 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), designed to cater to multiple learning styles and levels.
These educational initiatives are a direct response to information collected after listening to members and attendees of past OHCEs through surveys and daily conversations. The feedback received from members of the outdoor hospitality industry clearly identified four key tracks of interest – Operations, Marketing, Human Resources and Finance. By organizing sessions into these tracks, ARVC has created the opportunity for attendees to streamline their learning experience to meet their unique needs.
“This year, we have taken what our members told us they needed most following the COVID pandemic, and created engaging breakout sessions with a variety of formats that will allow attendees to customize their learning at conference,” said Susan Motley, senior director of education and events.
The four educational tracks allow attendees to focus on their preferred sessions depending on their career path and interests.
“We reimagined this year’s breakout sessions to allow our attendees to easily customize their learning path during the conference by attending the sessions that best fit their needs, whether that is sticking with one track or picking a variety of sessions to attend across the board,” says Motley. “We imagine attendees customizing their track and also choosing sessions based on their learning preferences.”
The new formats are evident in a number of ways – including an increase in the number of keynote-style sessions; interactive discussion sessions; panel sessions that will allow attendees to get all their questions answered; in-depth “Master Class” sessions that dive deep into specific topics; and a series of quick TED Talk-style sessions called “Campfire Sessions” taking place on the Expo Floor.
There are four 1.5-hour Master Classes that will engage more senior-level owners, operators and managers in interactive sessions focused on operations and marketing.
The Campfire Sessions are quick, 10-min sessions allowing attendees to experience even more valuable education in between visits with exhibitors on the Expo floor. There are three Campfire stages this year featuring a variety of speakers and topics.
“Campground owners need to constantly adapt to be successful in an ever-changing industry and ARVC is answering the call. This year’s expert instructors, new topics and innovative session formats will keep pushing us all forward,” said Motley.
OHCE is a four-day event from Nov. 8-11 in Raleigh, N.C., including more than 60 educational seminars, a trade show with more than 120 vendors, Takeaway Tours of local campgrounds, ARVC’s Awards of Excellence dinner and ARVC Foundation auction.
To register for OHCE2021 or to see the full schedule of events, visit www.arvc.org/ohce.
