The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has announced that nominations are open for the Awards of Excellence that will be distributed 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.
Additional Awards of Excellence are presented to recognize other individuals and state associate standouts, including Supplier of the Year and State Directory of the Year.
In the Park of the Year category, 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 awards are given to recognize each park’s commitment to excellence. Each park that submits a nomination form is evaluated by the judges based on criteria such as guest experience, customer service, marketing and industry involvement.
“(The award) has helped on many levels,” said Gary Quigley, owner of Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest and four-time winner of the Park of the Year award. “It motivates our returning staff and new staff to try to continue to accomplish the goal of being the best possible campground that we can be as a team from both the service excellence side and making sure the facilities are always outstanding. They always want to try to win that award again.”
“The Park of the Year award validates our operation with our employees, with our community, with other local businesses and with our decision makers,” said Mike Gurevich, owner of Cherry Hill Park and three-time winner of the Park of the Year award. “As an achievement it is substantial. It confirms with people that we are among the best in what we do. It is great for employee morale, retention and recruiting. … The award pushes us not just to maintain the same level of facilities, amenities and services that allowed us to achieve it in the first place, but to improve our operation wherever possible. If we succeed in that, then the business will grow.”
Parks that do their part to protect the environment are also honored, as there are two winners each year for the Plan-It Green Park of the Year. The award is given to parks that demonstrate they have taken action to make their park eco-friendly. Parks are evaluated on impact of changes made, commitment to environmental practices and efforts to educate guests about support of Plan-It Green practices.
The Supplier Council Award is presented to an industry supplier that exemplifies excellence in product, customer service and support.
Three State Directory of the Year awards will be presented to a partnering state association for the small (50 members or less), medium (51-150 members) and large (more than 150 members) directories of the year. This award is judged on appearance, readability, use of graphics, artwork and ease of use, highlighting the association that does the most to help market its member parks.
Nomination forms for all categories, due on Aug. 31, are now available online.