The Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CARVC) announced the 2025 CARVC Conference & Expo, set to take place Feb. 9-11, 2025, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Park operators and vendors from the Carolinas and neighboring states are warmly invited to attend and benefit from the education and networking opportunities, the association said. According to CARVC Executive Director Dee Witting, the theme of this 21st annual event is, “Team Spirit: Uniting for Success!”
“In the hospitality industry we’re always advocating that we’re stronger as a team than we are individually. That’s so true, now more than ever after this year as parks around the country, including in the Carolinas, suffered devastating setbacks from extreme weather. So, the conference is focused on rebuilding team spirit and success through our training and information sessions, as well as networking opportunities like the trade show, Grid Iron social gathering and Game Day Gala,” said Witting.
The schedule is filled with fun events like nightly evening receptions, trivia games and live music, the association said.
Most conference events will take place at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, a 20-story facility with recently remodeled two-room suites featuring private balconies and picturesque views of the ocean. Go to the conference webpage and book lodging now to lock in the conference lodging rate of $126+/night which includes complimentary daily buffet breakfast and reception drink tickets. The conference room block rates end Jan. 17, 2025, and the hotel can sell out.
The conference kicks off on Sunday, Feb. 9, with three separate information sessions related to marketing, providing campground operators with the expertise to stand out from competitors and maintain a steady flow of visitors throughout the camping season. The educational component of the day will wrap up with an Advocacy Panel presented by OHI and CARVC and moderated by David Basler, chief strategy officer for OHI. The panel will feature first-hand accounts from campgrounds that have benefited from the outdoor hospitality’s advocacy efforts.
On Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 9 and 10, keynote speaker Kelly Jones, vice president of operations for Great Escape RV Resorts, will present a two-part workshop entitled, “Train the Trainer: Team Building Dynamics.” Attendees of this immersive, hands-on workshop will engage in a series of dynamic team building exercises related to teamwork, communication, trust and public solving intended to foster collaboration and synergy.
Attendees can also attend sessions on making data-driven decisions, innovations for sustaining camper relationships, and tackling water supply and onsite wastewater needs.
The Early Bird per-person package rate to attend the conference starts at $299 for the first registrant, and $279 for additional registrants. After Jan. 10, the attendee rates go up. Registration includes education and materials, Trade Show with lunch, Welcome Reception (Gridiron Gathering), Game Day Gala dinner and auction, and Tuesday lunch.
Two stand-alone training sessions will be held in conjunction with the conference, for additional fees. Conference attendance is encouraged but not required to register for these sessions, and park owners are encouraged to register their staff. Pre-registration is required to attend both.
- The hands-on RV Technical Institute/RV Technical Basics program is a day-long training course taking place Saturday, Feb. 8, at Ocean Lakes Family Campground, just down the road from the conference location. The training session was a big success at the 2023 conference and is back again. Attendees will learn the basics to help get guests safely on the road, save a vacation that may be going downhill fast, and make your campground stand out as one of the best with customer service! Cost is $60 per person and includes lunch, snack breaks and a tour of Ocean Lakes Family Campground.
- A two-hour CPR Certification course will be offered on Sunday, Feb. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. The course is limited to 15 people, and will be taught by Darin Almond, a Disaster Medical Specialist certified in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Pediatric Life Support. Cost for this session is $60.
The popular trade show has limited space for up to 50 vendors to showcase their premier products and services to campground operators from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and beyond. Early registration is encouraged to ensure you have a space in the trade show. Rates start at $260 per table.
“As the premier gathering for campground owners and operators, the 2025 CARVC Conference & Expo presents a unique opportunity for exhibitors and campgrounds to connect with a highly engaged audience in an oceanfront setting. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, we’re certain you’ll catch the outdoor hospitality industry’s team spirit that unites us all for success,” said Witting.
Full details plus registration links for conference attendance, trade show space, event sponsorships, and the pre-conference training sessions are located at www.campingcarolinas.com > About CARVC.
For further assistance reach out to Witting at carvcmembership@outlook.com or (803) 569-1986.
