Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) welcomed 376 campgrounds and 801 total attendees at its convention at South Point Convention Center in Las Vegas for its annual convention this week.
The company announced a significant milestone during its opening session: a world-class Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 70, which places KOA in the same category as renowned brands such as Starbucks and Costco. The achievement highlights the brand’s growing popularity and steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction, KOA said. NPS is a key indicator of customer loyalty and satisfaction.
The convention’s opening session, “Bet on Yellow,” set by KOA leadership, captured the company’s strategic vision and its commitment to innovation and customer engagement in the outdoor hospitality industry, it said.
Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of Kampgrounds of America, said, “Bet on Yellow reflects not just our brand identity but also our investment in leadership quality and program excellence. Our goal is to ensure every KOA location shines as a beacon of outstanding service and innovation for years to come.”
Key highlights from KOA’s convention included:
- The launch of “Why We KOA,” an advertising campaign aimed at younger millennials and first-time campers, featuring a prominent billboard currently in Times Square.
- Expansion of strategic partnerships with brands like Holo Shoes and Meadowlark Brewery, makers of Happy Camper Beer, enhancing the camping experience for a broader audience. A new fuel partnership with Pilot will extend offers to KOA Rewards campers.
- A significant increased investment in K2, KOA’s proprietary campground Property Management System (PMS).
- The unveiling of comprehensive digital transformation initiatives such as “KOA A.I.,” Enhanced Trip Planning and Dynamic Site Maps, all aimed at simplifying and enhancing the guest experience.
- The establishment of a commercial strategy team tasked with catering to the unique needs of each KOA franchise, highlighting a tailored approach to business development and support.
In addition, KOA announced the winners of its campground awards during its annual convention. This year, 436 KOA campgrounds received award recognition.
Each year, Kampgrounds of America gathers guest surveys from more than a quarter million KOA campers following their campground stays. The vital guest feedback, paired with the results of an annual inspection process, qualifies KOA campgrounds across the U.S. and Canada for a set of awards – the Founder’s Award and the President’s Award.
The KOA President’s Award is presented to KOA campgrounds that excel in providing excellent camping facilities and consistently high levels of guest service. Chosen by KOA’s camping guests through satisfaction surveys and Kampgrounds of America’s stringent quality inspection, recipients of the President’s Award provide great KOA camping, it said.
Dave Drum, founder of Kampgrounds of America, was an “extraordinary visionary and dreamer.” The recipients of KOA’s premiere achievement, the KOA Founder’s Award, share Drum’s dream of providing the highest quality camping facilities while exceeding KOA guests’ expectations. KOA Founder’s Award recipients embody Drum’s vision of entrepreneurship and innovation while providing excellence for generations of campers. Winners of the KOA Founder’s Award also receive the KOA President’s Award.
View the full list of award winners here.