Kampgrounds of America handed out its annual awards, including naming KOA Journey campground in Pueblo, Colo., its campground of the year, during day two of its virtual convention.
The Pueblo KOA Journey is owned and operated by Carolyn and Michael Stowe.
The KOA Campground of the Year Award is KOA’s most prestigious award and is presented annually to a deserving KOA campground that demonstrates initiative, growth and exceptional guest service as shown by its own internal Net Promoter Scores (NPS), as well as camper-generated reviews.
The Stowe’s first purchased the Pueblo KOA Journey in 2004. At the time, the couple were both employed in corporate jobs in Vermont. The combination of cold Vermont winters and a longing to own their own business led them to search for an entrepreneurial opportunity and they ultimately landed on this campground in southern Colorado’s high desert.
The Stowes won the prestigious KOA Founder’s and President’s Award in both 2019 and in 2020.
“The Stowes illustrate that you don’t have to be the biggest campground with the most resources to be a great KOA,” said KOA President and CEO Toby O’Rourke. “They make it happen through careful planning and excellent execution. They never lose site of the camping experience they want to provide.”
In one other annual award handed out Tuesday, The Coloma/St. Joseph KOA Holiday in Michigan was named the company’s 2021 Rising Star Park.
Another portion of its annual convention is when KOA recognizes franchisees and their families who have been with the brand for 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years.
50-Year Partners
Lincoln/Woodstock KOA Holiday – The Goodbout Family
Bellefonte/State College KOA Holiday – John Dillon & Barbara Saulsbury
40-Year Partners
Devils Tower/Black Hills KOA Journey – The Driskill Family
Westfield/Lake Erie KOA – The Hanes Family
30-Year Partners
Port Huron KOA Resort – Howard & Shirley Stein
Rochester/Marion KOA Journey – Roger & Barb Philip
20-Year Partners
Polson/Flathead Lake KOA Holiday – Paul & Carlisa London
Cascade Locks/Portland East KOA Holiday – Kevin & Dawn Benson
Charlotte/Fort Mill KOA Journey – John Trigg III & Family
Texarkana KOA Journey – John Garvey
1000 Islands/Kingston KOA Holiday – The Wagner Family
10-Year Partners
Ventura Ranch KOA Holiday – Scott Cory
Avila/Pismo Beach KOA – Tom & Michele Reynolds
Salinas/Monterey KOA – Tom & Michele Reynolds
Denver West/Central City KOA Holiday – Chuck and Leza Spencer
Boise/Meridian KOA Journey – David Cheek and Laurie Acevedo
Benton KOA Journey – Walter and Karen Freeman
Bemidji KOA Journey – Justin and Carissa Vannoy
Ely KOA Journey – Nick and Tasha Lopez Family
Chautauqua Lake KOA Holiday – Bill and Anita Perry
Yankton/Missouri River KOA Journey – D. Bruce Cull
Bristol/Kingsport KOA Holiday – The Swinney Family
Quechee/Pine Valley KOA Holiday – Michael, Cynthia and Jordan Scruggs
Charlottesville KOA Holiday – Bryan Nettleton
Newport/Little Diamond Lake KOA Holiday – Equity Lifestyle Properties Inc.
Winnipeg West KOA Journey – Hasmukh and Hansa Koria
Halifax West KOA – Joseph & Christine Idy
Sault Ste. Marie KOA Holiday – Bill and Joan Richard
