The Inspiring Workplace Group (IW) announced Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) as a finalist in its 2025 Inspiring Workplaces across North America in association with Employera.
KOA, a leader in outdoor hospitality, employs 1,200 staff throughout North America and within its corporate headquarters in Billings, Montana. It was named a finalist alongside brands like Equifax, Novo Nordisk, SurveyMonkey and more.
KOA was selected as a finalist for its commitment to creating a workplace culture built on connection, innovation and well-being. With a mission to “connect people to the outdoors and each other,” KOA has established a people-first environment that prioritizes professional growth, work-life balance and a strong sense of belonging. The company’s core values — family-oriented, passionate, entrepreneurial, customer-focused and innovative — guide every aspect of its business and employee experience, the company said.
KOA invests in its employees by nurturing leadership at all levels through programs like the Leadership Cohort training series, which offers mentorship and professional development opportunities. The company’s CEO Toby O’Rourke fosters connection and promotes the sharing of industry and company insights by creating various opportunities for employees to engage with one another and hear directly from leadership. One such initiative, KOA’s Trail Mixes, introduced last year, has become a popular way for staff to connect around shared interests. Participants can join online teams, such as fitness and running, hiking, recipes, book clubs, automotive and more, to share photos, tips and stories with colleagues. O’Rourke also hosts monthly senior leadership meetings and quarterly business updates for all staff, where KOA celebrates achievements and recognizes work anniversaries. Additionally, the company’s well-being initiatives — such as flexible work arrangements, wellness stipends and employee engagement events — demonstrate KOA’s ongoing investment in its team.
KOA stands out as an inspiring workplace not only through its commitment to leadership development and employee well-being, but also with its forward-thinking policies and initiatives, IW said. The company drives sustainability efforts with its Kamp Green program, actively involving employees in environmental stewardship. In addition, KOA sparks creativity and innovation through its Campground of the Future initiative, encouraging employees to explore how new technologies and advancements can shape the future of the business. Looking ahead, KOA also promotes a positive workplace culture with its Change Agent initiatives, allowing employees to contribute ideas that strengthen the company culture and foster a sense of community. Furthermore, KOA supports employee engagement through the Kampgrounds of America Foundation, which backs programs like the Care Camps Foundation and empowers employees to support its mission of connecting people with the outdoors and helping local communities and nonprofits.
“Being named a finalist for the 2025 Inspiring Workplaces Awards reflects the strong, people-first culture we’ve built at KOA,” said O’Rourke. “Our employees are the heart of our organization, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where they can build meaningful connections, thrive, and create to the best of their abilities. We recognize that work is just one part of a person’s life, and by taking a whole-person approach, we support our employees as multi-dimensional individuals with unique experiences, challenges and aspirations.”
Celebrating its 10th year, Inspiring Workplaces honors organizations that put their PeopleFirst, creating cultures of trust, purpose and belonging. More than just a great place to work, these workplaces empower individuals to thrive.
Each entrant in the Inspiring Workplaces Awards submits a rigorous application focusing on six key elements that IW believes are fundamental to a PeopleFirst culture: culture and purpose, leadership, well-being, inclusion, employee voice and employee experience. Organizations of all sizes and industries compete within categories based on their workforce size. A panel of independent expert judges review submissions, who assess each entry based on a clear scorecard. Finalists and winners are determined by the highest scores.
“Inspiring Workplaces shines a light on those driving real, positive change – offering hope, inspiration, and a blueprint for others who aspire to build workplaces where people can truly be themselves and perform at their best,” said Matt Manners, founder of The Inspiring Workplaces Group. “To all our finalists – congratulations on this incredible achievement! Your commitment to putting PeopleFirst is not only shaping the future of work but the future of the world as we know it.”
