OHI has opened the nominations for the 2026 board of directors election, inviting campground owners, operators, suppliers, associates and industry leaders across the country to step forward and help guide the future of outdoor hospitality. This year, five seats are open, with nominations officially opening Monday, May 4, and closing Thursday, May 28, at 5 p.m. EST.
Members of the OHI community may either self-nominate or submit a peer nomination on behalf of someone they believe would bring meaningful perspective to the board, OHI said. Nomination forms, details on the skills and perspectives sought by the current OHI board, candidate guidelines and FAQs are available at ohi.org/boardservice.
Ahead of this year’s cycle, the current OHI board completed a formal board assessment process that surfaced specific gaps in geography, representation and skillsets The board is particularly interested in candidates who bring park owner or operator experience from the western United States; represent small, family-owned or corporate parks; or come from the vendor and supplier community. The board is also seeking a mix of seasoned industry veterans and emerging young leaders.
On the skills side, preferred areas of expertise include financial acumen and nonprofit revenue strategy, organizational strategic planning, customer acquisition and retention, and a forward-thinking, vision-oriented approach that speaks to parks of all sizes. These are preferences, not requirements, and candidates who meet one or more of these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.
“This is one of the most direct ways someone in our industry can have a real say in where our organization is headed. We’re looking for people who care about this industry and want to be in the room where decisions are made,” said Paul Bambei, OHI’s president and CEO. “If that sounds like you, or someone you know, now is the time to step forward.”
Incoming board members will join at a pivotal time for the organization. Over the next three years, the OHI board will be focused on six strategic priorities: growing membership by clearly articulating the value of belonging to OHI; strengthening advocacy as a targeted, visible investment on behalf of the industry; innovating to evolve the organization with intention; steering long-term sustainability; deepening two-way engagement with members; and safeguarding strong governance and organizational leadership.
Nominations open May 4 and close May 28 at 5 p.m. EST. Vetting and direct candidate interviews will take place over the summer, with the ballot published August 12. Online voting for active OHI campground members opens Sept. 14 at noon ET and closes Oct. 1 at noon ET. Newly elected members will be announced to the OHI membership on Oct. 6, with the swearing-in ceremony taking place Nov. 11 at OHCE.
