The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI)’s Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) wrapped up last week after delivering three days of remarkable networking, learning and celebration. Held in Oklahoma City from November 4-6, OHCE2024 was the best yet, the organization said, attracting over 1,000 industry professionals, more than 160 exhibitors and 50+ industry-leading speakers, creating a powerful platform for growth and connection.
Recognized as a “Top 50” trade show by Trade Show Magazine, OHCE2024 lived up to its reputation with a focus on possibility-driven professional development and community building. Attendees gathered to explore products and services on the expo floor, attend education sessions and build valuable connections across the Outdoor Hospitality Industry.
OHCE2024 packed the schedule with events tailored for everyone. Attendees networked at various meetups, including campfire sessions grouped by park size, and connected at the memorable evening receptions: Camp OHI on Monday night and an a “Wednesday Night Fever” disco night, where the conference closed out in style. Awards were presented to outstanding parks and industry leaders on Tuesday, celebrating excellence across the industry.
Highlights from this year’s conference included a keynote from Vital Germaine, who invited attendees to kick off with some fun by donning clown noses as he shared insights on creativity and resilience. The expo floor was filled with cutting-edge technology and fresh ideas showcasing the industry’s future, while expert-led panels gave attendees actionable insights to elevate their businesses.
This year’s event was especially memorable for its community gathering events, OHI said. OHI Young Professionals gathered for their annual meeting, furthering their industry involvement, while in-person “O-hi!” Coffee Conversations each morning allowed attendees to network over breakfast. The Newbook & OHI second annual Outdoor Hospitality Innovators Summit (OHIS) brought together industry changemakers, while puppy cuddling sessions added some fluffy joy to the expo floor.
“OHCE2024 has been a truly exceptional experience for the entire outdoor hospitality community,” said David Basler, chief strategy officer of OHI. “We’re proud to bring together such a passionate group of industry professionals, all committed to driving our field forward. We can’t wait to see how these connections and ideas shape the future of outdoor hospitality.”
OHCE2024 also celebrated exciting partnerships and announcements. OHI joined forces with Spot2Nite to unveil the new GoCampingAmerica.com website, now featuring even more tools and services for campers and park owners alike. Campspot hosted attendees with a casino night and unveiled exciting updates, adding to the packed lineup of announcements. Hosted Buyer attendees enjoyed personalized meetings with exhibitors on the expo floor to explore ways to enhance their businesses.
As the conference closed, OHI hosted its Year in Review & the Year Ahead Annual Breakfast Meeting, where attendees heard from OHI President & CEO Paul Bambei and board members on the OHI’s financials and strategic vision for the year to come. Eight new board members were also sworn in during this meeting after their election by the OHI membership in early October.
With such a successful gathering in Oklahoma City, OHI said it is already looking forward to next year, which will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 10-12, 2025.
