The RV Industry Association recently convened a meeting of select leaders from the RV and campground industries to discuss how they could more closely work together to significantly improve consumers’ camping and RVing experiences. The meeting, held outside Denver, was a kick-off for future discussion, and provided a forum where attendees shared ideas on opportunities and challenges, and thoughts on how the group can work together more effectively.
Attendees included:
- Paul Bambei, president and CEO, National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC)
- Bobby Cornwell, president and CEO, Florida & Alabama RV Park & Campground Association
- Nick DiBella, senior vice president of operations and sales, Sun RV Resorts
- Amir Harpaz, CEO, Harp Development
- Al Johnson, ARVC Past Chairman and operator, Mt. Rushmore/Hill City KOA
- Dyana Kelley, CEO and president, CampCalNow
- Michael Moore, general manager, Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO)
- Steve Mulvaney, moderator
- Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO, KOA
- Jeff Rutherford, president and CEO, Airxcel and chairman, RV Industry Association
- Lori Severson, executive director, Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO)
- Matt Zimmerman, group manager, THOR Industries, and chairman, RV Industry Association Campground Task Force
RV Industry Association Staff:
- Craig Kirby, president and CEO, RVIA
- Jay Landers, vice president of government affairs, RVIA
- Bill Baker, senior director of membership and research, RVIA
- Chris Bornemann, director of government affairs, RVIA
“More people than ever before are enjoying all the benefits that RV travel and camping provide,” said RV Industry Association President and CEO Craig Kirby. “Creating an outstanding campground experience for them is central to our continued growth and a priority for our industry organizations and members. This meeting started the process to identify immediate areas where we can work to do this and establish a strong foundation for continued progress.”
Over the past several years, there has been a sizeable influx of new campers and RVers, each bringing new and different expectations for the outdoor experience. The group agreed they need to learn more about these new consumers, as well as what opportunities and resources were available in the marketplace. The group discussed how the overall size and scope of the campground ecosystem is not clearly defined, and that the RV Industry Association has partnered with CHM Government Services to field the industry’s largest ever campground study. The study will examine the campground inventory and facilities available at private campgrounds as well as public campgrounds at the federal, state, and local level.
“This meeting kickstarted engaging conversations on how we can work as partners on the crucial issues that impact all of us,” said ARVC’s Bambei. “I’m excited and optimistic about what can be accomplished.”