News Archives
Jenkins Org. Continues Rapid Growth in Park’s Sector
Ricky Jenkins spent three decades building The Jenkins Organization (TJO) into a powerhouse in the self-storage business. His Houston, Texas-based company currently owns 30 self-storage properties and manages 70 others with operations in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri,...
Emily Peck Offers Younger Viewpoint, Growing VCA
Jeff Sims grew up working at Compton Ridge Campground, his family’s campground in Branson, Mo., and gained so much experience that he was elected president of the Missouri Campground Owners Association at the tender age of 19. Ten years later, the association hired...Some Snowbird Parks Still Seeing High-Levels of Traffic
While Sunbelt park operators have been bracing for a major downturn in business this winter with the continued closing of the Canadian border and continuing concerns about the pandemic, business levels have remained strong at many parks that cater to snowbirds. Across...
Kristy Smith’s Lobbying Background Helps Boost OCOA
Kristy Smith, the longtime executive director of the Ohio Campground Owners Association (OCOA), is a government relations pro who was trained by Carolyn Towner, one of Ohio’s first female lobbyists. “Carolyn Towner taught me the ropes of lobbying. She was a great...
Jellystone Officials Highlight Strong Year to Franchisees
Campgrounds in the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort franchise network generated more revenue in 2020 than they did last year despite a decline in camper nights. Camper nights were down 6.5% through September because many locations were unexpectedly closed...
La. Campgrounds Cleaning Up After Hurricane Zeta
Private park operators in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama say they are busy cleaning up fallen and missing fences, broken tree limbs and making other repairs after Zeta hit the Gulf Coast earlier this week just 1 mile per hour short of a Category 3 hurricane. But...Key People: Lori Severson Leads WACO, Operates Park
Years before she was hired as CEO of the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners (WACO), Lori Severson had developed a successful career as a motivational speaker. Her clients ranged from small Midwestern manufacturers to the Walt Disney Company. Her topics...Alaska Parks Tackle COVID, ACOA Looks Toward 2021
Many people get into the private park business relatively late in life, often after they have spent decades in other professions. Jeff and Laura Saxe were in their 30’s when they started building Eagles Rest RV Park in Valdez, Alaska, in 1991. “It was my...
La. RV Parks in Recovery Mode After Hurricane Laura
Hurricane Laura left a path of destruction in its wake as it swept through Lake Charles, La., early Thursday (Aug. 27). But several campground and RV park operators in Lake Charles and neighboring communities said they were still able and willing to accommodate...
Cornwell Uses Experience to Guide Fla., Ala. Groups
Like his fellow campground association managers across the country, Bobby Cornwell has had his hands full this year as president and CEO of the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds and Alabama Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (Florida and Alabama...