b'ARVC Draws Record Crowd to National Management SchoolTheNationalAssociationofRV and learning best practices from themParks and Campgrounds(ARVC) saw a and from hands-on experiences, likemodern-era record-breaking turnout touring award-winning parks.at its annual National School of RV Park Horwitz said that ARVC is continuing&CampgroundManagement,held to evolve the school into an event thatFeb. 24-27 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. fits the needs and schedules of all own-Paula Horwitz, ARVCs executive direc- ers, operators and managers.torofeducationandevents,told The summer version of the schoolWoodallsCampgroundManagement was discontinued in 2018 after ARVC re-(WCM) that 85 individuals participated in ceived feedback from owners that it was-this years school. Sixty-two students were nt a good time of year to host a school,in the year one track, while the remaining given that most are busy at their parks.23 took part in the year two track. Weve chosen to focus on creating aIn year one of the program, students workshop for prospective owners, andlearn about key trends in the industry, the inaugural event is this May, ex-managementprinciplesandmuch plainedHorwitz.Withthestrongmore to earn their Outdoor Hospitality growth our industry is seeing right now,Management (OHM)certificate.Stu- we are noticing a great deal of interestdents who return for year two focus on Attendees at ARVCs National School of RV Park & Campground Management took part in a number in this type of workshop. People lookingdeepening their understanding of the of collaborative exercises, while furthering their knowledge of the outdoor hospitality industry.to build an outdoor hospitality businessindustry through critical analysis and of any kind will find this workshop ex-the application of best practices as they Camping Resort to tour its facilities. keytosuccess,sheexplained. The tremely valuable and were hoping toearn their Outdoor Hospitality Profes- Lakewood was named the 2019 Mega more we know about how to run a suc- expand it to more than just once persional(OHP) certificate. Park of the Year by ARVC. cessful business the better the experi- year in the future.A great deal of learning is done in the Students met with the parks owners enceforeveryoneespeciallyour The prospective campground own-classroom,butitisenhancedwhen and operators and learned some valu- customers. When our campers have a ers workshop is set to take place fromboth groups come together throughout able information that they can use at great experience, they come back for May4-6attheEmbassySuitesbythe event for numerous activities to re- their parks, said Horwitz. more and that is great for our industry. Hilton in Colorado Springs, Colo. Theinforce concepts of leadership, manage- Horwitz said that the school is impor- Thevalueofattendingismulti- event includes three days of classes, dis-ment, project management and even tant to the outdoor hospitality industry as faceted, Horwitz added. There is value cussions and park tours geared to pre-American with Disabilities Act (ADA) a whole because it helps build a knowl- in the classroomlearning how to pare individuals for park ownership. Toprinciples, explained Horwitz. edge base of how to legally and safely op- legally and safely operate an RV park or learnmoreabouttheworkshoporShe told WCM that at the end of this erateacampground,whilecreating campgroundand there is value out- ARVCs National School of RV Park &yearsclassroomsessionsthetwo memorable experiences for campers. side the classroomnetworking with CampgroundManagement,gotogroups traveled to nearby Lakewood Knowledge, in any industry, is the other owners, operators and managers arvc.org.Ben QuiggleWCMJon Burek Joins Leisure Systems Inc. as Executive Vice PresidentMilford, Ohio-based Leisure Systems began his career at Executive Jet Manage- and frameworks, is the best of both worlds.Inc. (LSI), the franchisor of more than 75 ment and progressed from dispatcher to sen- Im very excited to join Leisure SystemsYogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts ior vice president of Charter Services during and become part of the Jellystone Park Camp-in North America, has named Jon Burekas his 18-year tenure. He ultimately led a team Resorts team, said Burek. After meeting theits executive vice president. of more than 40 individuals based in multiple talented team at LSI, its easy to see why theBurek will initially oversee all operational cities across the United States and had profit Jellystone Park brand has been so successfulaspects at LSI, including training and edu- and loss responsibility for one of the com- for so long. Im looking forward to meeting thecation of Jellystone Park franchisees, and panys largest business units. Jellystone Park franchisees and forging rela-will eventually assume oversight of day-to- Immediately prior to joining LSI, Burek tionships with them and with others through-day activities, Trent Hershenson, LSIs vice served as vice president of operations at out the outdoor hospitality industry.presidentofmarketing,toldWoodalls Mikes Carwash, a chain with more than 25 The hiring comes on the heels of LSI an-Campground Management (WCM). locations in three states. He led a team of nouncing three additional parks will be join-Burek also will work with LSI Chief Exec- more than 500 employees across a variety of ing the system. RER Ventures LLC throughutive Rob Schutteron key strategic planning functional areas including operations, main- RER Lake Huron LLC recently purchased a We have other owners that have fourinitiatives. Burek succeeds Dean Crawford, tenance, safety and training. He improved campgroundandfranchiseinNorthPort orfiveparksnow,notedHershenson.who retired last month after nearly three quality and customer service, while also re- Huron, Mich., and is converting it to a Jelly- And weve been approached by more anddecades at LSI. ducing costs, explained Hershenson. stone Park. The location will open in April. more people with ties to real estate com-This is just part of realizing that one day Hes very excited about meeting people Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Northgate Re- panies who are looking, not just at an initialdown the road Rob will be ready to retire within the industry and our franchisees, ex- sorts, the brands largest franchisee, is con- location, but want to bring in several overand pass on leadership at LSI and Jon will plained Hershenson. I think just having differ- verting its campgrounds in Milton and Glen, the next a year or two, so thats exciting.certainly be one of the key candidates for ent viewpoints, as far as a mix of people from N.H., to Jellystone Park locations, which will Jellystone Park also just reported itsthat position, said Hershenson. within the campground sector and some with open in May. Northgate Resorts now oper- 12th consecutive year of record systemBurek,aCincinnati,Ohio,resident, other experiences and bringing in different skills ates 11 Jellystone Park locations. sales.Ben QuiggleWCMCONY to Host Three Spring Zone Meetings Beginning in Late AprilThe Campground Owners of New versions of CONYs annual Fall Expo- This year the event will be held in meeting materials.York(CONY) will hold one-day Spring sition. The events kick off the upcom- the following locations: Vendors are welcome to the tradeZone Meetings April 21, 22, and 23 in ingcampingseasonbyprovidingaApril 21, DoubleTree by Hilton, show at one, two or all three locations.various locations around New York, ac- forum for business operators to strive Schenectady Vending space includes a six-foot tablecording to CONY officials. for success. Each one-day meeting (re- April22,HiltonGardenInn, and two chairs. A limited number ofMembers and associate members of peated in each location) offers educa- Auburn vending spaces are available.CONY, as well as nonmember camp- tional and information sessions fromApril 23, Batavia Downs Gaming Registration is $75 per location forgroundsandvendors,andpeople industryexperts,andaminitrade and Hotel, Batavia CONY associate members and $100looking to build or buy campgrounds, show with vendors dedicated to the Campgroundoperators,man- per location for nonmembers. To joinare invited to attend a one-day meet- outdoor hospitality industry. agers and staff, as well as people in- CONYandtakeadvantageoftheing in their area. CONY holds this event each spring terestedinbuyingorbuildinga member rate, visit campcony.com/be-Complete details and registration in eastern, central and western New campground, are invited to attend come-a-member.links are located at campcony.com/ York State as a means to connect with at a location nearest them. Registra- Formoreinformation,contactcony-zone-meetings. itsmembersintheirneckofthe tion is $30 per person and includes CONY at (585) 586-4360 or info@ny-The meetings are set up as one-day woods.continentalbreakfast,lunchand campgrounds.com. WCMWOODALLSCM.com April 2020-3'