b'INDUSTRY NEWSState Associations Host In-Person Fall ConferencesState associations from New York toL-Park Alaska got back to business this fall, host-Secretary- Whitney Ward, Ed Allens ing in-person conferences and electingCampground & Cottages officers. Chairman- Ray Barker, Tall Pines Harbor Campground AshleyNettleton,Charlottesville KOARyan Porter, Picture Lake Camp-ground BrandyLarson,NewPointRV Resort Ohio Campground Owners Association The Ohio Campground Owners Asso-ciation(OCOA)helditsannualFallThe Campground Owners of New York inducted several individuals into its Hall of Fame and ConferenceandCampgroundTourannounced it had raised $211,000 for charity during its fall event. Credit: Jeff CriderfromOct.26-27basedoutofthe Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio.trustee has since resigned and was re- TheyjoinboardmembersScott Approximately86attendeesrepre- placed by Alex Burkett, also from theTurner,Ocean ViewCampingResort; senting 34 campgrounds were in at- Akron/Canton Jellystone. Jace Kandle, Lake Kandle Campground; tendance.Judy LaPorta, Little Oaks Campground Melinda Huntley, executive direc- and Dave Benn, Pomona RV Resort. tor of the Ohio Travel Association, ledNortheast Campground Association a group discussion on Creating Mem- After not being together since Sep-orableOutdoorExperiences.Lisatember 2019, seventy-four people from Courtney, director of sales and sup- twenty-five campgrounds representing port for Leisure Systems Inc., the fran- eight states, along with ten Northeast chisorofmorethan70YogiBearsNew Jersey Campground OwnersCampgroundAssociationbusiness JellystoneParkCamp-Resortsinand Outdoor Lodging Associationmembers,enjoyedtwodaysinand NorthAmerica,discussedStaffingThe New Jersey Campground OwnersaroundPlymouth,Mass.,onOct.13 Success. andOutdoorLodgingAssociationand 14. MatthewMacClaren,directorof(NJCOA) held its Fall Tour and GeneralThegroupenjoyedtoursofhost TourismOhio, discussed the Ohio. FindMembership meeting on Sept.28, accord- Sandy Pond Campground, along with It Here brand and the challenges anding to Joann DelVescio, NJCOAs execu- timeatBourneScenicPark,Auto-opportunitiesinthepost-pandemictive director.Camps Cape Cod location, the Cape world. The tour took place in the Greater At- Cod Canal Recreation Area and Cape OCOA President Jeff Hoffman, fromlantic City region of the state and in- Cod RV Resort. the Sandusky Bayshore KOA, presidedcluded visits to seven campgrounds inVirginia Campground AssociationThe next event for NCA will be the over the OCOA General Membershipthe region.More than 13 campgrounds and 14Northeast Conference on Camping & Meeting. There was quite a bit of excite- This years Fall Tour brought togethervendors took part in the Virginia Camp- Trade Show from March 17-19 at the ment surrounding OCOAs legislation over41individualcampgroundsground Associations (VCA) recent An- Southbridge Hotel & Conference Cen-House Bill 229which would protectthroughout the state and over 90 atten- nualMeetingandConference,whichter in Southbridge, Mass. Ohio campgrounds from frivolous law- dees consisting of campground ownerswrapped up Wednesday (Sept. 29) at the suits. The bill specifically would ensureandmanagers,alongwithassociateWilderness Presidential Resort in Spot-campgroundoperatorsareimmunemembers, said DelVescio.sylvania, Va. from liability if an injury or harm occursThe NJCOA also presented awards in aThe fall event included a tour of the from risk inherent to camping. variety of categories including Best Web- host park, Wilderness Presidential Resort, The Board of Trustees Election re- site, Best Event, Most Creative Activityalong with several educational sessions sults were reviewed and the followingand Best Camping Photo.and a tradeshow.Alaska Campground Owners Association began their newly elected/re-electedThe winners are as follows:We had a good turnout. Maybe a littleThe Alaska Campground Owners As-roles on the board on May 1, 2021: Best WebsiteWading Pines Camp- smaller than expected, but the speakerssociation(ACOA)helditsannualfall NickKaufmann,JellystoneParkating ResortShore Region. did a great job, and attendees were ableconference at the beginning of October, DogwoodValley(vicepresidentof Best EventBenjis Birthday Party to get some valuable information fromaccording to Shannon Miller, executive government relations); Erika Sheets,Kymers Camping ResortSkyland Re- the educational sessions, noted VCAsdirector of the association. Lazy River at Granville (vice presidentgion. Executive Director Emily Peck.The group had about 25 people in at-of public relations); Mistina Koppes, Most Creative ActivityHungry Hip- In 2022, Peck is planning to move thetendance with presentations from Dale Maple Lakes Campground (secretary);pos on the LakeSleepy Hollow Familyannual meeting back to the Spring, like itWest, from the Society for Asset Protec-Heidi Lockwood, Crystal Rock Camp- CampgroundGreater Atlantic City Re- was in 2019.tion on Dont Kill your Golden Gooseground (NW trustee); Sally Durnwald,gion. It seemed like a better time to host theHow Campground Owners Can Protect TallTimbersCampground(NW Best Camping PhotoLittle Oaksevent, she said. Most parks are not opentheir Business; an Alaska tourism up-trustee); Charles Knight, Camp San- CampgroundSouthern Shore Region. yet and the park owners have more en- date from Alaska Travel Industry Asso-dusky (NW alternate); Corey Smeltzer,Anelectionofofficersandboardergy and a desire to come to events likeciation President Sarah Leonard; and Sauder Village Campground (NW al- members was also held during the Fallthis.DeputyFireMarshallLloydNakano, ternate);JimMcGeorge,BigArbsTour.ReelectedforanothertermareThe location for the 2022 meeting haswith the Alaska Division of Fire & Life Campground (NE trustee); Barb Mc- Anita Pfefferkorn, Indian Rock RV Re- not been confirmed yet, but it will be heldSafety, who drove two hours to give a Clintock, Wally Word Riverside Resortsort, president; Justin Crane, Hospitalityfrom March 28-30.presentationonindustryregulations (NEtrustee);JamieHerron, WoodsCreekCampground,vicepresident;The VCA also held its annual boardthat the state is working on. TallTimberResort(NEalternate);ClaytonTaylor,CampTaylorCamp- elections, with a large number of boardDavid Basler, from the National Asso-Stephanie Wycoff, Cross Creek Camp- ground, treasurer; and Lisa Torella, Theseats welcoming new members. Below isciation of RV Parks and Campgrounds, ing Resort (central trustee); Sarah An- Great Divide Campground, secretary. a current list of board members:also provided a member benefits up-glin,LebanonCincinnatiKOA(SWThe following board members were President- Chris Jump, Anvil Camp- date. trustee); and Darren Rambo, Tomor- also re-elected: Matt Benn, Sea PirategroundMillersaidthataroundtablepro-rows Stars RV Resort (SW alternate).Campground;KarenKymer,Kymers Vice President- Becky Lang, Wilder- duced great conversations and was very David Clounie, Akron/Canton Jelly- Camping Resort and Randy Prisckett,ness Presidential Resortproductive. A dinner and auction helped stone, who was elected as NE districtSleepy Hollow Campground.Treasurer- Phil Upton, Holiday Trav- State Associations continued on page33WOODALLSCM.comDecember 2021 3'