b'INDUSTRY NEWSEmerson Named COO of KOAs Franchise DivisionExpofrom page 3 sessions rang-over a dozen educational KampgroundsofAmericaInc.tive franchisees to ensure their ongo- ing in topics from developing a park, fi-(KOA) has hired Ann Emerson, formering business success through aggres- nancingissues,customerserviceand Good Sam vice president, as the chiefsive service and support. For the pastmore. operatingofficerofKOAfranchise.year, Emerson has been working withCOE handed out awards and held a Previously filling this role, KOAs DarinKOA as a sales and partnership con- smallauctiontobenefittheGilbert Uselman will transition to oversee thesultant.Brown Foundation. companys owned campground port- KOAsformerCOOofKOAfran- State executives in attendance were folioaschiefoperatingofficerofchise, Uselman, will transition into anawarded with an Executive Director Ap-Owned and Operated Assets of KOAexecutive position within OAK. As thepreciation Award, including Don Bennett (OAK), according to a press release.COO of the OAK division, Uselman willJr.,presidentandCEOoftheCamp-In her capacity as COO, Emerson willoversee the operations and develop- groundOwnersofNewYork;Jason oversee the staff, services and programsment of the companys growing port- Vaughn, executive director of the Penn-that support the organizations fran- folio of owned locations. Currently,sylvania Campground Owners Associa-chise operations. She and her staff willKOAownsmorethan40locationstion; Joann DelVescio, executive director work directly with current and prospec- across the U.S. and Canada. WCM Ann Emerson Darin Uselman of the New Jersey Campground Owners and Outdoor Lodging Association; Dee Witting, executive director of the Caroli-nas Association of RV Parks and Camp-PCOA Holds Annual Convention, Honors Grubergrounds; Larry Helms, executive director of the Missouri Association of RV Parks The 2021 Pennsylvania Campground Owners Associationees and gives virtual access, helping make hospitalization moreand Campgrounds and Mary Arlington (PCOA) Convention was held Dec. 5-8 at the Penn State Con- accessible to many.who represents associations in Kansas, ference Center Hotel in State College, Pa., with the theme,The association reported a successful out-of-state directoryColorado and South Dakota.Ready for Anything.distribution and TV campaign. The TV campaign totaled overOther awards included: The annual event, which is the highlight of the year for theone million impressions and over 630,0000 completed video Industry Pioneer Award: Bruce and association, was packed with informational workshops, inspi- views. The rate was among the highest in the state and the as- Andrea Bryant, of Legacy Parks rational speakers and opportunities to network for the repre- sociation was pleased to report that camping interest and di-Industry Leader Award: Scott Kol-sentativesof65campgroundsinattendance.Membersrectory interest is extremely high.lock, of Vista Royalle Campground in celebrated successes, shared ideas and recharged for the nextIt was also reported at the convention that PCOA was theBancroft, Wisc. camping season, officials said.first state association to complete a Destination Optimization Community Supporter Award: Eric PCOA had a very busy year and showcased several newCampaign for Google My Business. Fundamentals and maxi- and Nikki Jandro, of Great River Harbor member benefits and programs at the convention, including amizing exposure were the key elements of the campaign. EveryCampground in Alma, Wis. new partnership with The Towne Law Firm. The associationmember campgrounds website was evaluated by Miles MediaLegislativeAdvocateAward:Bob has arranged a Legal Services Plan to provide certain definedfor their Google profile.Weiss, of Wilderness Campground in legal services at reduced rates including a free one-half hourVaughan stated, We are pleased to be able to assume thisMontello, Wis. consultation annually. The firm is said to be very versed inundertaking and are looking forward to the benefits to both our Partner of the Year Award: Bud Styer, campground-specific law.members and to our state as a whole by increasing our Googleof Bud Styer Associates and Camping This year, PCOA teamed up with the PA Restaurant & Lodg- profiles.For The Fun Of It. ing Association (PRLA). PCOA membership now includes anOne of the highlights of the convention was the Happy TrailsJeff Slutsky, of Street Fighter Market-associate membership in PRLA. Included with this new part- Recognition Dinner. After 37 years at the helm of PCOA, Bev- ing, gave a keynote speech that focused nership is access to several hospitalization benefits. erly Gruber retired from the association in 2020. We wereon the idea of asking the right questions Hospitalization has certainly been something that we havehappy to be able to get together in person to honor Bevs con- and working to think about what cus-talked about and worked for over many years, noted Jasontributions,friendshipandsupportovertheyears,saidtomers really want versus just blindly spending money. Vaughan, PCOAs executive director. Teaming up with PRLAVaughan. Although she managed many associations duringFor information about COE and its and their national association will allow several different goodher career, PCOA was with her the longest and the primary as- December tradeshow, visit www.camp-options for our members from United Healthcare. Addition- sociation that she represented. Our members and our mem- groundownersassociation.comorcall ally, there is a TeleDoc option that is $9 per month for employ- bers families became part of her extended family. WCM 608-525-2323.Ben Quiggle WCMSun Outdoorsfrom page 3complementary addition to what they are trying to accomplish with short-term stays and providing vacation offerings to the consumer. Schutter said that it is an exciting time to be a part of the industry and that he is looking forward to growing more with Sun Outdoors. Its just such an exciting time to be part of the industry because everythings grow-ing, and I know Sun Outdoors has defi-nitely grown so much and theyre investing a lot. Its pretty exciting I guess from that perspective, to be involved with a company thats been investing and growing, and Im sure theyll be doing some good things, he noted. When you look at a lot of their op-erations within the Jellystone Park system, currently they are, by far, top-of-the-line parks offering well-rounded experiences for families, Schutter added. From that perspective, I am definitely looking forward to working with them and enhancing LSI and enhancing the Camp Jellystone product that we have. Overall, we are trying to provide as much as we can to our franchisees because ul-timately they are the ones that are going to help us move forward and continue to grow this system and provide the experi-ences that our guests are looking for.Ben Quiggle WCM6 February 2022Woodalls Campground Magazine'