b'INDUSTRY NEWSCampground Owners Hosts Amazing Expo in Branson ThosewhoattendedtheCamp- Andy Bs, which gave owners a chance ground Owners Expo in Branson, Mo.,to let loose with peers and tell crazy, at the end of November were anxious tofunny and heartwarming stories that see how the second annual event wouldhappened at their parks. fare after its inaugural show in 2021.A key aspect of the conference is the They werent disappointed.behind-the-scenes opportunities that Held from Nov. 30-Dec. 3, show co- allowedparkownerstogathernew foundersLoriSeverson,whoistheideas and learn how different types of owner of Severson & Associates andbusinesses operate. Attendees were able executive director of the Wisconsin As- to gather information from the staff at sociationofCampgroundOwners,Andy Bs as well as hear from the owners along with Bud Styer, owner of Budof the Five & Dime store in Branson, Styer Associates, made sure to includewhich has been family owned for over a variety of educational sessions dur- 60 years. ing the day along with plenty of breaksJeffRobertswastheconferences so attendees could explore Bransonskeynote speaker and he spoke on creat-nightlife.ing a mindset that helps owners avoid The conference was amazing, Sev- distractions, demands and other things erson said. The educational sessionsthat can pull focus away from priorities. were overflowing and we are hearing aThe Campground Owners Expo also lot of positive feedback. We had a lot ofheld an auction to benefit the Gilbert people who couldnt decide which ses- BrownFoundation,whichsupports sions to go to because they were allcharities like Care Camps, and hosted good.This years edition of the Campground Owners Expo featured more than 100 exhibitors. an awards ceremony to honor members We have created an event that isof the industry.light and fun, she added. AttendeesCoverraInsurance,UtilitySupplyOver 100 exhibitors also took part.The 2023 event will run from Nov. 29-can come and learn, but also have timeGroupandWoodallsCampgroundMark Koep, the founder of Camp- Dec. 2 in Branson. Severson has indi-to do other things.Magazine.ground Views and host of several pop- cated that the conference could move to Major sponsors of the event includedThe conference more than doubledularparkownerFacebookpagesa new location after the 2023 event but PlainsCraftCovered Wagons,Accessin size over its inaugural event, withincluding The Padded Room of Rantshas not confirmed anything.Parks, Blackhawk Bank, Campgroundsmorethan600attendees,includingand the RV Park/Campground OwnersTo learn more about the COE, go to forSale,CampgroundViews.com,owners/managersfromnearly200and Managers Operations & Marketingcampgroundownersexpo.com.Ben CommercialRecreationSpecialists,parks in 28 states.Forum, hosted a networking event atQuiggle WCMNew Jersey CampingPCOA Features Educational Workshops, Awards& RV Shows SetThePennsylvaniaCampground OwnersAssociation(PCOA)heldits to Return in 2023 59th Convention and Trade Show from Dec. 4-7 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Northeast Productions has announced Conference Center in State College, Pa. the return of two popular RV and campingJohn Formica, the Ex-Disney Guy, shows to be held in New Jersey.was this years keynote speaker. Formica TheNewJerseyCampgroundandkept the energy high as he was talking Outdoor Lodging Association (NJCOA) isabout, If Disney Ran Your Business a sponsor of these New Jersey shows.MakingTheExperienceMagical. Joann DelVescio, executive director ofFormica gave some insightful tips on NJCOA, stated that in years past thesehow to engage with todays campers were the two largest consumer-attendedand take the extra step to get them to camping and RV shows in New Jersey.feel like this was a memory worth re-TheGardenStateRV&Campingmembering, capturing and telling oth-Show was being held Jan. 20-22 at theers about. New Jersey Convention & ExpositionDuring PCOAs annual meeting and Center. This venue is the largest exhibitiondinner,PCOAofficialsrecappedthe space in Northern New Jersey and is lo- past year and discussed the 2023 direc-cated and accessible off I-95, New Jerseytory and how it was going to be distrib-Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway.uted. Officials, noting noted that the The Atlantic City RV & Camping Shownew pacamping.com website will be will be held March 10-12 at the Atlantic Citylaunching soon, spoke on social media Convention Center. This is the largest exhi- and website stats and more. bition space in Southern New Jersey and isDavid Basler, the National Associa-tion of RV Parks and Campgrounds located and accessible off Atlantic City Ex- (National ARVC) senior vice president ofJohn Formica gave an energetic keynote address at the PCOA convention. pressway and the Garden State Parkway.membership and marketing, hosted a The return of these major RV and camp- cracker barrel that focused on the ben- Family Campground ing consumer shows is a powerful market- efits of National ARVC membership.UniquePromotional ing tool for advertising and promoting newBasler spoke about National ARVCsPiece: Lake Raystown KOA RVs, camping-related products and serv- newbenefits,thenewGoCampingBestCampingPhoto: ices to thousands of customers in the mar- America.com website, National ARVCsDriftstone Campground ket, according to a press release.website, 20 Group offerings and more. Most Creative Activity: Exhibitors will recognize the advantageOverall, 17 workshops on a variety ofParadiseStreamFamily of one of the purest forms of advertising,topics were offered at this years con- CampgroundBeverlyGruberIndustrySpirit the release stated. There is no better wayvention. Best Website: Silver Canoe Camp- Award:Stephanie Vargas,Elizabeth-to attract new customers and renew rela- PCOA also held its annual auctiongroundtown/Hershey KOA tionshipswithformercustomersthanand raised a total of $11,067.50 for theTourismEmployeeoftheYear:On the trade show side, 66 booths meeting them face to face.association and its education founda- CarrieWolferman,CanyonCountryfeaturing a variety of products were on For information contact Joe Gonsalves,tion.Campgrounddisplay. Northeast Productions, PO Box 310848,Duringtheconvention,PCOA Community Involvement: HolidayThe 2023 PCOA convention is going to Newington,Conn.,06131;860-665- handed out its annual communicationPinesbe held Dec. 3-6 at the Kalahari Resort in 1582; [email protected] WCM awards. Best Social Media Marketing Post:the Poconos. The room rate will include BestBrochure:ParadiseStreamSilver Canoe Campgroundfour water park passes. WCMWOODALLSCM.comFebruary 2023 3'