Each year, at ARVC’s annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), four park owners take the stage to accept the prestigious ARVC Park of the Year award. One award is given in each of four park size categories: Small (0-100 sites), Medium (101-250 sites), Large (251-499 sites) and Mega (500 or more sites).

Each year, at ARVC’s annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), four park owners take the stage to accept the prestigious ARVC Park of the Year award. One award is given in each of four park size categories: Small (0-100 sites), Medium (101-250 sites), Large (251-499 sites) and Mega (500 or more sites).

The awards are given to recognize each park’s commitment to excellence. The nominated parks are evaluated by the judges based on criteria such as guest experience, customer service, marketing and industry involvement.

It’s an honor well worth pursuing. Just ask Gary Quigley, CPO, owner of ARVC member-park Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest in Harrisville, Pa. and four-time winner of the Park of the Year award:

“It has helped on many levels! It motivates our returning staff and new staff to try to continue to accomplish the goal of being the best possible campground that we can be as a team from both the service excellence side and making sure the facilities are always outstanding. They always want to try to win that award again!

“It has also been huge to be able to advertise it on both our brochures and website to generate interest in seeing what makes us a four-time winner of the most prestigious industry award. I also believe it has made some of our guests even more loyal being able to say they camp at THE four-time Park of the Year!”

Mike Gurevich, CPO, OHE, owner of ARVC member-park Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Md., is a three-time winner of the Park of the Year award.

“The Park of the Year award validates our operation with our employees, with our community, with other local businesses and with our decision makers,” he says. “As an achievement it is substantial. It confirms with people that we are among the best in what we do. It is great for employee morale, retention and recruiting. It also helps with our standing in the local community.

“As owners and decision makers, we use the Park of the Year award as motivation,” he adds. “The award pushes us not just to maintain the same level of facilities, amenities and services that allowed us to achieve it in the first place, but to improve our operation wherever possible. If we succeed in that, then the business will grow.”

So . . . could your park be the next winner? Here’s what you need to know:

Nominated parks must be current, active members of ARVC that have been in business for at least one year, and it’s perfectly acceptable to nominate your own park. The deadline for submitting nominations is August 31, but don’t wait until the last minute!

There are two things you can do to help make sure your nomination application is as strong as it can be:

  1. Be as descriptive as possible. For example, instead of simply stating that your park has a strong commitment to customer service, describe the specific training and programs you have put into place at your park to achieve that goal.
  2. Support your statements. Upload photos, videos and/or PDF documents that can really help bring your park to life for the judges.

In addition to the four Park of the Year awards, two Plan-it Green awards (small/medium and large/mega categories) are presented to ARVC member-parks that demonstrate a strong commitment to running a green park. A Supplier of the Year award is also presented to honor an industry partner that exemplifies excellence in product solutions, innovation, customer service and support.

Nomination forms for all categories are now available on arvc.org/awards. Good luck!