ARVC Adds Seven New Speakers to Lineup, Finalizes Session Schedule for OHCE2020

In preparation for the virtual 2020 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is announcing its final slate of speakers and education sessions, adding to an already robust lineup of that will feature more than 30 industry experts and leaders prepared to help campground owners and operators succeed in 2021.  

These group of innovative and experienced speakers will lead learning sessions during OHCE that build off the educational innovations introduced last year and offer expanded learning opportunities to take advantage of the virtual platform for OHCE2020. Continued conversations with members and attendees of past OHCEs has guided the direction for this year’s education sessions. 

Speakers added to this year’s lineup are: Mark Aragona, president of Wizard Works Products; Ron D. Beard, of Ron D. Beard & Associates.; Marley Behnke, OHP, director of franchisee education at Leisure Systems, Inc.; Larry Brownfield, OHE, director of franchise development at Kampgrounds of America, Inc.; Wade Elliott, founder and owner of Utility Supply Group; Kelly Jones, CPO, OHE vice president of operations for The Jenkins Organization Inc.; and Todd Sabo, president of NewBook’s North American division. 

“This latest group of speakers rounds out a fantastic lineup of education sessions. We have a great mix of new and experienced industry voices this year that will provide value to every attendee, no matter where they are in their campground career,” says Paula Horwitz, ARVC’s executive director of education and events. “We’ve kept some of the best speakers and sessions that knocked it out of the park at last year’s OHCE, while finding some brand–new voices that will take attendee learning to the next level.” 

More than three quarters (75%) of the session topics this year will be completely new and will be taught by a cast of new and familiar experts from inside and outside the outdoor hospitality industry. OHCE2020 education sessions feature topics ranging from marketing insights to insurance tips and legal issues to how COVID has and will continue to impact our industry. 

To register for OHCE2020 before early bird pricing expires on October 12, visit www.arvc.org/OHCE. 

OHCE2020 will be the most accessible ever, as attendees can tune in to all sessions and event via any internet capable device, including computers, tablets and mobile phones. All sessions will be available live and will be recorded for viewing in the ARVC portal following the event, so attendees won’t have to miss a moment even if other commitments arise. 

“While there will be a set schedule and multiple sessions at once, attendees will have access to recordings of all sessions for the life of their ARVC membership, so they can watch every sessions, and watch replays if they wish to return to a compelling session,” says Horwitz. “You’re completely in control of how and where you tune in – you aren’t tied to a computer all day. You can start the day watching at your computer in your office, pause to go take care of some business at your park, then catch back up on your phone or tablet afterwards in your house.”  

The association’s annual conference will again be highlighted by its five core educational learning tracks taught in innovative formats by new and familiar expert voices. The five learning tracks are: Brand Management; Business Management and Practices; Human Resources; Professionalism and Leadership; and Site and Facility Management. By organizing sessions into these tracks, ARVC has created the opportunity for attendees to streamline their learning experience to meet their unique needs.  

Each registered attendee will be able to secure Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) by completing post session assessments.  

The five educational tracks allow attendees to focus on their preferred sessions depending on their career path and interests, but due to the virtual nature of this year’s OHCE, attendees can easily tune in on-demand to sessions they missed during or after OHCE. 

“We reimagined this year’s education tracks to allow our attendees to easily customize their learning path during the conference, and after, by attending the sessions that best fit their needs, whether that is sticking with one track or picking a variety of sessions to attend across the board,” says Horwitz. 

There will be more than 25 sessions in total this year and each will be recorded and available through ARVC’s virtual platform during the event and for 30 days after, at which point all ARVC members will be able to access the event content through their ARVC member profiles for the life of their membership. Learn more about this second slate of speakers and sessions, including session details, speaker biographies, schedule of events and learning tracks here: OHCE Sessions and Speaker Information 

OHCE2020 is November 2-5, 2020 and registration is open. Full conference registration is currently $199 (and $49 each for add-on registration for additional park employees), but the rates will go up to $299 ($59 for add-ons) on October 13.  

Are you a decision maker who plans on meeting with exhibitors at the OHCE2020 Expo? You can apply to attend the event for FREE! Just visit www.arvc.org/OHCE and register as a “Hosted Buyer”. No purchase is required to participate. 

ARVC also recently announced it will be continuing its popular Takeaway Tours in the virtual format at OHCE2020. Hosted by longtime ARVC member and four-time ARVC Park of the Year Award winner Gary Quigley of Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest, attendees will enjoy tours of three parks followed by an interactive Q+A with the park owners. For more information on this year’s Takeaway Tours, visit www.arvc.org/OHCE-takeawaytours.