ARVC Re-Imagines OHCE with New Education Session and Speaker Lineup

In response to member needs, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) has announced a new and improved education session and speaker lineup for the 2019 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE). The association’s annual conference will be highlighted by five new educational learning tracks taught in innovative formats by new expert voices. 

More than three quarters (75%) of the session topics are completely new and will be taught by a cast of new experts from inside and outside the outdoor hospitality industry. 

These educational innovations are a direct response to information collected after listening to members and attendees of OHCE 2018 through surveys and daily conversations. The feedback received clearly identified five key tracks—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. 

“Our members told us loud and clear they wanted new voices and content, and we are confident we did just that; created educational sessions and recruited speakers that will exceed their expectations,” says Paula Horwitz, ARVC’s executive director of education and events. 

The five new educational tracks are a highlight of the improvements, allowing attendees to focus on their preferred sessions depending on their career path and interests. 

“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. 

Horwitz specifically highlighted new topics and speakers in the Leadership and Business Management tracks that directly reflect the member voice. 

“We heard with great frequency from our members about the need for more education on leadership and communication,” she says. “Sessions such as ‘Acquiring Emotional Intelligence to Diffuse Tension’ and ‘Family Business Dynamics: Tips for Working Through Challenges’ will provide attendees the opportunities and learning they are asking for. 

Horwitz also says that ARVC has not only created new session tracks, but new formats as well. 

These new formats are evident in a number of ways—including an increase in the number of keynote-style sessions; interactive discussion sessions; panel sessions that will allow attendees to get all their questions answered; and a series of quick TED Talk-style sessions called “Campfire Sessions” taking place on the Expo Floor. 

The Campfire Sessions are quick, 20-min sessions allowing attendees to experience even more valuable education in between visits with exhibitors.  

“These shorter sessions are intended to give attendees quick takeaways on a variety of topics from ‘Marketing to Diverse Campers’ to ‘Tips for Making Your Website ADA Compliant’,” says Horwitz. “Attendees at OHCE will be learning about the hottest topics important to our industry. 

“Campground owners need to constantly adapt to be successful in an ever-changing industry and ARVC is answering the call. This year’s expert instructors, new topics and innovative session formats will keep pushing us all forward.” 

OHCE is a four-day event from Nov. 4-7 in Knoxville, Tenn. including more than 40 educational seminars, a trade show with more than 120 vendors, Takeaway Tours of local campgrounds, ARVC’s Awards of Excellence dinner and ARVC Foundation auction. Find out more information here: www.arvc.org/ohce