OHCE 2019 Attendees and Vendors Flock to Successful Expo

The 140 booths at the Expo included several park models, alternative spaces, wagons and interactive booths that offered products, solutions and services to the 937 attendees. The Expo floor was busy during both days it was open, kicking off with a packed Expo Welcome Reception on Nov. 6 and continuing all day on Nov. 7. 

“The energy was contagious on the floor during the show, as booths were busy and deals were happening everywhere you looked,” said ARVC President and CEO Paul Bambei. “We were thrilled at the quality and quantity of vendors that joined us, and our members were eager to do business with them.” 

Vendors were also pleased with the environment on the Expo floor, especially at getting the chance to interact with such a high number of park owners and operators. 

“ARVC’s OHCE2019 was an excellent investment for us. We met decision makers from quality parks and had a steady flow of booth traffic. The Expo connects Marshall & Sterling to best in class campgrounds, RV parks and resorts,” says Irene Jones, program development manager for Marshall and Sterling Insurance. 

ARVC worked to create more ways for customers, including the Solution Spotter Gamecard, which encouraged Expo attendees to visit booths to interact for a chance to win fabulous prizes, and a Reservation Management Panel that took place during the education portion of the event, designed to give those interested a chance to get familiar with a number of exhibiting companies at once. 

“We wanted to make sure Expo visitors had the chance to get as much information about each vendor as possible, but to present it in fun and interactive ways,” says David Basler, ARVC vice president of membership and marketing. “The more facetime vendors and attendees get, the more likely they are to make a connection and find a way to come to a mutually-beneficial deal.” 

The Expo floor featured several additional perks to entertain attendees, including interactive Campfire Sessions featuring 20-min “Ted-Talk”–style seminars, puppy cuddling, food and beverage services and networking lounges.  

“The goal was to provide amenities so those visiting the Expo could relax and recharge, so that it wasn’t only focused on business,” says Basler. “Having a moment to think, a place to sit and learn or relax can be the spark needed to help make those critical decisions for your park. We wanted to make sure the attendees and buyers were in their comfort zone.” 

OHCE is a four-day event held annually by ARVC. This year’s event in Knoxville, Tenn. included more than 40 educational seminars, a trade show with more than 140 vendors, Takeaway Tours of three local ARVC-member campgrounds, ARVC’s Awards of Excellence dinner and ARVC Foundation auction. OHCE2020 will take place in Daytona Beach, Fla. From Nov. 2-5, 2020.  

For more information about OHCE or to register for OHCE2020, visit arvc.org/OHCE.