Registrations to Virtual OHCE2020 Flirt with 2019’s Record Pace, Outpace 2018

Building on the success of last year’s record-setting Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) in Knoxville, the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) is excited to announce registrations for this year’s virtual OHCE are tracking at a similar pace.  

More than 220 attendees have registered for OHCE2020 since registration opened for the virtual conference in late July, which is more than 75% of the pace during the same period last year registering for OHCE2019. The current registration numbers are also pacing ahead of registrations for the 2018 event.  

OHCE2019 attracted a modern attendance record with more than 1,200 attendees and more than 60% of those registrations came in after Labor Day, so significant growth in registrations for this year’s show is still expected.  “Historically, more than half of OHCE registrations take place in the final six weeks before the event, a trend that we think will be even more pronounced this year without the need for flight and hotel plans,” says Horwitz. “The summer is typically so busy that we don’t see much of bump until things slow down for the parks, and this summer was certainly the craziest summer we’ve ever seen. The fact that we are close to last year’s numbers is a great sign as we anticipate a huge rush of registrations once park owners and operators have a moment to realize just how easy and affordable it is to attend this conference.” 

 Due to the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, ARVC made the difficult decision to find a state-of-the-art virtual platform with the technology and resources necessary to best replicate a typical OHCE. ARVC quickly pivoted and began reimagining the conference and new details continue to be finalized every day as interest in the event rapidly grows. 

“We are finalizing details like speakers, sessions, entertainment and more, and that is creating even more excitement around this event and allowing us to really push it to our members,” Horwitz says. “We’ve seen a recent rush to sign up and know that there are plenty of park owners and operators out there that will see the benefits of registering for the outdoor industry’s premier event.” 

One of the driving factors for OHCE registration this year has been cost savings passed on to attendees, as well as the opportunity to attend for free as part of the Hosted Buyer Program. Registration for ARVC members is just $199 for a full conference registration (single login) and Add-On logins for attendees from the same park are just $49. This price includes everything offered at OHCE, including the virtual Takeaway Tours which were an add-on cost of $299 last year. Decision makers can attend for free by registering as a Hosted Buyer and simply agreeing to meet with at least five participating exhibitors of their choice during the show. To learn more about becoming a Hosted Buyer, visit www.arvc.org/ohce. Over 30 scholarships are also available to cover the cost of registration for Add-On logins and young professionals (apply for scholarships here).  

“We know it has been a tough year for some in our industry, so we’ve done everything we can to recreate the same great OHCE experience of previous in-person events while passing on as much savings as possible,” Horwitz says. “Due to less overhead of an in-person event, attendees at OHCE2020 will get the same educational and networking opportunities and in the end, they will have more money in the budget to invest back into their park with our great exhibitors offering amazing ARVC member discounts. It’s a win-win.” 

ARVC’s Hosted Buyer Program is an industry first and has also generated a ton of interest, both from attendees and exhibitors, as it promises to save time and money for both parties while replicating the true one-on-one nature of the expo floor. 

“I’m really wanting to connect with suppliers who can help educate me in what we’re going to need and to possibly engage them as we proceed forward,” says Kelly Knight, president of Bergheim Campground, Inc., an ARVC member who is in the process of developing a 250-site resort-style RV park in central Texas has already registered and been accepted as a Hosted Buyer. “I wanted to become more educated, so I joined ARVC, and when the Hosted Buyer Program came along, I thought it was the perfect timing. It will be an efficient way to make those connections.” 

“It’s always nice to get something for free, but I’d be there anyway,” she says. “I guarantee we’ll do enough business with somebody to pick up the cost.” 

OHCE2020 is November 2-5, 2020 and registration is now open. ARVC members are offered significant discounts on registration, including the chance to attend for free as part of a new Hosted Buyer Program. To register for OHCE2020 and to learn more about the Hosted Buyer Program visit arvc.org/ohce.