Thinking of skipping out on the online conferences this year? Think again. Participating in a virtual event like the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ (ARVC) Outdoor and Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) or the KOA Convention may be essential for your 2020 reboot. Here’s why:
- Awesome Information – Available at your fingertips. Don’t feel you can break away from work long enough to attend sessions? ARVC and KOA provide access to “Live classes” and as well as ways to login and download all class resources. Pick your favorites, schedule a few on your calendar and then return at your leisure to access the ARVC OHCE library or a KOA vendor created “on demand class”.
- Community Connections. Yes, you can call the campground owner you respect down the street with a question – but the point of a convention is to expose yourself to new ideas and people. All the education classes will have discussions afterwards where you will be exposed to new ideas and people. And while you never know how much a single great idea can help your business, we do know the value of connecting with others – socially and professionally. Attending virtually will help foster a sense of normalcy and connection. These are the first two campground conferences that are going to provide opportunities for face to face interaction. The conferences I have attended with this feature have been very helpful.
- Excellent Expos. The previews I have seen of the Expos for OHCE and KOA are awesome! These organizations have invested in some serious software to make the experience interactive and interesting. OHCE will provide you the ability to talk one on one with a vendor at a fireside chat and KOA has a 3D format that is sure the wow us all. And remember, your favorite vendors are no different from your downtown coffee shop – we depend on our campground community to succeed. Expect dynamic deals and fun giveaways from the Campground vendors at the Expo and enjoy the annual experience.
- Savvy Spending. Never attended before? This is your year to try out the conferences free of air and hotel expenses. Always wanted to bring staff, sign them up! You can afford it with the reduced virtual rates. When you think about what you can get for the money you spend and how flexible you can be with scheduling – it’s well worth it to sign up.
Marshall & Sterling sponsors OHCE Scholarships through the ARVC Foundation. To apply for a scholarship click here: www.arvc.org/ARVC-Foundation-Scholarship
- Involve the Younger Generation. Looking for ways to engage the younger generation in the campground? This is the perfect opportunity. Let them know you value their work in the business and their tech savvy. Reward them with attending the conference and require them to help you navigate the virtual show. Studies often show that those grew up without the internet like to be shown how to do computer related tasks. Assign a “Virtual Conference Guru” among your young leadership and let them show you around online. And enjoy the conferences together.
FIND MARSHALL & STERLING INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT in the Expo Halls and Educations Sessions:
ARVC OHCE Marshall & Sterling must-see classes:
- The Evolution of Camping in 2020 Lessons Learned from COVID-19
- Campground Insurance Trends – the Impact of COVID-19 and Recent Disasters
KOA Convention and Expo:
- Campground Insurance Trends – the Impact of COVID-19 and Recent Disaster
- On Demand: We Don’t Take Risks, We Manage Them: How Safe Campgrounds Get Great Rates
Business Insurance
Campground Hospitality