2023 CARVC Conference & Expo Agenda

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Embassy Suites by Hilton, Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, 9800 Queensway Blvd. Myrtle Beach, SC 29572

Saturday, February 4th

Take away tour registration

Pick Up & Return to Embassy Suites at 5:00 PM

07:30AM to 8:00 AM

Come EARLY to Myrtle Beach and tour 5 Myrtle Beach Campgrounds to “TAKE AWAY” ideas and information to implement at your campground -big or small.  The 2023 Take Away Tour will take place on Saturday February 4th, and the tour will include Ocean Lakes Family Campground, Myrtle Beach KOA, Myrtle Beach Travel Park, North Myrtle Beach RV Resort & Dry Dock Marina and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe’s. Lunch will be at Myrtle Beach Travel Park and Ice Cream at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe’s which will be included in the tour pricing. Transportation will be provided on a luxury coach bus, Seating will be limited so register NOW!

Happy Hour

Coastal Lounge/Complimentary Drinks/Light Snacks Included in Room Rate

5:30PM to 7:00 PM

Dinner Dutch Treat

Location TBD

7:00 PM

Sunday, February 5th

Registration / Drop off Auction Items

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

CARVC Board Meeting

Hampton (Carolinas)

01:00 PM to 4:30 PM

GARVC Board Meeting

Oxford (Georgia)

01:00PM to 4:30 PM

The Holy Grail of RV Park Construction Requirements & Standards – NFPA 1194

Michael Hobby/Area 4 ARVC Rep/Windsor A

01:00PM to 5:00 PM

Mike Hobby (Area 4 ARVC rep) will be presenting “The Holy Grail of RV Park Construction” – NFPA 1194. The NFPA 1194 is the Standards for Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds. This session will introduce the National Fire Protection Association’s Standards and its impact on the regulations for the RV Park and Campground Industry.

Topics include recommended practices on utilizing standards and strategies for working with authorities. Addressing code compliance for electrical installations, systems and equipment per NFPA 1194 and the National Electric Code. The session will focus on the general design criteria, public health and safety requirements and environmental health and sanitation requirements for RV Parks & Campgrounds.

If you are looking to expand or are building a campground, this is a class that you will not want to miss. This session will help you save time and money! Use it as your roadmap. This will be a 4-hour session and you will receive a NFPA 1194 booklet to take back to your campground.

Michael Hobby has been involved with ARVC for more than 13 years in a number of different leadership roles. Before his current position on the Board of Directors since 2014, he was previously on ARVC’s Board of Directors from 2007-2013. He is the Past Chair of the Board’s Governance Committee, was the Board of Directors Secretary and is currently the long standing Parliamentarian.

He also is currently on the ARVC Foundation Board, a role he has held since 2014 and is currently its Vice-Chairman.

He owns and operates two RV Parks, Moon landing RV Park & Marina (1995 to Current) and Lighthouse RV Park & Marina (2012 – Current), both located in South Carolina.

Michael is a founding Director of the Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CARVC) and was previously a Director and Treasurer of the South Carolina Campground Owners Association. In CARVC, he chairs the Legislative Committee and is responsible for two Lobbyist, SC and NC

The ARVC awards received are the Chairman’s Award in 2016 and the State Leadership Award in 2018.

Other key info:

Education

  • AA — Pierce College, Tacoma, Wash.
  • BA — Business, North Georgia College
  • Graduate work — Columbus College; College of Charleston; Webster University
  • Graduate of ARVC’s National Campground Management School, 2009

Leadership

  • Commissioned in 1983; Spent 21 years in the U.S. Army, Infantry, Retired
  • Laurens County Chamber of Commerce — 2013 – 2019
  • Laurens County Accommodations Tax Committee 2016 – Current, Chairman
  • The Past Director of Keep Greenwood County Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate

Family

Michael is the Father of 3 children with his late Wife of 38 years, Sela.

Guest Experience & The ADA

Kelly Jones / VP of Operations, Great Escapes / RV Resorts / Windsor B

03:00PM to 5:00 PM

Ensuring full access to your business and services is a great way to expand your customer base. There are approximately 56.7 million Americans with disabilities (roughly 18% of the population). In addition, people with disabilities have friends and family members who care about disability and accessibility and are potential customers. Individuals with disabilities have significant money to spend (more than $200 billion in discretionary income) and so do their companions and friends. An accessible business is also safer and more user-friendly for everyone, including older customers and aging baby boomers. We will focus on ways to ensure your guest service and policies are accommodating. This session will not be focusing on physical barriers.

Kelly is currently the Vice President of Operations for Great Escape RV Resorts where she oversees the RV Resort branch of The Jenkin’s Organization.  Prior to this position, Kelly served as the Vice President of Operations for Leisure Systems, Inc. (now Camp Jellystone) where she was responsible for the operational responsibilities including franchisee education, training, and assessments.

In addition to her tenure at LSI, Kelly has years of experience in the campground industry as both an owner and as a General Manager. She is a certified Outdoor Hospitality Executive, a Lifetime Certified Park Operator and a Certified Title 3 ADA Coordinator.  Today she shares her wealth of knowledge with others by serving as an instructor at multiple National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) events and conferences.

Kelly earned her BA from Bradley University.

Vendor Set Up

05:00PM to 10:00 PM

Attend the 2023 CARVC Conference and Expo on Monday February 6 to have the opportunity to promote your products and services to 3 states, NC, SC, Georgia, and potential new campground owners attending a Buyers Workshop!

Your 2023 CARVC Supplier membership will include a FREE Booth, lunch, and dinner on the Trade Show Day!

Not able to attend the Conference, become a 2023 CARVC Supplier Member and enjoy all the member benefits. Click Here!

Sunday Evening Welcome Reception

Entertainment by Walter Finley & April Dawn

05:00PM to 10:00 PM

Walter Finley has been dubbed The Troubadour. He’s a singer songwriter and guitarist from the Lake Norman area of NC , via New York City. His partner, April Dawn, is a NC native and also his musical partner. Carolina Country Music Association’s “ Duo of the Year”-Queen City Awards “ Male Country Artist” 2020 ( Walter Finley”) -T.S.S.A. “ Male Emerging Artist” 2021.

Walter is nominated for male country artist 2022 with the Queen City Awards, again this year.

Monday, February 6

Breakfast Buffet

07:00AM to 09:00AM

Vendor Set Up

08:00AM to NOON

Attend the 2023 CARVC Conference and Expo on Monday February 6 to have the opportunity to promote your products and services to 3 states, NC, SC, Georgia, and potential new campground owners attending a Buyers Workshop!

Your 2023 CARVC Supplier membership will include a FREE Booth, lunch, and dinner on the Trade Show Day!

Not able to attend the Conference, become a 2023 CARVC Supplier Member and enjoy all the member benefits. Click Here!

Registration / Drop off Auction Items

07:30AM to 09:00AM

Opening

Welcome & Introductions

09:00AM to 09:15AM

Buyers Workshop

Buyers Workshop hosted by Dick & Marilyn Deward from the Campground Connection

Dick comes from a background of 20 years serving the residential real estate market.  Along with his wife Marilyn, he operated a successful lakeside resort for 20 years as well as a Bed and Breakfast Inn. 

Quick to diagnose a disparity in commercial understanding of both valuations and appropriate marketing of Resorts, Campgrounds, and RV Parks, he began selling Campgrounds, RV Parks and Resorts exclusively in 2004 with another company, and later, along with Marilyn, launched their own national company. They opened The Campground Connection in 2009, after realizing the industry was ripe for a professional national company that did business differently, a company that would benefit both sellers and buyers.

Dick’s responsibility at The Campground Connection entails working exclusively with owners on their exit strategy; assistance in proper pricing using 8 distinct components; and servicing The Campground Connection sellers through the entire selling journey. 

09:00AM to 12:30AM

Opening Keynote Session

Industry Trends & Insights/Results of the North American Camping Report

Break

10:15AM to 10:30AM

Guest Policies & Park Rules

Kelly Jones/VP of Operations, Great Escapes RV Resorts/Windsor BC

10:30AM to 11:45AM

This interactive session will focus on sharing standard policies and rules in our industry and how they may benefit your property.   Be prepared to share your reservation, deposit, cancellation, and other policies. We will also discuss rules at the properties, so please bring yours to share.

Kelly is currently the Vice President of Operations for Great Escape RV Resorts where she oversees the RV Resort branch of The Jenkin’s Organization.  Prior to this position, Kelly served as the Vice President of Operations for Leisure Systems, Inc. (now Camp Jellystone) where she was responsible for the operational responsibilities including franchisee education, training, and assessments.

In addition to her tenure at LSI, Kelly has years of experience in the campground industry as both an owner and as a General Manager. She is a certified Outdoor Hospitality Executive, a Lifetime Certified Park Operator and a Certified Title 3 ADA Coordinator.  Today she shares her wealth of knowledge with others by serving as an instructor at multiple National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC) events and conferences.

Kelly earned her BA from Bradley University.

Break

11:45AM to 12:00PM

The Current State of the RV Industry

Travis Creech/President NCRVDA

12:00PM to 12:30PM

Travis will be giving insight into the current state of the RV Industry.  Travis will discuss  the outlook for the future of the RV Industry and the types of units that are currently popular in the RV Industry

Travis is the Operations Manager at Rex & Sons RVs in Wilmington NC. He is a certified Service Technician from RVIA RV Technical Institute and NC RV Dealers Association President BCRVDA 2021-2022.

Box Lunch

Introduction of Trade Show Vendors

12:30PM to 01:00PM

Trade Show

Visit all the vendors & have the opportunity for a prize

01:00PM to 05:00PM

Silent Auction

Hampton Foyer

01:00PM to 05:00PM

Evening Reception

Complimentary drinks and light appetizers included in room rate

05:30PM to 07:00PM

Dinner/Live Auction

Entertainment by Blackwater Band/Cash Bar

07:00PM to 09:00PM

The Blackwater Band is a high energy group of musicians from North Carolina bringing the best variety dance music in Beach Music, Country, Blues, Funk, and Top 40 hits full of Fun Live Entertainment. They are sure to get you up and dancing the night away! 

The Blackwater Band is dedicated to live performance and making every event a party experience. With the band members diverse backgrounds, they guarantee their patrons quality entertainment up and down the east coast.

Tuesday, February 7

Breakfast Buffet

07:00AM to 08:30AM

Annual Business Meeting

Board of Directors Elections

08:30AM to 09:30AM

Buyers Workshop

08:30AM to 03:30PM

ARVC Session

TBD

09:30AM to 10:00AM

Break

10:00AM to 10:15AM

What Digital Marketing Is & How it Applies to Campgrounds

Josh Richardson Digital Influence Agency

10:15AM to 11:15AM

Digital Marketing & How it Works is a basic explanation of the evolution of marketing from what it used to be to what it is today. We will review the customer’s journey and how it has changed with the introduction of technology. We will discuss what rules of legacy media still hold true in digital marketing and how they apply to the culture of today’s media. We will look at what makes a credible digital marketing agency and things to look for when choosing who to do business with. We will do all of this to train towards a better understanding of the space and allow the business owners that attend to make a more informed decision on what is right for them and their business.

Josh Richardson has made a career of marketing through identifying opportunities and helping his clients grow through effective communication. He has held several positions with national media groups managing the changing landscape of media and its transition from legacy products to the digital products of today. He is a leader in his field and a trendsetter in the marketing industry creating campaigns specific to his clients’ needs and setting the bar for how others in their industry do marketing. Josh is currently a parner/owner of his own firm – Influence Digital Agency LLC with two offices in North & South Carolina, Proud husband and father of 4 beautiful kids.

Break

11:15AM to 11:30AM

Marketing Your Camp Store

Michele Burbridge/Right Coast Creatives

11:30AM to 12:30PM

Lunch

12:30PM to 01:30PM

Update on Camping Carolinas Website

Brian McGuinn/Sepi Marketing

Tim Murphy/Emberglow Outdoor Resorts

01:00PM to 01:30PM

How to Teach Team Building

Hands on Session/Rebecca Murphy/ Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Daddy Joe’s

01:30PM to 02:30PM

This session will be a hands on training. Rebecca will walk attendees through how to teach team building by leading a team building session and teaching along the way.

Rebecca has been called the director of fun as she has worked in the camping industry since graduating high school mostly in the field of recreation. Her passion is to teach people to work together for a shared vision while having FUN! Rebecca has taught team building to her team, church groups, and the CDC at a local community college for several years. She is the recipient of Operator of the Year from Jellystone Parks™ and a graduate from the National School of RV Park and Campground Management.

Rebecca is a long-distance runner, lover of college basketball (Go Duke!). She enjoys helping with the children’s program at her church and leading Bible studies for ladies. She and her husband reside in Winter Garden, FL where she leads Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ at Daddy Joe’s remotely and plays at Disney every chance she gets.

Cracker Barrel/ Q & A/Conference Wrap Up

Here’s your opportunity to network One last time with fellow campground owners and operators. This is the time to Pick up one more great idea or ask questions before you leave.

02:30PM to 03:30PM

For those staying over/Evening Reception

05:30PM to 07:30PM

Dinner

07:00PM to TBA

Wednesday, February 8

Board of Directors Meeting

Hampton

09:00AM to 12:00PM

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