2025 KOA Convention Workshops

Tuesday, November 18 (10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)

Unlocking Group Sales: Growing Revenue in Outdoor Hospitality

Presenter: Kim Wootteon

Groups are one of the most underutilized opportunities in outdoor hospitality, yet they can bring in powerful new revenue streams. This workshop will introduce you to what qualifies as a group and why they matter, how to identify and reach potential group markets, and the key elements of successful group packages and pricing strategies. We will also discuss the operational considerations that come with hosting reunions, retreats, corporate events, and rallies, along with the tools and tactics that make marketing to these audiences effective. Whether you operate a small campground or a large resort, you will walk away prepared to create a group sales program that fits your scale and goals.

Trailblazing the Next Digital Frontier

Presenter: Cole Reinhardt

KOA.com continues to evolve to meet the needs of today’s campers and campground owners. In this session, we will explore what is ahead for our digital platforms, including early thinking around design, functionality, and future innovations. Whether it is about improving the guest booking experience, enhancing owner tools, or experimenting with new technologies, you will get a high-level look at what is next and how it could shape the future of your business.

Play that Pays: How Pools and Playgrounds Drive ROI

Presenter: Ryan Bergen

Looking to attract more families, increase guest satisfaction, and stand out in a competitive RV market? This session dives into the powerful role that pools, playgrounds, and recreation amenities play in shaping the modern campground experience. We will cover everything from design and safety considerations to budgeting, ROI, and maintenance best practices. With real-world examples and fresh ideas, you will discover how the right amenities can drive repeat business, extend guest stays, and add long-term value to your park.

Revenue Management 101: Fundamentals for Building a Smarter Rate Strategy

Presenters: Revenue Management Team

Building a rate strategy does not have to feel overwhelming. This session lays the groundwork for pricing success by covering how to create a strategic rate plan, apply Length of Stay (LOS) rules, and know when and how to use global discounts. We will walk through the K2 reports every operator should be using and how to put them to work. You will also hear from a panel of campground operators who have successfully applied these techniques and are ready to share what has worked for them.

K2 Past, Present and Future

Presenters: Michael Stuart & Nicole Geiger

K2 continues to grow right alongside your business. Hear highlights of new features like Quick Quote, K2 Texting, and Housekeeping, plus updates on integrations with Stripe including Dispute Handling, Airbnb, and QuickBooks Online. We will also share what is on the development roadmap and take time to hear your feedback. This is your opportunity to engage directly with the team leading the way forward.

Tuesday, November 18 (1:45 PM – 3:45 PM)

Reimagining the Campground Experience: Data-Driven Insights, Glamping Trends, and the Future of Outdoor Hospitality

Presenter: Jenny McCullough

As camping evolves, so do the needs, expectations, and behaviors of outdoor enthusiasts. This dynamic workshop dives into KOA’s latest research on traditional campers, RVers, and glampers. You will gain insights into camper persona data including demographics, motivations, and decision-making factors that influence today’s guests, from Gen Z adventurers to families with kids to luxury-seeking glampers. We will also look at the continued rise of glamping and how it is introducing new travelers to the outdoors. Finally, we will examine trends in outdoor recreation, guest satisfaction, and booking behaviors that help forecast what is next for the industry. Whether you want to expand your audience, invest in glamping accommodations, or refine your guest experience, this session will provide the insights you need to plan for a successful season.

Unlocking Growth: Introduction to Revenue & Marketing Managed Services

Presenter: Kim Wootteon

Running a franchise means wearing many hats, but maximizing revenue and building a strong, consistent marketing presence shouldn’t feel overwhelming. This workshop introduces you to KOA’s Revenue & Marketing Managed Services, designed to help franchisees like you drive more sales, improve local visibility, and strengthen brand consistency while freeing up your time to focus on operations and guest service. During this interactive session, you’ll learn: Marketing and Revenue Managed Services Overview. How our managed services streamline execution while ensuring alignment with the franchise brand. Real-world examples of how franchisees have boosted revenue and engagement through leveraging commercial strategies. Managed services pricing and how to sign up. By the end of the workshop, you’ll understand how leveraging these tools and strategies can reduce stress, improve efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities for your business.

Field-Tested QA Hacks: Collaborate with Brand Ambassadors & Peers to Boost Your Campground

Presenters: Greg Dunagan & BA Team

KOA’s Brand Ambassadors spend the year visiting campgrounds and seeing what works. In this collaborative session, they will share field-tested best practices that improve guest satisfaction and operations. Just as importantly, you will bring your own ideas to share with peers. The goal is for everyone to leave with new, practical strategies to apply in 2026.

Revenue Management 201: Making Dynamic Adjustments to Optimize Revenue

Presenters: Revenue Management Team

Once you have built a foundation, it is time to get more dynamic. This session explores how to fine-tune your revenue strategy using K2 reports and tools like the Rate Chart and Rate Overrides. We will also dig into competitor insights and system-wide trends to help you stay ahead of the market. Expect interactive exercises and small-group discussions to put these ideas into practice.

Easy Wins: Best Practices for Using AI Tools for Smarter, Faster Marketing

Presenter: Leah Quintal

You do not have to be a tech expert to start using AI in your marketing. This hands-on session shows how tools can help you write faster, generate ideas, and enhance descriptions of your pricing groups and amenities. You will also see how to repurpose long-form content into emails and social posts, research demand drivers, and position your park more effectively against competitors. The workshop includes best practices, live demos, and breakout exercises where you will test AI prompts in real time. You will walk away with practical tips and the confidence to start using AI to lighten your workload without losing your voice.

Wednesday, November 19 (10:15 AM – 11:45 AM)

Traditions, Trends and Trailblazing

Presenter: Stacey Campbell

Great campgrounds celebrate the traditions of camping while adapting to the latest trends in outdoor hospitality. In this session, we will look at how to design and evolve your park to honor history, embrace new expectations, and prepare for the campground of the future. You will also see the tools and resources KOA’s Campground Design Services team offers to support your long-term planning and investment decisions. Revenue and value don’t just happen, they are designed!

Maximizing Impact: Merchandising Strategies for Your Camp Store

Presenter: Kim Wootteon

Want to increase your store’s revenue and make it a highlight of the guest experience? This hands-on workshop explores the art and science of effective merchandising. We will cover how to use product placement and visual flow to guide guest behavior, create eye-catching displays that drive engagement, and introduce seasonal and thematic ideas that keep your store feeling fresh. You will also see how small details in display design can generate significant returns. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos or a floor plan of their current setup so we can workshop real-world solutions together.

Owning Multiple Campgrounds and Planning for Succession

Presenter: Larry Brownfield

Expanding from one campground to many comes with unique challenges and opportunities. This session introduces the business, operational, and strategic fundamentals of multi-location ownership. We will also look at succession planning strategies to ensure a smooth, intentional transition of ownership, leadership, or management whether to family or an outside buyer.

Revenue Management 301: Crafting an Expert-Level Strategy

Presenter: Emily Peck

This advanced session is designed for operators ready to master revenue management. Using your own campground’s data, you will learn to build a complete strategy that incorporates competitor analysis, system-wide trends, and dynamic adjustments. Through focused instruction and hands-on exercises, you will leave with a sharpened strategy built for your business.

Picture Perfect: Telling Your Campground’s Story Through Photos

Presenter: Micah Kvidt, Kvidt Creative

Your campground tells a visual story, make it count! In this interactive 90-minute session, we’ll discuss why good photos matter, and KOA-preferred photographer Micah Kvidt will guide you through the key elements of taking impactful photos. You’ll also learn about the KOA Photography Co-Op Program before testing your skills in a hands-on photo session at the convention center.

Wednesday, November 19 (1:30 PM – 2:45 PM)

Under the Tent: The Reality of Insurance in Outdoor Hospitality

Presenters: Leah Bright & Damian Petty, Leavitt Insurance

Insurance can be one of the most frustrating parts of running a campground. Confusing language, rising costs, and policies that do not always seem to fit the risks you face. This session offers a clear, honest look at what is really happening in the insurance world for outdoor hospitality businesses. You will hear insights from industry professionals, but more importantly, you will have the opportunity to ask your own questions and get straightforward answers. With a mix of structured discussion and live Q&A, this session is designed to help KOA owners walk away with a better understanding of today’s insurance challenges and a few practical ideas for navigating them.

Banking and Finance in Today’s Economy

Presenters: Chuck Celania, Alec Breding, Casey Cote, Debbie Callahan, Max Vogel, Independence Bank

What keeps you up at night? If it is banking and finance, this is the workshop for you! We will cover topics such as cash flow, interest rates, leveraging equity, restructurings and our unique Go-With-The-Flow loan program. This forum will cover these topics and more. Independence Bank invites you to join them in discussing the ever-changing economy and how it affects banking and finance.

Powering Payments: Stripe, QuickBooks & What’s Next

Presenter: Brian Elsmore

Managing payments is more than just processing transactions, it’s about creating a smooth experience for both guests and owners. In this session, we’ll share the latest updates to Stripe, explore new analytics tools, and highlight enhancements on the horizon. We’ll also cover integrations with QuickBooks and QuickBooks Online, plus discuss emerging opportunities like guest surcharging for credit card transactions. You’ll walk away with a clear view of where payment technology is headed and how these changes can streamline operations, improve reporting, and support smarter business decisions.

Keep it Flowing: Cutting Edge Solutions for Campground Plumbing Challenges

Presenter: Greg Starr

Roto-Rooter has had the opportunity to help countless KOA owners around the country to keep it flowing. We will share unique insights into our history with servicing campgrounds, present approaches to preventive care solutions to avoid catastrophic problems and provide a series of new and traditional solutions for aging lines. A live demonstration of newer, next generation no-dig solutions will show repair and relining options for existing water and drain lines that avoid property disruptions and downtime and keep campers happy.

2025–2026 Trends in RV Park Wi-Fi: How to Deliver What Guests Want and Gain 10% NOI

Presenter: Tim Rout, Access Parks

Today’s guests expect seamless connectivity, but what does that mean compared to just four years ago? In this fast-paced and practical session, we will explore real-world case studies from KOA campgrounds, unpack what separates good Wi-Fi systems from the rest, and examine why great performance is still rare. You will learn how to provision fiber-optic circuits anywhere in the U.S., when Starlink may or may not be the right choice, and how transparency around Wi-Fi performance can become a marketing advantage and even boost NOI. We will also unpack the different business models of Wi-Fi providers so you can make informed decisions for your campground’s future.