2025 CARVC Conference & Expo Agenda
2025 CARVC CONFERENCE & EXPO AGENDA
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FULL CONFERENCE AGENDA (Download Multi-Page PDF)
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS & BIOS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8
7:00-9:00 AM:
BREAKFAST BUFFET - Coastal Grill (Included in Room Rate).
8:30-9:00 AM:
RV TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TRAINING/ Add -on fees apply! Registration/ Ocean Lakes Family Campground- Activities Center, 6001 S Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach, SC 29575. TRANSPORTATION NOT PROVIDED.
9:00-5:00 PM:
RV TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TRAINING ($) / Hands on Session/ Includes Lunch, Break Snacks & Ocean Lakes Family Campground Tour. Not included in conference registration; pre-registration required.
5:30 – 7:00 PM:
EVENING RECEPTION- Embassy Suites Coastal Lounge. 2 Drink Tickets, Snacks (Included in Room Rate).
7:00 PM:
DINNER DUTCH TREAT- Black Drum Brewery/ Located at Embassy Suites Hotel.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9
6:30- 10:30 AM:
BREAKFAST BUFFET- Coastal Grill (Included in Room Rate).
9:30 AM:
CARVC BOARD MEETING- Pembroke.
11:30 - 5:00 PM:
REGISTRATION – Westminster Hall/ Drop off Auction Items.
12:00- 2:00 PM:
CPR Training Session ($). Not included in conference registration; pre-registration required. DARIN ALMOND / Pembroke
1:00-1:45 PM:
CREATING THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR WEBSITE TO BOOK MORE RESERVATIONS.
JAZMYN PACE / Influence Digital Agency/ Kensington G
Unlock the potential of your website by designing an engaging and user-friendly experience that converts visitors into bookings. Learn essential strategies for optimizing your website’s layout, enhancing navigation, and crafting compelling content that resonates with your target audience.
1:45-2:00 PM: BREAK
2:00 – 2:45 PM:
CAMPGROUND MARKETING.
JOSH RICHARDSON / Influence Digital Agency/ Kensington G
Find out what works in campground marketing to increase awareness of people booking from using terms like "Campgrounds near" to the name of your park! See vetted examples of what you can do to increase website traffic and ultimately booking for your campground.
2:45-3:00 PM: BREAK
3:00-3:45 PM:
WEBSITE REPORTING AND ANALYTICS, Kensington G
FELIKS YAMNIK, Owner, Passado Media
Conversions, Myths and Facts. Learn more about creating and tracking conversions. What they are and what they are not. How to understand what conversions are telling you and use that to grow your online presence, engagement, and bottom line.
3:45-4:00 PM: BREAK
4:00- 5:00 PM:
SESSION OHI & CARVC ADVOCACY PANEL / Kensington G
Moderator: David Basler, Chief Strategy Officer, OHI
The panel will feature first-hand accounts from campgrounds that have benefited from the efforts of OHI and CARVC. The panel will discuss how both parties’ efforts will persist into 2025.
CARVC & OHI “United for Success” in 2024 with a victory for the NC campgrounds and the entire campground industry with the passage of NC SB 166. This bill was enacted on 9/11/2024 and stated receptacles installed in recreational vehicle site equipment, ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection shall only be required for 125-volt, single-phase, 15 and 20-ampere receptacles.
Hurricane Helene came through the Carolinas, dropping historic amounts of rain and causing extensive damage to the western NC Mountains. OHI, CARVC and CARVC lobbyist Ed Hanes took immediate action to help the campgrounds by communicating with and actively gathering information from state and local agencies along with campgrounds receiving funds from the OHI Foundation Disaster Relief Grants.
5:30-10:00 PM:
- GRIDIRON GATHERING/ Watch the Big Game/ Drink Tickets included in Room Rate/ Embassy Suites Coastal Lounge
- 6:00 PM – GRIDIRON GATHERING FOOD PROVIDED BY CARVC, Coastal Lounge, Vista 1 & 2/ Embassy Suites
VENDORS: NO SET UP ON SUNDAY/ BE SURE TO ATTEND THE GRIDIRON GATHERING
VENDOR SET UP: MONDAY 7:30 AM-NOON/ Kensington ABC, Balmoral & Westminster Hall
MONDAY FEBRUARY 10
6:30-9:00 AM:
BREAKFAST BUFFET/ Included in room rate/Coastal Grill
7:30 AM-NOON:
VENDOR SETUP/ Kensington ABC, Balmoral & Westminster Hall
7:30 – NOON:
REGISTRATION- Drop Off Auction Items/ Westminster Hall
9:00-9:15 AM:
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS/ CARVC BOARD, Kensington G
9:15-10:15 AM:
KEYNOTE SESSION / Pt. 1, Kensington G
TRAIN THE TRAINER: TEAM BUILDING DYNAMICS / Pt. 1
KELLY JONES/ VP of Operations/ Great Escapes RV Resorts
Are you ready to elevate your facilitation skills and become a catalyst for transformative team dynamics? Join Kelly for an immersive Train the Trainer course on team building, where theory meets practice in an experimental learning environment. This hands-on workshop empowers you to effectively lead team building activities, dissect their underlying goals, and master the art of debriefing to solidify key messages. Engage in a series of dynamic team building exercises carefully selected to illustrate various aspects of teamwork, communication, trust, and problem solving.
10:15-10:30 AM: BREAK/ Coffee Provided
10:30- 11:15 AM:
MAKING DATA- DRIVEN DECISIONS, Kensington G
RACHEL GODBOUT / Advanced Outdoor Management
Data has become a powerful asset in modern business strategy.This session will explore how campgrounds can harness data-driven methodologies to make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and capitalize on emerging opportunities. Participants will gain practical knowledge on implementing data analytics frameworks and measuring success through metrics.
11:15-11:30 AM: BREAK
11:30-12:45 PM:
TRIVIA SESSION/ TRADE SHOW SPONSORS SPOTLIGHT/BOXED LUNCH
SUPPLIERS TRIVIA SESSION
BOBBY SORDEN/ Founder & CEO of Suppliers Spot
Suppliers Spotlight Trivia is an innovative game designed to spotlight the SHOW Sponsors in a fun and engaging way. This trivia game combines entertainment with effective supplier brand promotion. During each game, Bobby integrates questions and segments related to the SHOW Sponsors, highlighting their products and services. As participants answer trivia questions, they learn about the SHOW Sponsors in a natural and memorable context. This interactive approach not only increases brand visibility but also fosters a deeper connection between the suppliers and the audience, making Suppliers Spot Trivia a win-win for both entertainment and marketing. This session will promote our conference theme” Team Spirit: Uniting for Success”. Conference attendees will explore the dynamics of teamwork, collaboration, and effective communication drawing inspiration from the synergy seen in football teams. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!
12:45-5:00 PM:
- TRADE SHOW / Kensington ABC, Balmoral & Westminster Hall
- SILENT AUCTION/ Corner of Balmoral & Westminster Hallway
5:00 PM:
TRADE SHOW BREAKDOWN - Must be completed right after the Trade Show Ends.
5:30-7:00 PM:
- EVENING RECEPTION- Embassy Suites Coastal Lounge / 2 Drink Tickets and Snacks Included in Room Rate
- ENTERTAINMENT – Walter Finley & April Dawn
Walter Finley claimed his 3rd Consecutive Male Country Artist of the Year at the Queen City Awards. Walter & April were Duo of the Year at the Carolina Country Music Awards. You will not want to miss their very 1st co-written song “Lean To” that earned them a nomination for “Single of the Year." Book this duo to perform at your campground in 2025!
7:00-10:00 PM:
GAME DAY GALA/ DINNER/ LIVE AUCTION, CASH BAR/ ENTERTAINMENT/ Blackwater Band
The Blackwater Band is a high energy group of musicians from NC bringing the best variety dance music in Beach Music, Country Blues, Funk, and Top 40 hits full of live entertainment. Book This Band to Perform at your campground in 2025!
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 11
6:30 -9:00 AM:
BREAKFAST BUFFET- Coastal Grill (Included in Room Rate).
9:00-10:00 AM:
KEYNOTE ADDRESS, Kensington G
TRAIN THE TRAINER: TEAM BUILDING DYNAMICS / Pt. 2,
KELLY JONES/ VP of Operations/ Great Escapes RV Resorts
Explore the fundamentals of effective team dynamics and the role of team building activities in fostering collaboration and synergy. This session will be hands-on!
10:00-10:15 AM: BREAK
10:15- 11:15 AM:
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING/ Kensington G
All members/ nonmembers are welcome! Meet your CARVC Board, (2025 board elections will be taking place), Learn what CARVC accomplished in 2024 & the 2025 goals!
11:15- 11:30 AM: BREAK
BEYOND THE CAMPFIRE: INNOVATING COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE CAMPER RELATIONSHIPS, Kensington G
MARK KOEP/ Founder & CEO Campground Views
This presentation will delve into the evolving landscape of camper expectations and how RV Park owners can leverage innovative communication channels and engagement techniques to not only meet these expectations but exceed them. It will explore practical methods for creating memorable experiences, utilizing technology for personalized interactions, and building a community that keeps campers returning. The session will highlight the importance of feedback loops, loyalty programs, and the role of sustainability in fostering long-term camper relationships. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and creative ideas to turn first-time visitors into lifelong enthusiasts.
12:15-2:00 PM:
- LUNCH
- SESSION: APPROACH TO WATER AND ONSITE WASTEWATER NEEDS
Gary MacConnell/ MacConnell & Associates P.C.
Mike Stidham/ E-Z Treat Inc.
A viable water supply and wastewater alternative(s) are a necessity for a functional RV park. Because public sewer with a municipal wastewater system is often not available to existing or proposed RV parks, community wastewater systems are often the preferred option. Development of property for which a community system is under consideration offers unique challenges when compared with sites with sewer availability. The underlaying soils and site considerations hold the key with respect to how the property may be developed. These factors determine where treated wastewater may be disposed of and at what rate (gallons/day/area). Failure to initially consider these factors can result in lost time, lost money, and in some cases failure.A methodology is presented for evaluating properties considered for development which reduces risks and leads to success. Case studies are presented which show failures and successes. The goal is to provide the audience with a sequence of steps which lead to the efficient and optimal development of a RV park considering a community wastewater system.
Spend an extra night & enjoy your hotel located directly on the beach, waterpark, outdoor pool, tennis etc.
5:30- 7:00 PM:
EVENING RECEPTION- Embassy Suites Coastal Lounge 2 Drink Tickets, Snacks (Included in Room Rate)
7:00 PM:
DINNER/ FLYING FISH PUBLIC MARKET & GRILL/ group reservation
Don’t leave Myrtle Beach without having some of the best seafood in Myrtle Beach!
4744 Hwy 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12
9:00 AM:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING/ Pembroke