COMPLETE LIST OF SPEAKERS AND BIOS FORTHCOMING (last updated 7/8/24)

BACK TO CONFERENCE HOMEPAGE
CONFERENCE AGENDA (Webpage)

DARIN ALMOND (CPR Certification)

Rachel Godbout, COO of Advanced Outdoor Management, spearheads internal teams and collaborates directly with clients to ensure their investments are expertly managed. Her leadership has been instrumental in implementing company programs that foster employee growth and retention, promote community involvement, and refine operational practices for heightened efficiency.

With a robust background in Hospitality, Rachel leverages her expertise to identify growth opportunities and implement advanced business strategies. Notably, she played a pivotal role alongside the Marriott Headquarters team in launching the second-ever off-branded Residence Inn in Bethany Beach, Delaware, achieving an impressive 2.1 million OTB (on-the-books) revenue at the property's opening. She also provided operational guidance for setting up three additional Marriott New Builds along the DelMarVa coast.

Rachel's strategic focus includes leveraging cutting-edge technology to elevate guest experiences while managing operational costs effectively. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master's degree in Marketing Systems from The Florida Institute of Technology, and a Certificate in
Organizational Leadership from Harvard University. Her certifications include Event Planning and CRM Implementation, and she is recognized as a community service leader and a national speaker at RV Industry events across the country.

Kelly Jones 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 events and conferences.

Kelly earned her BA from Bradley University.

Mark Koep is the Founder and CEO of Campground Views a company that has developed a proprietary industry leading Campground Virtual Tour technology available for over 2,000 RV parks and campgrounds across North America. He is also the administrator of the largest and most engaged group of owners and operators on a Facebook Group, sought after thought leader and consultant who has generated over $50M in new revenue for client outdoor hospitality businesses. Mark holds a MBA from Pepperdine's Graziadio School of Business and, with his family, spent 12 years as a fulltime RVer visiting over 5,000 campgrounds and RV parks across the country. Not only does Mark present to owners and operators but he is also a sought-after speaker for consumer events including being ranked the #1 presenter at the annual Escapees rally. His mission is to get more people to camp more often.

Gary MacConnell is a registered engineer in five states and is President of both MacConnell and Associates, PC and Green Global Technologies. He has a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College and three masters’ degrees from Duke University. He has over 40 years of experience in engineering and specializes in onsite wastewater. He has presented over 70 presentations and papers, both nationally and internationally.

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 partner/owner of his own firm - Influence Digital Agency LLC with two offices in North & South Carolina, Proud husband, and father of 4 beautiful kids.

Jazmyn Pace with Influence Digital Agency is a vision-driven professional specializing in SEO, website design, and social media management. She has transformed digital strategies for high-profile businesses, including Fraport AG at Frankfurt Airport and ERA Real Estate. Jasmyn excels in creating engaging social media campaigns, designing user-friendly websites, and implementing effective SEO strategies. Her expertise in digital marketing, branding, and client service management, combined with a hands-on leadership style, consistently delivers exceptional results. Jasmyn's innovative approach and proven track record make her an invaluable asset for clients seeking to enhance their digital presence.

Bobby Sorden is a seasoned business and marketing consultant with 25 years of expertise in digital marketing, SEO, AI marketing, and video marketing. With over 15 years of experience as a business and marketing instructor, Bobby has imparted his extensive knowledge to countless students and professionals. He is also the owner of a successful DJ & MC business, where he has distinguished himself by hosting trivia for large corporate events and local pubs & grills. Beyond his marketing and entertainment ventures, Bobby is an avid camper and RVer, passionately involved in the outdoor hospitality industry. For the past few years, he has worked closely with park owners, staff, and industry suppliers, blending his love for the outdoors with his professional acumen. Now, he has launched the new platform Suppliers Spot, designed for park owners and staff to locate suppliers and for suppliers to showcase their products and services. Suppliers Spot also serves as a marketplace where park owners and staff can buy and sell items for their parks.

Mike Stidham (Approach to Water and Onsite Wastewater Needs)

Feliks Yamnik is the owner of Passado Media. He has 15 years in media, from sales to management to operations to training. Feliks built products from the ground up, trained 2,000 sales reps across the world, managed $6 million annually in Google search across virtually every industry, and even won a few awards. His specialty is in Google and Facebook/Instagram paid advertising, the two digital channels most used by business owners.