November 7, 2024 – Tuesday, November 5th was an award-winning day for the Carolinas camping industry, as OHI, the national association for the outdoor hospitality industry announced the winners of its annual Awards of Excellence during a special luncheon in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  

The luncheon was part of OHI’s annual Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo®. Formerly known as the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, OHI is a member-driven organization that has been advancing the nation-wide outdoor hospitality industry for nearly 60 years.

Dee Witting, the executive director of the Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CARVC), was honored by OHI with the 2024 state leadership award, presented to the individual who has demonstrated commitment to their professional growth and contributed significant time and talent to their association and OHI.  

CARVC is a trade association that promotes the use, growth, and improvement of privately operated campgrounds and RV parks in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. The association boasts active memberships of 142 RV parks and campgrounds and over 70 industry suppliers.

Witting became CARVC’s executive director in 2016 after owning Murphy KOA in Murphy, NC for eight years. Reporting to CARVC’s board of directors, she is charged with carrying out the association’s mission and day-to-day operations including promoting camping in the Carolinas; member recruitment, retention, and education, governmental relations; and annual events such as the CARVC conference and expo.

In recent months, Witting has been helping campgrounds damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Helene connect with available resources and informing the public about their post-storm Carolinas camping options, with a goal of minimizing the economic hit faced by the campgrounds and the tourist destinations they support in North Carolina and South Carolina.

“I had no idea I was going to be receiving this award; I was so surprised!” Said Witting. “I am just very honored to be recognized for the work I’ve done to help CARVC move forward, but it takes a team. I couldn’t do it without our loyal members and incredibly dedicated and active board of directors.”

Upon hearing the news David Seaborn, owner of Myrtle Beach Travel Park and chairman of CARVC’s board of directors said, “I cannot express properly how proud the CARVC board is in Dee Witting for receiving this award at the OHI 2024 conference.  She is so deserving of this award. Dee works tirelessly for the CARVC membership, and we are all so honored to work with her! Congratulations Dee!”

For more information about CARVC and camping in the Carolinas, visit www.campingcarolinas.com.

Lakewood Camping Resort, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and a member of CARVC, was honored by OHI as 2024 Mega Park of the Year.

Lakewood Camping Resort was the first privately owned campground on the Grand Strand strip of Myrtle Beach oceanfront when it was opened in 1959 by founders Carl and Marion Perry. Today the year-round resort, owned by children and grandchildren of the original founders, boasts over 1,000 sites, a square-half mile of beachfront property, its own full-featured water park, indoor and outdoor pools, sports courts, a beachfront amphitheater, multiple on-site dining options, and numerous other amenities and activities.

Kevin Strickland, park manager at Lakewood Camping Resort, reacted, “This award is a testament to our team’s commitment to providing guests with a memorable experience. We’re truly honored to be recognized by leaders in the outdoor hospitality industry. It’s a privilege to be selected from so many exceptional resorts for this distinction.”

CARVC’s Seaborn also had glowing praise for the award-winning resort. “Lakewood Camping Resort, a member of CARVC, is so deserving of the Mega Park of the year award! Lakewood owners and staff are some of the most generous people I’ve met. Congratulations to Lakewood on a job well done!”

For more information about Lakewood Camping Resort, visit www.lakewoodcampground.com.

According to OHI (on its website), the OHI Awards of Excellence recognize the ‘best of the best” in the outdoor hospitality industry. The nominations are peer-reviewed and judged, with the winners constantly elevating standards through innovative, forward-thinking practices.

The awards serve as a platform to acknowledge and appreciate the exemplary efforts of individuals, businesses, and parks within the outdoor hospitality community. These awards encompass various categories, recognizing excellence in areas such as campground operations, customer service, marketing, innovation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. By honoring exceptional achievements, the OHI Awards of Excellence inspire the community to strive for greatness and continuously raise the bar in the industry.

For more information about OHI, visit www.ohi.org.

Pictured left to right: Blayne Perry, owner of Lakewood Camping Resort; Dee Witting, CARVC executive director; Cortney Mauldin, business operations manager and Kevin Strickland, manager of Lakewood Camping Resort. 

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The Carolinas Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (CARVC) is a trade association promoting the use, growth, and improvement of privately operated campgrounds and RV parks in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina.  For more information, visit www.campingcarolinas.com. 

About OHI: Formerly known as the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds, OHI is a member-driven organization that has been advancing the outdoor hospitality industry for nearly 60 years. More information is available at www.ohi.org.