The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI) gathered over 1,000 industry professionals at its 2024 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) in Oklahoma City, Nov. 4-6.
More than 160 exhibitors showcased products and services on the expo floor, while more than 50 speakers conducted educational sessions and networking events materialized throughout the event.
OHI Chief Strategy Officer David Bassler said, “We are proud to bring together such a passionate group of industry professionals, all committed to driving our field forward. We cannot wait to see how these connections and ideas shape the future of outdoor hospitality.”
Keynote speaker Vital Germaine kicked off the show by inviting attendees to enjoy the event and shared insights on creativity and resilience.
The three-day show recognized OHI’s partnerships with Spot2Nite booking platform and GoCampingAmerica.com, which provides tools and services for campground owners and consumers.
Participants attended networking events including campfire sessions grouped by campground size, “Camp OHI” Monday night reception, “Wednesday Night Fever” disco night and Campspot’s casino night. OHI Young Professionals and “O-hi!” Coffee Conversations groups met at the event. The association hosted puppy cuddling sessions.
On Nov. 5, OHI presented its Awards of Excellence at a luncheon Blue Water Development and Woodall’s Campground Magazine sponsored.
OHI’s awards are peer-reviewed and judged to identify industry members who are “constantly elevating standards through innovative, forward-thinking practices.”
The campground award winners include:
- OHI Park of the Year Winner (Small Park) TIE
- Aspen Grove RV Park, Tremonton, Utah
- Quilly’s Big Fish RV Park, Rockport, Texas
- OHI Park of the Year Winner (Medium Park)
- Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Columbus North, Mt Gilead, Ohio
- OHI Park of the Year Winner (Large) TIE
- Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Santee, California
- El Campo Lost Lagoon RV Resort, El Campo, Texas
- OHI Park of the Year Winner (Mega Park)
- Lakewood Camping Resort. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Plan-It Green Friendly Park of the Year Winner (Large/Mega Park)
- Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Santee, California
- Supplier of the Year Winner
- Newbook
- State Leadership Award Winner
- Dee Witting, Carolinas Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
- State Directory Award Winner
- New Jersey Campground Owners Association–Medium-Sized Association
- Maine Campground Owners Association– Large-Sized Association
- Campground Partner Award Winner
- Selena Kelly-Irvin, The Mill Casino Hotel and RV Park
- Unity Through Generosity Award Winner
- Jim Button
- Above and Beyond Award Winner
- Mark Maciha
- Stan Martin Award Winner
- Peter Brown
- Pioneer Award Winner
- Robert Bouse
- Chairman’s Awards Winner
- Peter Brown
- Kathy Palmeri
- Heather Rubenaker
- Outgoing Board Chair’s Award Winner
- Joe Moore
The conference concluded with a Year in Review and Year Ahead annual breakfast meeting where OHI President Paul Bambei and board members reported on the association’s financials and strategic vision. Eight new board members were sworn in.
OHI will gather industry members once again for its OHCE 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, Nov. 10-12.
