The new Hosted Buyer Program set to debut at ARVC’s virtual 2020 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) is generating excitement among attendees and exhibitors, ARVC said in a press release. Attendees participating in the Hosted Buyer Program will be able to connect directly with exhibitors offering the products and services that interest them and, at the same time, get their registration for free.
This feature of OHCE2020 will bring qualified decision makers and exhibitors together through pre-scheduled video meetings at the virtual Expo. Campground owners, operators and general managers who are interested in becoming Hosted Buyers can apply while registering for OHCE. The process takes about five minutes, ARVC said.
One hosted buyer will be accepted per park, and those who are accepted and attend a minimum of five pre-scheduled video meetings with exhibitors at the OHCE2020 virtual Expo will have their registration fees refunded.
Kelly Knight, president of Bergheim Campground, an ARVC member who is in the process of developing a 250-site resort-style RV park in central Texas, has already registered and been accepted as a hosted buyer. She says the application process was easy and that she’s excited about the opportunity to connect with participating exhibitors.
“I’m really wanting to connect with suppliers who can help educate me in what we’re going to need and to possibly engage them as we proceed forward,” Knight said. “I wanted to become more educated, so I joined ARVC, and when the Hosted Buyer Program came along, I thought it was the perfect timing. I’m hoping it will be an efficient way to make those connections.”
Knight said she is interested in meeting with suppliers that provide a variety of operational products and services for the RV park industry, including electrical services, park models, online reservations systems and other technology.
Steve Bledsoe, global strategic account manager for ARVC Member Benefit Provider Club Car, is a supplier who will be participating in the virtual Expo at OHCE2020. Club Car is the world’s largest manufacturer of small-wheel, zero-emissions electric vehicles. Club Car offers an exclusive member discount to ARVC members, up to 25 percent off MSRP select models (to lease or own). He says the virtual expo and the Hosted Buyer Program will give attendees an easy way to learn what exhibitors have to offer.
“We’re all there for the same exact reason,” he said. “Though we’re there selling, we are also there to make attendees’ lives better, their jobs easier and their offerings more enticing for the campers.”
A recent survey shows that 90 percent of OHCE attendees purchase from exhibitors at the Expo or within six months of the show.
OHCE2020 is Nov. 2-5, 2020, and registration open now. To register as a Hosted Buyer, attendees may click on the Hosted Buyer option during the registration process to take full advantage of what the virtual expo at OHCE2020 will have to offer. Those interested in reserving a spot as an exhibitor or sponsor may contact Gary Headrick or call 303-681-0401 x 130.
