The Outdoor Hospitality Industry (OHI) is shifting its business model to provide members with a choice on how they join the association.
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, OHI’s dues collection model will change, providing an option for members to directly join OHI, regardless of geographical location. The new model will grant members the choice of becoming members at the national level, state level or both levels.
OHI member campgrounds in non-partnering states pay dues directly to OHI. Those in partnering states pay state and national dues to their state associations. The state associations send dues to OHI.
The OHI Board of Directors voted on the new model Monday. OHI President and CEO Paul Bambei said planning for the new model started in 2022.
“Most importantly, we felt our members deserved a choice,” Bambei said. “We want to be able to prove the value of OHI membership and empower RV park and campground owners and operators to make the choice for themselves.”
Members who have already paid their dues for the 2024 calendar year with a state association will be in good standing through Dec. 31, 2024. For questions about membership status, OHI team can be reached at [email protected].
Jeff Hoffman, Ohio Campground Owners Association (OCOA) president Sandusky/Bayshore KOA owner and OHI Board of Directors treasurer said, “The strategy for OHI is to be more member-driven and our focus will be on making OHI a value-driven organization, offering members a great mix of benefits, advocacy and professional development. The model OHI had been operating under was not sustainable but this new model allows for a new freedom of choice for our members.”
With the upcoming changes, OHI updated its mission statement to emphasize its core values and reiterate that its main audience is RV parks and campgrounds.
The proposed mission statement is: “To empower RV parks, campgrounds and glamping businesses with the community, resources, professional development and legislative advocacy needed to ensure successful futures for all Outdoor Hospitality Industry businesses.”
“A lot has changed in 60 years, but one thing that has not is the core membership we serve,” Bambei said. “It has simply expanded. In a rapidly changing environment, we know it is important that the outdoor hospitality industry has a national organization positioned to represent it well into the future. We exist to serve our members and ensuring our core membership feels seen within that mission and vision is essential to us.”
