CalOHA’s CEO Kelley Explores Recent OHI Changes in Column – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
EDITOR’S NOTE: Dyana Kelly, president and CEO of the California Outdoor Hospitality Association, penned the following editorial for this week’s association newsletter. It is republished here by permission.
One of the first things I noticed coming into the RV park/campground industry six years ago was how fractured it was. RVIA was doing their thing with manufacturers, the dealers association (CalRVDA) didn’t need anyone, Kampgrounds of America was working their franchises, and the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC) just seemed to be in their own world.
I kept thinking that we would be so much stronger if we were all on the same page or at least in the same book. Lately, there has been a movement by RVIA, CalRVDA and KOA to partner with the state associations to work towards a future where we are better together.
At a time when others in the industry are pulling together, the national association, now known as OHI, has chosen to sever ties with the state associations and allow parks to join outside of their relationship with their state associations. OHI is also making a bold move away from the standard membership of RV parks and campgrounds by partnering with Hipcamp and allowing non-permitted parks, dispersed campgrounds and possibly even backpacking locations (as indicated by their release video) into membership.
I congratulate OHI on its rebranding. This industry needs a facelift. The last five years have seen a greater shift in “camping” than in decades before. Campers have changed, accommodations have changed and the experience of camping has changed. We have a saying in the association world — If you don’t grow you die. OHI is taking steps to expand its brand. That is never a bad thing, but this naming convention?
California has not been an affiliated state since 2017 and many remember a time when the national association took legal action against the California association (known then as CalARVC) regarding the naming convention stating, “confusion for park members.”
In an interesting turn of events, we find ourselves with the roles reversed. In 2021, the California association rebranded as the California Outdoor Hospitality Association. This past fall ARVC rebranded as OHI — Outdoor Hospitality Industry.
After consulting with legal counsel, it was determined that an opposing action could hold up their trademark application. We could go to court and likely win but who would this serve? Is there confusion, YES. A number of parks have called to inquire about an invoice they received recently from “CalOHA” when it was actually a well-disguised invoice from OHI. In spite of this, California is choosing to move forward with our goal of creating unity. Fighting legal battles within our own industry will serve no one.
While I wish they had taken a different path, I again applaud OHI on their rebranding. Releasing the affiliated state associations from their burden of collecting OHI dues is a blessing in disguise. The state associations have been held hostage by OHI for far too long. It is a good time for them to stand on their own, create their own programs and maybe even rebrand. It is really the state associations that do all the work and have all the power to make a difference. There is a shift happening within our industry. I see it. I feel it. What does the future of industry associations look like? Much is unknown but there is that saying about rising tides lifting all boats.
We ARE better and stronger together and California is taking a stand for UNITY! Please join me in creating a bolder, stronger outdoor hospitality industry.
See you on the road.
Dyana
