Record-Breaking OHCE2023 Expo ‘Reaffirms Premier Status’ – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News

Hosted in early November by OHI (formerly the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds), the 2023 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE2023) has concluded, leaving a lasting impression on the outdoor hospitality industry with record-breaking numbers and a wealth of valuable experiences for attendees. OHCE2023 transcended traditional conference boundaries with the variety and scope of events offered to attendees; this was truly a showcase of industry excellence, according to a release.

The success of the Expo was truly quantifiable, as revealed by exhibitors who eagerly shared their success stories in the post-event survey. The collective sales, reported by exhibitors and verified by a third-party research firm, surpassed an impressive milestone, totaling over $50 million in booked business at the show.

The collective sales total of this year’s Expo included sales of a few thousand dollars all the way up to multiple millions, but no matter the size, each purchase had one thing in common—OHI members looking to improve the camper experience.

“We had been involved in a year-long collaboration with Wizarding Works Design Group on an extensive plan for a water park including a pool, equipment, and even a large lazy river totaling over $3 million dollars,” said Amir Harpaz, owner of Harp Development and multiple OHI-member parks, who shared his enthusiastic perspective on the 2023 Expo emphasizing its unparalleled success as the best platform for deal-making. “We met at OHCE2022 in Orlando, collaborated extensively all year, and signed our deal with both of our teams present on the OHCE2023 Expo floor in Kansas City.”

This year’s Expo also showcased the largest number of exhibitors in OHCE history (175), including more than 30 park models and glamping accommodations. OHCE2023 was a pivotal platform for the launch of OHI, showcasing its members’ capacity to drive real economic impact within the industry.

Paul Bambei

“OHCE is the premier show in the outdoor hospitality industry, which is proved by the amount of business that was done on the Expo floor,” says Paul Bambei, OHI’s president and CEO. “It’s a testament to the buying power OHI members have. Our members are a diverse group—from small independently-owned, family campgrounds to corporate-owned mega parks and everything in between—and they all make purchases at the OHCE Expo that made up this year’s record-breaking number. We are going to continue to improve the show based on exhibitor and attendee feedback so that next year’s Expo in Oklahoma City is even better!”

OHCE2023 also broke the modern attendance record set last year in Orlando. With 1,245 attendees representing more than 1,600 outdoor hospitality businesses, this year’s show exceeded the previous record by almost 100 attendees.

David Basler

“It was the perfect show to announce the launch of OHI to an audience of so many OHI members and industry leaders,” says David Basler, OHI’s Chief Strategy Officer. “After a year of development that started with surveys and focus groups interviewing hundreds of members, to be able to share such a significant brand change with so many engaged members was an absolute thrill. From the moment we made the announcement, the buzz of excitement elevated the show.”

Throughout this record-breaking show, attendees were also immersed in a dynamic learning environment with dozens of breakout sessions and panels, from the “Future of the Industry” panel, which brought together industry thought leaders to examine where the future of outdoor hospitality is headed, to an examination of state and federal level policy affecting the industry at the advocacy panel.

The return of the Hosted Buyer Program, which offered special one-on-one meetings between attendees and exhibitors, no doubt contributed to the record-breaking Expo sales. The Takeaway Tours where attendees got to go behind the scenes and tour two local OHI member parks and ask all the important questions was also a huge hit.

And attendees hooped it up at the Slam Dunk Networking Reception held at the College Basketball Experience inside the T-Mobile Center and impersonated their favorite movie characters at A Night Among the Stars Networking Reception held at the Midland Theatre—making more new connections and friends than could have been anticipated. The fun didn’t stop, and it was all captured on camera. You can see all the fun on OHI’s Facebook page.

And yes, OHI is already planning all the ways to make OHCE2024 in Oklahoma City (Nov. 4-7, 2024) even better! Don’t want to miss out next year? Join the OHCE2024 VIP list here, ohi.org/event/ohce-2023/.

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/record-breaking-ohce2023-expo-reaffirms-premier-status/