We can tell you all day long how great we think our show is, but you probably want to hear it from your peers! Take a look at what past attendees have to say! See below for testimonials from both campground owners, as well as exhibitor attendees!
CAMPGROUND OWNER ATTENDEES:
I attended the first expo in December of 2021 in Branson, MO. I was brand new to the business. I had never camped a day in my life. Yet found myself in the perfect situation to develop a campground on a farm I had bought in 2019 on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky. I came to your conference completely ignorant and left 100% prepared to hit the ground running and develop my campground. We opened in April of 2022 and were sold out from day one. We are on season three now, and are about to expand, putting in 20 to 30 more sites.
As a business developer, your expo gave me the tools and knowledge I needed to develop, build and manage my paradise. We are invested less than $500k and got an offer last week to sell for $3,000,000. In three years time, we’ve paid our debt down to $380k.
We’re not selling. We love what we do. But I wanted to reach out and thank you. The people we met and education we received set us up for success. I went from the cleaning industry during Covid to campground owner. Selling my other businesses, and when everyone else was struggling, our family became millionaires.
I’ve assisted four other families to build campgrounds in the last two years, using what I learned at the expo. Now, a total of five if you include mine.
Thanks for everything!
Dora Miles, Cumberland Miles Campground & RV Park located in Russell Springs, KY
We are new to the campground industry, and we are building our campground from scratch. We had no idea what we are doing and had many unanswered questions. The expo not only provided the answers we were seeking it also reassured us that the choices and decisions we have been making were correct and we are on the right path of seeing our dream come to life. We will definitely be returning to next year’s show, not only to learn more for ourselves but to share our knowledge and experience with anyone else that might see themselves in our same situation.
Michael F.
This is our 2nd time attending COE and we recommend it for all campground owners, regardless of your size and years of experience. The knowledge, mentorship and relationships that we have gained at COE has been invaluable. To be successful in any business, you need to take time to debrief with others on the challenges and triumphs of the year. The sessions and the networking at COE helps gives us a broader perspective on the industry and helps us to plan projects and new approaches for the upcoming year. Lori and her team have done an excellent job at creating a warm, positive and inclusive environment. COE brings together a group of very friendly and helpful people. Thank you for hosting these events!
Stephanie G.
Being my first time attending the show, I came back with a wealth of knowledge that I took back with me. I’m currently implementing what I have learned at this expo on my campground. I have already shared about next years expo on my campgrounds Facebook page and encouraged neighboring campground owners about it.
Ken S.
This Expo is priceless! You will walk away with new ideas, new friends & new ways to improve your business. What more could you ask for out of $200?!?!
Michelle W.
This show hits all the necessities for an annual event for campground owners and managers: education, expo for supplies and ideas, and networking with others. I anticipate attending year after year!
Anonymous
Networking with other campgrounds is the most important and vital part of running our business. Whether new, old, or innovative ideas, there are great park owners and vendors that are willing to share their experiences and ideas. The Beauty of COE is that it does allow time to network with others and cracker barrel at any moment’s notice without feeling overwhelmed with information. It is still for the “Ma and Pa’s” that want to improve their park, to stay in know, and still be innovative but hold true to their values.
Jamie R.
We built our park from scratch and opened in 2022. We have attended the COE for the past two years. There is not a better environment for park owners to learn, share, and network.
Dan H.
It was WONDERFUL to have a National Campground Owners Expo that was affordable and educational with an AMAZING tradeshow full of pertinent vendors that clearly Love this industry. Due to physical issues I hadn’t been to a national conference in at least 6 years and Really missed it. Thanks to All for your support and hard work!!
Joan H.
Cannot be missed! The speakers are top flight and the EXPO is perfect for owners to see the newest ideas. DO NOT MISS IT!
Jack K.
We are future campground owners and learned so much at this event. We were able to network with owners from all over the country. The classes were informative and the expo was super helpful. Our favorite part was hearing the interjections from owners throughout the week. Thank you COE for such great exposure to this industry and network of hospitality entrepreneurs!
Glaser
This expo is a great opportunity to interact with fellow campgrounds and supplier industry representatives. It is far superior to other meetings and expos I have attended and I always leave with new ideas and information. The Expo is a valuable tool for anyone in the campground industry.
Don S.
Like drinking water from a firehose!! The wealth of knowledge that the speakers bring is invaluable to the formation of a campground. The trade show is one of the best that I have every attended promoting at least 95% of what any campground owner needs
Bud P.
The Expo is worth the time and money. Classes are very informative and instructors very knowledgeable. The connections with other campground owners so special!
Lynn G.
3 years in a row and definitely the best value for my entire campground staff
Anonymous
Great networking opportunity, with very informative information!!
Jamie H.
This was my first time to attend. I’m a new park owner(18 months) and have been to both an ARVC and a CARV conference. I highly recommend this event for the education classes/networking. I would say this conference would help the majority of us campground owners that AREN’T a mega park, which I assume we are the majority of campgrounds in the US.
Darin B.
We are a 3rd generation campground in the Rockies. This is by far the best and most educational convention we have ever been apart of. The networking opportunities alone are priceless.
Mitch G.
The COE convention is so affordable and fun in a beautiful location! A relaxing and exciting atmosphere to be in!!
Jill C.
The Campground Owners Expo is a well run, well formatted educational and networking opportunity. The expo is well worth the cost to attend and provides very good value for the money. There is a wide range of campground owners and operators in attendance from a significant number of states and Canada. The Branson, MO location is small enough to easily experience Branson yet large enough to provide dinning and entertainment options. This is a great conference and I will be back.
Don S.
This was our first time at the COE and it exceeded our expectations. We met campground owners from parks of all sizes and from many different states. The sessions were very informative and the networking was a lot of fun. The venue was really beautiful, centrally located with lots of shopping, restaurants and things to do for the whole family. We will definitely be attending next year
Anonymous
If you have not attended COE yet, you and your team are missing out. We attended year 2 & 3 and can’t wait to go back for year 4! The COE team is absolutely amazing and knocked it out of the park on the schedule, seminars, expo, etc. The hotel is beautiful and in a great location with shopping/dining just a short walk away. Congratulations to the COE team on another successful show and keep up the great work!
Tiffany P.
We have attended two COE’s and always feel like it’s a good opportunity to connect and learn from others.
John and Karen B.
EXHIBITOR ATTENDEES:
Best show I attended of the 4 big ones in the camping industry I attended this fall of 2024. Focus on vendor satisfaction is paying off for this show. Focus on industry state executives is paramount at this event, I like to see that! Education aspect not pulling trade show traffic away is also appreciated here. Some shows have so much going on during the expo, you never see an owner because they are too busy shuffling between seminars, ZERO issue with that here at COE!
Marvin Aga, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance
I think this is now one of the premier Camp shows to attend. I liked the fact that there were many new campgrounds we have not seen before and that they came from all over the country. I think this show will develop more in time, job well done Lori and staff.
Con Elfes, Original Jumping Pillows
We look forward to COE each year. Danielle, Lori and the team do a great job. The venue is beautiful and great to bring the family to. Every vendor should be here.
Mark Koep, CampgroundViews.com
From a vendor standpoint, the location is GREAT! Unloading, setup and tear down is easy. The Branson convention center staff are super nice and easy to work with. The show is very well attended and organized. The two Hilton Hotel choices are very nice and reasonably priced with the show discount. The Branson landing area is just a nice place to hang around after the show.
Bruce Webster, Lynkris Patio Furniture, Inc.
Very well organized and well attended event. The positive feedback I was hearing from both campground attendees and tradeshow exhibitors was great. This is the best “national” show and I would recommend others to attend.
Eric Haun, Coverra Insurance Services, Inc.
I am very grateful to have been a part of the 2023 COE event. It was my first time attending, speaking, and having a booth at this event. I was blown away by the amount of communication and the ways they offer to support those who are exhibitors at the event. It is held at a beautiful location in a place I had yet to visit and was very happy to be able to attend and explore while there.
Heidi Meckley, Heidi Meckley Coaching
We can’t recommend the Campground Owners Expo in Branson enough for vendors. It’s an incredible chance to connect with campground owners from various states. The event is well planned an executed, and being in Branson adds a delightful touch. We’ve found the mix of networking and family fun in this lively town to be a winning combination for us every time we attend. We look forward to coming back year after year.
Heather Gere, CampersApp
The Missouri Campground Show is a great venue. A good bunch of down to earth people and very well planned.
Gina Wilch, Play Design Scapes
Great Expo in a fun and festive location!
Jennifer Pixton, Farmtastic Fun
The Campground Owners Expo is a good concept as it brings in the heart of our business family campgrounds. Most of the other shows seem to be attracting more the corporate buyer which is OK but many time not the decision makers.
Original Jumping Pillows
I was impressed with the quality of interest our business at the Campground Owners Expo. We were swamped at times with potential clients who wanted to hear how our product worked and could help them expand their offerings.
Keith Phillips, Bunkie Life
Although there are bigger shows, it seem like the vast majority of attendees were interested in purchasing from the exhibitors if they had a need. Great location! Load in and out is very easy.
Bruce Webster, Lynkris Patio Furniture, Inc.