Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference – CampEx 2024 – Niagara Falls Ontario…
Hundreds of campground owners and operators from across Canada converged in Niagara Falls, Ontario, for the 2024 Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference – CampEx.
Cara Csizmadia, President of the Canadian Camping and RV Association, and Alexandra Anderson, Executive Director, Camping in Ontario, were the co-hostesses of the event, greeting all exhibitors and attendees with energy and enthusiasm as this largest-ever Canadian camping conference brought together a wide range of suppliers of goods and services essential to the successful operation of campgrounds across Canada, and throughout North America.
The event began with a full day of campground tours, including a morning visit to Windmill Point Park, followed by lunch at John Michael’s Banquet and Conference Centre. Afternoon tours included stops at Bissell’s Hideaway and Niagara Falls KOA, before returning to the Niagara Falls Convention Centre for a cocktail reception and the opening of the CampEx exhibition.
The opening day concluded with an evening of comedy from Graham Chittenden, one of Canada’s most exciting comedic performers. A familiar face at the Just for Laughs festival, Chittenden has shared tours and stages with Howie Mandel, Andrea Martin, and the late Louie Anderson, to name a few.
Chittenden has toured under the Just for Laughs banner from Bermuda to Vancouver Island. He has also written for hit programs such as CBC’s Mr. D, The Debaters, and The Canadian Screen Awards.
His work has earned him four Canadian Screen Awards and a Writers Guild of Canada Award. In addition to Chittenden’s numerous television appearances as part of Just for Laughs, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival, the Halifax Comedy Festival, and as a host for MTV Canada, he also stars in several comedy specials, including his most recent Graham Chittenden: Reluctant Adult, streaming on Crave.
Day 2 – Monday, November 18, 2024
Monday’s schedule kicked off with an enlightening keynote presentation from Dan Trommater who delivered insights on empowering others to be better so they can make society more just, equitable, and sustainable.
As a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, Dan challenged participants to assess their assumptions and find new perspectives. A world-class magician, he uses magic as a visual metaphor to explore empathy, leadership, and communication. Dan is also an ICF-credentialed coach who works with a select group of clients to help them move from where they are to where they want to be as leaders and team members. For more information on Dan and his work, please visit his website at www.dantrommater.com .
The day continued with a CampEx Morning Mixer convened by Sarah North-Harris. This element of the conference provided a one-hour ice breaker designed to energize the day and let everyone make meaningful connections fast. Attendees dove into engaging activities designed to quickly thaw the chill and spark connections. Ideal for you’re a first-timers or a seasoned pros, this array of fun, fast-paced networking games had CampEx attendees mingling, laughing, and creating bonds that will last beyond the conference.
Following the afternoon seminars on “Before you Go”, “Service Continuity”, “Sustainable Tourism”, and “Winterizing Trailers”, conference attendees had a break to enjoy the spectacular scenery, and then the group enjoyed an excellent dinner at the Marriott On The Falls.
The 224 dinner guests enjoyed an outstanding meal, with the added energy of a silent auction of a wide array of seasonal and camping themed items.
The evening concluded with a spectacular view of Niagara Falls at night – made even more enjoyable thanks to the relatively mild Autumn weather.
Day 3 – a special report from Ken Lunaba, from Modern Campground and Insider Perks with insights from our RV Dealer News team.
Day three of CampEx 2024 encompassed a lineup of exciting sessions and networking opportunities for campground owners, outdoor hospitality professionals, and industry leaders.
The day kicked off with the “Cross-Canada Campground Management Panel” at 8:30 a.m., moderated by Sarah North-Harris from Camping In Ontario.
Leaders from provincial and national associations, including Cara Csizmadia of the Canadian Camping and RV Association (CCRVA) and Shane Devenish of the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association, Joss Penny from the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association, Alexandra Anderson from Camping In Ontario, and Eleonore Hamm from Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of Canada addressed pressing challenges and opportunities in the campground industry. This session also highlighted advocacy efforts, key projects, and updates on Bill C-410, providing attendees with actionable insights to improve their operations.
Following the opening panel, two concurrent breakout sessions at 9:45 a.m. offered attendees the chance to delve into specialized topics. The session “Legally Difficult Situations” tackled sensitive but critical issues such as violence, abuse, accidental deaths, and human trafficking within campgrounds. Expert panelists, including representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.), Niagara Regional Police Department, Victim Services Niagara, Family and Child Services Niagara, and the Niagara Regional Native Centre shared strategies to address these challenges while maintaining operational continuity.
CampEx also featured a Breakout Session on Rental Units – Cost Recovery Analysis and Revenue Planning, moderated by Victor Pasaran, owner and operator of 4 Tiny Village Campgrounds in Ontario, led a comprehensive discussion on the cost of each glamping structure, the Glamping ROI (return on investment), and the cost of each presented option.
Also featured in the day’s agenda was a session moderated by Shari Heilala from Sage Outdoor Advisory, “Using Market and Feasibility Studies to Support Your Success” which guided attendees through the importance of detailed market analysis in determining investment viability. This discussion aimed to equip participants with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions for their campgrounds.
The “Lunch & Learn” session addressed upcoming changes to electrical codes affecting RV manufacturers and campgrounds. Participants learned about the Ground Monitoring Interrupter requirement set to take effect in 2026 and discovered practical steps for compliance. This session was designed to prepare campground owners for the evolving regulatory landscape and ensure operational readiness.
After lunch, attendees had the opportunity to learn from panel discussion titled: “An Accountant, a Lawyer, a Banker, and an Insurance Agent – What They Need You to Know.” featuring experts in their fields, with keen knowledge of our industry. Each panelist gave a 10-minute presentation on things campground owners need to know that will help their businesses more successful. The experts included Jessica Tilcox and Guy Lacroix – Accountants with MNP, Kevin Kok – Lawyer with Cohen Highley, who gave a presentation focused on the application of the Residential Tenancies Act, 2006, how to avoid it, and the consequences of units in the park getting “RTA status.” Karen Keeling – Insurance Agent with Brokerlink and Carson Griffi – Commercial Banking with Meridian Credit Union, added their insights and responded to questions from the audience.
The afternoon continued with the “Cross-Canada Crackerbarrel”, an interactive session moderated by Mark Jaycock from Willow Lake Campground and RV Park, encouraging open dialogue among attendees. This moderated forum allowed campground owners to share experiences, seek advice, and explore collective solutions to common challenges.
Later in the afternoon, attendees explored the transformative role of technology in the session “AI Essentials: Campground Operations and Marketing” hosted by Brian Searl, founder of Insider Perks, offering insights into how artificial intelligence can streamline operations, enhance guest experiences, and elevate marketing strategies.
The conference concluded on November 20, 2024 with a gala dinner at the Table Rock Restaurant, overlooking the Falls.
For more information about CampEx 2024, please visit the event website here.
