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Promoting RV Travel & Camping in Texas
TACO
www.tacomembers.com
An official publication of the Texas Association of Campground Owners
THE AI WAKE-UP CALL
TACO ADVANCES TEXAS CAMPGROUND LIABILITY, TAX PRIORITIES TEXAS INSURANCE PREMIUMS DEMYSTIFIED
2026 LEGISLATIVE REPORT PLUS
on? s a e S y s u B d 2n Numbers Strong as Industry Embraces Fall
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TACO Officers & Directors Regional Directors REGION 1, DIRECTOR Venky Venkatesan Midland RV Campground Midland, TX REGION 2 Ken Hinz Traders Village Grand Prairie, TX REGION 3, PAST PRESIDENT Randall Dally Rayburn RV Hideout Brookeland, TX REGION 4, SECRETARY Susie Prater The Vineyards of Fredericksburg RV Park Fredericksburg, TX REGION 5 Terry Munoz Lost River RV Park Baytown, TX REGION 6, PRESIDENT Charlie Bates Parkview Riverside RV Park Concan, TX
Directors At Large DIRECTOR AT LARGE Austin Faught Bolivar Peninsula RV Park Crystal Beach, TX DIRECTOR AT LARGE Allison Holcomb Lagoon Ranch RV Resort Onalaska, TX –––––––––– TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Chris Hipple Vice President Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance –––––––––– LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT Ron Hinkle
TACO Advances Texas Campground Liability, Tax Priorities by Woodalls Campground Magazine The Texas Association of Campground 89th Regular Session in 2025. Senate Bill 1119 Owners (TACO) continues to advance legislative established similar limited liability provisions for priorities important to the state’s campground water parks, while House Bill 1130 established and outdoor hospitality industry, including liability protections for cavern entities engaged in protections and commercial property tax relief, recreational or educational cavern activities. according to a press release. Both measures include provisions addressing TACO recently met with Angie Flores, chief negligence, dangerous conditions, employee of staff to State Representative Todd Hunter, to training and intentional conduct. discuss issues affecting campground owners Building on that legislative progress, the and the broader Texas tourism industry. Texas Travel Alliance, with support from TACO, A key topic of the meeting was the is working to expand similar liability protections successful passage of House Bill 2636 during to additional tourism attractions, including amusement parks, aquariums and zoos. The discussion also included commercial property tax relief for campgrounds. TACO and Rep. Hunter’s office agreed that additional discussions following the upcoming elections and after the pre-filing of legislation will provide a clearer picture of the various property tax proposals being introduced. TACO had previously had meetings with the Governor’s Office to discuss property tax relief for campgrounds. “We believe it is important to see the full TACO Lobbyist Ron Hinkle with Rep. Todd Hunter’s range of property tax legislation that is filed Chief of Staff, Angie Flores before determining the best path forward,” the 88th Regular Session in 2023. The legislation Schaeffer said. “Meeting after the elections and established limited liability protections for once bills have been pre-filed will allow us to recreational vehicle parks and campgrounds better understand the proposals and identify for certain injuries arising from campground opportunities that could provide meaningful relief activities, while maintaining liability for for campground owners.” circumstances including negligence, known TACO will continue working with legislators, dangerous conditions, improper employee the Texas Travel Alliance and other industry training and intentional conduct. partners to advocate for policies that recognize “HB 2636 was an important accomplishment the economic contributions of campgrounds and for Texas campground owners and demonstrated the broader tourism industry while supporting the value of bringing the outdoor hospitality the continued growth of Texas as a destination industry together to address issues that affect for outdoor recreation and travel, the release the long-term viability of our businesses,” said highlighted. Brian Schaeffer, TACO’s CEO & executive Representative Todd Hunter currently director. represents House District 32 and served as That legislative framework was subsequently Chairman of the Calendars Committee during the extended to additional segments of Texas’ 89th Legislature. ✪ tourism and recreation economy during the
Austin, TX ––––––––––
Editor: Lisa Rhodes
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CEO Brian & Debra Schaeffer TACO Office
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TEXAS CAMPGROUNDS
Distribution: TACO Members, TACO Trade Members, TACO Prospective Members Contact: 910 S. Crowley Rd, Ste. 9-504 • Crowley, TX 76036 | 877-518-1989
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Texas Insurance Premiums Demystified and Limiting Your Liability by Colton Hipple, www.leavitt.com
Your park may be well maintained and claim-free, yet renewal can still bring a higher premium, larger wind or hail deductible, or more restrictive coverage. Why? Commercial insurance reflects more than one property’s loss history, including expected claims, rebuilding expenses, liability trends, reinsurance costs, and regional catastrophe exposure. WHY TEXAS PREMIUMS REMAIN CHALLENGING Texas combines hurricanes, hail, tornadoes, straight-line wind, flooding, wildfire, freeze damage, and rising construction costs. Underwriters also consider accumulation: one storm can damage hundreds of properties in a carrier’s portfolio. Even two parks a few miles apart may receive very different terms based on roofs, construction, vegetation, location, occupancy, maintenance, claims, and the quality of the underwriting information provided. Hail and severe thunderstorms are especially persistent. Older or undocumented roofs may lead to higher percentage deductibles, actual cash value settlement, cosmetic damage exclusions, inspections, or roof-age restrictions. A 2% deductible on a $1 million building equals $20,000, and it may apply to each building rather than once per occurrence. Owners should ask their agent to convert percentages into dollars and explain exactly when and how the deductible applies. Replacement cost is also different from market value, taxable value, purchase price, or loan balance. Insurance values should reflect today’s cost to rebuild, including labor, materials, debris removal, engineering, permits, code upgrades, utility reconnection, and post-storm demand surge. Lowering values may reduce premium, but it also shifts more of a potential loss back to the owner.
include a current statement of values, building details, roof ages and replacement history, electrical and plumbing updates, current photographs, occupancy information, loss runs, and explanations of corrective action after claims. Incomplete information creates uncertainty. Provide dated photos and records of improvements rather than assuming the carrier knows. Keep your agent updated about renovations, new cabins or amenities, occupancy changes, special events, food or alcohol operations, outside vendors, and changes in revenue or management. A PRACTICAL RENEWAL CHECKLIST • Begin the renewal process one to two months before coverage is needed. • Confirm current replacement costs and accurate building, roof, revenue, payroll, occupancy, and amenity details. • Photograph roofs, roads, walkways, lighting, vegetation, pools, bathhouses, fire lanes, and water sources. • Review contracts, certificates of insurance, waivers, guest rules, deductibles, roof valuation, and exclusions. • Compare the full policy structure, not only premium. A lower price may come with higher deductibles, lower limits, actual cash value roof coverage, or new exclusions. • Treat insurance as an operating cost when setting site rates, cabin rates, storage charges, and activity fees.
REDUCING LIABILITY BEFORE A CLAIM HAPPENS Liability claims can become expensive even when an incident seems routine. Slip-and-fall losses are a major campground concern because guests move between gravel, grass, concrete, decks, stairs, bathhouses, pools, cabins, and other unfamiliar surfaces. Hoses, cords, roots, poor drainage, low lighting, and changing weather can create additional hazards. • Inspect walking surfaces, stairs, decks, pool areas, and bathhouses regularly. • Correct trip edges, loose boards, washouts, drainage issues, and poor lighting promptly. • Keep inspection logs, maintenance records, dated photographs, training records, and incident reports. • After an incident, photograph conditions, identify witnesses, preserve video, document corrective action, and notify the appropriate people.
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL The broader commercial market is becoming more competitive, but carriers remain selective. Well-managed parks with current roofs, accurate values, documented inspections, strong emergency procedures, favorable claims history, and clear underwriting information may have more options. Parks with aging roofs, heavy vegetation, unresolved recommendations, poor documentation, or repeated claims may still face difficult terms. If a renewal increases in a softening market, ask for a clear explanation. The cause may be a property condition, claim, valuation change, coverage restriction, deductible change, or weakness in how the account was presented. Park owners cannot control Texas weather, construction inflation, jury verdicts, or reinsurance pricing. They can control maintenance, safety procedures, property improvements, documentation, incident response, replacement-cost accuracy, and communication with their agent. Those actions give underwriters credible reasons to distinguish one park from the rest of the market. ✪
GIVE UNDERWRITERS EVIDENCE OF MANAGEMENT Underwriters are not looking for perfection. They want evidence that the property is actively managed and that known concerns are being addressed. A complete submission should FALL 2026 2026 FALL
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LEGISLATIVE REPORT The Texas Legislature begins its 90th legislative session on January 12, 2027 and it is expected to pack in many statewide concerns in the 140-day session. To begin with the legislature will grapple with data centers, their use of water and electricity; the tension between how local property taxes are lowered and/or eliminated; AI and its effects on future workforce; use of hotel occupancy taxes; a later school start date and the effects on small tourism-related businesses, to name a few. TACO LEGISLATIVE AGENDA As we approach the beginning of the legislative session, TACO has been attending interim committee meetings that have focus on the overall business of tourism and specifically on RV parks. The TACO legislative agenda includes working with the legislature and the Governor’s office on reducing property taxes for small businesses. TACO met with the Governor’s staff on specific remedies for small business property tax reduction with a strong emphasis on the unique property tax and appraisal system for RV parks. It was a productive meeting, and TACO looks forward to addressing the needs with key members of the legislature. A bill will be refiled that provides a better understanding of the definitions of tiny homes and tiny home communities. A bill was filed last legislative session but did not find its was through the legislative process. Making distinct definitions for tiny homes, recreational vehicles, and manufactured houses as well as defining the difference between tiny home, RV, and manufactured housing communities will be important for property taxes, utility billing, and appraisal procedures. As more legislative bills are filed TACO will be tracking any and all proposed legislation that will have an effect on RV parks including municipal utilities, unnecessary fees, over-billing for water use and other issues that come up. ATTACKS ON TACO MEMBERS There have been recent attacks directly on RV parks in Texas. Those attacks have primarily come from municipalities that seek to ignore current Texas statute as it relates to water use and billing. Those attacks come from the following: • HARRIS COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT NO. 1: HCWC & ID No. 1 is overcharging a TACO member RV park and is essentially refusing to adhere to a law that was passed several legislative sessions ago that is meant to protect RV parks from water utilities in a number of ways including overcharging for the use of water and applying unnecessary administrative fees. The incident was referred to TACO’s attorney, and a demand was FALL 2026
provided to the HCWC & ID No. 1. As expected, the attorneys for the Control & Improvement District denied any wrongdoing and the case has been referred top the State Office of Administrative Hearings for a conclusion. • CITY OF GATESVILLE: TACO attorney Christine Taylor sent a letter of opposition on behalf of TACO and local RV parks in Gatesville regarding opposition to Ordinance No. 2026-06, Chapter 49 Zoning Regulations— Sec. 49-60 Recreational Vehicle Park District and Related Licensing, Inspection, and Compliance Requirements. In her letter to the mayor and city council members Ms. Taylor lays out eight specific violations of state law, including the newly passed law of applying NFPA 1194 for RV parks, and inconsistencies of the adopted ordinance that was amended several times by city staff. Ms. Taylor concludes by providing specific remedies for the mayor, city council members and city staff to suspend the ordinance as passed, separate RV parks from the city’s manufactured house regulations, adopt NFPA 1194 as the development standard, exempt existing RV parks from triggers “ordinary repairs, maintenance, modernization, and replacement of sites”, and deleting the DMV registration and open-ended inspection requirements, eliminate the per-site annual license fee, and convene a stakeholder workshop. There are other water utility related issues in Sweetwater, Texas and Crosby Municipal Utility District that TACO will continue to fight for its members. LEGISLATIVE INTERIM COMMITTEE MEETINGS TACO is following the following the interim charges as the 90th Legislature will begin deliberating on these and other statewide issues affecting TACO and the overall business community. The following Senate Committees met last month and at the first of October. Here are the results of those committee meetings:
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE • Ensuring Local Hotel Occupancy Tax Accountability: Study the collection, reporting, and use of state and local hotel occupancy tax revenues, and review data and outcomes under the current legislative framework to assess whether it is operating as intended. Make recommendations to ensure the effectiveness of local incentives and safeguard long-term fiscal accountability.
• Of ~$51 billion in state property-tax relief spending, roughly $38 billion went to rate compression and $13 billion to homestead exemptions. Overall ISD levies stayed essentially flat. Bettencourt framed the results as proof of real, lasting relief that helps seniors “age in place,” with the state effectively backfilling local revenue so the burden is not simply shifted to other property owners. • Holding Local Government Fees Accountable: Examine the collection, use, and oversight of fees imposed by local governments, including but not limited to utility connection charges, permit and inspection fees, and drainage or stormwater improvement fees. Evaluate whether these fees are subject to adequate financial transparency requirements and whether independent audits should be required. Make necessary recommendations to enhance accountability and ensure fee revenues are used solely for their intended public purposes.
KEY POINTS DISCUSSED: • Local governments statewide held about $633 million in unspent HOT revenue at the end of fiscal year 2025. • North Texas examples included Frisco (~$14.9 million), McKinney (~$9.1 million), Grand Prairie (~$6.5 million), and Denton County (~$6.5 million). Some balances reflect deliberate reserves or newer collections. • Sen. Kevin Sparks raised concerns about rural communities, where hotel stays are often driven by oil/gas workers rather than tourists. Strict tourism-only restrictions can leave those areas without flexible tools for basic services (roads, law enforcement, EMS). • The hotel industry generally defended keeping the tax restricted to its original tourism purpose and suggested that if communities cannot spend the money, they should reconsider the tax. • Short-term rentals (Airbnb, etc.) were another focus. Platforms usually collect the state tax, but local HOT collection is often left to individual hosts. Industry representatives expressed willingness to work on automated collection solutions.
KEY POINTS DISCUSSED: • Fees sit outside property-tax rate caps, making them a growing revenue tool and affordability pressure point. Testimony (including from business groups) stressed that fees should recover only the actual cost of a specific service/benefit, with public disclosure of authority, calculation methodology, revenues, expenditures, fund balances, and cost recovery. • Impact on housing and business: Extra fees on new construction raise home prices. Texas Municipal League (Rick Ramirez) and Conference of Urban Counties (Adam Haynes) typically defend local flexibility; restaurant/fuel associations and builders highlighted burdens. • Written testimony examples (e.g., Texas Policy Research) called for mandatory transparency reports and audits for significant fee programs. • Ensuring Transparency in Appraisal District Funding: Study the governance, budgeting authority, and cost allocation practices of county appraisal districts. Examine the fiscal impact of appraisal district costs on taxing entities. Evaluate whether additional guardrails are warranted Ensuring Transparency in Appraisal District Funding: Study the governance, budgeting authority, and cost allocation practices of county appraisal districts. Examine the fiscal impact of appraisal district costs on taxing entities. Evaluate whether additional guardrails are warranted.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE • Cutting Property Taxes: Examine Texas property taxes, focusing on homeowners’ school property taxes. Make recommendations to cut Texans’ property taxes by increasing the homestead exemption for all homesteads. Determine the savings for homestead owners attributable to lowering the age of eligibility for the senior homestead exemption and senior tax ceiling from 65 to 55. Additionally, evaluate options to further reduce property taxes for new homeowners. KEY POINTS DISCUSSED: Senator Bettencourt released what he described as the first comprehensive, county-by-county survey of actual tax bills from all 254 Texas counties (compiled over ~4 months). Key findings: • 39.23% of all Texas homesteads (~2.4 million out of ~6.14 million) now pay $0 in school property taxes. • General (under-65) homesteads: ~25% (~949,000) pay $0. • Over-65 and disabled homesteads: nearly 61% (~1.449 million out of ~2.38 million) pay $0 — and those bills remain at zero for life. • 234 counties (92% of the state) have half or more of senior/ disabled homeowners paying $0. Examples: Harris County rose from 14% to 38%; Ector County from 28% to 85%. • Average general-homestead ISD bill fell from $1,037 (2024) to $896 (2025), a 13.5–13.6% drop (~$141 savings). Senior bills that still owed tax fell $185. FALL 2026 2026 FALL
KEY POINTS FROM TESTIMONY Chief appraisers from large districts (Harris CAD’s Adam Bogard; Travis CAD’s Leana Mann) and the Texas Association of Appraisal Districts (Brent South) discussed rising workloads: property tax protests nearly 100% increase in recent years (from ~2.2 million in 2021 to 3.2 million in 2024); lawsuits removed large values from rolls; new board-election processes added costs (e.g., $7.5 million in Harris County). Discussion covered funding formulas, independence of appraisal districts, and potential reforms for accountability without undermining accurate valuations. ✪ 11
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TACO VENDOR MEMBERS ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING Campground Refund Jim Dixon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214) 546-7886 Performing no-risk contingency fee, refund on utilities sales tax, and construction for RV campgrounds. www.campgroundrefund.com Campsite Accounting Ty Meinhardt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (435) 979-0530 To provide accounting/bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and consulting services. www.campsiteaccounting.com GiGi Connects the Dots Gigi Weck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 368-6662 Simplifying your bookkeeping puzzle, one dot at a time, for RV Parks & Campgrounds, short and long term rentals. Let’s Chat! www.gigiconnectsthedots.com BACKGROUND SCREENING AmRent Monique Ivy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 440-9134 Serving the rental industry, we provide consumer report services to help US clients select guests for their communities. www.amrent.com BANKING/FINANCIAL SERVICES Business Finance Depot Bruce Hurta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (281) 384-2595 Business Finance Depot offers SBA/USDA loans, retirement rollovers, park model & business equipment financing, unsecured loans, and HELOCs. www.BusinessFinanceDepot.com Cinchio Solutions Mallory Mahoney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (954) 665-7682 Cinchio is a hospitality technology partner built for the realities of running campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor destinations www.cinchio.com Cost Segregation Services LLC Bonnie Kaake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (866) 277-9121 Tax benefits available to RV Park owners and RE investors. Estimates and consulting at no cost for you and your tax pro www.CSSIservices.com/bonnie-kaake CABLE TV & SATELLITE SYSTEMS RVParkTV.com by It’s All About Satellites Barry Conley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 951-1979 TV systems, business-class internet, 100% coverage Wi-Fi networks, DIRECTV satellite programming, and streaming solutions. www.itsallaboutsatellites.com CAMPGROUND CONSULTING Campground Consulting Group, LLC. Jayne Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 897-8836 Practical industry experience and consulting for RV parks & campgrounds from planning to development to marketing to operations. www.campgroundconsultinggroup.com Campground Intelligence Robert Bouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 897-8122 Our system analyzes recent occupancy & pricing data, weather and events in the area, and recommends small measured adjustments. Consistent, accurate pricing that improves over time. www.campgroundintelligence.com Mersmann Consulting Group Amie Mersmann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (979) 703-4572 Provides strategic planning, design, feasibility studies, marketing solutions, and operational startup. www.mcg-hospitality.com Ron D Beard & Associates Ron Beard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 219-7688 Providing full-spectrum planning services in business plans for RV Parks, Campgrounds and RV Resorts www.rdbaconsulting.com CAMPGROUND EQUIPMENT Chadwick Manufacturing Joe Hammer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (815) 684-5152 Heavy-duty campground and park equipment—picnic tables, grills, fire rings, bike racks built to last. www.chadwickmanufacturing.com Commercial Recreation Specialists Nicole Barreau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 896-8442 Create an unforgettable experience with aqua parks, floating cabanas, dock systems, splashpads, playgrounds, shelters and more! www.crs4rec.com Evergreen Grass Depot Mark Paulson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (805) 225-3387 We are a national supplier of high quality artificial grass products and installation accessories. www.evergreengrassdepot.com
Farmtastic Fun Jennifer Pixton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 798-0596 We provide low ropes courses, spiderwebs, Jumbo Jumper and playground equipment. www.farmtasticfun.com Great American Direct Kendall Lecker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (757) 229-0567 Your glamping experts at factory direct pricing! Mattresses, wipe downs, mattress protection, futon frames & mattresses. www.greatamericandirect.com Hunter Knepshield of Texas, Inc. Shanna Hartsfield. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 451-4138 We provide and install commercial park and playground equipment, shades, shelters and site amenities. www.hkparkandplay.com John’s Welding LLC Barbara Kratche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (608) 372-2970 Fire Rings, Park Grills, Picnic Tables, Custom Benches, Firewood Vending Machines www.johnsweldingshop.com Kangaroo Jumper Inc. Courtney Childress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (865) 387-8706 We help make playgrounds even more fun, by delivering and installing the market’s leading jumper product for you. www.kangaroojumper.com MarineSync Corp Austin Bleier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (619) 269-7000 We provide wireless metering, control, and automation solutions for marinas & RV parks. www.marinesync.com RJ Thomas Manufacturing Company Inc Adam Struck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (712) 225-5115 Comprehensive, durable outdoor site furnishings: seating, picnic tables, grills, waste management, bike racks, and site accents. www.pilotrock.com RV Park Signs Richard Yohan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (404) 944-9988 RV Park Signs is the premier company providing quality signs and marketing for the RV Industry. www.rvprksigns.com ShadePro, LLC Stephen Arnold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (830) 221-8141 Over 20 yrs of experience in the industry, helping customer’s property stay shaded while allowing satellite & Wi-Fi connectivity. www.shadepro.com Texas Backyard Structures Christian Williamson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 989-9494 30 yrs creating premium outdoor experiences with custom pergolas, pavilions, shade & playgrounds—design and install. www.texasbackyardstructures.com The Jump Pad Steve Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (865) 387-5667 The Jump Pad is a flat jumping product with individual baffles that allow side by side jumping. www.thejumppad.com CAMPGROUND MANAGEMENT Advanced Outdoor Management Casey Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (509) 505-6205 RV resort, RV park, campground management; third-party management consulting. www.advancedoutdoormgmt.com Blue Water Development Tony Nichols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (443) 856-4300 Blue Water delivers top management services where operations, revenue management, and marketing create solutions. www.bwdc.com CRR Hospitality Lindsay Slater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (928) 554-7710 Our Mission: To provide unique and enjoyable places that offer luxury, value, and fulfillment. www.crrhospitality.com Horizon Outdoor Hospitality Scott Foos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (303) 529-9770 Empowering outdoor hospitality businesses with expert management, accounting, and professional services since 2004. www.horizonoutdoors.com IVEE Group Scott Knepp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (404) 477-6189 Third-party management specializing in bringing the best hospitality practices to the outdoor hospitality space. www.ivee.com
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Lonestar Logos Management Company John Brown-Latham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 462-1310 Official highway signs shown to increase business by up to 20%. Join thousands of businesses using the TxDOT LOGO Program. www.lonestarlogos.com Newport Pacific Property Management Solutions Karri Seeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (949) 852-5575 Newport Pacific is a full-service, nationwide property management company with over 44 years of experience. www.newportpacific.com Northgate Resorts Tessa McCrackin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (616) 249-8444 Industry-leading management & consulting, providing expert service in operations, marketing, revenue, construction & more. www.northgateresorts.com RV Park Management, LLC Austin Faught . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (855) 515-1777 RV Park Management provides owners with professional management services and systems designed to maximize RV park investments. www.rvparkpm.com WildPath Parks Dennis George . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (216) 703 -9188 Developing a portfolio of parks. Zion Call Management Christian Thurgood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (435) 216-1414 Zion provides affordable management support, including call answering, digital marketing, and reputation management. www.zioncallmgmt.com CONSTRUCTION Flatspot Decking Services Trenton Hensley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (828) 999-4032 We offer modular, pre-engineered wood/composite decks for rapid, compliant, nationwide installation in commercial projects. www.flatspotdeckingservices.com Ivey Construction Christian Lunsford. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (409) 502-1352 Ivey Construction is a family owned and operated metal building, pavilion and awning installer. www.facebook.com/Iveyconstruct/ Reliable Commercial Construction Inc Erica Larson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 467-0779 Commercial, industrial, self storage, warehouse & retail office construction, tilt wall experts & turnkey general contractor. www.reliablecommercial.com Ten Point Services Barrett Keron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 667-8133 With passion for excellence & commitment to quality, we bring visions to life with design, planning, & expert craftsmanship. www.tenpointservciestx.com CREDIT CARD SERVICES Basys Kurt Woltering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (913) 529-2310 Basys helps businesses simplify payment acceptance through innovative, secure processing solutions and personalized support. www.basyspro.com Clearview Merchant Consulting Noa Lager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (210) 769-5472 Elevate campground/RV profits with transparent payment processing, seamlessly integrated into your booking software for optimized efficiency. www.clearviewmc.net DIGITAL MARKETING CampMap Simon Neal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (302) 803-4183 We help campgrounds and RV parks improve marketing and guest experience with premium digital maps. www.campmap.com Martrek Digital Amber Simpson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (312) 620-5797 Digital marketing agency for campgrounds and RV parks specializing in websites, SEO, paid ads, email, marketing, & analytics exclusively for outdoor hospitality. www.martrekdigital.com OHI David Basler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (303) 681-0401 Outdoor Hospitality Industry national RV owners assocation. www.ohi.org ELECTRICAL SERVICES/SUPPLIES B & B Electrical Matt Linnell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 391-3802 We are your one-stop source for everything electrical for your RV park. www.bbelec.com
TACO VENDOR MEMBERS Coverra Insurance Services Crystal Erickson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (608) 269-2127 Our team of experienced agents are prepared to guide you through your insurance options, securing the most appropriate campground insurance for your business. www.coverrainsurance.com Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Ins. Chris Hipple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 525-2060 Specialized insurance for RV parks, campgrounds, & resorts. #1 in the industry for over 40 years! www.leavitt.com/lp/ind/taco-preferred-insurance-provider Outdoor Insurance Services Frank Hursh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (832) 497-5312 Insurance for RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins, RVs, and travel trailers. www.outdoorinsuranceservices.com Rowley Insurance Evan Rowley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 454-6655 Texas-based experts in insuring RV parks and campgrounds for over 50 years. www.rowleyinsurance.com LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT Best Wash Inc James West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (281) 441-2465 Commercial laundry equipment, sales & service, designs and more. www.bestwashinc.com Cardinal Laundry Leasing Robert Hinojosa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (210) 272-9222 Commercial laundry leasing, revenue sharing, sales, service and parts. www.cardinallaundryleasing.com Commercial Equipment Company Forrest Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (972) 991-9274 Commercial Equipment Company has served the RV/campground industry since 1967, providing Speed Queen washers and dryers to community laundry rooms. www.ceclaundry.com Titus Commercial Laundry Robert Titus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 366-7065 Laundry equipment sales, service and repair. www.tituscommercial.com MARKETING SERVICES Anderson Brochure Dis. Service Donald Bennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (585) 615-7742 Professional and cost-effective distribution of brochures, directories, and camping guides at RV and other shows. www.campwithandersons.com Campground Views Inc Mark Koep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (805) 341-3828 The best marketing tool available for your destination. Allow guests to virtually tour your property and click to book. www.campgroundviews.com Campsync Sean Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 518-8138 Campsync is an all-in-one marketing, AI, and guest communication platform built specifically for campgrounds and RV parks. www.campsync.io Good Sam Siera Samaniego . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (805) 667-4391 Travel guide, website, mobile app, and social media marketing. www.goodsam.com Influence Digital Agency LLC Josh Richardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (509) 554-3376 Helping campgrounds navigate the landscape of digital marketing to successfully accomplish their goals. www.influencedigitalagency.com Lonestar Logos Management Company John Brown-Latham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 462-1310 Official highway signs shown to increase business by up to 20%. Join thousands of businesses using the TxDOT LOGO Program. www.lonestarlogos.com RV LIFE Dawn Watanabe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (805) 290-0656 Reach 3M+ RVers on RV LIFE. Trusted for trip planning, RV-safe GPS, reviews, and finding campgrounds like yours. campgrounds.rvlife.com/ RVshare LLC Steve Manes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 482-0234 RVshare is the world’s first and largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace in the US. www.rvshare.com
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Woodall’s Campground Magazine Ben Quiggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (574) 266-7980 Monthly & daily news for camping industry owners, offering insights to improve operations and stay current. www.woodallscm.com ONLINE RESERVATION PROVIDER CampLife Inc. Caleb Cook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 783-2367 Since 2006, our robust, customizable reservation system helps you save time, make money, and get back to doing what you love. www.getcamplife.com Campspot Tessa Bauman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (616) 226-3135 The industry’s leading campground reservation and management software. www.software.campsot.com Firefly Reservations Aiden Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (656) 347-3359 Focusing on simplicity, Firefly Reservations was built by campground owners, for campground owners. Now combined with Astra and Reserve America. www.fireflyreservations.com Parkn’Sleep Brendan Couzens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (860) 830 6472 Digital system monetizes unused RV sites with easy, compliant, contactless check-in. Boosts revenue with no upfront fees, just commission. en.parknsleep.com ResNexus Jake Hartline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (385) 218-2637 Management software for any business operating a reservation system for renting, leasing, or scheduling a campground. www.resnexus.com ResortForward Brian Schmitz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (952) 905-9024 Boost efficiency at your resort or RV park. Our software handles reservations, guest messaging, and daily automation. www.resortforward.com RMS - The Hospitality Cloud Jamie McBride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (858) 771-9917 Reservation systems, advertising/promotions, website services. www.RMSNorthAmerica.com RoverPass Melisa Chang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (737) 252-5625 All-in-one campground management software. Run reservations, dynamic pricing, POS, long-term stays, and more. https://software.roverpass.com Staylist Nic Gramstad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (865) 205-0210 Staylist is a cloud-based reservation platform that allows outdoor businesses to curate and manage guests, units, and rates. www.pro.staylist.com Storable Newbook Blake Burris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (310) 855-3773 Powerful campground management & booking system. www.newbook.cloud PARK MODEL/GLAMPING ACCOMODATIONS Arched Cabins LLC Gillian Cruey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (832) 930-2724 DIY Steel Arched Cabin Kits for glamping or luxury cabins. Built faster and last longer than conventional structures. www.archedcabinsllc.com Champion Park Models and Cabins Gary Rice Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 402-0215 Manufacturer of park models and RVs. www.championparkmodelscabins.com Clayton Park Models Michael Burleson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 465-7923 Bring a little adventure to your resort. Our luxury Park Models are constructed by one of the most trusted names in home building. www.claytonparkmodels.com Conestoga Wagon Co. Jason Olson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (307) 277-0525 Manufacturer of the Conestoga Wagon, Showerhouse and our New Cabin! www.conestogawagonco.com Green River Cabins and Cottages Jeremy Hutchins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (864) 457-2444 Green River builds energy-efficient, customizable Park Model RVs under 400 sq. ft., delivered fully assembled, nationwide. www.greenriverlogcabins.com
DIGITAL MARKETING - PARK MODELS/GLAMPING ACCOMMODATIONS
Big Fish Consulting Josh Cecot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 556-5244 Our company works with parks to uncover, reverse and refund fee’s and charges on parks utility bills. www.savewithbigfish.com Electrical Works Tristan Ciceri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (352) 460-0810 Electrical Works continues to set the standard for RV & MH parks, having completed over 7,800 RV & MH site projects at over 50 different properties. www.electricalworksflorida.com Infinity Power Partners, LLC Nick Altman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 559-0558 Electricity and natural gas procurement management solutions, risk management service and marketing insight through the development of client-specific strategies. www.infinitypowerpartners.com Peak Energy Technology LLC Carol Weideman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 613-7775 Recycle electricity and save 15-20% off of your electric bill with Peak Energy Savers. Save money and the environment. www.peakenergytech.com Rise Energy Josh Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (806) 955-7113 Lower energy bills, increase operational resilience & gain energy independence with tailored business solutions. Includes energy brokerage, management and storage. www.GetRiseEnergy.com Texen Power Company Tom Stubblefield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (281) 989-7440 Agent for electric power/commercial electricity, saves you up to 35%. Utility Supply Group Julianne Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 800-2811 Utility Supply Group is the premier supplier of electrical products and components for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. www.go-usg.com Wild Energy Inc Mike Sorensen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (833) 563-6300 Get smart, revenue-grade utility metering accurately measure usage, automate data collection, and recover costs. www.wildenergyco.com EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS All Hazard Communications LLC Shannon Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 787-6511 60 Years siren alerting for: flood, fire, tornado, lightning, hail, active shooter, hazardous spill. www.allhazardcommunications.net Local Area Warnings Systems Trevor Davis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 572-1077 Fully automated and customizable flood, weather, and other hazard warnings systems. www.localwarnings.net Midland Radio Corporation Bruce Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (816) 241-8500 #1 manufacturer of Public Alert certified NOAA Weather Radios. www.midlandusa.com FRANCHISE SERVICES Camp Jellystone Steve Stafford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (248) 579-8296 Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is the only franchise in the US solely focused on the family camping demographic. There are 75+ Jellystone Park locations in the US & Canada. www.jellystonefranchise.com KOA - Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Larry Brownfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 548-7239 Franchise marketing providing onsite training & KOA U-Design support for technology and site upgrades to serve today’s public. www.ownkoa.com GOLF CARS Action Buggies Matthew Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (940) 256-4273 Full service golf car dealer with 3 locations serving the greater Houston area. Sales/Service/Parts/Accessories/Rentals www.actionbuggies.com INSURANCE ARK Assurance Group John Hinsley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (903) 509-2292 RV park insurance services. www.arkassurance.com Centurion Solutions, LLC Tiffany Paul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (979) 571-5213 A SDVOSB and HUB certified business for disaster preparedness & risk mitigation. www.centurion-solutions.com/
PARK MODELS/GLAMPING ACCOMMODATIONS CONT. - WIRELESS INTERNET PROVIDER (WI-FI)
TACO VENDOR MEMBERS Irontown Modular Kam Valgardson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (801) 798-9026 Generational company providing high quality park models and cabins in European, rustic and traditional styles. irontownmodular.com Leland’s Modular Dustin Sharp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 409-6513 Factory-built modular cabins and RVIA park models for campgrounds. Durable, high-quality, and fast to install. www.lelandscabins.com Park Cottages Kevin Kamin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 821-9747 Park Model RV Manufacturer located in Fort Worth, Texas. Numerous floor plans and ready to rent packages. www.parkcottages.com PlainsCraft Dennis Steinman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (785) 748-4588 Handmade in the heart of Kansas, PlainsCraft creates full-size luxury covered wagons, for outdoor hospitality providers who seek to offer a one-of-a-kind overnight experience that visitors will never forget. www.plainscraft.net Platinum Cottages Penni Feil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (903) 675-2525 Park model manufacturer. www.platinumcottages.com POOL & WATER STRUCTURES Kay Park and Recreation Marilee Gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 553-2476 Picnic tables, benches, outdoor games, pedal boats, commercial kayaks, drinking fountains, trash rec, shade, bleachers. www.kaypark.com Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds & Water Parks Jennifer Egan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 451-4869 Plan, design, and construct playgrounds, SplashParks, pool slides, shade, shelter, site amenities, and more throughtout Texas! www.kraftsmanplay.com PRINTING AND PUBLISHING AGS Guest Guides Michael Moore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (877) 518-1989 Guest guides, site maps and marketing. www.agspub.com PROPANE Heart of Texas Propane Bryan Rupp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (325) 313-0884 Central Texas propane delivery & refills with service & integrity first. We deliver unmatched quality and trust for all. www.hotpropane.com MWS Propane Kelly Burns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (903) 593-7343 We deliver reliable commercial propane service backed by friendly support and fast, dependable delivery in East Texas. www.mwspropane@meritusgas.com Nelson Propane Gas Inc Scott Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 234-9052 Propane delivery and service company serving most of East Texas. www.nelsonpropane.com Star Tex Propane Rhett Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (254) 366-3035 Reliable propane supplier for campgrounds and retail dispensers across Central Texas and beyond. www.startexpropane.com Suburban Propane LP Ron Shaw. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (830) 340-2977 With strong roots in Texas, Suburban Propane has been fueling the energy needs of residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers across 42 states www.suburbanpropane.com/taco/ REAL ESTATE All Hands Real Estate Ruben Garcia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 626 675 1750 Marketing Baehre Real Estate LLC Russell Baehre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (830) 896-5050 RV parks, real estate. www.rvparksforsale.com
Campground Brokers of America Tim Dougan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (540) 247-6930 We connect buyers & sellers of RV parks through a professional & highly discrete sales process, delivering exceptional results. www.campgroundbrokersofamerica.com Colliers International Manufactured Housing Group Michael Nissley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (561) 479-1588 Colliers’ MHRV specializes in maximizing value for MH/RV park and campground owners across the U.S. and Canada with expert brokerage, valuation & financing solutions. www.colliers.com/manufacturedhousing Marcus & Millichap - Dorsey-Henderson Team Skyler Henderson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 932-6164 Dedication to prioritizing client needs underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional service in every transaction. www.marcusmillichap.com/dorsey-henderson-team Franklin Street Tobias Cohen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 316-7866 Full service commercial real estate, insurance, and capital brokerage and advisory. www.franklinst.com Merkava Investments, LLC Marshall Miles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (210) 473-1681 RV park developments - building more than just a place to stay; we want to create a community. www.merkavallc.com NAI Outdoor Hospitality Brokers Jesse Pine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (970) 379-5551 Real estate professionals assisting clients with the purchase and sale of RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping retreats nationwide. www.naiohb.com North Star Brokerage & Advisory Landan Dory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 222-6826 We empower RV Park and Campground owners to achieve their ultimate ‘North Star’ goals with our expert analysis and experience in the Outdoor Hospitality industry. www.nstarba.com RV Park Business Advisors Larry Frawley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (832) 240-0175 Real estate advisory firm specializing in the acquisition, disposition, investment analysis, and management of RV parks www.vpba.com Texas Commercial Real Estate Services - Texas CRES LLC Doug Larson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 824-3799 RV park & real estate specialists. www.texascres.com Yale Realty & Capital Advisors Alexis Threlkeld . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214) 281-8132 Real Estate Brokerage - specializing in brokerage and financing nationwide for the RV & manufactured housing industry. www.yaleadvisors.com RV DEALER, REPAIR & SERVICE KZ-RV Marlene Snyder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (260) 768-2039 Manufacturer of sportsman, connect, durango, sportster, Sienna, Sporttrek, Stratus RV’s www.kz-rv.com Liberty Trail RV Kerri Gibbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (888) 508-7631 RV Dealer, RV Service, RV Parts, RV Mobile Service, RV Paint & Body www.libertytrailrv.com PPL Motor Homes Courtney C. Hernandez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (713) 988-5555 RV consignment dealer, serving locations in Houston, Cleburne and New Braunfels. www.pplmotorhomes.com RecPro Matt Pico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (574) 848-0405 We are a developer and a distributor of RV furniture, appliances, lighting, hardware and much more. www.recpro.com Texas Recreational Vehicle Association Gracie Thomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 840-9000 TRVA is dedicated to protecting & promoting the RV industry in Texas through legislation, education, and professional standards. www.trva.org
STORE GOODS Spin Copter Melissa Pisor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (805) 440-3026 We provide premier LED toys in the sky. Copters shoot up to 150 ft and descend slowly back to in a colorful array of light. www.spin-copter.com Wilcor International Susan Corrigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 346-2345 Camping goods - outdoor wholesale supplier. www.wilcor.net WATER TREATMENT Anua Bradley Hennig. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (254) 744-2796 American manufacturer of wastewater treatment, dispersal and reuse systems optimized for campground & RV Park applications. www.anuainternational.com E-Z Treat Madison Painter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (703) 753-4770 Since the 1970’s the founders of E-Z Treat corp. have been designing and manufacturing efficient and affordable onsite re-circulating sand filter, wastewater treatment systems www.eztreat.net Infiltrator Water Technologies Ryan Gerlich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (800) 221-4436 Wastewater treatment solutions for residential and commercial systems with daily flows up to 300,000 gallons per day. www.infiltratorwater.com WEBSITE SERVCES/MOBILE APPS App My Community Joe Duemig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (636) 459-5161 Put your resort directly in both app stores. We create an individual app for you to communicate and engage with your guests. www.appmycommunity.com Initium Creative Braden Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (219) 230-6003 Boost RV park bookings with engaging, mobile-friendly websites designed to stand out online and simplify guest reservations. www.initiumcreative.com/rv-parks-and-campgrounds WIRELESS INTERNET PROVIDER (WI-FI) AccessParks Broadband Tim Rout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (858) 353-0845 Seventeen years as end-to-end managed services provider (MSP), offering true Broadband Wi-Fi to RV parks nationwide. www.accessparks.com Blue Reef Networks/Ruckus Jim Henderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (214) 587-1843 We provide managed internet, WI-FI and managed service for RV parks nationwide including design & install. www.bluereefnet.com Cassells Consulting LLC Colin Cassells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (866) 884-2294 Reliable Wi-Fi solutions with a Texas provider. Founded by a former NASA engineer, connecting customers for over 25 years. www. ccassells@cassellsconsulting.com CheckBox Systems Jim Ganley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (866) 345-9434 For over 22 years CheckBox has been a leading provider of reliable, affordable WiFi solutions. www.checkboxsystems.net Park Utility Pros Scott Chronister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (817) 518-2233 From fiber to sewer, we handle every trench in your park. Simplify with all-in-one underground services & a single partner. www.parkutilitypros.com Skyweb Networks Uttsha Shrestha. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (855) 759-9434 Leading Wi-Fi and camera service provider in the US, providing secure, reliable, and hassle-free service. www.skywebwifi.com TengoInternet Karen Wong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (512) 469-7660 Industry leader in outdoor Wi-Fi and connectivity with over 24 years of experience. www.tengointernet.com
TACO announces that Suburban Propane is the Preferred Provider for propane, offering special pricing and benefits for TACO campground members. HIGHLIGHTED LISTINGS ARE TACO PREFERRED PROVIDERS. For complete TACO Vendor listings, visit TACOMembers.com/vendors-suppliers FALL 2026 2026 FALL
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The AI Wake-Up Call Every Campground Owner Needs by Mark Koep | Woodalls Campground Magazine
Park owners are encouraged to find ways to utilize AI tools to help their businesses. I was out at the local park with my kids the other day. It was a beautiful afternoon, the kind of day where you just want to sit back and watch the kids run around on the grass. While I was there, I ran into an old friend of mine. He is a local guy who runs a tree trimming service. He is a hard worker who spends his days climbing trees, cutting branches and dealing with chainsaws. He is a regular guy who works with his hands, not someone you would expect to see sitting behind a desk at a big technology company. We started talking about how business was going. I asked him how he was managing to keep up with all his paperwork and scheduling while spending all day up in the trees. What he told me next blew my mind. He looked at me with a big smile and said that he does not even touch his computer anymore. He told me that he is using advanced artificial intelligence agents to run his entire computer process. I had to stop and blink for a second. I wanted to make sure I heard him correctly. A guy who cuts down trees for a living was telling me that he uses autonomous digital assistants to manage his business operations. He explained that these computer tools manage his Google Ads to find new customers. They handle customer service by answering questions and talking to people who need their trees trimmed. They handle his schedules and keep track of his money. He just goes out and does the physical work while the technology handles the rest. When the local tree trimmer tells you he is using advanced technology to run his entire business, you need to pause. You need to stop what you are doing and take a very deep breath. This conversation made me realize something very important. The things FALL 2026 2026 FALL
we have been talking about in this column for the past few months are no longer just guesses about the future. The future is not coming next year or five years from now. The future is already here, and it is happening right now. This simple conversation proves that this technology has gone completely mainstream. It is no longer just for software engineers or giant corporations with millions of dollars to spend. It is being used by the average Joe right down the street. If a guy who spends his day covered in sawdust can use these tools to completely change how he works, then every single business owner needs to pay attention. We look at data all the time, and the numbers show the exact same thing. Artificial intelligence is the most rapidly adopted technology in the history of human civilization. Nothing else has ever spread this fast. It took decades for electricity to reach every home. It took years for computers and smartphones to become part of our daily lives. But this new tool is changing the world in a matter of months. It is fundamentally changing the way human beings interact with computers. You do not need to know how to write code anymore. You just need to know how to talk to the machine. I have a very important question for every campground owner reading this article today. Are you using this technology at any level in your business right now? I want you to be completely honest with yourself. Are you just using it to help you draft a quick email when you get stuck on what to say? Or have you started playing with real digital agents and automated services? Have you taken a close look at your website lately to see how it can be upgraded? Have you done anything at all to adapt to this new world? 16
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The future is already here, and it is happening right now. This article needs to be a loud wake up call for the campground industry. For a long time, park owners could afford to wait and see how things turned out. Think about when Wi-Fi first came out. We spent years having conversations about whether campgrounds really needed to offer internet to people who were trying to camp in the woods. Think about when websites and Google Ads first became popular a decade ago. It took a very long time for the industry to finally agree that every park needed a good website and a digital marketing plan. This is not like the conversation about Wi-Fi. This is not like the old days of slowly building a website. Those changes moved like a slow river. This change is moving like a flash flood. If you are not actively using these new tools to run your park, your competitors are going to pass you by. In fact, they are probably already doing it, and they are outperforming you in ways you cannot even see yet. They are answering guest questions in seconds. They are filling their campsites faster. They are saving hours of time every single day. Inside our own organization, we are using these tools at a speed and a scale that is completely unprecedented. We have seen what these systems can do when you truly put them to work. We know how much faster a business can run when you let technology handle repetitive tasks. We see the numbers every day, and the results are hard to believe. But this is not about what we are doing behind the scenes. This is about what you need to start doing today. You cannot afford to sit on the sidelines anymore and watch this happen. You cannot say that you will look into it next season or when you have more free time. The truth is that you will never have more free time until you start letting technology help you. Imagine having an assistant that never sleeps, never takes a vacation, and can answer every single customer question perfectly in less than a minute. That is what is available to you right now. Think about how much time you spend every day sitting at a desk answering the same questions about check-in times, pet policies and campfire rules. Think about how much energy goes into managing your online ads and trying to attract new campers to your park. Now imagine if you had a digital agent handling all of that for you, just like my friend with the tree service. You could spend your time out in the park, talking to your guests, improving your campsites, and doing the things you love about running a campground. The barrier to entry is completely gone. You do not need a degree in computer science to start using these tools. You just need curiosity and a willingness to try something new. Start small FALL 2026 2026 FALL
if you must. Go look at the tools that are available today. See how they can fit into your daily routine. Test them out by letting them help you write your next newsletter or organize your weekly schedule. Look at your website and think about how an automated assistant could help visitors book a campsite without you ever lifting a finger. The world has changed, and it changed while we were busy running our parks. The conversation I had at the park with a tree trimmer proved to me that the time for waiting is officially over. The average business owner has already embraced this shift. The tools are ready, the data is clear, and the race has already begun. You have a choice to make today. You can either learn how to use these new tools to grow your business, or you can watch your competitors use them to take your customers away.
It is time to take action, look at your operations and step into the modern world before it leaves you behind.
Mark Koep is the founder and CEO of Campground Views, a platform that offers virtual tours of campgrounds across North America. With a professional marketing background, an MBA and years of hands-on entrepreneurship, Mark has been dedicated to helping park operators enhance their guest experiences and drive more bookings. 17
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? n o s a e S y s u B 2 nd Numbers Strong as Industry Embraces Fall by Jeff Crider | Woodall’s Campgeround Magazine
E
ven as booking windows become shorter, private park operators are generally expecting this fall’s camping season to be on par with last year’s figures.
All of this is important “One of the biggest shifts we because over the past couple have seen over the last several of decades, growing numbers years is that fall is no longer of campground operators have simply the period after summer. transformed their September It has become a season of its and October weekends own,” said Jessica Nichols, into some of their busiest chief operating officer for Blue weekends of the year. Water, which manages over 50 Labor Day may still private parks across the U.S. mark the end of the summer camping season. But instead of transitioning into a dramatically slower and quieter fall shoulder season, growing numbers of “September and October are campgrounds are packing increasingly important across their September and October many of our Mid-Atlantic, weekends with a variety of fun, Northeast, and mountain family-friendly activities. Many destinations,” Nichols said, campgrounds have multiple adding, “Peak fall weekends Halloween-themed weekends can rival, and in some cases that rival their busiest summer outperform, summer weekends. weekends. Summer demand tends to be Blue Water’s biggest spread more evenly throughout Halloween events include the week, while fall demand is “Frontfear Town” at Sun heavily driven by weekends, leaf Outdoors Frontier Town in peepers, festivals, and special Berlin, Md. and “Scarystone” programming.” Sun Outdoors Cape Charles in Cape Charles, Va. “Both properties transform for multiple Halloween-themed weekends throughout October, featuring costume contests, elaborate site decorating competitions, trick-or-treating, and a variety of family-focused activities,” Nichols said. “These events have developed such a loyal following that
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), Blue Water Development Corp., Northgate Resorts, The Jenkins Organization and other campground networks are generally expecting their business levels this fall to be close to last year’s figures. Campspot, an online reservation service provider with a customer base of more than 2,600 parks, is also seeing momentum pick up across its platform, according to Errica Williams-Henke, Campspot’s marketing manager for content and communications. “The outlook for fall is a good one: campground bookings are pacing slightly ahead of last year across the board,” Williams-Henke said in an emailed statement. “September is leading the way, up 2% year-over-year and sitting at 39% occupancy, with October, November and December each following Errica Williams-Henke close behind with steady 1% gains. It’s a strong signal that camper demand isn’t slowing down as the weather cools — it’s simply shifting into its next season.” Regionally, Campspot is also seeing some noteworthy trends. “We’re seeing real momentum build across the central U.S. and the Great Plains, with states like Arkansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Louisiana posting some of the strongest growth in the country this September,” Williams-Henke said. “At the same time, a handful of markets that have historically leaned on Canadian visitation — including the Northeast (New Jersey, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire) along with Nevada and Florida — are seeing softer numbers this fall. It’s a trend worth watching, but it isn’t dampening the overall picture: the industry is proving resilient, despite the headwinds faced earlier this year when gas prices impacted traveler behavior.” FALL 2026 2026 FALL
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“Fall has become a season of its own.” - Jessica Nicholas Chief Operating Officer Blue Water
guests plan and book months in advance, with many families arriving as early as Thursday just to decorate their sites and prepare for the weekend festivities. ‘Frontfear Town’ and ‘Scarystone’ have become true fall traditions, creating experiences that families look forward to and return year after year.” Blue Water is also challenging its management teams across its portfolio of parks to create new fall experiences and build partnerships with local attractions that give guests a reason to extend their travel beyond the traditional summer season. “From Halloween and harvest weekends, hayrides, bonfires, and live entertainment to nearby hiking, sightseeing, wineries, breweries, and local festivals, these experiences can transform what was once an ordinary shoulder-season weekend into a true destination weekend,” Nichols said, adding that private park operators should no longer see Labor Day as the end of the camping season. “For Blue Water, fall has become a meaningful opportunity to extend the season, drive incremental revenue, and create memorable experiences that give guests an entirely different reason to visit our properties,” she added. Other companies with big private portfolios have similar perspectives.“Our fall business is increasingly event-driven,” said Mitch Spence, chief commercial officer for Northgate Resorts, which owns and operates more than 35 private parks across the country, including Jellystone Park, Camp Fimfo and Camp Margaritaville locations as well as numerous independently branded parks. “Halloween weekends carry a lot of it, and at our larger destination parks we have been building out live music and weekend programming to give people a reason to travel in the shoulder season. Those weekends continue to book well.” Fall is also a critically important season for The Jenkins Organization, which owns and operates several Jellystone Park locations as well as multiple parks that are branded as Great Escapes RV Resorts. “The fall/Halloween season is very important to our business and continues to be the favorite time at the campgrounds for many staff and guests,” said Kelly Jones, Jenkins’ vice president of operations. “We consider these weekends to be a part of our ‘signature’ season, which is the same sunup-to-sundown fun that we provide all summer long. October weekends are generally just as busy as a summer weekend.” “Our parks go all out for Halloween,” said Cherolyn Chiang, Jenkins’ director of marketing. “Several of our parks celebrate Halloween every weekend throughout October, with some offering five full Halloween weekends. Our northern parks typically wrap up a little earlier in October due to weather, but every October weekend they are open is a Halloween weekend.” FALL 2026 2026 FALL
Activities at Great Escapes locations include trick-or-treating; glow rides; creepy cute crafts and themed games; pumpkin carving and painting; costume and campsite decorating contests; haunted attractions, including a trail of terror, The fall/ Chiang said. Halloween Halloween-themed weekends are season also among the busiest of the year in the Jellystone Park network. is very “Jellystone Park fall and Halloween important to weekends have been successful for many our business years. They’re a second season for our - Kelly Jones brand and many locations now offer six or vice president of more fall and Halloween-themed weekends operations — more than they did in the past,” said Jenkins Trent Hershenson, vice president of Organization marketing for Camp Jellystone. He added: “The fun of trick-or-treating, costume contests, and site/cabin decorating is so universal that some Jellystone Park locations have recently introduced Halloween-themed weekends in the Spring or Summer to keep the Halloween fun going throughout the calendar year.” The KOA franchise network, for its part, also offers a wide range of fall activities to keep its guests entertained. The Medina/ Wildwood Lake KOA in Medina, N.Y., for example, offers an Oktoberfest-themed weekend Sept. 11-13 at the park’s onsite winery/tavern, which will also have live music and a poker run open to all ages, followed by three Halloween-themed weekends. Many independently owned and operated parks are also developing their own unique Halloween celebrations. Firefly Hills, a family-owned and operated park in Beattyville, Ky., near the Red River Gorge, offers Halloween-themed events from Oct. 25 to Nov. 8, along with outdoor activities, including hiking, rock climbing, fishing and horseback riding. Halloween-themed activities include a murder mystery dinner, trick-or-treating and a high-energy Halloween dance party. With so much business activity directly tied to Halloween and other fall-themed weekends, September and October have become increasingly important for campground operators from a business perspective. But given the shortening booking windows, it’s also imperative that park operators promote their fall activities and special events far in advance, Mike Harrison, chief operating officer of CRR Hospitality, told WCM in an emailed statement. “There is so much talk in the industry about the booking window and how it has shrunk, and that is generally true. We 21
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Many independently owned and operated parks are developing their own unique Halloween celebrations. also (need to) focus on the ‘planning window’ and how far out a potential customer is looking at your property. Many times, it’s 180 days, then 90 days, and then again within that two-week booking window. So, it’s very important to provide these ‘shoppers’ with content and things to look at to help shape their decision — and to share with their friends and families.” Harrison said CRR curates activities and special events across multiple weekends to boost its fall business. “In general, it helps push full occupancy on all our lodging units, and escalated RV site occupancy — generally above 75% at all properties,” he said. Many of CRR’s activities are unusual. At the company’s Coachella Lakes RV Resort in Coachella, Calif., for example, park staff will convert their 18-hole putting course into a scary, haunted journey. “We also host fantastic Thanksgiving events all weekend long – for the humans and for the dogs. We make it very family-friendly, and every property hosts a potluck Thanksgiving lunch for those families that don’t have anyone to spend it with,” he noted. The idea, Harrison said, is to give guests the ability to create fun memories and experiences and a spirit of “I want to be there” to help drive business. With so many activities being planned at campgrounds and RV resorts across the country, park operators are confident that business levels this fall will generally match last year’s figures. Generally speaking, park operators anticipate business to be close to last year’s figures. “Overall, we’re expecting fall to land in line with our budgets,” said Spence. “Some markets are softer; others are well ahead. A continuing trend is that guests are booking much closer to arrival than they used to, so we have less visibility this far out than we would have had a few years ago.” Kimberly Wootteon, senior vice president of commercial strategy for KOA, which has over 500 franchisees across the U.S. and Canada, also anticipates a strong fall camping season, even as booking windows continue to tighten. “KOA anticipates a healthy fall camping season, with business pacing slightly ahead of last year,” Wootteon said, citing KOA’s latest research, which found that 68% of campers plan to camp over Labor Day weekend, with many planning to extend the holiday into a longer getaway. “Fall camping intent is also trending up,” Wootteon added, “but only 15% of campers who plan to camp this fall have made a reservation so far, presenting additional opportunities in the coming months.” Blue Water is also upbeat. FALL 2026 2026 FALL
“We remain optimistic about fall and generally expect business across our portfolio to be in line with or ahead of last year, although performance varies by market,” Nichols said. “Guests continue to be more value-conscious and are booking closer to arrival, with weather, special events, and the overall value of the experience playing a larger role in their travel decisions.” Jones shares the same sentiments. “Site nights for October are looking up year over year, over most of our portfolio and we expect those numbers to continue to grow as summer winds down and folks start to think about their fall plans. September is also seeing tremendous growth, but I expect that mostly has to do with where Labor day falls this year compared to last.” Some park operators even anticipate that their fall business will exceed last year’s figures, including Advanced Outdoor Management (AOM), which manages more than 40 parks in 23 states. “Across our portfolio, we’re up 4% over 2025 from October through December and running ahead of budget for this year, and I don’t think that’s isolated to us,” said Rachel Godbout, AOM’s chief operating officer. She said two structural changes are taking place in the fall campground business right now. “The first is that the shoulder season has stopped being a discount and started being a product,” she added. “For years the industry treated September through December as leftover inventory to be cleared. Guests have caught up faster than operators have. They know fall rates are lower, and they’re planning around it deliberately, especially when there are holiday weekends or weekend events. “The second is the increase in extended stays, and I’d argue this is the more important story right now,” Godbout continued. “A growing share of fall occupancy is due to guests staying longer. That fundamentally changes the shape of the season. Instead of a demand cliff after Labor Day, you get a base that carries into the fourth quarter.” Texas-based Open Road Resorts, which has 12 parks in 10 states, is also seeing demand pick up for both overnight and extended-stay sites heading into September, October and beyond. “Looking ahead to this fall, we expect business levels to be up year-over-year, supported by strong forward bookings and a recent uptick in demand,” said Open Road Resorts cofounder Jim Omstrom. “We’re optimistic about near- and mid-term trends across both transient and long-term stays.”✪
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TACO Spring Meeting & Trade Show April 27-28, 2027
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Exclusive TACO Member Benefits TACO with Hospitality Connection’s music licensing enrollment period opened on Oct. 1 and runs through Jan. 15. Licenses will be issued after enrollment reconciliation (late in the 1st quarter of 2027), according to an email. Your campground must be a current TACO member to access the special discounted pricing. Hospitality Connections has a new storefront for shopping all its music licenses. Be sure to select what you need from each provider’s catalog of options.
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Offer valid for new propane customers who are current TACO Members in good standing only. Fuel service agreement required. Not redeemable for cash. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discount. Additional terms apply; contact us for details.
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