OHI's OHCE to feature education, Expo & Texas flair. While a burst of cold weather impacted OHI's Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) in Louisville, Ky., in 2025, that probably won't be the case this year as the event moves further south to Fort Worth, Texas. Set to be hosted at the Fort Worth Convention Center from Nov. 9-11, organizers of the event expect more than 1,000 attendees to take part. "People are craving in-person connection, and that's proving in our early registration numbers," Riley Wilson, OHI's director of marketing, told Woodall's Campground Magazine (WCM). "It's encouraging to see that momentum continuing as we get closer to the event, and we're looking forward to bringing the outdoor hospitality community together in Fort Worth this November." This year's event is set to kick off on Nov. 8 from 2-6 p.m. with OHI's Prospective Owners Workshop (POW!). This half-day workshop is designed for those who are dreaming about ownership or actively planning to buy or build. Participants will be introduced to the core principles of running a successful outdoor hospitality business with expert guidance, exploring key topics like due diligence, site planning, budgeting, financing, infrastructure and operations must-knows. Interactive group sessions will split between "building" and "buying," letting participants tackle challenges head-on and leave with practical solutions they can immediately apply. The workshop's faculty represents well over 150 combined years in outdoor hospitality, spanning every angle a prospective owner will face: developers and consultants who've built and sold campgrounds and RV resorts across the country, franchise owners who've taken run-down parks to award-winning, top-ranked operations, brokers who help owners buy and sell every day, and financing experts who've helped hundreds of buyers get their deals funded. The workshop is available as a $229 add-on to OHCE2026 registration and space is limited. INNOVATORS SUMMIT Also, on Nov. 8 from 2-6, the annual Innovators Summit will be hosted by Storable/Newbook. This annual event features industry leaders who will unveil groundbreaking insights and strategies. "This summit promises to explore evolving trends, innovative solutions, and practical applications that will shape the future of your business," according to information from OHI. Wilson noted that OHI has made some changes to its educational programming after feedback from past attendees, with a larger focus on topics that are changing how outdoor hospitality businesses operate. "Artificial intelligence is a big one this year, with sessions covering practical AI strategies, the guest experience, search and marketing, along with more advanced topics like generative engine optimization," she told WCM. "Woodall's Campground Magazine know the world of AI can seem overwhelming, but Woodall's Campground Magazine want to give owners and operators practical tips and strategies they can use to implement positive change at their parks. "We've also expanded the opportunities for attendees to learn directly from their peers through Campfire Sessions and roundtable discussions focused on specific roles, park sizes and areas of interest," Wilson added. "And this year's program features 22 speakers who are presenting at OHCE for the first time, bringing some new voices and perspectives into the conversation." Of course, OHI will also drill into industry data during a "Trends and Insights" panel featuring John Gray, CEO of RVShare. Jessica Turner, current President of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), is going to be the event's featured speaker. Turner will share her perspective on the outdoor recreation industry, drawing on nearly two decades of experience spanning federal policy, outdoor recreation advocacy, conservation, industry leadership and government relations. Her career has taken her from the U.S. Department of the Interior and Capitol Hill to leading one of the country's largest outdoor recreation coalitions. OHI is expecting to fill every single one of the expected 200 booths that it can fit into this year's expo, with 60 first-time exhibitors taking part. "It's shaping up to be a strong representation of the products and services available to outdoor hospitality businesses," Wilson noted in mid-September. "We can count on a hand and a half how many are left, so exhibitors interested in attending should get in while they still can." Wilson told WCM that one of the exciting features of the expo is seeing how companies customize their booths and what they bring to show off. "The booth customizations and special sponsored events throughout the week, like "A Texas Night with Campspot," are always fun to see come together," she explained. "We'll also have some great accommodations on display, including those from Conestoga Wagon Company and Green River Log Cabins, which give attendees a chance to see some of the options they're considering for their own properties up close. There is nothing quite like touching and feeling the units you'll be putting in at your park." The new GoCampingAmerica RV will also be parked at the OHI booth on the expo floor. Attendees can explore the RV, take photos and meet Maris Brennan, OHI's senior manager of member experience, who is traveling the country in the RV and sharing her campground visits along the way. NETWORKING EVENTS OHI is leaning into the Texas setting this year, with a Diamond and Denim Welcome Reception on opening night, which will feature armadillo racing, a custom trucker hat bar and leather branding, along with plenty of time to meet other attendees on the expo floor and get a peek at who is exhibiting. OHI will also be celebrating its 60th anniversary. Along with the opening night reception, there are plenty of opportunities to connect throughout the week, starting with Breakfast & Coffee Conversations and Meet, Greet, and GO! before the main conference gets underway. "The Campfire Sessions are another big part of the networking experience, allowing attendees to sit down with others in similar roles or operating similar-sized parks and talk through what's actually happening in their businesses," Wilson noted. "There are also dedicated opportunities for Hosted Buyers, Young Professionals and members of OHMNI (Outdoor Hospitality Mentorship, Networking, and Inclusion), along with sponsored events throughout the week." The conference will close out with OHI's Neon Rodeo Closing Reception, featuring a mechanical bull, line dancing, roping, a live longhorn, dinner and live music. Attendees can also take part in gamification throughout the conference, with the winner announced during the closing reception. TAKE-AWAY TOURS "The Take-Away Tour is back this year after a two-year hiatus, and we've moved it to Thursday, giving attendees something new to look forward to after the main conference wraps up," Wilson said. Takeaway Tours are behind-the-scenes tours of RV parks and campgrounds that give attendees an exclusive, up-close look at how OHI member parks operate. Park owners and staff share real-world insights, challenges and best practices during this immersive experience. Attendees can ask questions, explore solutions and leave with practical ideas they can apply at their own properties. Transportation, lunch and an optional airport shuttle service after the tour are included, making it a half-day of learning, networking and exploration. This year's tour will take attendees to two successful Texas outdoor hospitality destinations: Camp Quitcherbichin (Camp QYB) in Runaway Bay and The Vineyards Campground & Cabins in Grapevine. Camp Quitcherbichin' (Camp QYB) is unlike anything else in the outdoor hospitality world, a one-of-a-kind RV park and cabin resort built on the vision of founder and CEO Justin McWilliams to create a place where every guest can truly "Leave Your Worries Behind." Nationally recognized and consistently praised for its peaceful setting and welcoming atmosphere, The Vineyards is the kind of operation that earns loyal return guests year after year. Situated on the shores of Grapevine Lake, the park offers spacious full hook-up RV sites with pull-through access alongside fully furnished lakefront cabins, giving attendees a firsthand look at how to serve multiple guest types within one property. Park owners and key staff will share the thinking behind their operations, the challenges they've worked through and the ideas that have helped their properties succeed, giving attendees a chance to see those strategies in action and take home ideas for their own parks. REGISTRATION "OHCE2026 is designed to give attendees plenty of reasons to stay engaged beyond the main education sessions," Wilson noted. "Between the expo, networking events, additional workshops and roundtables, and the Take-Away Tours, there are a lot of opportunities to connect with people who are facing many of the same challenges and opportunities in outdoor hospitality. "And, of course, this is a special year for OHI as we celebrate 60 years as an organization, so we're excited to bring that milestone into the conference experience as well," she highlighted. "People should pack their comfortable shoes (or cowboy boots) and get ready for a packed schedule. They'll leave feeling inspired, encouraged, connected, and bigger and better than they were when they arrived."

EQT Private Equity makes a majority investment in Storable, the leading software and payments provider to the self-storage industry.

Storable, a software platform for self-storage, marine and RV & camping operators, has appointed Scott Chancellor as chief executive officer. Chancellor succeeds co-founder Chuck Gordon, who led the company for 18 years and will continue to serve on Storable's board of directors and as an adviser. Chancellor brings more than two decades of experience in software businesses. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of Aircall, where he led the company's expansion into AI, nearly doubled revenue and drove the business to profitability. Previously, he was CEO of Humu, where he led the company's sale to Perceptyx, and chief product and technology officer at Apptio. Under Chancellor's leadership, Storable will focus on AI-powered workflows, modern customer experiences and products that help businesses run more efficiently.