Andrew Nussbaum – Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Andrew has spent his entire professional career in hospitality, marketing, and tourism. His focus with companies and organizations has always been on growing their customer service effectiveness and profitability, a passion that has spanned 5 decades beginning with his first hospitality job in 1984. Andrew joined the Wisconsin Department of Tourism in 2012, having previously served as President and CEO of the Columbia County Wisconsin Visitor’s Bureau since 2002. He assists businesses and organizations in getting the word out about all the great things there are to see and do. Having worked with various national, regional and statewide collaboration efforts, Andrew enjoys bringing organizations together to share ideas and resources. Tourism is the welcome mat and front door for economic development, and the visitors’ experience is paramount.
Ben Quiggle – Woodall’s Campground Magazine
Ben Quiggle is the editor of Woodall’s Campground Magazine and the Midwest editor of RVBusiness, both trade publications owned by G&G Media and serving the RV and outdoor hospitality industries. He is co-host of WCM’s Park Update, a weekly podcast/video show focused on the outdoor hospitality industry and is a regular attendee/speaker at industry conferences. He is a graduate of Grace College with degrees in communications and journalism. Before working with WCM, he was an award-winning journalist with The Elkhart Truth and The Chronicle-Tribune, earning awards from the Associated Press for coverage of city financial issues. As a college student, he worked at a local NBC affiliate, WNDU, in South Bend, Ind., doing video work for breaking news stories and local sports. His wife of 20 years, Ferron, and his six children all live in Hillsdale, Mich., where they enjoy soccer, beekeeping, hunting, chickens and a variety of other activities.
Beth Standlee – TrainerTainment
Beth Standlee is the founder and Chairwoman of TrainerTainment & The GrowthPro Group. She is also the author of People Buy From People-How to Personally Connect in an Impersonal World. Beth and her company coach and train leaders and teams who want to grow in sales, service, and leadership in the hospitality industry. Her energy is boundless and focused She and her team use creativity and drive to help others grow. Beth’s sales experience spans more than three decades. In that time she has learned the know-how, know-when, and know-why of the exciting, evolutionary world of sales, service, and leadership. As a Scaling UP and Full Focus Planner Certified Coach, Beth is committed to business leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals be better today than they were yesterday. Since 1995, Beth has worked on the front line of sales management, consulted facilities across the country, and sold capital equipment to the entertainment industry where her annual sales were in the millions. Her focus always has been to create sales made easy through excellent customer service. Beth has spoken to local, national, and international audiences around the world as a featured speaker at Bowl Expo, IAAPA, IAAPA Europe, IATP, the International DEAL show in Dubai, Amusement Expo, and is a regular columnist for Replay Magazine
Chris Westfall – Peaceful Pines Resort, Eagle River, WI
Chris Westfall is a lifelong entrepreneur and founder of Peaceful Pines Resort in Eagle River, Wisconsin. With roots as a skilled mason and business owner, Chris built his career one brick at a time, learning to pivot, adapt, and persevere through life’s challenges. When one chapter closed, he created another, turning a single hand-built cabin into a thriving, family-friendly campground. Chris believes success comes from creating a team of champions, and he is proud to have built a winning team that shares his vision. His story is one of resilience, craftsmanship, and the power of building something that matters.
Craig Alsup – Askew’s Landing RV Campground & LiveBeyond Coaching
Craig Alsup is a distinguished RV Park Owner, Business Systems and Marketing Coach, and Marketing Expert with a proven track record of success. With 12 years of experience in building websites and providing comprehensive marketing support, Craig has successfully collaborated with clients across the US, Canada, and Europe. His expertise in coaching business owners spans 5 years, during which his clients have consistently achieved double and triple revenue growth year over year. Craig’s public speaking credentials are equally impressive, boasting over 8 years of experience and captivating audiences as large as 800+. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Craig is an avid adventurer and dedicated philanthropist, committed to rescuing children from poverty around the globe. With a blend of entrepreneurial acumen, marketing expertise, and a passion for making a difference, Craig Alsup is a trusted partner for businesses seeking transformative growth and meaningful impact.
Crystal Erickson – Coverra Insurance Services
Hello – my name is Crystal Erickson. I am a Commercial Agent for Coverra Insurance Services: Leisure & Hospitality. My family and I share a passion for outdoor adventures and travel. Working on Coverra’s Leisure & Hospitality team allows me to be passionate about what I do and help protect what I love! While our team has the opportunity to work in an incredibly fun industry, we take our job as your trusted risk advisor seriously. We understand that no two operations are the same and will work with you to develop a policy that suites your unique needs! Protecting what means the most to you and your family is what means the most to us: Covering you comes first at Coverra!
Don Bennett
Don Bennett, Jr. and his wife Lisa are principal owners of Merchantry Tourism, LLC, a boutique agency known for its specialized services in association management, event management, strategic planning consultation, and providing speakers for meetings and conventions. The company also operates as Anderson’s Brochure Distribution Service, offering clients specialized services in designing, printing, and distributing marketing literature. From 2006 until 2023, Don served as President and CEO of Campground Owners of New York (CONY), a for-profit trade association dedicated to the growth, promotion, improvement, and development of independently owned campgrounds in New York State. During his tenure membership included close to 200 parks and was a leading association in the outdoor hospitality industry across the country. In November 2023 he was inducted into CONY’s Hall of Fame, joining just 17 other honorees inducted since 1985. Don and Lisa own and operate Conesus Lake Campground and Conesus Lake RV Park, two campgrounds located in the town of Conesus, NY. Don is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of New York and has been in the accounting field for over 25 years. His contributions to a myriad of boards and committees are a testament to his drive and passion for effecting positive change. He is deeply involved in public service and community organizations, serving on the boards for various entities, including the NYS Travel & Vacation Association, The Great Lakes Seaway Trail, The Society of the Genesee and the Lakes, NYS Tourism Industry Association, Campground Association Management Professionals, NYS Hospitality Association, Livingston County Chamber of Commerce, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, and the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. He has been a part of the Finger Lakes tourism and arts workgroup for the Market NY Grant process. Don graduated from Ashland University, receiving his Bachelor of Science Majoring in Accounting and Finance minoring in Economics. He currently resides in Pittsford, NY with his wife Lisa who is a science teacher at East Irondequoit High School. They have two sons Winston who is currently a Venture Capital Analyst in Naples, FL, and Mason who is a construction management major at SUNY Alfred.
Eric Haun – Coverra Insurance Services
Hello! My name is Eric Haun and I am Vice President of our Leisure & Hospitality division. My family consists of my wife, Lauren, our 3 children and 2 dogs. When I am not chasing the kids around the house or to their sporting events, I enjoy spending free time hunting, fishing, boating, shooting billiards, spending time maintaining our property, enjoying the outdoors, and relaxing at the cabin on the lake in Chetek, WI. My love for spending time outdoors and having fun pairs well with my involvement in our Leisure & Hospitality division. I truly love my profession and the positive impact I have on others. Becoming part of my clients’ “team” as their trusted advisor for risk management & mitigation is a great feeling and one that I take very seriously. Being able to educate others on the exposures they may face, while crafting an insurance policy to fit their unique risks, needs and desires is what excites me in my profession every day!
Genevieve Sullivan – TrainerTainment
Genevieve Sullivan (she/her) is a Coach and Training Specialist at TrainerTainment, powered by The Growth Pro Group. She and her team specialize in creating unique coaching experiences that drive individual and company-wide growth in sales, performance, and leadership. With a passion for empowering people to make a positive contribution in the world, Genevieve helps develop leaders at every stage— from front-line staff in their first professional role to seasoned executives honing their skills.
Heidi Doyle – Utility Supply Group
Heidi has a long history in the outdoor hospitality business, growing up on a resort that her grandparents built in Northern Wisconsin. At the Utility Supply Group, Heidi works as an Education and Strategic Relationship Coordinator. Within this role, she works on product education for all company employees, and also as USG’s spokesperson for company events, partnerships and industry associations. Heidi keeps current on the NEC and NFPA 1194 to keep customers properly educated. Throughout the year, you can find Heidi at many national and state industry conventions, often presenting important information to attendees and interacting with park owners. Heidi lives with her husband, west of Madison, Wisconsin.
Holly Hoffman – Sales Tax Advisory Network
Holly Hoffman is a former WI Dept of Revenue auditor, tax specialist and head of WI Dept of Revenue’s Speaker’s Bureau. As the founder of Sales Tax Advisory Network, Holly is dedicated to empowering businesses with clear, actionable sales tax compliance solutions tailored to their unique needs. She has been a speaker at WACO conventions for 10 years. She was recently featured in the Digital Journal, CEOWeekly.com, and on Founders Future podcast!
Jackie Sinclair – Go Digital Diva
Introducing Jackie Sinclair, a Southern California entrepreneur and digital marketing expert with a diverse background in real estate, marketing, and corporate administration. Known for her skills in digital media and marketing strategy, Jackie brings her corporate experience into her entrepreneurial ventures. As a wife, mother, and seasoned entrepreneur, she offers unique insights on work-life balance, making her speaking engagements both engaging and insightful. Join us as Jackie shares her journey, expertise, and strategies for maintaining a thriving career and fulfilling personal life.
Jason Vaughn – Executive Director at PCOA
Jason Vaughan is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA) and oversees Hospitality Connections, a program supporting member discount opportunities and industry partnerships to almost 4,000 campgrounds across the country. As part of his family’s campground in the Pocono Mountains, he brings firsthand experience to his advocacy for Pennsylvania’s camping industry and its continued growth.
Jeff Crider – Camping Info Source
Jeff Crider is a longtime freelance writer and media relations consultant for campground and RV industry associations across the country. He has written for Woodall’s Campground Management for more than 20 years and secured positive camping story placements in media outlets across the country, from AAA to National Public Radio and The New York Times. He worked as a daily newspaper reporter for nearly 12 years before becoming a public relations consultant.
Jodie Lee – Lee’s Private Detective Agency, Licensed Private Investigator, Certified Fraud Examiner
Jodie holds an associate’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, along with ongoing annual education to stay current in the ever-evolving fields of private investigation, fraud examination, and loss prevention. She specializes in fraud detection, financial investigations, surveillance, loss prevention, security, and background checks. Dedicated to helping individuals and businesses uncover the truth, safeguard assets, and minimize risk, Jodie delivers accurate, actionable insights that empower clients to make informed, confident decisions.
John Jaszewski – Campgrounds4Sale
Twenty years in corporate management focused on Information Technology and Manufacturing automation. Then left Corporate American to become a real estate investor. For the past 20 years he has owned and operated a real estate company, selling more than $400 million dollars in real estate, including $38 Million in 2021 alone. He has been involved in 48 campground closings in just the past three years. His focus now is helping people become wealthy and independent. He has created almost 100 millionaires in his lifetime – His goal is to make you his next millionaire!
Justin Williams – Newbook
Justin Williams is an Market Consultant at Newbook with a background in cloud-based technology for the last 18+ years. He is passionate about helping operators achieve greater business success. When not working on that, Justin is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping, sky diving, mountain biking and traveling the world.
Kara Traxler – Dell Pines Campground, Baraboo, WI
Kara Traxler is the co-owner of Dell Pines Campground in Baraboo, Wisconsin. She, her husband Rob, and four daughters have grown their business into a thriving destination for relaxed, family camping. Over the past seven years, Dell Pines has more than tripled in both sales and staff, driven by a focus on building a strong, independent team that delivers exceptional guest experiences. Before campground ownership, Kara served as a project manager and director for three healthcare start-up organizations, where she led teams from competing organizations to collaborate toward a shared mission. Blending her background in leadership and organizational development with hands-on experience in outdoor hospitality, Kara enjoys helping others grow on their leadership journey.
Kelly Jones – The Jenkins Organization
Kelly Jones joined The Jenkins Organization in 2020, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in RV resorts with a background deeply rooted in the industry. Her tenure as the General Manager of the campground marked significant accomplishments, including being named Operator Of The Year on two separate occasions. Kelly went on to assume the role of Vice President of Operations at Leisure Systems, Inc., the distinguished franchisor overseeing Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Parks. In this capacity, her primary focus was collaborating with franchisees to enhance operational efficiency and drive revenue growth. As Vice President, Kelly Jones maintains overarching responsibility for the operational facets of the entire RV resort portfolio. This multifaceted role encompasses extensive duties, such as providing guidance and support to district managers, ensuring safety and compliance standards, and oversight of annual operating budgets. Beyond her corporate role, Kelly is an actively engaged National School of RV & Campground Management instructor. She also shares her expertise with audiences at both national and state conferences. Kelly earned the ARVC Above and Beyond Award, and in 2020, Kelly was honored with the Herb Strauss Educational Impact Award.
Kim Lantta – Lake Ridge Bank
Kim has more than two decades of industry experience, having held positions in portfolio management, commercial lending and retail banking. She is responsible for helping businesses of all sizes, municipalities, and non-profits understand and utilize the many treasury management products and services First Mid Bank & Trust offers. In turn, she assists them in efficiently collecting, disbursing and investing their cash, while keeping things secure via numerous fraud protection products. Growing up in a family-owned business in southern Wisconsin, Kim has a deep understanding and appreciation of the challenges facing business owners today, and their need for solid advice they can trust. Kim holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking from the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She volunteers her time with UW-Whitewater – Rock County, Agrace Hospice, and the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce.
Kristine Valk – Merchants Bank
Kristine E. Valk is the Vice President, Director of Training for Merchants Bank. She is a frequent speaker across various industries, sharing her insights on employee engagement, leadership, coaching, and temperament theory over the past 30 years. Ms. Valk holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary Social Science Education and a Master of Arts in Human Development, with an emphasis on Leadership Development. She is nationally certified in Real Colors and InsideOut Coaching. Additionally, she serves as an Advisory Board member for the Western Wisconsin Technical College Human Resources School of Business. Ms. Valk co-authored her first book, “Steppingstones,” for blended families, and is currently collaborating on their second book, “Culture-In,” set to be released in 2025. Kristine and her husband, Barry, reside in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Lance Bevier – Kampgrounds of America (KOA)
Lance Bevier is the Franchise Development Manager at Kampgrounds of America (KOA), where he plays a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s presence across the country. With extensive experience in franchise development and a passion for the outdoors, Lance is dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs realize their dreams of owning and operating successful campgrounds. Outside of work, Lance enjoys spending time with his family, scuba diving, snow skiing, and volunteering at Eagle Mount Billings, providing adaptive recreational activities for children and adults with disabilities, further aligning his professional and personal interests in the outdoors and the community.
Mark Koep – Campground Views
Mark Koep is the President and CEO of Campground Views, Inc. He has an MBA from Pepperdine and has devoted the last decade to making the Outdoor Hospitality Industry bigger and better. He is the host of the wildly popular Facebook Group for RV Park Owners, a regular speaker at industry events, sought after consultant, father of two, and fulltime RVer for 12 years. No one knows more about the Outdoor Hospitality Industry than Mark Koep who has personally visited over 5,000 campgrounds and RV parks. Client parks have measured tens of millions of dollars in increased revenue implementing the tools, strategies and processes laid out by Mark. Campground Views is the developer and operator of the proprietary Campground Virtual Tour technology. The only true virtual tour software designed specifically for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry. Campers can easily see the park, see the roads and see the sites. Park operators have measured over 244% increases in online bookings, drops of 40% for inbound calls and doubling of the length of their stays thanks to this tool. The technology has been implemented for almost one thousand RV parks and campgrounds across the US. The company’s focus is to help campers find the right campground, at the perfect time, using the best equipment. For park operators the company provides a highly valuable tool to improve marketing, guest acquisition, guest experience and operational efficiencies. See what the fuss is about by clicking here https://www.campgroundviews.com/easier-bookings/
Michael Moore – Texas Advertising
Michael Moore has been working in the campground industry for over 20 years. Starting in the mail room, he has worked his way up to be the General Manager of Texas Advertising which owns such divisions as AGS Guest Guides and TXAD Website Design and Development. He’s also the Assistant Executive Director of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) and currently serves on the OHI Board of Directors representing campground suppliers and vendors and does PR and Marketing for the Campground Association Management Professional group (CAMP). His degrees and certifications include an MBA from TCU in Fort Worth, Texas and a Certified Tourism Executive certification from the Texas Travel Industry Association.
Phil Whitehead – Lake Ridge Bank
Phil carries three decades of expertise and proficiency in developing commercial banking relationships aided not only by his years of experience in the industry, but also by being a licensed CPA, Certified Financial Planner and Certified Exit Planner for businesses. He understands campgrounds intimately, working with over 50 campgrounds throughout the Midwest. He has a long history of helping clients develop their business to its fullest potential by providing solid advice and banking services geared to attaining specific goals. Phil earned a Master of Science Degree with an emphasis in Accounting and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with an emphasis in Marketing from UW – Whitewater. He also attended the George O’Leary National School of Outdoor Hospitality.
Tia Anderson – Stoney Creek RV Resort, Osseo, WI
Tia Anderson is the General Manager at Stoney Creek RV Resort in Osseo, WI. Tia was raised in the campground industry and has over 15 years of experience working in campgrounds. At Stoney Creek, she manages the day-to-day operations of the park including all reservation/pos systems, front desk, gift shop, activities program, employee relations, and more. She also handles all online marketing, social media, web design/maintenance and promotional material. Tia has been actively involved in WACO (Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners) since a young age, leading seminars and classes over the years and recently organizing the WACO Young Professionals group.
Ron Romens – Commercial Recreation Specialists
Ron, President of CRS, is a seasoned leader in commercial recreation, specializing in assisting campground owners in developing open-water recreation venues from concept to completion. With over 30 years of experience and a track record of success, Ron brings invaluable insights and innovative methods to enhance campground offerings. As the visionary behind three WhoaZone Aqua Park locations across the US, he is dedicated to sharing his proven expertise, guiding campground owners to elevate their recreational facilities.