Our Commitment to Our Members In the Outdoor Lodging Industry
Rivers & Rockies OLC is here for the professionals who operate or serve outdoor lodging businesses. We provide members with tools and programs members may use to strengthen or fortify their businesses. While not limited to these areas, advocacy, industry education, cost-savings programs, insight on best practices and industry trends, and programs for networking and information sharing are some benefit areas our members appreciate.
We’re grateful to Woodall’s Campground Magazine for this Q&A article (click to read). You can see more of their other articles about us by clicking here.
New … Yet Not New
In 2024, members built us upon the 50+ year-old bedrock through which two state associations had been serving their members. Rivers & Rockies now offers a more comprehensive suite of professional services and opens the door or opens the umbrella to a larger territory.
The founding members felt the businesses in nearby states were missing out on perks and benefits, so we opened our doors to a wider territory.
We remain focused on a diverse range of business models, from the more rustic campgrounds to the robust RV or Glamping resorts, and from short-stay to long-stay properties, and from 5 sites to infinite!
We’re professionally partnered or connected with other industry entities who provide added value, connectivity, and cohesion. Some examples: the Campground Association Management Professionals or C.A.M.P. (a nationwide organization state and regional association leaders who serve the outdoor lodging/hospitality businesses), the RV Industry Association (RVIA), Leave No Trace, and the Glamping Show America. We are also preferred partners with the American Glamping Association.
Every Member Matters
As our founding members looked into the future, they designed Rivers & Rockies to better serve the known (and future) needs of the outdoor lodging or outdoor hospitality businesses as well as those of our industry partners.
From the single-person ownership to the multi-generational family-owned campgrounds and to those owned by corporations, and even to those who are seeking to enter the industry, you were considered and you matter. Every member matters!
From within one state, several of the state association’s co-founders (55+ years in the making!) are still actively engaged in their family businesses and in their state association. They take pleasure in the history their families helped create for the camping industry in that state. We’re honored to have them among our co-founders.
Even our CEO & Executive Director has over 25 years in the industry, 10 of which were in the role of owner/operator. She’s enjoyed being involved in non-profit association management throughout life, with 20+ of those years in this industry.
BENEFITS FOR OUTDOOR LODGING BUSINESSES
- Advocacy support, from the community level to Washington D.C.
- Networking with other members (lodging properties and industry suppliers)
- Education on best practices, management, operations, and current trends
- Cost-Savings Opportunities: laundry equipment, movie & music licenses, office supplies, propane, background check services, fuel, insurance, mobile service, check guarantee, credit card processing, food services, housekeeping supplies, payment collections, rental vehicles, shipping, waste & recycling, and more (we’ve added quite a few to this list in the past year)
- Resources on your desktop and in the app
- Professionals support services
A long-standing member submitted this to show with our benefit list:
“Membership with us gets you the best state exec in the business. She’s someone who genuinely cares about your success, who’s an advocate, a friend, a cheerleader, … (I could go on and on). Our benefits are much greater than what can be listed. If you join, participate and stick with her, I think you will find great value.” (D.O., Colorado Springs, CO)
We are also sponsors and supporters of these events:
MEMBERSHIPS
Outdoor Lodging businesses include campgrounds, RV parks, RV resorts, and those who offer cabin, onsite RVs, and any of a wide range of glamping options. The membership year is October through September.
Professional services businesses include for-profit businesses which offer support programs, products, inventories, supplies, and tools to the outdoor lodging businesses. We offer tiered levels starting at $100 per year, so your business can connect with our outdoor lodging members. The membership year runs July through June.
Prospective proprietors are those who are considering a new career as owners in this industry. The membership year is October through September.
Please click here to contact us.
If your outdoor lodging business is outside this territory, you may join but we’d also like to discuss viable options for your consideration. The membership year is October through September (prorated for those joining mid-year).
Please click here to contact us.
TESTIMONIALS
As an operator in states that have and do not have state association representation, I’ve seen first-hand the benefits that a more grassroots association can provide, and similarly where outdoor lodging properties struggle without similar resources. We are excited to be a part of and to support a more regional effort to provide these types of benefits, and would encourage now eligible properties to explore RROLC to strengthen and fortify their business! ~ SF, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality
Being a part of RROLC allows us to network and communicate with others in the industry, including other park owners and operators & industry suppliers. RROLC helps us gain knowledge providing us with a pool of online resources readily available when we need it. ~ TB, Elkhorn Ridge Resort
The RROLC team was instrumental in helping me acquire my first park. The ongoing advocacy is critical as legislatures confuse tourist-based RV Parks with mobile home parks. ~ ED, Riverwood Resort on the Gunnison
I have felt welcomed from the start, even though I don’t yet own a park. ~ JA, Prospective Proprietor
RROLC holds special regard for the comradery between owners, managers and the industry suppliers. For the businesses in their territory, RROLC has created a path to the future which keeps fellowship and collaboration above all else. I’m excited to be a part of this new organization. ~ MA, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance