OHI
OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Institute) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving privately owned RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping operators in the US and Canada, offering membership-based professional development, advocacy, community networking, and the GoCampingAmerica consumer directory.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCentennial, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What OHI does
OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Institute) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association headquartered in Centennial, Colorado, serving the outdoor hospitality industry in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1965 (originally as ARVC, rebranded to OHI in 2023 to reflect broader outdoor hospitality including glamping), the organization represents privately owned RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping operators and is structured around four pillars: membership, professional development, community, and advocacy. OHI operates a portfolio of programs including the POW! Prospective Owners Workshop, the NFPA 1194 Completion Certificate program, the George O'Leary National School of Outdoor Hospitality, the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE — ranked a Top 100 trade show by Trade Show Magazine), and OHI Connect regional workshops. It also runs the GoCampingAmerica consumer campground directory platform and an Advocacy Action Center on Quorum for legislative engagement.
The underlying technology is a standard membership-association stack rather than a proprietary software platform: a member portal (portal.ohi.org) and login API (api.ohi.org/sf-login), an online resource library and LMS, the GoCampingAmerica directory website, and ancillary community tools (Campfire Voices Facebook group, Coffee Conversations, OHI 20 Groups, Young Professionals network). No public or partner-facing developer API is documented, and no AI/ML capabilities are described. OHI maintains representation on the NFPA Technical Committee on Recreational Vehicles and NFPA 70 National Electric Code Panel 07, and its public affairs team tracks state and national legislation daily. The organization has two wholly owned affiliates: GoCampingAmerica (consumer directory and booking platform) and the OHI Foundation (a separate nonprofit supporting education and industry initiatives).
OHI's business model is recurring annual membership dues calculated through a tiered Calconic dues calculator, with no publicly disclosed price points. Three revenue-relevant customer segments exist: RV park and campground owners/operators (primary), state-level associations coordinating outdoor hospitality businesses (secondary), and industry supplier/partners accessing the network (secondary). The membership bundle includes the GoCampingAmerica premium listing, professional development resources (industry reports, SOPs, toolkits, ADA guides), vetted-vendor discounts through the Discounts Marketplace (propane, insurance, reservation systems, credit card processing, AT&T Wi-Fi, AccessParks broadband), networking and recognition programs (Awards of Excellence, 20 Groups, Young Professionals), and advocacy at local, state, and national levels. Distribution is primarily direct-to-member via the website portal and a personalized membership team led by a Senior Manager of Member Experience.
OHI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OHI
- Legal name
- Outdoor Hospitality Institute
- Website
- https://ohi.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Institute) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving privately owned RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping operators in the US and Canada, offering membership-based professional development, advocacy, community networking, and the GoCampingAmerica consumer directory.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OHI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Association Services for Outdoor Hospitality
- NAICS
- RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (72121), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds (721211), RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212)
- SIC
- Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts) (THAAAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Traditional Campgrounds (Tent & Mixed-Use) (THAMAJAB), KOA/Chain & Franchise Campgrounds (THAMAJAG)
Keywords
Where OHI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Centennial
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
OHI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: OHI generates revenue through annual membership dues from RV park owners, campground operators, glamping businesses, and industry partners. Membership includes access to professional development resources, networking, member discounts, industry-tailored marketing tools, and advocacy services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Membership dues for outdoor hospitality businesses |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
OHI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OHI is a nonprofit trade association that sells annual memberships to outdoor hospitality businesses (RV parks, campgrounds, glamping operators), giving them access to professional development, networking communities, vetted partner discounts, advocacy, and a premium listing on the GoCampingAmerica campground directory. Membership is acquired online via a tiered dues calculator and supported by a dedicated member experience team.
Product overview
OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Institute) is a membership-based trade association serving the outdoor hospitality industry, including RV parks, campgrounds, and glamping businesses. The organization is not a software product company but rather provides a portfolio of membership services centered on professional development, community networking, advocacy, and member benefits. Core offerings include the POW! Prospective Owners Workshop, NFPA 1194 Completion Certificate program, George O'Leary National School of Outdoor Hospitality, the Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE), and OHI Connect regional workshops. The GoCampingAmerica platform provides a marketing directory for members. Additional offerings include the Online Resource Library/LMS, Campfire Voices community, OHI 20 Groups, Young Professionals network, Coffee Conversations networking, an Advocacy Action Center, and a Discounts Marketplace offering exclusive rates from partner companies. The portfolio is accessible through a member portal (portal.ohi.org) and is structured as a unified membership experience rather than a modular software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OHI Membership Annual tiered membership program for RV park, campground, and glamping operators, providing professional development resources, networking, vetted partner discounts, marketing tools including GoCampingAmerica premium listing, and legislative advocacy at local, state, and national levels. Pricing is tiered via the Calconic dues calculator.
- POW! Prospective Owners Workshop On-demand online workshop for individuals considering starting, building, or buying an RV park, campground, or glamping business, providing essential operational and business knowledge.
- NFPA 1194 Completion Certificate Program Online certification program enabling park owners and operators to earn an NFPA 1194 Completion Certificate demonstrating knowledge of NFPA standards for design and construction of RV parks and campgrounds.
- George O'Leary National School of Outdoor Hospitality In-person cohort program taught by industry experts covering business management principles and practices as applied to the outdoor hospitality industry.
- Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo (OHCE) The industry's premier annual trade show focused on professional development and networking for outdoor hospitality operators, ranked a Top 100 trade show by Trade Show Magazine.
- OHI Connect Regional peer-to-peer workshop for campground owners and operators combining collaborative networking and education in an accessible and affordable format.
- GoCampingAmerica Online campground directory and search engine that helps RVers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts find and compare parks. OHI members receive premium listings; the platform drives millions of camper searches annually to member parks.
- Online Resource Library / LMS Centralized hub within the OHI member portal providing professional development materials, training courses, webinars, exclusive content, reports, templates, industry research, and how-to articles/videos, including the Handbook for Outdoor Hospitality.
- OHI Discounts Marketplace Member-only discount program offering exclusive rates and service offerings from industry-leading partner companies covering propane, building supplies, golf carts, reservation systems, insurance, music and movie licensing, pool supplies, waste control, credit card processing, and more.
- OHI Advocacy Action Center Online advocacy platform that allows members to stay updated on legislative issues, locate their legislators, and take action on matters affecting the outdoor hospitality industry.
- OHI Awards of Excellence Program Annual awards program recognizing outstanding achievements across the outdoor hospitality industry, including Park of the Year, Supplier/Innovator of the Year, and Industry Leader of the Year categories.
Quantifiable outcome
- Millions of campers reached annually through GoCampingAmerica platform
Companies that use OHI
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OHI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
OHI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- GoCampingAmericacoreGoCampingAmerica is OHI's premier campground listing platform, one of the largest campground databases currently online. Members receive premium listings with powerful search engine allowing RVers and campers to search and compare parks. The platform helps millions of people each year find their next adventure.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OHI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- U.S. Travel Association: National non-profit representing the broader U.S. travel industry. Comparable association structure with member dues, advocacy, and research; broader mandate than OHI but operationally similar as a dues-funded industry body.
- Kampgrounds of America (KOA): Largest franchisor of private campgrounds in North America with 500+ locations; overlapping operator base and consumer brand recognition with OHI's members. A broader incumbent operating directly in the same campground category rather than as a trade body.
- American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): National trade association for the broader lodging industry. Highly comparable association operating model (membership dues, advocacy, professional development, brand standards) but serving hotels/motels rather than outdoor hospitality specifically.
- American Resort Development Association (ARDA): Trade association representing the timeshare and resort industry. Comparable membership-association model with advocacy, professional development, and an annual conference/expo; serves an adjacent vacation-property segment rather than RV parks and campgrounds.
Emerging players
- World Glamping Association: Newer international trade association focused specifically on the glamping segment. Directly comparable to OHI in association model and an overlapping glamping-operator membership that is a stated growth focus following OHI's 2023 rebrand.
Direct peers
- Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA): National trade association representing RV manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers. Directly comparable to OHI as a similarly structured industry association serving the RV and outdoor hospitality ecosystem with advocacy, member services, and trade events.
- American Camping Association (ACA): Long-established membership association serving day, resident, and travel camps in North America. Comparable to OHI in operating model (membership dues, accreditation, professional development, advocacy) and end-operator base of camp operators.
Regional players
- California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC): State-level trade association supporting California RV park and campground operators. Mirrors OHI's structure and member profile at the state level; part of the network OHI explicitly coordinates with, representing a regional layer of the same industry.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OHI social profiles
Digital presenceOHI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OHI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
OHI subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
OHI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OHI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OHI
What does OHI do?
OHI is a nonprofit trade association that sells annual memberships to outdoor hospitality businesses (RV parks, campgrounds, glamping operators), giving them access to professional development, networking communities, vetted partner discounts, advocacy, and a premium listing on the GoCampingAmerica campground directory. Membership is acquired online via a tiered dues calculator and supported by a dedicated member experience team.
Is OHI a public or private company?
OHI is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OHI founded?
OHI was founded in -1. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is OHI based?
OHI is headquartered in Centennial, United States, in the North America region.
How does OHI make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are OHI's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are U.S. Travel Association, Kampgrounds of America (KOA), American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and American Resort Development Association (ARDA). World Glamping Association is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) and American Camping Association (ACA). California Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (CalARVC) is listed as a regional player.
Does OHI have an API?
No public API is recorded for OHI.
What industry is OHI in?
OHI's product category is Trade Association Services for Outdoor Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAGAE, Campground & Overnight Facilities Operations (Campsites, Cabins, Backcountry Huts), with a secondary code of THAMAJAB, Traditional Campgrounds (Tent & Mixed-Use). Its NAICS code is 72121 and its SIC code is 7000.