The 2016 VicParks Annual Conference has now been and gone with only the bar bills remaining as a distant memory of a vibrant conference.
Once again members from across the state – 240 of them – came together to listen, learn and debate the key issues facing the caravan park industry. A large trade show of 51 exhibitors added an extra 120 extra people to the crowd attending across the 3 days.
Members were challenged to Shake it Up (with apologies to Taylah Swift) as a range of speakers gave insights into the anticipated growth of the tourism industry generally, and the caravan park accommodation sector specifically, across the next few years. Speakers suggested that this growth will be matched by increasing consumer expectations for free wifi, children’s activities and equipment, and general park amenities.
A range of interesting workshops provided everything from tips to make parks look amazing, to free legal advice for our Associate members to all things to do with park management and staff issues. Sessions on implementing cost-effective technology systems to attract and keep customers to the park were very well-attended.
And of course the social events were popular; people came together to mingle, share news and generally catch-up after a busy year.
Thanks to all our generous sponsors who again made the whole event possible; the range of giveaway prizes was outstanding and for some lucky members, provided them with fabulous reasons to come again next year.
The upgraded Awards program attracted a huge increase in submissions from members. We are very grateful to Sally Capp of Victorian Chamber (formerly VECCI) for undertaking the difficult task of judging these awards. The winners were:
Employee of the Year (sponsored by the Manufactured Homes Insurance Agency) was Peter Ralph of Merool on the Murray
Green Park Award (sponsored by Caravan Industry Association of Australia) was awarded to BIG4 Beacon Resort
Community Development Award (sponsored by Mann Legal) was awarded to Bressan Group of Parks and Communities
Innovation Award (sponsored by Yarrawonga Manufactured Homes) was awarded to BIG4 Swan Hill Riverside
Technical Innovation Award (sponsored by NewBook eManagement Technology) was awarded to Park Lane Holiday Parks
Peter Buttigeig of RMS was inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame for services to the industry
Fergus Brown, CEO and Richard Gunson, Past President of the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand, were presented with the President’s Award for their efforts in strengthening the relationship between VicParks and the Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand
