Caravan industry’s finest at groundbreaking 2024 National Conference

A resounding success! Back in May, over 100 exhibitors and a record-breaking 1060 delegates gathered on the Gold Coast for the 2024 Caravan Industry National Conference, hosted by Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) and principal sponsors ModnPods and Leisure-Tec Australia.

The event at RACV Royal Pines Resort showcased innovation, celebrated industry leaders, trailblazers, and enthusiasts of the outdoor recreation and caravan park sector. It kicked off with an enthusiastic welcome from Grant Wilckens, in his seventh and final year as CIAA Chair, who said it was “great to reflect on the incredible growth of the industry.”

Over three days, the schedule was packed with opportunities for personal and professional growth. The trade programme was a hive of activity, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and services.

CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said he was delighted to “celebrate what our iconic Aussie caravan and camping industry has achieved and all of the exciting opportunities ahead.”

Conference climax: Fireworks and prestigious awards

The conference concluded with a spectacular Gala Dinner & Awards, dubbed the Industry’s Night of Nights! A highlight was the Eric Hayman OAM Award for Excellence, which was awarded to Grant Wilckens in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Peak National Body for the Australian Caravanning and Camping Industry.

Prominent caravan industry exhibitors reflect on their experiences at the 2024 National Conference in our newly published Caravan Industry Spotlight

IDeaS Revenue Solutions

Most memorable moments: Jurgen Ortelee, IDeaS Managing Director, APAC, noted the growing openness of holiday park owners and operators to adopt new technologies. He said: “They are increasingly keen to learn and understand how these innovations can enhance their business performance and operational efficiencies. It is such a positive development to see holiday park industry professionals explore the benefits that modern technology can bring to their operations, and it reinforced the importance of our work in driving the industry forward.”

Promoted products and services: IDeaS’ primary focus was to highlight the overall benefits of revenue management to holiday parks. They did this by discussing how to optimise pricing strategies, improve forecasting accuracy, and drive revenue growth, emphasising opportunities to enhance overall business performance for holiday park operators.

Brand promotion: The conference reinforced IDeaS’ longstanding collaboration with the Caravan Association. It provided an excellent platform to showcase expertise through presentations, workshops, and as an exhibitor, connecting with nearly 100-holiday park clients to hear firsthand their experiences and the benefits of IDeaS’ solutions.

Networking highlights: A standout was the high engagement during IDeaS’ masterclass on revenue management concepts, reflecting operators’ strong interest in adopting innovative solutions. Mr Ortelee said: “The attendees’ openness to learning and willingness to embrace innovative solutions was truly inspiring.”

Feedback: Attendees, including current clients, provided positive feedback. “Our stand was highly visible and attracted a lot of foot traffic. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees appreciating our clear message: forecast accurately, price confidently, and achieve greater profitability with the right revenue management solutions.”

Australian Linen Supply team feedback from Helen Hurst, National Sales & Marketing Manager:

Highlights: The fantastic opportunity to strengthen existing relationships and forge new connections within the industry.

Promoted products and services: A comprehensive collection of linen designed specifically for caravan parks, emphasising a commitment to sustainability and highlighting efforts to meet net zero targets, strong ethical sourcing, and supply chain practices.

Brand promotion: The event facilitated direct engagement with both long-standing and new customers, enhancing brand visibility and recognition. Face-to-face interactions led to meaningful conversations about Australian Linen Supply’s offerings and sustainable practices.

Notable networking opportunities: Meaningful conversations with key decision-makers from various parks, not only helped strengthen existing relationships but also opened new avenues for collaboration and business growth.

Attendees provided positive feedback: about the quality of products on display, validating the value of Australian Linen Supply’s offerings and underscoring their dedication to sustainable business practices.

RMS Cloud

Memorable moments: The opportunity to connect face-to-face with customers and partners. Outgoing RMS Cloud CEO Peter Buttigieg noted that hearing positive feedback in person was incredibly rewarding and reinforced pride in being part of such a supportive and dynamic community. “These interactions are a powerful reminder of the impact of our work and motivate us to continue pushing forward,” he said.

Promoted products and services: Cybersecurity was a hot topic at the conference, demonstrating the industry’s need to stay ahead of the threats of fraud and cyberattacks. The RMS Cloud stand showcased its advanced payment gateway, RMS Pay, emphasising its secure, PCI-compliant solutions designed to protect customers’ transactions and data. The key focus was to demonstrate its commitment to helping businesses safeguard their operations in the digital age.

Brand promotion and engagement: This conference has been a cornerstone of RMS Cloud’s legacy in the holiday park and caravanning industry for over two decades. Always eagerly anticipated, it provides the team with an invaluable platform to engage directly with customers and partners, to provide real-time support and share updates on products. “The conference strengthens our brand presence and reinforces our dedication to the community we serve,” said Peter Buttigieg.

Networking: This year’s conference was particularly significant for RMS Cloud as they announced the appointment of David Murray as their new CEO. David’s introduction marks a new chapter for RMS Cloud, following the visionary leadership of founder and outgoing CEO Peter Peter Buttigieg, who has led the company for over 40 years. Peter’s influence on the holiday park and caravanning industry is profound, and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire the team.

RMS Cloud received outstanding feedback from attendees regarding their stand and products. Notably, Kerry Goltz of Jolly Swagman Accommodation Park shared her positive experience with RMS Pay, stating, “Last year, we installed RMS Pay, and it has been a game-changer. We no longer take credit card details over the phone; I send a Pay Link via text message. RMS has really helped me because I am not worried about chasing people for money and payments.” The RMS Cloud team expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the CIAA Conference and are excited about the future under the new leadership of David Murray.

BYKKO:

Highlights: BYKKO, a Newcastle-based leader in automated equipment rental solutions, had a fantastic time. The team said: “Wow, where to start! Between the great social nights, the live music and entertainment, great food and awesome atmosphere with our friends and peers in the industry – we made lots of great memories!”

Promoted products: BYKKO showcased their intelligent, automated electric bike rental system, ideal for the Australian coastal environment. Their stations feature fail-proof security, are aesthetically pleasing, and require minimal space. The system can support mixed fleets of e-bikes and e-scooters and includes ongoing maintenance and IT support. BYKKO helps park owners offer healthy, climate-friendly amenities with a user-friendly rental system that enhances guest experiences.

Brand promotion: The conference provided hands-on opportunities for attendees to experience BYKKO’s e-Bikes. Engaging directly with park owners helped BYKKO understand their needs, offering tailored solutions for enhancing guest experiences and overcoming challenges.

Networking highs: BYKKO enjoyed watching attendees try their e-Bikes, often extending their “quick rides” due to the fun experience. These interactions were a highlight, showcasing the ease and enjoyment of BYKKO’s e-Bikes.

BYKKO received valuable feedback from existing clients, highlighting how e-Bikes enhance guest visits and support park operations. These conversations are crucial for ongoing system improvements, making the conference a successful and significant event for BYKKO.

Accessible Accommodation

Most memorable moments from Kerry Williams, Founder/Director: who noted a keen interest in the “Accessibility and Eco-Tourism” session. Especially the feedback that holiday park operators now have a clearer idea of how to attract travellers with disabilities, and older people.

Services promoted: “We showcased our website, offering accessible accommodation booking services for travellers with disabilities. Holiday park operators found value in our tiered property rating system, providing clear insights into their accessibility standards. Additionally, we highlighted our Inclusion Training Program and User Experience Accessibility Consulting Service.”

Brand awareness: The highly targeted event for holiday park businesses and operators allowed for engagement in more in-depth discussions with providers.

Notable interactions: The seminars were particularly impactful, and the topics highly relevant. Also, the partnership between CIAA and Accessible Accommodation, as well as Eco Tourism Australia, underscored the keen awareness of emerging markets and forward-thinking initiatives.

Standout feedback revolved around Accessible Accommodation’s tiered rating accreditation system. Operators particularly appreciate how expert-provided accreditation offers clear consumer understanding, giving a transparent measure of accessibility standing.