In This Issue:

• Association News Bytes September 8, 2025
• Joss Penny Retiring From BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association
• A Passing of Time and a Farewell to Our Executive Director and Leader, Mr. Joss Penny
• First Western Ideas Forum to Bring Education, Networking Opportunities for Campgrounds, RV Parks
• When Insurance Gaps Burn: Lessons from the Lake Okanagan Resort Wildfire
• BCLCA Welcomes New Members
• Second Call for BCLCA Board Nominations - Deadline October 5, 2025

ASSOCIATION NEWS BYTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2025

Check out BCLCA's schedule of events and activities. Stay up-to-date with industry happenings.

Now Hiring: Executive Director – BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA)

The BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to lead our not-for-profit trade association. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of BC’s independently owned lodging and campground/RV park sector.

As Executive Director, you’ll provide strategic leadership, strengthen advocacy, grow membership, oversee events and marketing programs, and manage finances and staff.

📍 Location: British Columbia (Hybrid) or Remote (Canada-wide)

💼 Full-time | Salary: $95,000–$105,000 | Flexible benefits

Applications are open until September 30, 2025.

👉 Learn more and apply by sending your resume and cover letter to office@bclca.com.

📄 Click here to view the full job description (PDF)

Membership Dues

Membership Renewal - dues invoices for 2025/26 have been sent via email and were payable September 1, 2025. If you pay by EFT before September 30, you can deduct $5.25.

Education Services

Register for the Western Ideas Forum & AccomEx November 3 – 6, 2025 at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, Cranbrook. This unique event will bring together 80 - 100 campground and RV park owners, resort operators, and outdoor hospitality professionals from across Western Canada. To register for the conference visit Attendees – Western Ideas Forum and use promo code AGI0JNLP for a 10% discount off the early bird rate.

Supplier News and Special Offers

AccomEx 2025 takes place on November 4 and is filling up quickly with 18 exhibitors committed. Check out the trade show https://camprvwest.com/floorplan/ and plan to attend.

Reminder Superior Propane has provided BCLCA members with the following rates valid until May 31, 2026. The rates are: Under 10,000 litres 0.5929 and Over 10,000 litres 0.5629. To sign-up for the program contact Darlene at office@bclca.com.

Exclusive BCLCA Member Discount: 5% off all BLUETTI portable power stations and solar panels purchased via the Bluetti official website with code BCLCA. Contact: Tara Fu, Marketing Director sale-ca@bluettipower.com Tel: 469-871-6088 - https://www.bluettipower.ca

JOSS PENNY RETIRING FROM BC LODGING & CAMPGROUNDS ASSOCIATION

It is with both anticipation and gratitude that I announce my retirement as Executive Director of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) at the end of 2025.

When I first joined the BC Motels, Campgrounds and Resort Association—now BCLCA—in March 1988, I could never have imagined that I would one day lead the organization. Since becoming Executive Director on October 1, 2007, I have dedicated much of my time to supporting an often overlooked yet vital part of British Columbia’s tourism landscape: camping and small resort operations. It has been my privilege to serve as a voice for this sector and to champion positive changes.

Over the years, I’ve had the honour of working alongside a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, passionate members, and committed partners in government and industry. Together, we have accomplished milestones that strengthened and unified the campground and lodging industry in British Columbia and beyond, including:

• Publishing the first Super Camping guide in 1989 with 110,000 copies—now in its 36th year with both digital and mobile companions.
• Establishing go2HR from the legacy of the Hospitality Industry Education Advisory Committee (HIEAC).
• Launching consumer websites in the 1990s that evolved into travel-british-columbia.com, now attracting over 300,000 visitors annually.
• Co-founding the Camping and RVing BC Coalition in 2008 to promote camping and RV experiences across the province.
• Helping launch the Canadian Camping and RV Association to unite the industry at a national level.
• Creating the Camping Providers Alliance during the COVID-19 pandemic to foster collaboration between public and private campground operators in British Columbia.
• Introducing the Camper’s Code in 2021 to encourage respectful and responsible camping behaviour.
• Addressing the challenges of extended stays through new licence-to-occupy vs. tenancy guidelines and template agreements.
• Serving on the Tourism Industry Association of BC Policy Committee since 2021 to assist advancing provincial tourism policy.
• Providing input on numerous government and industry initiatives, always striving to find practical solutions during both economic and emergency challenges.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible BCLCA staff, whose dedication has inspired me every day. To our suppliers and partners—thank you for your steadfast support. And to our members—it has been a privilege to represent you. Your entrepreneurial spirit has always motivated me to do my best.

As I prepare for retirement, I am committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition and look forward to seeing BCLCA continue to thrive. I hope to connect with many of you at the Western Ideas Forum & AccomEx, November 3–6, 2025, at St. Eugene Resort in Cranbrook, as I conclude this chapter of my career.

With sincere appreciation,

Joss Penny

Executive Director, BCLCA

A PASSING OF TIME AND A FAREWELL TO OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND LEADER, MR. JOSS PENNY

It is with gratitude, heartfelt appreciation, and some sadness that we announce the retirement of our Executive Director and leader, Joss Penny. After 37 years of dedicated leadership, Joss will be stepping down from the role at the end of December of this year.

Under Joss’s unwavering guidance, the BCLCA has grown with resilience, strength and purpose.  The camping sector in BC is where it is today, because of the vision, experience and passion of Joss.

The accomplishments of Joss with the support of the several boards of directors are plentiful and somewhat staggering, from co-founding the Camping and RVing BC Coalition to recently developing the Campers Code. Joss has been the backbone of the BCLCA and has navigated the association and membership through countless challenges. In addition, under his leadership, the association has maximized endless opportunities.

The sector, the membership, and the campers of British Columbia and beyond, have enjoyed many years in the front country and back, because of Joss fostering a culture of collaboration, respect and care. He has truly left an indelible mark on us.

While we are sad to see Joss go, we celebrate a remarkable career and the countless contributions that will continue to shape the sector provincially and nationally, for years to come. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff, the membership, and the many people touched by Joss’s vision, we extend our deepest thanks and warmest wishes for a fulfilling next chapter.

The membership can rest assured that the board, with the support of Joss, has been planning and strategizing for this transition over the past year, and though the shoes are enormous, we are beginning the interviewing and selection process immediately, and look to have a strong successor at the helm by the end of our fall Ideas Forum and gathering, at St Eugene, Cranbrook BC.

Please join us in congratulating Joss on a well-deserved retirement!

FIRST WESTERN IDEAS FORUM TO BRING EDUCATION, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPGROUNDS, RV PARKS



The Western Ideas Forum & AccomEx 2025, takes place November 3–6, 2025 at the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino in Cranbrook, BC. Co-hosted by the Canadian Camping and RV Association (CCRVA) and the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association (BCLCA), the event will bring together campground and RV park operators from across Western Canada for education, networking, and a trade show.

Program Highlights

• Tours & Networking – KOA at St. Eugene, Fort Steele RV Park, and the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre.
• Keynotes & Sessions – Panels on operations, trends, and leadership, including Peter Pilarski (CIPR Communications) on practical AI applications.
• Interactive Learning – Cracker barrel roundtables for peer exchange and problem-solving.
• AccomEx Trade Show – 25 booths plus outdoor exhibits, from glamping units to supplier showcases.

Sponsors

• Platinum – CampLife, Canadian Sleeping Barrels
• Silver – 76 North Street, Newbook, Signature Risk Insurance Services
• Bronze – WorkSafeBC, Modern Campground

The forum is expected to attract 80–100 operators in its first year, with plans to expand in future years. BCLCA Executive Director Joss Penny calls it a “think tank” for Western Canadian operators: “It’s important we get together and talk about the things that matter—staffing, rates, amenities, or even adding pickleball courts.”

For details and registration, visit camprvwest.com. Early bird deadline: September 15, 2025.

WHEN INSURANCE GAPS BURN: LESSONS FROM THE LAKE OKANAGAN RESORT WILDFIRE

The association was recently alerted by Signature Risk, a preferred supplier member, to a lawsuit that illustrates how discount insurance coverage can expose businesses to severe financial loss through hidden gaps and inadequate protection.

Case in Point: Lake Okanagan Resort Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed by Lake Okanagan Resort highlights the devastating impact of insurance gaps. After the McDougall Creek wildfire destroyed most of the resort’s buildings and utilities in August 2023, the operators discovered that although they carried multiple insurance policies—including liability, property, marina, and environmental coverage—none extended to essential utilities such as water, sewage, and electrical infrastructure.

Without these utilities, the resort has been unable to rebuild, leaving surviving structures unusable and the business in limbo. The owners allege their broker, Western Financial Group, failed to advise them of these “potential gaps.” These claims remain unproven in court, but the situation underscores a critical lesson for all property owners and operators.

The Risk of Discount Coverage

Choosing insurance based solely on price often means accepting generic policies that exclude crucial coverages. These gaps only surface when disaster strikes, and by then it’s too late to recover losses. Risks include:

• Unnoticed exclusions that leave essential services uninsured.
• Denied claims and financial losses from incomplete coverage.
• Business disruption if key infrastructure is omitted.
• Future premium spikes after catastrophic claims.

The Takeaway

The Lake Okanagan Resort case is a sobering reminder: insurance isn’t just a cost—it’s a cornerstone of business continuity. Chasing the lowest premium can expose operators to existential threats. Comprehensive coverage may cost more upfront, but it ensures survival when the unexpected happens.

BCLCA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Introducing New Active Members & Owners

Raising the Bar Professional Services Inc., Tappen

Christine Beasse

beasse79@gmail.com

Introducing New Suppliers (to search the suppliers directory click here)

BLUETTI is a leading provider of portable power solutions designed for camping, RV travel, off-grid living, as well as emergency backup.

BLUETTI's product line includes high-capacity solar generators, portable power stations, solar panels, and eco-friendly battery storage systems. With reliable, silent, and clean energy, BLUETTI helps campgrounds, RV owners, and outdoor adventurers reduce reliance on fuel generators and enjoy sustainable power anywhere in British Columbia and beyond.

Exclusive BCLCA Member Discount: 5% off all BLUETTI portable power stations and solar panels purchased via the Bluetti official website with code BCLCA.

Contact: Tara Fu, Marketing Director sale-ca@bluettipower.com

Tel: 469-871-6088 – Website: https://www.bluettipower.ca

SECOND CALL FOR BCLCA BOARD NOMINATIONS – DEADLINE OCTOBER 5, 2025

In accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association we hereby provide notice of nominations for positions on the Board of Directors of the Association.

The Board of BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association is a policy/governance Board and is driven by its Mission, Vision, and Core Operating Values. We are seeking active members that are dedicated to maintaining the future success of the Association. Nominations close on October 5, 2025, at 4:00 pm.

If you are interested in letting your name stand for a two-year term, please contact Joss Penny at jpenny@bclca.com. Information on what is required of a director, the committees, and likely meeting schedule, along with a nomination application form will then be provided.

Applications will be vetted by the Nominating Committee and applicants will be advised if they have been added to the slate of nominees by Monday, October 20, 2025.

Second Notice of BCLCA Annual General Meeting

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held in person on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 4:00 pm at member St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, Cranbrook.

During our Annual General Meeting Members will be asked to formally vote on a few things, including:

• Motion to approve the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.
• Motion to approve the accountant's report for the previous fiscal year.
• Motion to approve the upcoming year's budget presented by the Treasurer.
• Elect board members who serve for a two-year term.
• Motion to allow the board to appoint auditors for the following fiscal year.

Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Note pre-registration is required.

The AGM is part of the Western Ideas Forum November 3 – 6, 2025 at St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino, Cranbrook. If you would like to register for the conference visit Attendees – Western Ideas Forum and for a 10% discount use promo code AGI0JNLP.