2026 CONY Fall Conference & Annual Meeting
Date and Time
Monday Sep 28, 2026
Developing Schedule (Subject To Change)
9am-10am: Registration and Supplier Showcase Coffee Crawl
10am: Welcome Senator Daniel Stec, Emily Simmons, Campground Owners of New York
Ashley Ranslow, NY Director, National Federation for Independent Business
Deborah Stevens, Partner, Greenberg Traurig
As the 2026 camping season comes to a close, this timely session will look at the economic and legislative landscape facing New York businesses as campground owners begin planning for 2027. Ashley Ranslow, New York Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), will provide an update on the current operating environment for small businesses in New York, including key economic trends, workforce challenges, rising costs, taxes, regulations, and other issues that could affect small businesses heading into the new year. Deb Stevens of Greenberg Traurig will then bring that broader perspective into focus for the outdoor hospitality industry, highlighting the legislative and regulatory issues that are particularly relevant to New York campgrounds. She will discuss current advocacy priorities for the association, issues being monitored in Albany, and what campground owners should be watching as the 2027 legislative session approaches. Together, the speakers will provide a practical look at the forces shaping New York’s business environment and how broader small-business issues intersect with the unique challenges and opportunities facing campgrounds and outdoor hospitality businesses.
11:15am: General Session: New York Tourism Updates & 2028 GMI Requirement Overview
12pm: Lunch & CONY Annual Business Meeting & Legislative Update (non-members invited, only current CONY members eligible to vote)
1:30pm: Supplier Networking & Mentorship Cohort Meeting
2pm: General Session: Maximizing Camp Store Revenue: Products, Partnerships & Profit Opportunities
Your camp store can be more than a convenience for guests—it can be an important source of revenue and an opportunity to enhance the overall camping experience. This practical session brings together industry suppliers Vistar, Hunt Brothers Pizza, and Wilcor to share strategies for making the most of your camp store operation. Learn how to evaluate your product mix, identify high-demand items, create profitable food and beverage offerings, and develop supplier partnerships that can help streamline purchasing and increase margins. Speakers will also share insights into current guest buying trends, merchandising strategies, and ways to turn everyday camper needs into additional revenue opportunities. Whether you are looking to refresh your existing camp store, expand your food offerings, or simply increase profitability, this session will provide practical ideas you can put to work at your campground.
3pm: Supplier Networking & Coffee Break
3:30pm: Plenary Panel- The Next Generation of Outdoor Hospitality: Emerging Leaders Shaping the Future
Ari Adler, Content Creator/Nomadic Influence
Christine Taylor, Esq, Goldberg Segalla & Catskill/Mountain Gilboa KOA
Alan Lehman, Hickory Hill Campground
Moderato: Josiah Brown, New York Sherpa
A new generation of campground owners, operators, and industry leaders is bringing fresh ideas and new perspectives to outdoor hospitality. This engaging conversation will explore how emerging leaders are evolving the campground experience while building on the traditions and values that have made the industry successful. Hear from a campground owner, legal counsel, and content creator as they share their perspectives on modern marketing and branding, social media, technology, guest expectations, workforce culture, infrastructure, and operational innovation. The discussion will also explore the legal and risk considerations that come with evolving campground businesses—from new amenities and guest experiences to contracts, employment issues, regulatory compliance, and protecting the business while pursuing new opportunities. Whether you are a next-generation owner, preparing for succession, modernizing an established campground, or simply looking for fresh ideas, this session will offer practical insights and inspiration for navigating the future of outdoor hospitality.
5pm: CONY Networking Reception & Annual Dinner, Silent Auction & Awards Program (including 2026 Best Of Winners!)
8pm: Event Close
Northeast Campground Association (NCA) 2026 Great Escape Event! *Separate registration per person is required.
Location
Fort William Henry Hotel
48 Canada Street
Lake George, NY 12845
Fees/Admission
CONY Member Registration Future CONY Member Registration
CONY Fall Conference & Annual Meeting Only - $249 (includes continental breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, reception, dinner, educational sessions, networking, and supplier meetings)
CONY Fall Conference & Annual Meeting AND NCA Great Escape - $348
CONY Annual Meeting Only - $349 (includes continental breakfast, lunch, coffee breaks, reception, dinner, educational sessions, networking, and supplier meetings)
CONY Annual Meeting & NCA Great Escape - $448
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Description
Join us for the CONY Annual Meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026, set against the stunning backdrop of Lake George. This one-day event brings together campground owners and operators, supplier members, and industry partners for a dynamic day of connection and collaboration. Attendees will gain insights through engaging educational sessions, meet with valued suppliers and industry partners, network with fellow campground operators and owners, take part in the annual business meeting, and begin looking ahead to 2027. We’ll also celebrate the successes of the 2026 camping season and proudly announce the 2026 Best of Camp New York Award winners!
Even as the camping season is still in full swing, this mid-week gathering offers the perfect chance to step away briefly. Recharge, reconnect with peers, and prepare for the busy Columbus Day weekend and the upcoming process of closing your campground for the season.
**The 2026 Fall Conference & Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2026 Northeast Campground Association Great Escape event, taking place September 29–30th.
A room block has been secured at the host hotel, Fort William Henry Hotel for a discounted room rate of $199.00 per night, valid Sunday 9/27-Wednesday 9/30. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis and not guaranteed. Cut-Off Date - August 13, 2026. Call the hotel's reservation department directly at 1-800-234-0267 and mention Campground Owners of New York to secure the reduced nightly rate.
As part of the NCA Great Escape Event, host property, Lake George Escape Campground, is generously offering event block rates to include: WES 30/50 sites at $40, Premium Cabins at $95 plus tax (linen included), and Lofted Premium Cabins at $105 plus tax (linen included). These rates are open to CONY Fall Conference attendees, even if you are not attending NCA's Great Escape event. To reserve your accommodations, please call the resort directly at 518-623-3207 ext. 4 and mention the CONY/NCA group to receive the discounted rate. (Be sure to dial extension 4 to reach the campground team directly.)
