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For other topics named similarly, see Koa (disambiguation).
Kampgrounds of America
Company typePrivate
Industry
  • Amusement
  • Recreation
Founded1962
FounderDave Drum
Headquarters550 North 31st Street,
Billings, Montana
,
United States
Key people
  • Toby O'Rourke (CEO)
Services
  • RV
  • Parks
  • Campgrounds
Owner
SubsidiariesSir Speedy, Inc.
Websitewww.koa.com

KOA (short for Kampgrounds [sic] of America) is an American franchise of privately owned campgrounds. Having more than 500 locations across the United States and Canada, it is the world's largest system of privately owned campgrounds.[2][3] It was founded in 1962 and is based in Billings, Montana, United States. The current president and CEO of KOA is Toby O’Rourke.[4]

History

KOA kampground, Petersburg, Michigan

KOA was founded in 1962 in Billings, Montana, by businessmen Dave Drum, John Wallace and two other partners. Drum got the idea to start the campgrounds while walking his property along the Yellowstone River and seeing travelers heading to the Seattle World's Fair. The first campsites, known as Billings Campground, were located on Drum's property north of the Yellowstone River. For $1.75 per night, campers could pitch their tent on a campsite that included a picnic table and fire ring. This first campground also provided hot showers, restrooms, and a small store.[5] The campground was quickly successful and by the summer of 1963, Drum, Wallace and their partners decided to create a system of campgrounds throughout North America. They named the company Kampgrounds of America and began selling franchises.[5]

In 1969, KOA became a public company.[6] By the end of the 1969 camping season, KOA had 262 campgrounds in operation across the U.S. By 1972, 10 years after KOA's creation, KOA had 600 franchise campgrounds.

The 1970s energy crisis caused the collapse of many travel-oriented businesses, and KOA's stock price became a casualty. New York City financier Oscar Tang, a major stockholder at the time, purchased the company in its entirety after the 1979 oil crisis.[6] However, by 1982 KOA franchises had increased to nearly 900. By 2002, after stricter quality standards weeded out many campgrounds, KOA campgrounds numbered almost 500, with most being in the United States.[7]

KOA annually inspects each campground with a 600-point inspection, which it claims is the most stringent in the business.[8]

In 2015, Jim Rogers stepped down as CEO after 15 years and was replaced by the president of the company, Pat Hittmeier. In April 2019, Hittmeier retired, and was replaced by new CEO Toby O'Rourke, the first woman to hold that position in the company's 57-year history.[9] O'Rourke joined KOA in 2011 as the Director of Digital Marketing. Following her initial role, she was promoted to the position of Vice President of Marketing for KOA before being named Chief Franchise Operations Officer in January 2016. Under O'Rourke's leadership, KOA has experienced record growth each year since she joined the company.[10]

References

  1. ^ "Join KOA in Supporting The Yellow Whistle to stop Asian Hate". KOA Blog. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  2. ^ "KOA: 50 Years Of Family Camping". Family RVing Magazine. December 2012. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  3. ^ "Welcome". KOA Pressroom. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  4. ^ "Toby O'Rourke". koapressroom.com. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  5. ^ a b Howard, Tom (September 1, 2012). "KOA's history started with a good idea and a humble campground". The Billings Gazette. Billings, Montana. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "KOA History". KOA Press Room. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  7. ^ Falstad, Jan (August 3, 2002). "Homegrown camping company celebrates 40 year anniversary". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  8. ^ "Routine Maintenance Is Critical For Happy Campers". mobilerving.com. Retrieved 2021-08-25.
  9. ^ Olson, Erik (December 30, 2015). "KOA announces new CEO". The Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  10. ^ Magazine, Woodall's Campground (2018-03-12). "Toby O'Rourke Promoted, Now President Of KOA". Woodall's Campground Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-17.

10. "What is Koa Camping?" Campground Reservations Online https://www.reserveamerica.com/articles/camping/what-is-koa-camping.

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