Kampgrounds of America (KOA), the world’s largest network of privately owned campgrounds, unveiled the KOA ICON Award, a new recognition program aimed at honoring campgrounds that excel in operational performance and customer satisfaction.
The accolade highlights the top 10% of KOA locations across North America, emphasizing their dedication to delivering high-quality guest experiences.
This initiative replaces the longstanding President’s and Founder’s Awards, focusing on measurable criteria to identify exceptional campgrounds.
The selection process considers growth in camper nights, Net Promoter Scores (NPS), a widely accepted benchmark of guest loyalty and satisfaction, and active engagement with KOA initiatives designed to enhance operations and brand consistency.
“The KOA ICON award-winning campgrounds exemplify what it means to deliver excellence in every aspect of the camping and outdoor hospitality experience,” Toby O’Rourke, president and CEO of KOA, said.
“Their unwavering commitment to operational excellence, camper satisfaction, and innovative engagement with KOA programs set the standard for the entire KOA system,” O’Rourke said.
KOA also introduced a quarterly recognition program that identifies campgrounds achieving top NPS scores and demonstrating significant year-over-year improvement. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader strategy to continuously enhance guest satisfaction.
Campgrounds earning the KOA ICON Award gain access to exclusive benefits designed to amplify their achievement. These include enhanced marketing opportunities such as dated logo placement on KOA’s website, promotional materials highlighting their award status, and acknowledgment in corporate marketing campaigns.
KOA has been a pioneering force in outdoor hospitality for over 60 years, driven by the mission of “connecting people to the outdoors and each other.” The company operates two distinct brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts.
KOA encompasses more than 500 franchised and company-owned locations. With unmatched brand recognition, KOA provides campground owners and operators with extensive support, including education, design assistance, recruitment, marketing, and technology resources, fostering innovation and growth across its network.
