A message from our Board Chair
The end of the season is almost here for most of us and I hope that you ’ ve had a very successful summer ! It was so good to be able to operate almost normally without the dreaded C word following us around at every turn . I ’ m hoping never to have to hear the words “ physical distancing ”, “ outbreak ”, “ community spread ” again . All words that related to COVID now cause the hairs on the back of my neck stand up !
This leads to a very important topic in the camping industry … WORDS MATTER . The language we choose to use matter in the way the public views our campgrounds and our industry , the way that we are able to interact with all levels of government to address the issues we are faced with and even the way we see ourselves as a whole . Words like resident , home , cottage and tenant make a huge impact on our operations . Even a more benign seeming word like trailer park brings up different meanings and images for different people . Unfortunately , TV shows like Trailer Park Boys have put a bad light on those words and the words trailer park has now become synonymous with mobile home park . Businesses using trailer park in their names may have people coming in with preconceived notions about what their campground is like because of what the media has depicted .
It ’ s the language WE choose and the way we use them that will determine how our businesses are viewed . I think we , as an industry , have the power to change and influence how the camping industry is viewed by the public simply by choosing to use certain words and eliminating others from our vocabulary .
Let ’ s have a fulsome conversation about this topic and many others this November , at our convention in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake . There ’ s a lot of information to learn , new ideas to bring forward and a lot of new Members to meet ! Register today so you don ’ t miss out .
I ’ m looking forward to seeing you there !
Ellie Abucay Giammattolo Chair Windmill Point Park & Campground
CAMPING IN ONTARIO UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2022 3