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The LeadingCampings every two years elect out of he members a 7 person board of directors (so many in order to reflect the different touristic regions of Europe well). These 7 decide the two official representatives called president and vice president. All members of the board work as volunteers. The office has got a general manager/CEO who delivers the management by means of a service contract as a selfemployed entrepreneur. The only person employed by the association is his assistant running the secretariat. Additionally there is an internet editor working based on a minijob contract. Above that there are freelancers working on honorary base as quality manager and social media editor.
Since quality is the only product of the association, bettering the qualitative level of education of key staff is of central interest for the LeadingCampings. Our quality management has been introduced in 2008. Since 2009 we are engaged in the internal training (annual staff trainings, internships. Total number of employees in the member campgrounds: approx. 2,300).
We have supported in the same year a student’s thesis on barrier free access in campgrounds. International cooperation is a core issue exceeding Europe: 2011 exchange with Australian CCIA/NSW, 2012 corporate membership in Pathfinder Outdoor Destinations, an Australian-Canadian excellence initiative, 2014 lecturer at ACSI-academy (in collaboration with university of Breda NL) for Chinese camping managers as well as supporter of 1st Camping Industry Digital Marketing Survey. Organization of study tours for camping entrepreneurs from abroad such as Best Parks in America (USA). LeadingCampings of Europe are frequently invited for key notes at international camping congresses, they have been co-organizer of European Camping Congress in Essen (D) as long as it existed (2012 – 2016), ever since partner of Deutscher Campingtag South. All LeadingCampings educate staff, an upturn to academic education for key staff fits perfectly into our self conception.
The Leading Camping & Caravaning Parks of Europe have been founded in 1994 by three camping entrepreneurs (from Germany, Spain and Italy) initially as an informal club. It aimed towards the development of high service quality in all ranges of offer and to better the public image of camping. In 2004 the ideal club has been registered as an so called ‚e.V.‘ (registered association according to German law) at the court of Düsseldorf. An office has been installed. The reason for choosing Germany as a legal seat derives from the matter of fact that Germany is the biggest tourism source market in Europe.
Currently there are 38 member campgrounds in 11 European countries. Membership is always a personal one. Each member campground is completely independent, there is neither synchronization of tariffs nor opening periods and there are rather small as well as really big campgrounds. The joint product of LeadingCampings is quality and nothing else. It is controlled by a quality management system based on four pillars: Mystery Guest reports, audits of the quality manager, comparison of rankings in international camping guides and guest reviews in the respective portals, also on leadingcampings.com. Above that the quality management is a work in continuous progress. Since2009 there is an annual returning central employee training for campground staff working in direct contact with guests. During each general member assembly – that means 2 times a year – one member delivers a best practice example speech on a subject which has been executed in this particular campsite in an exemplary way. Currently the LeadingCampings work on a „green agenda“ that shall improve their environmental balance and make it transparent.
Since 2007 director of LeadingCampings. Focus on brand awareness, customer loyalty, quality management, booking system, co-operations with strategic partners. 2004/05 Marketing & PR for LeadingCampings. Setup of office, defining the legal form, press officer, marketing programmes, launch of web-portal. 2002 head of joint-venture between Motorpresse Stuttgart (D) and ACSI Publishing BV (NL) for German version of ACSI-camping guide. 1999 Head of text & research for camping guides for Swiss Hallwag publishing house. 1998/1999 Acquisition of French product „Camping Cheque“ for German market. 1994 think tank with 3 others to revitalize 35 years old magazine CARAVANING. 1992 press officer for motorhome manufacturer Niesmann + Bischoff GmbH. 1984 Start of continuous freelance contribution to promobil magazine. 1984 Co-founder of „Concept Consultant Group GmbH - Marketing and Product Development.“ 1983 Artwork, text and photography for accessory catalogues of DIY camper supplieres. 1979-84 Study of history and philosophy at Düsseldorf University. 1977/78 service in the army. 1977 Finish of school education with grades for university. 27.4.1959 Born in Wuppertal, Germany. Trivia: „Premio Giornalistico Caravan Europa“ Torino (I) 1991, dotation 5,000 ECU. Since 2007 volunteer at Schloss Dyck Classic Days/fundraising to restore the 1,000 year old castle.
Master of sustainable outdoor hospitality management is a result of Eu founded project CAMPMASTER:
Project title: Development of european curriculum in the field of sustainable camping resort management
Project ID: KA203-E-1423370
Project duration: from 01.10.2020. until 30.09.2022.