ABOUT US

From KOA’s beginning in the early 60’s, Homer Staves was instrumental in the company’s growth, as one of the original three employees. He researched hundreds of potential locations for company owned campgrounds and was involved in the construction and/or acquisition of KOA Kampgrounds throughout the United States. He also served on the corporate franchise review committee and helped analyze thousands of feasibility studies.His knowledge has been passed down two generations which has been beneficial in having different perspectives.

Staves Consulting has an extensive background in construction, marketing, and operations which provides a unique combination of views when analyzing a campground or RV park’s potential.

From an early age, Homer’s two sons, Walt and Neil Staves have been involved in the campground business. In 2001 when Homer left KOA, he decided to open his own consulting business and work alongside Walt owning the Whitefish Montana KOA Campground near Glacier Park. Walt has had an extensive background in hospitality, operations, and management since the 1980’s which has helped him immensely in being able to manage and successfully run the KOA. During this time, Neil was running his own construction/woodworking business in Phoenix, Arizona and in 2008 Neil became involved in Staves Consulting. Having a background in construction and CAD design gave Neil the upper hand when jumping into the design aspect of this industry. Together, Homer and Neil went on to design and develop over 400 campgrounds. Their experiences with campgrounds in over 25 countries gives them the ability to think “outside the box” in order to suggest new ways to appeal to different types of markets. Their expertise encompasses everything a campground owner and or designer needs to know when wanting to grow their business or when beginning their journey in the campground industry.

Years later, Staves Consulting has formed into a three generation led business including Homer, Walt, Neil, and Walt’s youngest son Brady. Brady, freshly out of Montana State with a Business Marketing degree, has since joined the family business. As a family we have accumulated over 100 years of experience in different fields involving campgrounds, campground design, outdoor recreation and tourism. Our experience in the corporate campground industry, as well as campground ownership, makes us an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to grow their business.

  • Homer Staves

    Homer Staves, President of Staves Consulting is one of the foremost experts in the world on campground and recreation vehicle park development, acquisition and marketing. Homer first became involved with campground development in 1963 when he served as the electrical contractor for the development of a KOA Kampground located at Seeley Lake, Montana. He joined Kampgrounds of America in its infancy in 1967 as Assistant to the President and was responsible for all franchise sales and campground development. In this capacity he wrote the first campground development manual with complete instructions on how to build a KOA Kampground. In 1969 Homer was appointed to the first American National Standards Institute (ANSI) committee that wrote development codes for campgrounds and RV Parks. This group also became the first National Electrical Code Committee that wrote specific construction codes for Recreational Vehicles and Campgrounds in 1971. Homer has served on all of these committees for more than twenty-five years. He still holds a seat on these committees.

    As KOA grew and began to build or purchase campgrounds in addition to franchising them, Homer was promoted to the position of Vice President, Real Estate. In this position he researched hundreds of potential locations for company owned campgrounds and was involved in the construction and/or acquisition of KOA Kampgrounds throughout the United States. He also served on the corporate franchise review committee and helped analyze thousands of feasibility studies.

    Later Homer moved into the marketing department and was responsible for all international marketing and expansion of the KOA system. In this role he not only created the international inbound marketing program, which now accounts for about ten percent of KOA’s camper nights, but also was responsible for developing KOAs in other countries. Homer helped develop campgrounds in Japan, China, Mexico and Canada and has visited campgrounds and discussed development in numerous countries including Great Britain, Spain, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Malta, South Africa, South Korea, Guam, Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Chili, and Argentina.

    In 2001 Homer left KOA in order to open his own consulting business and to work with his son at the Whitefish Montana KOA Campground near Glacier Park. In addition to private developers his clients include Kampgrounds of America, Affinity Group Inc. including the Good Sam Club, Allstate Motor Club, The National Park Service, and numerous individual investors.

    Over the years Homer has served in leadership positions in many national and regional organizations including the American Recreation Coalition, the Travel Industry Association of America, the National Recreational Vehicle and Mobile Home Heritage Foundation, the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, Montana Tourism Advisory Commission, Montana Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, United States National Tourism Organization, United States National Rural Tourism Association, the Golden Helmsmen International Tourism Organization, Campground Owner's Association of Montana (COAM) and numerous Visit USA Committees.