Michael Papp elected as Chairman of Campground Owners of New York

Nov. 23, 2011 - PRLog -- Niagara Falls, New York – Michael Papp, owner of West Canada Creek Campsites in Poland, New York, was elected by the membership to the chairmanship of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY) board of directors, during the association’s annual meeting held November 5, 2011, at the Conference & Event Center, Niagara Falls, New York.

The annual meeting took place during CONY’s 48th Annual Exposition for the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, held November 3 to 5, 2011.

Mr. Papp takes over the gavel from Scott Sherwood, owner of Spruce Row Campground & RV Park in Ithaca, New York, who stepped down after four years in the position. Mr. Sherwood will now serve on the CONY Board of Directors as Immediate Past Chairman.

In praising the outgoing chairman, Mr. Papp remarked, “I want to thank Scott for being a great leader and a hard working member of our industry.  His leadership brought about many changes including our new logo, our Long Range Plan and a renewed vibe at CONY.”  

Mr. Papp has served on the CONY Board of Directors since 2007, first as the Region 6 representative, and most recently as 3rd Vice Chairman. He led the Governance Committee which worked on issues and projects related to membership, by-laws, nominations, and policies and procedures.  He also chaired the Long Range Committee, which recently spent 18 months producing a comprehensive strategic plan for CONY that now guides the association’s many functions. As Board Chairman, he’ll lead the Executive Committee, which includes oversight of personnel, and ways and means.

According to Mr. Papp, “It is an honor to be entrusted by my fellow campground owners as the Chairperson of CONY.  I look forward to working with everyone to continue the great things that Scott, Don and the Board of Directors have started over the past four years as well as working hard to continue growing CONY both in memberships as well as membership benefits, and to keep increasing the value of the Association our members.”

Donald G. Bennett, Jr., President and CEO of CONY, said “I am looking forward to working with Mike and the entire CONY board to continue fulfilling the mission of CONY and to help realize our vision of being the leader in the outdoor hospitality industry.”
Campground Owners of New York, founded in 1963, is an association dedicated to the promotion, growth, improvement and development of privately owned campgrounds in New York State. Its board of directors is comprised of campground owners/managers representing twelve regions across the state, as well as an executive committee. The association’s headquarters and staff are based in Pittsford, New York.

Mr. Papp and his wife Sandy, parents to sons Hunter and Jarrett, just completed their seventh season operating West Canada Creek Campsites, an 85-site park along the banks of the West Canada Creek, in the town of Poland, Oneida County, New York. Mr. Papp has over 30 years experience in the service and hospitality industry, including 17 years in the restaurant industry, which culminated in his position as a multi-unit supervisor overseeing 10 restaurants. After deciding to become part of the outdoor hospitality industry, he and Sandy spent two years as full-time RVers and served as Workampers, investigating the business. After a few more years working in the vacation rental business on Hatteras Island – where he rose to the position of Vice President of Marketing and General Manager of Surf or Sound Realty, they sold their home in 2004 and purchased their campground.

Mr. Papp ran for chairman pledging to ensure that the value members get is increased through better membership programs, conferences, and zone meetings, and that the board of directors does a better job of communicating with the membership. He was sworn in November 5th, during the awards banquet held at the Exposition, and chaired his first board meeting on November 6th.