KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCED AS A FINALIST FOR THE 2025 INSPIRING WORKPLACES AWARDS
KOA is listed among national brands like Equifax, Novo Nordisk, SurveyMonkey, and more in Inspiring Workplace Group’s #1 non-survey-based awards recognition program.
BILLINGS, Mont. – The Inspiring Workplace Group (IW) just announced Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA), as a finalist in their 2025 Inspiring Workplaces across North America in association with Employera. KOA, a leader in outdoor hospitality, employs 1,200 staff throughout North America and within its corporate headquarters in Billings, MT.
KOA was selected as a finalist for its commitment to creating a workplace culture built on connection, innovation, and well-being. With a mission to “connect people to the outdoors and each other,” KOA has established a people-first environment that prioritizes professional growth, work-life balance, and a strong sense of belonging. The company’s core values—family-oriented, passionate, entrepreneurial, customer-focused, and innovative—guide every aspect of its business and employee experience.
KOA invests in its employees by nurturing leadership at all levels through programs like the Leadership Cohort training series, which offers mentorship and professional development opportunities. The company’s CEO, Toby O’Rourke, fosters connection and promotes the sharing of industry and company insights by creating various opportunities for employees to engage with one another and hear directly from leadership. One such initiative, KOA’s Trail Mixes, introduced last year, has become a popular way for staff to connect around shared interests. Participants can join online teams, such as fitness and running, hiking, recipes, book clubs, automotive, and more, to share photos, tips, and stories with colleagues. O’Rourke also hosts monthly senior leadership meetings and quarterly business updates for all staff, where KOA celebrates achievements and recognizes work anniversaries. Additionally, the company’s well-being initiatives—such as flexible work arrangements, wellness stipends, and employee engagement events—demonstrate KOA’s ongoing investment in its team.
KOA stands out as an inspiring workplace not only through its commitment to leadership development and employee well-being, but also with its forward-thinking policies and initiatives. The company drives sustainability efforts with its Kamp Green program, actively involving employees in environmental stewardship. In addition, KOA sparks creativity and innovation through its Campground of the Future initiative, encouraging employees to explore how new technologies and advancements can shape the future of the business. Looking ahead, KOA also promotes a positive workplace culture with its Change Agent initiatives, allowing employees to contribute ideas that strengthen the company culture and foster a sense of community. Furthermore, KOA supports employee engagement through the Kampgrounds of America Foundation, which backs programs like the Care Camps Foundation and empowers employees to support its mission of connecting people with the outdoors and helping local communities and nonprofits.
“Being named a finalist for the 2025 Inspiring Workplaces Awards reflects the strong, people-first culture we’ve built at KOA,” said Toby O’Rourke, CEO of Kampgrounds of America, Inc. “Our employees are the heart of our organization, and we are dedicated to creating an environment where they can build meaningful connections, thrive, and create to the best of their abilities. We recognize that work is just one part of a person’s life, and by taking a whole-person approach, we support our employees as multi-dimensional individuals with unique experiences, challenges, and aspirations.”
Celebrating its 10th year, Inspiring Workplaces™ honors organizations that put their PeopleFirst, creating cultures of trust, purpose, and belonging. More than just a great place to work, these workplaces empower individuals to thrive. Fueling innovation, performance, and lasting impact.
Each entrant in the Inspiring Workplaces Awards submits a rigorous application focusing on six key elements that IW believes are fundamental to a PeopleFirst culture: culture and purpose, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion, employee voice, and employee experience. Organizations of all sizes and industries compete within categories based on their workforce size. A panel of independent expert judges review submissions, who assess each entry based on a clear scorecard. Finalists and winners are determined by the highest scores.
“Inspiring Workplaces shines a light on those driving real, positive change – offering hope, inspiration, and a blueprint for others who aspire to build workplaces where people can truly be themselves and perform at their best,” said Matt Manners, Founder of The Inspiring Workplaces Group. “To all our finalists – congratulations on this incredible achievement! Your commitment to putting PeopleFirst is not only shaping the future of work but the future of the world as we know it.”
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ABOUT KAMPGROUNDS OF AMERICA
Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has been the definitive leader in outdoor hospitality for more than 60 years. United under the mission of “connecting people to the outdoors and each other,” the company consists of two unique brands: KOA and Terramor Outdoor Resorts. KOA, the world’s largest system of privately owned, open-to-the-public campgrounds, consists of more than 500 franchised and company-owned campgrounds. With unrivaled brand visibility, KOA also offers campground owners and operators unparalleled support in campground education, design, recruitment, marketing and technology. Terramor Outdoor Resorts, a glamping venture, opened its first flagship property in Bar Harbor, Maine in 2020. Literally meaning ‘Love of Land,” the brand focuses on delivering a refined and upscale outdoor experience. For more information, visit KOA.com.
ABOUT THE INSPIRING WORKPLACES GROUP – CHANGE THE WORLD
Inspiring Workplaces is headquartered in the UK and operates in North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Latin America, Asia and Australasia. Inspiring Workplaces™ believes in recognizing and helping to shape the forward-thinking organizations of the future that put their people first. By shedding light on these innovative workplaces, Inspiring Workplaces helps to encourage positive change by providing a source of inspiration and education for others who seek it.
Inspiring Workplaces Contact:
Matt Manners
matt@inspiring-workplaces.com
www.inspiring-workplaces.com
KOA Media Contact:
Jenny McCullough
jmccullough@koa.net
