SAM Magazine—Gatlinburg, Tenn., Sept. 8, 2026—A total of 115 ski area personnel and industry suppliers from around the world gathered in Gatlinburg, Sept. 1-3, for the 2026 SAM Summer Ops Camp to share a bustling, and hot, few days together across three mountaintop venues for a vendor showcase, classroom sessions, and hands-on experiences at the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Camp kicked off with an education session from SE Group’s Claire Humber on the psychology of compelling outdoor design. The session framed many of the design principles on display throughout the hands-on in-park sessions, including the use of views, scale, balance, landscaping and other sensory elements to make visitors feel at home—and in awe of the natural environment.

Speaking of those venues, a welcome-night cocktail hour and vendor showcase was followed by an evening tour of Boyne Resorts’ recently expanded Gatlinburg SkyPark, replete with landscaped boardwalks, a new Tulip Tower, and the iconic SkyBridge. Key operations leaders, including SkyPark GM Randy Watson and Boyne Resorts COO of day area operations Jay Scambio, took campers on behind-the-scenes tours. Later, the whole group enjoyed a barbecue dinner, bluegrass music and a talk from SkyBridge designers Mandy Stewart and Todd Domeck, owners of ERi.

Open-sided Ridge Ramblers picked campers up the next morning for breakfast at Anakeesta, which is undergoing a $100 million upgrade that includes a new glass-bottom Leitner-Poma of America (LPOA) gondola and an immersive nighttime canopy experience. Owners Bob and Karen Bentz, along with members of their leadership team, guided campers through the park to explore attractions such as a new Wiegand mountain coaster, the slides and nets of BirdVenture, and AnaVista tower. Intentional design details were noted throughout, including a central water feature and thoughtful landscaping.

Later, an LPOA-sponsored mountaintop dinner at Anakeesta allowed for a chance to take in the park’s nighttime activations, including the Astra Lumina lighted night walk and new Fireflies canopy walk experience.

In between stops at Anakeesta, the crew rode the aerial tram to Tennessee’s only ski area, Ober Gatlinburg, for hands-on workshops focused on its new summer tubing operation, zip line, and mountain bike park. The group then gathered inside for lunch where GM Todd Clarke explained changes made under the new ownership and plans for further evolving Ober into a thriving four-season resort.

Two on-site education sessions followed, starting with “The Future is Bright—and Full of Bike Parks.” SE Group’s Humber and Patrick Olstad and Gravity Logic’s Tom Prochazka and Paul Mutch explored the evolving bike market and considerations for mountain operators. “Selling Summer: The Discoverability Problem Ski Resorts Can’t Ignore,” with David Kenworthy from MMGY Global, shared data from a new Centium study conducted for SAM.

Hot weather didn’t dampen campers’ enthusiasm—and helped demonstrate some of the practical considerations discussed throughout camp. Shaded seating, hydration stations, misters and other seemingly small touches at the mountaintop destinations underscored the importance of designing not just attractions, but comfortable spaces where guests want to linger.

Those hands-on observations were reinforced Thursday with another round of classroom sessions. After a final chance to connect with suppliers over breakfast, “The Summer Playbook” panelists Ryan Fiechtner of Blue Mountain, Ont.; Deb Hatley of Hatley Point, N.C.; MMGY’s MJ Legault; and Adam Schroyen of Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners, kicked things off with observations on how to build purposeful, true-to-brand summer operations for the long term.

Andrew Way of Wild by G7 then shared how cultural experiences can become signature events that give visitors a reason to book—and return year after year.

Mistica Walker of Safehold Sports and Ben Botelho of MountainGuard closed out camp with “Summer Bummers,” a reminder of the critical risk management considerations operators may be overlooking in summer.

Optional activities bookended camp on arrival and departure days, with campers exploring the Mega Zip at the new WildSide adventure park, taking guided Great Smoky Mountains National Park tours with Smoky Mountain Guides, and joining a behind-the-scenes Wiegand mountain coaster tour.

The mix of site visits, hands-on learning, classroom education, and ample networking time earned positive reviews from resort personnel and suppliers alike.

“Thank you so much to you and your team for this marvelous camp this week, the opportunity to discover amazing attractions, and the great time to exchange with other campers. Lots of learning,” said returning camper Simon Pagé, EVP of Les Sommets.

His sentiments were echoed by first-time camper David Kenworthy of MMGY, who said, “It was honestly one of the best conferences I have ever been a part of. The format is very special and allows so much time for sharing and connection.”

The 2026 Summer Ops Camp wrapped after three packed days that put its central lesson into practice: the most successful summer operations embrace thoughtful planning, attention to the guest experience, and a clear sense of what fits the mountain and its market.

The Summer Ops Camp Supplier Guide along with the program and related articles on summer operations can be found in our Summer Ops Mountain Department here.