about Summer Ops Camp

Schedule & Registration

Three packed days of hands-on learning, candid conversation, and firsthand experience at Gatlinburg’s leading attractions.

Travel & Trip Planning

Camp alumni

About Summer Ops Camp

Summer Ops Camp is a three-day, immersive program designed to help mountain resort operators grow and improve their summer business.

Rather than traditional classroom sessions, Camp is built around guided adventures, group discussion, and hands-on learning in real operating environments. Attendees experience attractions firsthand, explore how different operations approach the summer guest, and exchange ideas with peers and partners throughout.

In 2026, Camp headed to Gatlinburg, Tenn., Sept. 1–3. As the gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park — the most visited national park in the United States, with 12–14 million visitors annually — Gatlinburg operates at a scale few mountain destinations can match. The market supports a dense mix of attractions designed for a wide, multigenerational audience, with major operations located just minutes apart. This creates a highly concentrated, fast-evolving summer destination where attendees can experience a range of approaches to guest engagement, attraction development, and revenue generation in a single setting.

Whether you’re looking to launch, expand, or fine-tune your summer offerings, Camp puts you in the customer’s shoes so you can experience your own a-ha moments alongside colleagues, experts, and partners. Because learning happens throughout the experience, you’ll leave with practical ideas, stronger connections, and a clearer path forward.

“Summer Ops Camp is one of the few industry gatherings where the learning actually sticks, because you’re seeing the work in context, not slides about the work. Our team has sent leaders to this camp for years and they always come back with something useful. We’re proud to host the opening night at SkyPark and looking forward to welcoming everyone to Gatlinburg.”
— Stephen Kircher, President & CEO, Boyne Resorts

The Destination

Camp will include a mix of guided visits to several leading Gatlinburg attractions and classroom-setting education. Each stop offers a different perspective on how summer operations are designed, built, and evolved.

Anakeesta

Anakeesta is one of Gatlinburg’s most ambitious and fast-growing attractions, designed to compete in a high-traffic destination by continuously adding new reasons to visit.

Guests arrive via the brand new Crystal Express gondola with all-glass cabins and move through a layered mountaintop environment of elevated walkways, including the 16-bridge Treetop Skywalk, gardens, and a mix of attractions integrated throughout the site. Signature features like the AnaVista Climbing Tower offer 360° views, while continued investment — including a mountain coaster — keeps the experience evolving. At night, the park shifts with Astra Lumina, an immersive light and sound experience designed to extend visits beyond daylight hours, plus a first look at the brand-new Firefly Experience.

Anakeesta offers a clear example of how ongoing investment, thoughtful layout, and phased development can drive repeat visitation and increase dwell time in a competitive market.

“We look forward to welcoming Summer Ops Camp to Anakeesta, an award-winning mountain-top adventure park that blends spaces that feel timeless, purposeful, and alive with wonder.”
— Bob Bentz, Managing Partner, Anakeesta

Ober Gatlinburg

Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s only ski area, offers a familiar lens for operators: a winter business working to grow its summer identity in a competitive destination market.

With significant recent investment, Ober continues to expand its summer offerings to better compete for visitor attention in Gatlinburg. This summer includes the addition of a new mountain coaster, updated summer tubing, and archery, alongside existing attractions such as the aerial tramway, mountain biking, and family-friendly experiences. The operation also utilizes all-weather snowmaking technology, offering insight into how ski areas can extend seasons and create new revenue opportunities beyond traditional weather constraints.

Ober provides a case study in how a legacy ski area can reposition itself, diversify its offering, and compete for market share in a crowded summer destination.

“On behalf of our entire team at Ober, we look forward to welcoming you to experience all the new adventures at Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s only ski resort. As a year-round destination in Gatlinburg, we’re committed to balancing exceptional winter experiences with exciting summer offerings, all while serving the millions of guests who visit each year.”
— Todd Clarke, General Manager, Ober Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg SkyPark

Gatlinburg SkyPark is a high-performing, attraction-driven operation that has successfully expanded from a single scenic lift into a multi-component mountaintop experience.

Anchored by the SkyLift and the SkyBridge — the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America — the park has continued to grow with added elements like the SkyTrail, observation areas, and expanded food and beverage spaces, all designed to increase dwell time and capacity. With a strong focus on accessibility and “thrill with no skill” experiences, SkyPark attracts a broad, multi-generational audience in a highly competitive market.

SkyPark demonstrates how targeted investment and strategic expansion can build on a simple core offering to drive volume, increase per-cap spending, and create a scalable attraction model.

What you’ll experience on-site is only part of Camp. Each visit is designed as a learning lab — where observations turn into discussion, comparison, and practical takeaways.

What Attendees Say

“My team and I gained so much from the small group setting. I took something from every conversation.”
— Summer Ops Camp attendee

“The Summer Ops Camp is a fantastic, more intimate networking event that allows everyone to create relationships that help bolster opportunity for both buyers and sellers. It is also a great opportunity to see how different operations run — from pricing to signage all the way to the actual operation.”
— Summer Ops Camp vendor partner

Registration

Registration for 2027 is coming soon. Rates below reflect 2026 pricing and are subject to change.

Camp packages are all-inclusive, covering two nights of lodging, meals, education sessions, activities, and networking events. Questions? Email [email protected].

Single Occupancy Package

Your own private room for the duration of Camp.

$945

Stay Tuned

Double Occupancy Package

Share a room with a fellow attendee and save $200.

$745

Stay Tuned

Non-Lodging Package

Full Camp access without lodging included.

$595

Stay Tuned

Schedule

Camp begins midday on Day 1 and concludes midday on Day 3: three packed days of hands-on learning, candid conversation, and firsthand experience at Gatlinburg’s leading attractions. The schedule below is subject to change.

Day 1

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

MegaZip Tour sponsored by ZipRider*

A behind-the-scenes look at a premier adventure attraction, with insights from the team behind the operation. *Pre-registration required.

WildSide, Pigeon Forge

11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Arrival, Check-In & Optional Activities

Pick up your badge, meet the SAM team and your fellow campers, and settle in before Camp kicks off.

Clingmans Dome Foyer Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Highlight Tour sponsored by Smoky Mountain Guides*

A guided exploration of the scenery, history, and natural landscape of the most visited national park in the United States. *Pre-registration required.

The Guide Room, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Session | Designing Delight: The Science Behind Great Guest Experiences with Claire Humber, SE Group

Why do some places instantly feel welcoming, exciting, or unforgettable while others fall flat? Explore the psychology behind how people experience space and how elements like scale, rhythm, sightlines, transitions, and gathering spaces shape guest behavior, emotions, and memory. We will apply those principles to case studies and while touring three mountaintop adventure parks in Gatlinburg.

Rainbow Falls Room, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

4:30–5:45 p.m.

Vendor Showcase Cocktail Hour

Mix, mingle, and explore the latest products and solutions from our vendor partners during this relaxed kickoff to camp.

Clingmans Dome Ballroom Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Boyne Resorts’ Gatlinburg SkyPark Tour, Dinner & Live Music sponsored by Experiential Resources (ERi)

Ride the SkyLift, tour the Tulip Tower and SkyTrail, followed by a BBQ dinner and remarks from general manager Randy Watson and builders from ERi at Clayton’s Landing. Enjoy live music from a Grammy-nominated bluegrass band, and experience the SkyBridge at sunset.

Gatlinburg SkyPark

Day 2

Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026

7:15 a.m.

Anakeesta Ridge Rambler Pick-Ip

Catch a ride up to Anakeesta aboard a Ridge Rambler, one of the attraction’s custom-built, open-air vehicles, for a scenic arrival in style.

Lobby, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

7:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Breakfast with a View & Remarks by the Owner

Enjoy a delicious meal and take in views of the Smokies while hearing from Anakeesta’s owner, Bob Bentz, about the park’s recent expansion plans.

Smokehouse, Anakeesta

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Interactive Tours & Activities

Experience the mountaintop park like a guest, from the Treetop Skywalk and AnaVista Tower to the Wiegand Sports USA Hellbender mountain coaster, the Treehouse Adventure play area, BirdVenture aviary-inspired family play zone, Sandy Creek mining sluice, Sunkid Rail Runner coaster, and much more.

Anakeesta

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Walk to Ober Gatlinburg & Tram Ride

Descend from Anakeesta on the Crystal Express all-glass gondola, take in Gatlinburg’s iconic main street, and ride the famous Ober Gatlinburg tram.

Gatlinburg Parkway

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch at the Lodge and Remarks from the GM

Refuel at Tennessee’s only ski area and learn about their operation and future plans from general manager Todd Clarke.

Ski Lodge, Ober Gatlinburg

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Session | Selling Summer: The AI Discoverability Problem Ski Resorts Can’t Ignore with David Kenworthy, MMGY Origin

Travelers are increasingly turning to AI to plan their vacations—but are ski resorts showing up in search results? A report by SAM and Centium reveals that in the summer, they aren’t. Learn why ski areas are losing visibility to a much broader field of summer destinations, and get practical strategies on how to show up as a must-visit destination during the dreaming and trip-planning phase.

Ski Lodge, Ober Gatlinburg

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Session | The Future is Bright—and Full of Bike Parks with Claire Humber, SE Group; Paul Mutch, Gravity Logic; Patrick Olstad, SE Group; Tom Prochazka, Gravity Logic

From lift-accessed bike parks to shuttle- and e-bike-served destinations to community-focused trail systems, explore how operators are using phased growth, right-sized investment, and audience-driven experiences to rethink mountain biking and plan the next generation of summer operations.

Ski Lodge, Ober Gatlinburg

3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Interactive Tours & Activity Demo

Mountain Biking Demo — See bike carriers, trail design, and construction principles in action. Paul Mutch & Tom Prochazka, Gravity Logic; Kelly Deason, DeasonBuilt; Joe Ventimiglia & Todd Groce, Ober Gatlinburg
Cloud Catcher Zipline — Learn about the design, operation, and guest appeal of the highest elevation zip line in the Smokies. Blake Bailey, Ober Gatlinburg
All-Weather Snowmaking Boxes — Check out Ober’s impressive 14 all-weather snowmaking box installation. Marshall Felker, Ober Gatlinburg
mSnow Summer Tubing — Experience Ober’s brand new synthetic tubing. Luke Schrab & Amy Schrab, mSnow Tubing
Summer Lift Risk Assessment — Dive into a case study of Ober’s lift ramp renovation, from planning and execution to key operational lessons. Mistica Walker, Safehold Sports; Ben Botelho, MountainGuard; Todd Clarke, Jonathan Figueroa & Jeremy Zaruba, Ober Gatlinburg
Scenic Sky Village Lift Ride & Observation Deck — Ride to the summit for panoramic views and to check out Ober’s new observation deck. Alex Kouri, Ober Gatlinburg
The Value of Guided Experiences — Discover how guided activities can elevate the guest experience while creating new revenue opportunities. Clayton LaPrees, Smoky Mountain Guides

Ober Gatlinburg

4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Tram Ride & Free Time

Catch the tram back into town or head to the hotel to freshen up for more action in the evening. Limited shuttle service available.

Ober Gatlinburg

5:45 p.m.

Ridge Rambler Pick-Up

Catch a ride up to Anakeesta aboard a Ridge Rambler, one of the attraction’s custom-built, open-air vehicles, for a scenic arrival in style.

Lobby, Embassy Suites by Hilton Gatlinburg Resort

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Crystal Express Dinner sponsored by Leitner-Poma of America

Ride LPOA’s new all-glass Crystal Express gondola and head to an open-air dining experience, winding down with the sun before enjoying Anakeesta’s premier experiences under the stars.

Smokhouse, Anakeesta

8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Astra Lumina & the Firefly Experience

Wander Anakeesta after dark on the immersive Astra Lumina night walk, plus get a first look at the brand-new Firefly Experience. Limited shuttle service available.

Anakeesta

Day 3

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast & Vendor Showcase

Fuel up for the final day at the hotel breakfast buffet, and then make the rounds with the vendor partners shaping what’s next in summer ops.