Operator of the Year
This award recognizes an operator's exceptional growth or excecution within the past year. Whether they're a new operator or an industry veteran, they set a gold standard of execution for operators within the glamping space.
Walden Retreats was founded on the simple idea of making the outdoor experience comfortable and convenient, drawing inspiration from Henry David Thoreau's timeless work, "Walden."
We are a hospitality brand built on the same principles and spirit that Thoreau so beautifully expressed when he sought to live deliberately in nature.
Our mission is clear: to make the outdoor experience comfortable and convenient.
Our vision is to create luxurious camping experiences that promote relaxation and foster an intimate connection with the natural world.
Our core values revolve around the belief that immersing oneself in nature is the ultimate path to restoration, that enjoying the outdoors should be both comfortable and convenient, and that thoughtful yet simplistic design can enhance the outdoor experience.
Manufacturer of the Year
This award recognizes one organization that has gone above and beyond to serve the industry through their design, innovation, deployment and execution within the American market.
Bushtec Safari tents are all manufactured using our proprietary world’s best ripstop canvas and premium components. We manufacture all of the steel used in our products at our own plant.
We are committed to producing the highest quality products and at the same time protecting our environment by:
Satisfying applicable customer and regulatory requirements
Identifying objectives relevant to both quality and environmental management
Determining controls that will prevent significant impact of our activities on the environment resulting in pollution, and meet our commitment to protect and enhance the environment.
AGA Member of the Year
This award recognizes an individual or organization whose contribution has made a positive impact on association and glamping industry as a whole over the last year.
Matthew Bragstad and the team at Your Glamping Adventure have seen great success over the last year, and have actively shared their learnings with the AGA community throughout the process. We’re thanksful to have them as part of our growing community, and look forward to working together to move the industry forward, together!
Innovation & Pioneer
The Innovation and Pioneer Award recognizes an individual or business that has demonstrated significant innovation and execution with their business in the glamping community. This award honors those achievements that have elevated the glamping industry and recognizes those that have shown courage by forging a unique and innovative path which has inspired and left the industry in a better place.
The Collective name comes from our core belief that we’re inextricably tied to each other and to our world, and that travel is the way we experience, understand, and deepen that connection. Retreat is rooted in the idea that travel leads us to a more grounded and true version of ourselves. When you bring these two ideas together—exploration to foster deeper connection—you have the spirit of Collective Retreats.
Collective Retreats is an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) focused experiential travel company redefining traditional hotels through a collection of unique luxury retreats in unexpected places. Each bold, eco-centric concept embraces the local landscape and culture of a destination, allowing guests to connect with the land, community, and with themselves through unique on-site activities, immersive culinary activations, personal hospitality, and culture-forward programming.
By breaking away from the traditional mold of a luxury hotel, Collective Retreats is opening up a whole new world of exploration where a transformative five-star luxury experience coexists with authentic ruggedness.
Evergreen Excellence Award
This award recognizes contributions from an exceptional product/service/technology that has supported the glamping industry over the past year.
Founded by Kathleen Walsh, a 20-year veteran of the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, Advanced Outdoor Solutions takes parks management to the next level with the forward-thinking practices employed in the luxury hotel industry.