Chelan’s Campbell family celebrating 125 years of community service and hospitality
On Saturday, April 11 from 1-3 p.m., the Campbell family of Chelan will be holding a community event to celebrate a remarkable achievement — 125 years operating Campbell’s Resort and Conference Center. Leadership of the family business is currently in the hands of two members of the 5th generation — Tom and Eric Campbell.
True to their devotion to the community, the Campbell’s 125th anniversary celebration will feature talks by Mayor Erin McCardle, 12th District Rep. Mike Steele; Ron McGaughey of the Lake Chelan Historical Society, as well as Dr. Phil Long of the Lake Chelan Research Institute, which is leading efforts to maintain the lake’s water quality. Another featured organization is the Lake Chelan Valley Scholarship Fund which gives money to deserving graduating seniors in the Chelan-Manson area.
“It’s all about community and the lake and propagating the success of our community,” according to Art Campbell.
Precious few family businesses last beyond the third generation, so it is rather unique to have a family like the Campbells continue to operate the resort for a century and a quarter.
Campbell’s Resort traces its roots to former Sioux City, Iowa judge and lawman C.C. Campbell, who arrived in Chelan and was drawn to the possibilities. In 1901, C.C. and his wife opened the Hotel Chelan, the precursor to Campbell’s Resort.
I had the opportunity to interview Eric, Tom and fourth generation member Art Campbell recently about the celebration and the secret to their success in maintaining a family business.
I would describe the Campbells as the first family of Chelan because of their devotion to the success of the community as well as the personal attention that the family and staff give to their guests. In an industry that is becoming more automated with fewer face-to-face interactions, the Campbells have continued to deliver a personal touch to its guests.
When it comes to addressing any challenges that come up at the resort, “the buck stops with us,” Art Campbell said.
Tom and Eric recalled some of their first jobs at the resort included delivering newspapers to guest rooms, sweeping the paths and hallways and other menial tasks. Those experiences helped them appreciate the importance of the personal connection with guests as well as the importance of all of the jobs at the resort.
One of the unique features of Campbell’s Resort and Conference Center is the number of families who have been coming to the resort for decades. Some families have been making annual treks to Campbell’s for 70 years. That kind of repeat business only happens because of the personal touch that the family has perfected.
“Eric and Tom get out there every day, walk the property, and interact with our guests. It’s a wonderful thing,” said Art Campbell.
One reason the Campbell Family has managed to stay in business for so long is that they established requirements for family members to enter the business. They had to get a college degree, gain relevant experience in outside businesses. Another reason they’ve lasted five generations is that the family plows a significant share of the earnings back into the business.
Art Campbell said he thinks the team that Tom and Eric have recruited and trained is the best team in the history of the resort.
Both Eric and Tom attended the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. Eric went on to work in commercial real estate in the Seattle area before going to work for a boutique hotel in the city. Tom also worked in commercial real estate after graduating from UPS and did an internship with a consulting firm that was also a hospitality company.
Eric handles the rooms, front desk, housekeeping and general maintenance, while Tom looks after marketing, group sales and food and beverage. The two of them share oversight of accounting and human resources.
The decisions always come down to one thing: “what’s best for the business,” said Eric.
Perhaps the most important factor in the success of Campbell’s Resort and Conference Center has been that all five generations have provided excellent leadership, according to Art.
Like other successful family businesses, the Campbells have many employees with decades of experience. I can see why people like working for the Campbell family. The sense of commitment to the business, the employees and the community is exceptionally strong.
Art Campbell, who is technically retired but who still walks the property and talks to guests, has one wish for the future. He would love to see the State of Washington be a little kinder to businesses.
“My wife Diana and I raised our two sons Eric and Tom in Chelan,” Art Campbell said in an email. “They are now living in Chelan, raising their families and are the 5th generation owners/operators of Campbell’s Resort. We feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful valley that offers so much for its residents, second home owners and visitors,” he continued.
Those sentiments resonate with his two sons.
“As a kid, the valley’s natural beauty shaped us all – four true northwest seasons, each with its own energy, activity, or sport, each meant to be enjoyed uniquely,” he continued. “Even now, I still see childhood friends, or their parents, and it’s like a valve directly to my childhood has nbeen opened up and the memories come surging back,” he added.
Brother Eric concurred, saying “I am grateful to have grown up in Chelan. While Chelan continues to grow and evolve, it still retains the small-town charm I remember from my childhood.”
How blessed Chelan is to have civic leaders like the five generations of Campbells. I’m looking forward to the party on April 11.
