In the recent fifth week episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, welcomed three special guests from the glamping and outdoor hospitality industry, marking a unique show without the usual recurring panelists.

The first guest to introduce herself was Vicki Jones, who runs Tracks and Cream Glamping in Somerset, UK. Her site features nine geodesic domes, including six glamping domes (one with three interconnected domes) and a 10-meter dome for events like retreats, weddings, and yoga classes.

Vicki has been operating for nine years and started a YouTube channel in 2020 to document the experiences of running a glamping site. She is also the UK ambassador for ResNexus, a property management software, and serves on the board of directors for the newly established Glamping Industry Trade Association in the UK, highlighting her deep involvement in the glamping world.

Laura Benaggoune, also from the UK, owns Welsummer Camping. She started her campsite 20 years ago, initially as a small, simple site, and quickly moved into glamping within two years, offering bell tents and later wooden cabins.

Laura emphasizes a focus on nature and herbal medicine, maintaining a "real" and intimate atmosphere at her site, which hosts a maximum of 50-60 people. She noted the explosion of glamping sites in Kent since she began, contrasting the ease of marketing in the earlier days with the current saturated market.

Martin Berrini, originally from Argentina, shared his journey into the hospitality industry. After living in Italy for 20 years, he and his wife moved to Costa Rica, where they established Colina Secreta, a luxury glamping site on the Caribbean side of Puerto Viejo. In addition to Colina Secreta, Martin also owns and manages Taylor Tents, which sells tents to the hospitality industry. He is currently developing "Glampea," an entry-level glamping project aimed at helping traditional campgrounds transition into glamping.

The discussion delved into the differences in the glamping industry between the UK, North America, and Costa Rica. Vicki and Laura highlighted the more established nature of glamping in the UK, with Laura starting her business early in 2005. They discussed the benefits of starting a business before the social media boom, where traditional marketing and a strong brand vision were key to standing out amidst less competition. Laura emphasized that her site's small, intimate, and personal approach, fostering a strong sense of community and repeat visitors, has been crucial for its sustainability.

Vicki echoed the importance of customer service and personal interaction, noting that her site's YouTube channel helps guests feel they know her and her family before they even arrive, creating a warm and welcoming experience. She questioned the perception that guests do not want to interact with staff, citing her own positive experiences and the value of personal greetings and guided tours of the property.

Martin explained that his glamping sites in Costa Rica primarily attract international guests (over 80% from Europe and the USA) seeking luxury experiences in the jungle, with a smaller percentage of local Costa Rican visitors. He contrasted this with the UK market, which primarily serves local guests. He also spoke about Glampea's mission to support camping owners in entering the glamping business, emphasizing social, economic, and environmental impact.

The conversation touched upon the use of AI and technology in the outdoor hospitality industry. While Brian Searl expressed his enthusiasm for AI's potential to enhance guest experiences, the guests discussed the challenge of integrating technology without detracting from the natural, disconnected outdoor experience that glamping offers. Laura specifically pondered how AI could be used in off-grid settings to enhance guest well-being and provide...

In the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl of Insider Perks explores the intersection of marketing, AI, and the campground industry. He’s joined by recurring guests Mychele Bisson of Bison Peak Ventures and Kurtis Wilkins of Rjourney, along with special guests Jeremy Johnson, owner of Kona Hills Campground, and Kieron Wilde of First Nature and Fur Haven. Brian opens the show by welcoming Mychele, who was initially delayed in joining. He then sets the stage by highlighting the show’s focus on marketing and AI, noting the absence of regular guest Greg Emmert due to client commitments. Brian proceeds to introduce Kurtis and Mychele, jokingly stumbling over Mychele’s last name, “Bisson,” which leads to a lighthearted discussion about the pronunciation of French words and Brian’s preference for German. Mychele echoes his sentiment, finding French pronunciation “snotty.” Despite the playful jabs, all agree that French people are “beautiful.” Kurtis Wilkins of Rjourney, who manages and owns 43 campgrounds, speaks first, noting his company’s presence in the industry since 2017. Mychele Bisson then introduces herself as a relative newcomer, having owned six campgrounds from Alaska to Florida for almost two years, and actively growing her portfolio. Brian teases Mychele about potentially owning 800 parks in 16 years, attributing future growth to AI’s impact on systems. Jeremy Johnson, the owner of Kona Hills Campground in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, shares his five-year journey of permitting and entitlements to open his first 80-acre campground with 40 rustic tent camping sites on Lake Superior. He explains that his background in residential real estate investing, coupled with rising housing prices in Marquette, led him to pivot to campgrounds. Jeremy initially envisioned higher-end glamping with cabins but shifted to rustic tent and car camping due to Michigan’s state-level campground licensing requirements for more than two units for short-term stays. He emphasizes the desire to maintain immersion in nature while mindfully adding accommodations. He also shares his positive experiences with car campers, dispelling stereotypes about them being irresponsible, and notes the initial resistance from the local community who feared “homeless people.” Jeremy highlights the inherent demand for his campground due to its proximity to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the city of Marquette, both tourism hubs. He exclusively uses direct bookings through Park for reservations, having delisted from Hipcamp due to backend difficulties and communication challenges with self-service operations. Kieron Wilde, owner of First Nature, a destination management company and tour operator for the West Coast of North America, and Fur Haven, a glamping setup, discusses his 18 years in the industry. He explains that First Nature packages experiences with accommodations and attractions, often selling to tour operators. Kieron also shares his personal journey of relocating to the Columbia River Gorge and the permitting challenges he faced with his Fur Haven project, eventually finding a previously permitted Thousand Trails property. His vision for Fur Haven focuses on the mobility of its A-frame units, allowing them to be relocated seasonally to meet demand for events like concerts or large gatherings. Kieron elaborates on the diverse experiences First Nature offers in the Pacific Northwest, ranging from hiking and whitewater rafting to wine country tours and world-class skiing, emphasizing unique, high-level, and custom private experiences. He also highlights his company’s commitment to sustainability and regenerative tourism. The conversation then shifts to the future of the campground industry, particularly the overlooked opportunity for enhancing guest experiences. Mychele expresses her appreciation for the diversity within the industry, noting how different approaches, like Jeremy’s rustic camping or Kieron’s curated...

On the July 16th episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl welcomed back Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality and Sandy Ellingson, a consultant in the RV industry. Robert Preston, founder and CEO of Unhitched RV and Management, joined as a new recurring guest. Angele Miller, owner of Creekside RnR Glamping, and Britt Roth, co-owner of Dark Sky RV Campground in Kanab, Utah, also joined the discussion. The chat began with introductions. Mike Harrison, COO of CRR Hospitality, explained their focus on owning, managing, and consulting for RV and glamping resorts. He mentioned an upcoming cruise to Alaska from Vancouver. Sandy Ellingson described her primary role as a liaison between the RV industry and campgrounds, leveraging her background in technology and strategy. She enjoys semi-retirement, picking and choosing her clients. Robert Preston introduced Unhitched RV and Management, which owns, operates, and develops RV parks primarily in the Southeast, also offering third-party management and consulting. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the role of AI in the RV and camping industry. Mike Harrison announced the imminent launch of “Rigsby Live” (soon to be “Campy Live”), an AI voice reservation agent. He believes this will revolutionize the industry by eliminating busy signals and allowing 24/7 reservations, integrating with platforms like CampSpot. He noted that this technology is ahead of even the hotel industry. Brian Searl added that this AI can handle full reservations, check availability, provide site types, and send payment links, aiming to replace standard phone representatives. Robert Preston shared that Unhitched RV primarily uses AI on the backend for data aggregation, particularly for deep dives into rates, comps, and occupancies for acquisitions, as well as for power consumption and utility metering. He acknowledged a deficit of institutionalized data in the RV industry compared to others like multifamily, where CoStar provides vast amounts of detailed information. He emphasized that AI currently helps them gather data quickly, but human interpretation is still crucial for valuable, specific output. Sandy Ellingson expanded on the data challenge, stating that the existing data is often “dirty.” She explained that AI struggles to differentiate between transient, long-term stay, and 55+ RV parks, leading to diluted data when merged. Robert Preston agreed, highlighting the industry’s lack of clear definitions for “campground,” “park,” and “resort,” contributing to poor data quality. Mike Harrison mentioned that OHI (Outdoor Hospitality Industry) is now actively working to normalize and aggregate data, categorizing campgrounds to help with investment and analytical reflection, and to facilitate tax code changes for REITs. This process is expected to take 12-18 months. The conversation shifted to takeaways from the July 4th holiday weekend and changing camper behaviors. Sandy Ellingson noted the absence of a “norm” in bookings; some parks were anxious about not selling out but then did so last minute, indicating a shrinking booking window. She observed parks offering creative incentives like extended stays with flexible arrival/departure times. Campers, she noted, appreciate the ability to make last-minute decisions. She also highlighted an increasing demand for tent camping and car camping sites, redefining entry-level camping experiences, with expensive, high-tech car setups blurring the lines with traditional RVs. Brian Searl questioned the traditional reluctance of campgrounds to accept tent campers, especially given the evolving nature of camping and the need to be strategic in a more competitive market. Sandy Ellingson used the “roast” analogy to illustrate how outdated practices, like refusing tent campers, persist without understanding their modern evolution. She emphasized that a new generation of campers, including those exploring “gateway drugs” into camping like car camping, needs...