On the June 11th, 2025, episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl of Insider Perks and Modern Campground led a vibrant discussion with a panel of industry experts on the evolving landscape of outdoor hospitality. The conversation delved into crucial topics ranging from the practicalities of developing off-grid glamping sites to the profound importance of curating a transformative guest experience. The episode brought together recurring panelists and special guests, each offering unique perspectives from their respective corners of the industry, creating a comprehensive overview of current trends, challenges, and opportunities. The show welcomed back its knowledgeable recurring guests, who consistently provide valuable insights. Scott Foos, representing Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, a third-party management and consulting firm, offered his analysis on market trends and operational strategies. Zach Stoltenberg of LJA, a multidisciplinary design firm, shared his expertise on the planning and design of outdoor resorts. Joe Duemig, the owner of App My Community, brought his perspective on technology and guest communication within campgrounds and resorts. Joining the panel were two special guests, both operators of distinctive Canadian glamping properties. Elizabeth McIntosh, the co-founder of Back Forty Glamping in Ontario, provided a look into the world of creating a luxury, four-season dome resort from the ground up. Also featured was Sarah Cruse, the General Manager of the remote and exclusive Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge on Vancouver Island, who shared her passion for creating deeply restorative and nature-based experiences for guests. The conversation kicked off with Zach Stoltenberg identifying a significant industry trend: the increasing client demand for off-grid and remote resort sites. He explained this push is driven by both the economic desire to avoid costly infrastructure development and the experiential appeal of secluded locations. Zach highlighted innovative solutions like those from Electric Outdoors, a company producing self-contained units with their own power and water systems, which could revolutionize how operators utilize undeveloped land and create unique, low-impact accommodations. Responding to the off-grid theme, Sarah Cruse detailed the operations of Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, a property that has successfully operated off-grid for 25 years. She explained how the resort, accessible only by floatplane or boat, is a self-contained village that recently invested in British Columbia’s largest solar panel installation to harness the power of nature. Sarah’s story underscored the immense appeal and viability of such ventures but also served as a caution, noting that the “wild west” era of development has passed and that securing permits for such a project today would be incredibly challenging. Elizabeth McIntosh of Back Forty Glamping echoed the sentiment regarding regulatory hurdles, sharing her own complex journey with permitting in Ontario. She explained how the process of trying to fit their unique dome structures into existing, conventional building codes ultimately shaped their business model, forcing them to pivot to a higher-end, luxury offering to justify the extensive investment in infrastructure like a massive septic system. Her experience illustrated a common struggle for innovators in the glamping space and highlighted how external constraints can define a brand’s niche. A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to the art and importance of the guest experience, a topic Sarah Cruse spoke about with palpable passion. She described her role as stewarding a “heart property” where the goal is to facilitate a “transformational state” in guests by disconnecting them from devices and reconnecting them with nature and each other. She emphasized that true hospitality is “heart-forward,” starting with a happy, engaged staff who genuinely care, which in turn creates an authentic and...

In the previous episode of MC Fireside Chats on June 4, 2025, host Brian Searl welcomed guests including recurring contributors Rafael Correa, President and CFO of Blue Water; Simon Neal, founder of Camp Map; and Scott Bahr from Cairn Consulting Group. A special guest for the session was Jayne Cohen, founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group and its sister company, Glamping Consulting Group, who—despite Brian’s playful jest about her youth—celebrated her 50th year in the industry. The discussion immediately turned to pressing industry concerns when Rafael Correa highlighted a recent Baltimore Sun report about Raystown Lake in Pennsylvania. Camping at this large Army Corps-run recreational lake was reportedly shut down due to staffing cuts linked to “Doge inefficiency efforts.” This closure significantly impacted local businesses, with some experiencing a 40-50% downturn over Memorial Day weekend, underscoring the ripple effects of such decisions on local economies and the potential risks to state and national park accessibility. Scott Bahr elaborated on this, noting an “enthusiasm gap” among potential guests stemming from a “dark cloud” over national parks, citing news of over 5,000 anticipated staff layoffs. He differentiated this concern from purely economic anxieties, explaining that while people understand macroeconomic pressures, they are more deterred by factors that diminish the on-the-ground experience. The perception that staff cuts will lead to a lesser experience weighs more heavily on travel decisions than economic factors alone, creating a cumulative negative effect. The conversation then explored whether park closures and staff shortages or broader economic concerns were more heavily influencing camper behavior. Rafael shared a contrasting experience from Blue Water’s home base in Ocean City, Maryland. Despite initial concerns about federal government layoffs and return-to-office mandates affecting their key feeder markets (DC, Northern Virginia, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh), their properties were experiencing significant growth. He attributed this to the affordability of outdoor hospitality and Ocean City’s appeal as a blue-collar, drive-to beach destination, suggesting that economic uncertainty might be playing to their strengths. Scott Bahr concurred, emphasizing the advantage of drive-to destinations, as people are likely opting for shorter, less uncertain trips. Jayne Cohen, drawing on her extensive industry experience, supported these observations. She noted that during economic uncertainty, travelers prioritize accessible, easily cancellable, and affordable options, bringing back the “150-mile sweet spot” for travel distances, reminiscent of 2019 trends. She asserted that camping remains an affordable vacation choice, often driven more by desired location and activities than by price alone. Campers, she argued, can tailor their trips to their budgets, perhaps by forgoing restaurant meals if campsite fees are higher in a preferred area. The discussion then shifted to the crucial concept of value proposition in camping. Rafael emphasized that it’s not just about affordability but the overall value, including amenities like water parks and organized activities not typically found at budget hotels. Jayne Cohen added that, in her experience, the most expensive sites, like waterfront ones, often book up first precisely because of their perceived value, offering experiences that would be significantly more costly in other accommodation types. Brian Searl underscored the necessity for campgrounds, especially independent ones, to effectively communicate this value through their marketing efforts. Exploring how to communicate this value, Rafael stressed the importance of visual storytelling – high-quality lifestyle photos and videos that allow potential guests to imagine themselves at the property. He also advocated for leveraging micro-influencers and the authenticity of Facebook Lives to connect

On May 28th, 2025, another insightful episode of MC Fireside Chats unfolded, hosted by Brian Searl of Insider Perks and Modern Campground. This particular session was dedicated to the RV industry and outdoor recreation, bringing together a panel of recurring experts and special guests to dissect current trends, share operational experiences, and forecast future developments. Brian warmly welcomed the audience and introduced the day’s lineup, setting the stage for a comprehensive discussion that spanned from high-level industry statistics to on-the-ground business strategies. The episode featured its regular contributors from the RV Dealers Association (RVDA): Eleonore Hamm, President of RVDA of Canada, and Phil Ingrassia, President of RVDA of the US. Eleonore outlined her association’s focus on education, advocacy, and ensuring the profitability and sustainability of Canadian RV dealers. Phil echoed these sentiments, highlighting the US RVDA’s mission to support dealers and collaborate with manufacturers and suppliers on initiatives like the Go RVing program, which promotes the RV lifestyle in their respective countries. Their presence provided a crucial overview of the North American RV market landscape. Joining the seasoned regulars were two special guests making significant waves in their local outdoor hospitality sectors. Ilia Smirnov, owner of Cape Fear River Adventures and the Cozy Heron Glamping Resort, was introduced first. Located near Raleigh, North Carolina, Ilia’s businesses offer a unique blend of river-based activities and distinctive glamping accommodations. Following Ilia, Lisa Green, the General Manager of the Decatur Wheeler Lake KOA Campground in Alabama, shared her experiences. Lisa described her campground as an activity-driven destination, emphasizing her journey into the industry and the strategies she has employed. The discussion kicked off with an industry update from Phil Ingrassia and Eleonore Hamm. Phil shared that April’s wholesale RV shipments in the US saw a pleasant 4% increase compared to the previous year, though he noted that retail sales for April were not yet available and had been lagging slightly, with March retail sales down about 14% year-over-year, indicating an inventory build-up as dealers prepared for the season. He acknowledged that consumer sentiment, influenced by job prospects, the stock market, savings, and gas prices, plays a significant role in RV sales, predicting that the year would likely end up similar to the last. Eleonore Hamm provided the Canadian perspective, noting a similar trend where wholesale shipments outpaced retail sales. She explained that Canadian dealers had been rapidly building inventory due to concerns about tariffs and counter-tariffs, particularly the 25% counter-tariff on US-manufactured motorhomes that came into effect on April 9th, though towables were fortunately excluded. This uncertainty led to a cautious approach from dealers, with new unit sales down about 10% year-over-year by the end of March. Eleonore elaborated on the complexities of these tariffs, linked to HS codes where motorhomes are classified under automotive, and mentioned ongoing advocacy efforts to government to remove motorhomes from this tariff. Both Phil and Eleonore agreed that the late spring and early summer period is crucial for sales volume. Shifting to consumer behavior, Brian Searl inquired about RV ownership and usage. Phil Ingrassia revealed that data on RVs in operation, a proprietary number, has been growing consistently, even through the pandemic and beyond. He estimated that the number of RVs in operation has increased from around 3.5 million in 2010 to over 6.5 million currently. This indicates that people are holding onto their RVs and renewing registrations. He also mentioned that Go RVing research shows many pandemic buyers have developed a fondness for RV travel and intend to continue, debunking some fears of a mass exodus from the lifestyle....