How do you successfully evaluate the state of the outdoor hospitality industry and identify lucrative future investments as the fall season settles in? Modern Campground invites you to explore the evolving landscape of park real estate and franchise opportunities on the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats, airing live on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 2 PM ET.
This week’s discussion brings together a robust panel of voices from across the outdoor hospitality industry, offering unique insights into current market trends and investment strategies.
Special guest Catherine Reinard, National Director of RV Park Resale and Franchise Specialist at Campground Brokers of America, will share her firsthand expertise in navigating park acquisitions, resales, and franchise operations.
Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how to strategically assess properties and understand real estate dynamics, a critical advantage for park owners and investors looking to expand or optimize their portfolios in today’s economic climate.
Joining the conversation is host Brian Searl alongside our expert recurring panel: Eleonore Hamm (President, RVDA of Canada), Simon Neal (Founder & CEO, CampMap), Phil Ingrassia (Executive Director, RVDA), Rafael Correa (President & CFO, Blue Water Development Corp), Scott Bahr (President, Cairn Consulting Group), Miguel Huerta (President, Asociación Mexicana de Glamping), and Michael Moore (Assistant Executive Director, Texas Association of Campground Owners).
Their collective insights will be invaluable for operators looking to understand shifting economic trends and how they impact everyday campground realities and long-term growth.
Tune in to learn how these industry leaders are shaping investment strategies and driving success in their distinct market segments.
Previous Episode Recap
During the September 30, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl led an intimate fifth-week broadcast focused on the diverse realities of property operations, broadcasting from a chilly outdoor patio in Calgary, Alberta.
The panel, featuring Stephanie Bias, general manager of Camp Aramoni, and Munro Murdock, owner of North Haven Campground, explored how the future of outdoor hospitality relies on blending invisible backend technology with highly curated, generation-specific guest experiences.
Discussions ranged from Stephanie Bias’s approach to luxury glamping, where all-inclusive amenities like chef-prepared meals and staged woodland picnics remove all labor from camping, to Munro Murdock’s hybrid accommodation model that prioritizes natural privacy buffers and spacious layouts over high-density, “parking lot” style designs. Both operators agreed that while tools like artificial intelligence are incredibly useful for streamlining backend workflows, genuine, human-led hospitality must remain the focal point of all guest-facing interactions.
The panel also addressed the harsh economic realities of the current financial climate, noting that high interest rates and skyrocketing construction costs make ground-up development increasingly prohibitive, pushing savvy investors toward acquiring and revitalizing older mom-and-pop parks. The episode concluded with the operators discussing their future goals, from Bias building sustainable management infrastructures to Murdock’s plans to list his property for sale, highlighting the dynamic lifecycle of outdoor hospitality ownership. Relive this insightful conversation: https://moderncampground.com/fireside-chats/mc-fireside-chats-September-30th-2026
About MC Fireside Chats
MC Fireside Chats is a live podcast experience dedicated to the outdoor hospitality and outdoor recreation industries. Hosted by Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, the show offers engaging discussions with industry leaders, innovators, and experts shaping the future of camping, RVing, glamping, and outdoor recreation.
Airing every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET), the show follows a structured weekly theme to deliver deep dives into the most relevant topics
- Week 1: Industry Trends & Insights
- Week 2: Enhancing Guest Experience
- Week 3: Business Operations & Management
- Week 4: Marketing, AI and Technology
Each episode features a panel of recurring guests, complemented by 1–2 rotating special guests, including industry analysts, campground owners, technology providers, sustainability advocates, and more. Whether exploring the latest market trends or innovative guest experience strategies, MC Fireside Chats delivers thought-provoking insights for professionals and enthusiasts across the outdoor recreation spectrum.
To explore previous episodes of MC Fireside Chats, visit: moderncampground.com/mc-fireside-chats.
