Spring’s arrival marks a critical pivot point for outdoor hospitality, shifting the focus from seasonal planning to peak performance. This week, MC Fireside Chats cuts through the noise to focus on the practicalities of park efficiency and bottom-line impact. Presented by Modern Campground, this episode delivers actionable strategies for maximizing both operational flow and revenue potential.
Join host Brian Searl on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 2 PM ET, as we welcome special guest Stacy Dam, CEO of Set Your Sites, to unpack the transformative power of automation. This Business Operations and Management focused episode features our esteemed recurring industry leaders, including Jeff Hoffman, Board Member of OHI; RV Industry Advisor Sandy Ellingson; Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer of CRR Hospitality; Angele Miller, Co-Founder of Creekside RnR Glamping; and Robert Preston, CEO and Founder of Unhitched Management.
Stacy Dam will show campground owners how to streamline operations and save staff time by replacing manual tasks with QR-code mobile payment systems, letting teams focus on the guest experience. The discussion will cover real-time inventory management, explaining how integrating walk-up mobile payments with online reservations prevents double-bookings and optimizes revenue by accurately tracking every available spot.
Stop letting manual busywork stall your park’s potential and join a global community of industry professionals by tuning in to MC Fireside Chats this Wednesday to transform your operations before the summer rush leaves you in the dust.
Previous Episode Recap
The MC Fireside Chats episode on March 11, 2026, featured a dynamic panel including Jayne Cohen, Founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group, Casey Cochran, Vice President of Partnerships at Campspot, Jeremy Johnson, co-owner of Camp Kona Hills, Shawn Verbrugghe of Wunderland Resort, and Serg Mashkov from Lancaster Log Cabins, all led by host Brian Searl. The conversation, which took place from the Wisconsin WACO campground conference, delved into the evolving outdoor hospitality landscape, addressing economic shifts, changing guest expectations, and new revenue streams for campgrounds, RV parks, and glamping resorts.
A key focus was the economic outlook for 2026, where Casey Cochran presented data from Campspot suggesting a pivot towards seasonal stays to secure guaranteed revenue, despite some softening in transient business. Jayne Cohen, with five decades of experience, asserted that families prioritize vacations over almost any other expense, often cutting back on dining out before canceling a trip, thus reinforcing the resilience and affordability of outdoor hospitality during economic uncertainties.
The panel then explored the burgeoning demand for luxury and “Instagrammable” accommodations, with Serg Mashkov highlighting the industry’s shift towards high-end amenities beyond basic rustic cabins, including features like glass shower doors and tile finishes. This trend enables park owners to elevate their Average Daily Rate by appealing to a broader audience seeking polished, photogenic experiences. Shawn Verbrugghe further elaborated on the importance of uniqueness, privacy, and sustainability at Wunderland Resort, which focuses on experiential hospitality and boasts glamping units that outperform other accommodation types.
The discussion also touched on innovative “programming,” as Verbrugghe detailed unique activities like “blackout foraging tours” and the “Soul Trail,” designed to immerse guests in nature and disconnect them from technology. While digital connectivity is now an expected utility, the panel also discussed the success of “digital detox” weekends where guests are encouraged to unplug, provided transparency about Wi-Fi availability is maintained. The episode concluded with optimism for the industry’s future, encouraging operators to embrace creativity, strategic financial management, and a continuous pursuit of elevating the guest experience. To catch up on this insightful episode, visit: https://moderncampground.com/fireside-chats/mc-fireside-chats-March-11th-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.