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Matt Whitermore Joins MC Fireside Chats Panel for Week 4 Episode on Marketing Technology and AI

As marketing and technology continue to evolve at lightning speed, MC Fireside Chats is bringing the conversation to the forefront. Week 4 airs October 22 at 2 PM ET, focusing on the newest developments in AI and digital marketing.

Host Brian Searl, Founder & CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, will be joined by an expert panel featuring Greg Emmert, Co-founder of Camp Strategy,  Kurtis Wilkins, Private Equity Analyst of RJourney,  Mychele Bisson, CEO of Bison Peak Ventures, and Cara Csizmadia, President of the Canadian Camping and RV Association.

Rounding out the panel is Matt Whitermore, Director of Market Expansion at Climb Capital and Unhitched Management, who brings valuable expertise in business growth and investment strategy.

The episode will also welcome special guests Colan McGeehan, Co-founder of House of Highways, and Ben Wolff, CEO of Oasi, bringing creative insight and industry expertise to the discussion.

October 16th Episode Recap

The episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl (Insider Perks and Modern Campground), opened with lighthearted chat about Brian’s new “Irish look” before diving into industry matters with his recurring and special guests. The recurring panel included Mike Harrison (CRR Hospitality) and Sandy Ellingson (Sandy Ellingson, LLC), joined by special guests Sangeetha Ramkumar (Dunya Camp) and Hannah Terry (Wildwoodland Retreat).

The discussion initially focused on major industry news, with Sandy Ellingson sharing the “uproar” over the new NEC 551 electrical code release. She clarified that AI-written articles had caused widespread panic by incorrectly stating campgrounds needed to immediately upgrade all pedestals. She assured operators that the requirements primarily target RV manufacturers (OEMs) and advised against immediate panic, promising a detailed paper and podcast with an author of the code to offer correct guidance.

Mike Harrison then brought up the ongoing post-Glamping Show discussion regarding Marriott’s Bonvoy Outdoor Collection announcement, calling it a “great evolution” for the space. He asserted that, regardless of how the properties are defined, this move will bring “incredible” awareness, distribution, marketing, and data to the entire outdoor hospitality sector, accelerating its evolution.

Brian Searl and Sandy Ellingson briefly countered, questioning the collection’s benefit to the existing glamping industry since Marriott appears to be strategically avoiding the word “glamping” to prevent confusion with older, less luxurious definitions of the term. Sandy noted that her research indicated the word “glamping” was originally confusing, leading hotel chains to prefer “Luxury Camping” or “Outdoor Hospitality.”

Sangeetha Ramkumar, with 11 years of experience at IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), confirmed this strategic avoidance, stating that large companies prefer not to “spend a lot of money to overcome existing meanings.” She predicted that major hotel chains will not pursue deals with small, independent properties but will wait to acquire consolidated entities or purpose-built brands like Under Canvas or Postcard Cabins, suggesting that this acquisition strategy is the future for luxury outdoor hospitality.

Sangeetha then introduced her property, Dunya Camp, a luxury glamping site in North Georgia. The camp was born out of a desire to reconcile her “inside cat” hotel background with her “outside cat” husband’s love for camping. Her goal was to create a destination that felt highly “transportive” and “bespoke” through focused, crafted design, drawing inspiration from old-school luxury hotels, African safari camps, and Moroccan riads.

The conversation shifted to the importance of operations in supporting the luxury experience. Sangeetha highlighted that maintaining the pristine condition of the property is paramount, as a ratty appearance can quickly destroy the first impression, even if the unit is clean. She revealed that Dunya Camp operates on a consolidated check-in schedule (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) to ensure efficient cleaning by crews traveling from Metro Atlanta and to maintain privacy and quiet for guests, treating the stay like a “show” with set start and end times.

Hannah Terry then introduced her property, Wildwoodland Retreat in the UK, a tiny operation started 10 years ago to diversify her small family farm. Motivated by a need for self-sufficiency after a career-ending illness, Hannah used the money from selling her house to buy two Shepherd’s Huts instead of one costly treehouse. She spoke honestly about the hard work involved, running the operation herself while raising two young children, and the later decision to stop using tents due to the UK’s rainfall causing mold, eventually pivoting to simple camping pitches which, surprisingly, have proven more financially successful than the glamping units.

Hannah explained that the glamping market in the UK is now “swamped” and consumer demands have risen drastically for high-end features like hot tubs, which she resists due to the intensive operational load. Mike Harrison offered quick operational advice, advising Hannah to focus on the profit dollars of glamping rather than the margin of camping, and to maximize her higher-paying units if demand proves sufficient. Sandy Ellingson further suggested that Hannah explore agritourism, sharing success stories of farms where the experience of being around livestock (goats, cows, chickens) is enough to attract a large volume of campers, regardless of accommodation type.

Finally, Hannah shared her retreat’s unique selling proposition: Goat Yoga and Goat Walking, which she found to be her most popular offerings, particularly the Goat Yoga. Interestingly, she noted that 90% of those booking the animal experiences are not overnight guests, suggesting a marketing disconnect she needs to address. She closed the show with exciting news: she purchased four baby goats to host special indoor Goat Yoga sessions during the winter, which Brian Searl vowed his girlfriend would book immediately. The episode concluded with a final call to action for operators to focus on the human element, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of the customer’s desired experience.

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: RV Industry, Outdoor Recreation & Activities

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.

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Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: Matt Whitermore Joins MC Fireside Chats Panel for Week 4 Episode on Marketing Technology and AI! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/usa/matt-whitermore-joins-mc-fireside-chats-panel-for-week-4-episode-on-marketing-technology-and-ai/