Curious how AI and digital marketing are evolving in 2026? MC Fireside Chats is back with our first marketing-focused episode of the year. Week 4 airs January 28th at 2 PM ET, breaking down the trends you need to know.
Host Brian Searl, Founder & CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, will be joined by an expert panel featuring Greg Emmert, Founder of Vireo, Kurtis Wilkins, Private Equity Analyst of RJourney, Mychele Bisson, CEO of Bison Peak Ventures, Cara Csizmadia, President of the Canadian Camping and RV Association, and Matt Whitermore, Director of Market Expansion at Climb Capital and Unhitched Management.
We’re also welcoming powerhouse special guests Thomas Kluz, CEO of AC Future, breaking down how AI is revolutionizing operations and guest engagement, and Sandrine Zechbauer, CMO at RMS, sharing proven digital marketing strategies to drive more bookings, stronger brand loyalty, and measurable revenue growth.
January 28th at 2 PM ET. Be there live as industry leaders break down what’s working now and what’s coming next for AI and digital marketing in 2026.
January 21st Episode Recap
On the January 21st, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl gathered a robust panel of industry experts to navigate the evolving landscape of outdoor hospitality. Despite some initial technical difficulties with the studio setup, the group quickly settled into a dynamic conversation regarding the year ahead. The panel included recurring guests Jeff Hoffman, Board Member at OHI , Robert Preston, CEO and Founder of Unhitched RV , Sandy Ellingson, an RV Industry Advisor , and Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at CRR Hospitality. Joining the recurring lineup were special guests Mike Yasieniuk, CEO and Founder of Let’s Camp, and Anjali Harvie, Vice President of Daiva RV Resorts.
The conversation opened with a retrospective on the recent Tampa RV show. Sandy Ellingson provided an on-the-ground perspective, noting that crowds were larger than anticipated and there was a general sentiment that 2026 would show improvement over the previous year. However, Mike Harrison offered a counter-perspective based on broader hospitality trends, expressing caution regarding occupancy rates. He noted that the hotel industry had seen consecutive months of decline and emphasized that the outdoor sector must still absorb the new supply of inventory built over the last few years, suggesting a year of caution rather than unbridled optimism.
Jeff Hoffman weighed in on the changing behaviors of guests, specifically regarding booking windows. He suggested that while some might view current delayed bookings as a negative trend, it may actually represent a return to normalization compared to the post-pandemic boom where sites were booked a year in advance. Sandy Ellingson added a critical nuance to this observation, urging the industry to view guests as “travelers” rather than just “campers.” She argued that the proliferation of accommodation options—such as glamping units, cabins, and tiny homes—gives travelers more flexibility, allowing them to delay booking decisions because they are no longer solely dependent on securing a specific RV site.
A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the state of industry associations. Robert Preston highlighted the friction that often exists between state and national organizations, attributing some of the difficulty to the dual nature of the industry as both a real estate and a hospitality business. He noted that real estate challenges are often hyper-local, making them difficult to solve at a national level. Jeff Hoffman, drawing on his leadership experience, proposed that the solution lies in better communication, specifically through quarterly reporting and shared educational initiatives that demonstrate a clear return on investment for members of both state and national bodies.
Building on the topic of associations, Mike Harrison emphasized the critical role of advocacy. He cited the Credit Card Competition Act as a prime example of legislation that requires the leverage of national associations combined with the grassroots pressure of local park owners. Harrison argued that alignment across the fragmented industry landscape—including OHI, RVIA, and state groups—is essential for financial wins that roll down to the bottom line of every operator. He expressed hope that as institutional investors continue to enter the space, the industry will naturally move toward better consolidation and professionalization.
Special guest Anjali Harvie introduced the panel to Daiva RV Resorts, formerly Roots RV, a family-run business based in Ontario, Canada, that has recently expanded to 18 parks. Harvie shared her unique background of growing up in the industry and discussed the recent rebranding effort. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a family-centric culture even while scaling up operations. Unlike top-heavy corporate structures where employees feel like numbers, Harvie explained that Daiva relies on onsite managers—often couples and families—who are empowered to maintain a sense of ownership and pride in their specific properties.
The conversation regarding corporate versus family operations resonated with the other multi-park owners on the panel. Robert Preston and Mike Harrison discussed the tension between necessary standardization and maintaining a unique guest experience. Harrison explained that CRR Hospitality intentionally avoids the term “corporate,” preferring “leadership team,” and strives to balance brand promises with the unique “DNA and vibe” of each individual property. The consensus was that while backend efficiencies are necessary for growth, the guest-facing experience must remain authentic to avoid feeling like a generic chain.
Mike Yasieniuk provided an update on Let’s Camp, detailing the company’s expansion into the United States and the launch of their new marina software, Let’s Boat. He explained that the move into the U.S. market was driven by the need to reach a certain scale to support multi-currency capabilities and complex accounting features. Yasieniuk highlighted that their competitive advantage lies in keeping the software simple for older demographics of camp hosts while retaining powerful integration capabilities for backend management, catering to the specific needs of smaller to mid-sized RV parks.
As the show moved into a roundtable format, the topic of innovation took center stage. When asked about the year ahead, Mike Harrison asserted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be the defining tool of 2026. He argued that failing to leverage AI for associate and customer experiences would result in leaving money on the table. Mike Yasieniuk agreed, revealing that Let’s Camp is already using AI to expedite software development and perform data analysis that previously took weeks in a matter of minutes, allowing park owners to make rapid, informed decisions based on real-time data.
The episode concluded with a forward-looking discussion on cross-border collaboration. Anjali Harvie expressed an interest in exploring partnerships with U.S. entities to better serve “snowbirds” who split their time between Canada and the United States. Jeff Hoffman enthusiastically supported this idea, suggesting that industry associations should facilitate these connections to clear up misunderstandings and create a seamless experience for travelers. The group ended the call with a commitment to better communication and potential future collaborations between the Canadian and American markets.
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.