Glamping industry experts return to MC Fireside Chats next week May 10, 2023 to discuss how the business landscape is shaping up for this year.
Joining hosts Brian Searl and Cara Csizmadia are recurring guests American Glamping Association founder Ruben Martinez, Outside Capital founder and Managing Principal David Smith, The Fields of Michigan Founder and CEO Irene Wood, Clockwork Glamping and RV Resort Design Lead Zach Stoltenberg, and Sage Outdoor Advisory Vice President for Outdoor Hospitality Connor Schwab.
The regular panel for the glamping industry will be joined by special guests Sangeetha Ramkumar and Saeid Kazerooni, Founders of Dunya Camp and John Roames and Tameika Roames, Owners of Evolution Glamping.
Sangeetha is a highly experienced and innovative creative leader in the hospitality industry, with a proven track record of transforming, growing, and future-proofing some of the world’s largest luxury, travel, and hospitality brands. Together with her husband, Saeid Kazeroon, Sangeetha established Dunya Camp, a successful glamping site in Georgia that has become a sought-after destination for travelers seeking a unique and luxurious camping experience.
Roames, on the other hand, is a retired Army veteran who spent 20 years as a forward observer before transitioning to a technology company that provided services to the government. After rising to a director-level position, Roames decided to leave the corporate world and embark on a new adventure. He started a mobile glamping business called Evolution Glamping with his wife, Tameika Roames, also an army veteran. Evolution Glamping offers glamping tent rental and events on introduction to hiking and glamping.
Next week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats will be sponsored by Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, a comprehensive third-party management and consulting solutions provider for RV Resorts, RV Parks, campgrounds, glamping sites, and outdoor destinations.
From capital fund holdings to individual owners and operators, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality offers a tailored approach to each property, ensuring innovative and effective solutions to find efficiencies and increase revenue regardless of the size, location, or market of the business.
May 3 Episode Recap
In the May 3 episode of the MC Fireside Chats podcast, hosts Brian Searl and Cara Csizmadia, as well as industry experts, discussed various topics related to camping and outdoor hospitality.
Casey Cochran, the VP of Business Development at Campspot Software, highlighted the importance of introducing different age groups to outdoor hospitality, especially since many people below 55 years old are exploring their options.
Cochran also noted that the camping season is in full swing, and he shared how his company created a heatmap to track where people are coming from to help parks. Moreover, he highlighted that their marketing strategy focuses on creating more camper nights and providing an intriguing aspect to their services.
Scott Foos, CEO & Owner of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, discussed how the pandemic has led to an increase in camping as people explore outdoor activities. He also noted that the emergence of Gen Z is the fastest-growing demographic in camping, and understanding their needs and preferences is crucial for the industry.
Foos emphasized the importance of connecting emotionally with guests and making operations more efficient to reduce costs. He mentioned that despite the recent shift in consumer optimism, the industry is in for a rollercoaster year in 2023.
Sandy Ellingson, an RV Industry Consultant, mentioned that 70% of people who travel for business or pleasure stay in some kind of RV park. She also raised the problem of the difficulty in booking due to the short booking window.
Mark Koep, Founder & CEO of CampgroundViews.com, noted the increase in camping and the continuous trend of people searching for campsites. He also mentioned that the closure of national park campgrounds due to remodeling and weather conditions could impact private campgrounds.
Mike Harrison from CRR Lifestyle has suggested that resorts and campgrounds should provide amenities that cater to people of all ages. He has emphasized the need for these parks and resorts to continually evolve and establish careful guidelines, particularly when it comes to children’s safety. Additionally, he has stressed the significance of regularly monitoring indicators like oil consumption and finding ways to improve business efficiency without compromising the customer experience.
Finally, Christine Taylor of the Towne Law Firm highlighted the importance of being inclusive in advertising and not discriminating against any specific group or demographic. She emphasized the need to write down and enforce rules to create a positive experience for everyone. Overall, the guests emphasized the importance of operational efficiency, using technology to improve the customer experience, and understanding the needs of different age groups and demographics.
About MC Fireside Chats
MC Fireside Chats is a weekly show devoted to the outdoor hospitality industry. The show is hosted by Brian Searl, the founder and CEO of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, and Cara Csizmadia, member services coordinator at the Canadian Camping & RV Council (CCRVC).
Airing live every Wednesday at 2 p.m. (ET), MC Fireside Chats features guests from the camping and RV industry who share their take on the current state of the camping, glamping, and RVing sectors as well as upcoming innovations in RV parks, campgrounds, outdoor resorts, glamping, and the RV industry.
To listen to previous episodes of MC Fireside Chats, visit: https://moderncampground.com/mc-fireside-chats/
Imagine the awesome insights we’ll get in the Fireside Chat about camping and glamping sustainability! Can’t wait to hear from Dunya Camp, Evolution Glamping, and Horizon Outdoor Hospitality.