Mark your calendars for next week, July 12 at 2p.m. EST, as we bring together eminent specialists from the glamping sector for an enlightening dialogue. They will shed light on the transforming scenarios of this year’s business environment, offering their unique viewpoints.
Joining host Brian Searl 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.
We’re thrilled to host an engaging discussion with special guests: Tony and Sharen Turner, the creative force behind Glamping Retro, along with Adrian Passos, the dynamic Operations Director of Caracol Glamping.
Tony and Sharen Turner are set to provide fascinating insights into the one-of-a-kind amenities that set Glamping Retro apart in the industry.
Furthermore, Adrian Passos is prepared to take us through the captivating narrative of Caracol Glamping’s inception and rise to prominence.
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.
July 5 Episode Recap
In the previous episode of MC Fireside Chats episode presented by Fireside Accounting hosted by Brian Searl, the discussion started about the departure of co-host Cara due to her increased responsibilities at CCRVC.
Brian together with the recurring guests touched upon the occupancy rates of their properties during the July 4th holiday, with the high temperatures and weather conditions impacting the rates. Sandy shared that the midweek placement of the holiday and harsh weather led to lower than expected occupancy rates.
Brian warned about the danger of attributing lower occupancies to external circumstances, advocating for addressing the core issues. Christine informed that Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays usually have better occupancy rates due to their weekend placement. Mike introduced data from CampSpot indicating increased park bookings in June and predicted steady occupancy for Q4. They also discussed the US consumer confidence spike in June and factors contributing to it, such as stabilized gas prices and softened inflation.
They then discussed the state of the economy, small businesses, public perception, and issues within the park industry. Christine raised some problems she encountered in parks like disgruntled guests causing problems and increased employment lawsuits. The group also discussed the trend of guests abandoning their old rigs in parks and brainstormed possible proactive solutions, such as requiring annual inspections or setting age limits on rigs.
The conversation then shifted towards the industry innovation award proposed by Sandy, intended to recognize unique advancements within their industry. While Mike and Sandy argued that the awards could raise industry standards by promoting innovation, Brian expressed concerns about award saturation and the value of such recognitions. Brian also raised a concern about the self-nomination process commonly employed in these types of awards.
Electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on the camping industry also featured in the discussion. Brian emphasized the necessity of accepting the transition towards EVs. Sandy pointed out the benefits of EV charging stations at RV parks as a revenue stream and marketing opportunity. However, the lack of widespread understanding and appreciation of EVs within the industry was also addressed.
In terms of individual experiences, Christine shared her journey dealing with customer service and transitioning into a new managerial role at a long-standing campground. Mike discussed strategies for leveraging a park’s identity and legacy for marketing purposes. He also shared his experience of hosting themed weekend events to attract visitors to RV parks and discussed new initiatives like farmers’ markets.
Sandy then discussed her successful attempts to encourage camping even in high heat by theming weekends, introducing activities like foam parties, and using a bundled payment model for activities. She also shared her insights on the potential of agritourism, drawing from her experiences with a park in central Florida. However, a humorous suggestion about hosting an “outrun the gator weekend” was advised against due to potential liability issues.
The chat concluded with the hosts expressing their gratitude for the active participation of the guests and a teaser for a future episode on glamping. The discussions were centered around various aspects of camping and RV resorts, with a focus on occupancy rates, consumer behavior, industry trends, and innovative solutions to existing challenges.
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.
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/