For the upcoming MC Fireside Chats RV and outdoor recreation industry discussion host, Brian Searl will be joined by recurring guests: Phil Ingrassia, President at the National RV Dealers Association (RVDA); Eleanore Hamm, President at RVDA of Canada; Shane Devenish, Executive Director at the Canadian Recreational Vehicle Association; Kurt Repanshek of National Parks Traveler; and Susan Carpenter of the RV Women’s Alliance.
In addition to these esteemed guests, we are thrilled to announce four special guests who will bring their invaluable insights and vast expertise to enrich the discourse even further. Joining the discussion will be Adventurers on the Rock Founder and CEO, Bill Widmer, Grounded CEO, Sam Shapiro, and RVers, Jason and Alison Takacs.
Bill is poised to illuminate our understanding of the nascent trend of overlanding sweeping the RV industry.
On a different note, Sam is set to explore the intricacies of their innovative product, the Grounded G1, touted as the world’s premier fully electric campervan.
Meanwhile, Jason and Alison promise to provide an engaging insight into their thrilling exploits as a family ingrained in the immersive RV lifestyle.
Mark your calendars for an exhilarating episode on May 24th at 2 pm EST, as we bring you a live broadcast on Facebook and YouTube that you won’t want to miss!
Next week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats is sponsored by AccessParks, a leading broadband service provider that caters to hundreds of thousands of guests every month in RV parks, lodges, and some of the largest national parks across the country.
June 21 Episode Recap
During the MC Fireside Chats last June 21 presented by Accessparks, it was mentioned that the podcast has undergone a change with the departure of co-host Cara, who has been appointed the president of the Canadian Camping & RV Council. The episode revolves around insightful discussions on the camping and RV industry featuring recurring guests Sean Vidrine from Four Points RV Resorts, Scott Knepp from Ivee Group and Whitney Scott from KOA together with special guests Sean Hamilton from Boyd’s Campground, and Keva Niver from Boheme Retreats.
Sean shares about the challenges and accomplishments he has experienced operating Boyd’s Campground, a 60-year-old establishment. Keva, on the other hand, introduces her developing campground, Boheme Retreats, that houses vintage campers with a vision to establish an inclusive camping environment. She plans to expand the venture across multiple locations while preserving its unique ethos combining a retro aesthetic with diversity and inclusivity.
The conversation with Brian and the guests focuses on various aspects of the camping and RV business such as franchise flexibility, customer experience, branding, acquisition strategies, and customer retention. For instance, Brian appreciates KOA’s franchise model that offers flexibility for innovation, while Sean from Four Points emphasizes the importance of delivering an engaging and memorable customer experience. Sean also speaks about their evolving acquisition strategy in response to changing economic conditions and market dynamics.
Further, the discussion explores the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for guests, with Sean crediting their staff for treating guests like family, leading to customer retention. The conversation also touches on the unique aspects of camping in Key West, Florida, despite it not being the tropical paradise as often perceived. Shaun explains how they have maximized the waterfront experience with activities like paddle boarding and wildlife viewing, amidst other local cultural influences.
An intriguing part of the dialogue revolves around a recent KOA report on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly tools like Chat GPT, in planning camping trips. The group discusses the surprising statistic that 32% of campers, as compared to 7% of non-campers, are leveraging AI to research campgrounds and activities, seek reviews, and even construct their itineraries. The participants express concerns about AI potentially spreading outdated or inaccurate information but are optimistic about its effective utilization as the technology matures.
In line with this, the group delves into the improvements in AI, especially with advancements like GPT-4, that result in more accurate search outcomes. They anticipate this influencing industries such as camping and hospitality and forecast it to reshape user engagement. This development, though requiring consumer adaptation, prompts businesses to be prepared for the shift.
The podcast also discusses how AI can help novices in camping by serving as an information source, albeit they caution against relying on AI to compare specific campgrounds. They also recognize the potential of AI in enhancing the camping experience, particularly in speeding up the engagement with outdoor experiences.
The conversation winds down with Whitney indicating that more people are blending different travel types with camping, thereby shifting the focus for campground owners to sell experiences rather than just camping spots. The economic benefits that campers contribute to local economies are also underlined.
Finally, a key topic towards the end of the podcast revolves around the untapped potential of the glamping industry. Brian asserts that while camping and RV-ing have seen an increase in popularity, a considerable portion of the population remains unexposed to these experiences. He suggests that the glamping industry has room to grow and ponders ways to engage individuals who haven’t yet considered camping as a holiday option.
Sean agrees with Brian, acknowledging that people are now more open to unique experiences beyond traditional hotel stays. He shares his company’s initiatives to cater to this trend, like offering distinctive accommodations such as tiny homes and houseboats. The primary challenge, they all agree, is reaching potential customers who haven’t shown interest in camping or outdoor activities so far.
Keva shares her strategy of leveraging social media to reach her audience, mainly New York city-dwellers. She partners with influencers who share their experiences at her campground, thereby showcasing its convenience and ease of access. Similarly, Scott Knepp proposes listing campsites on popular travel websites such as Airbnb and Expedia and recommends greater involvement in local tourism initiatives.
Brian concludes the episode with optimism about the untapped potential in the camping and glamping market, acknowledging that these activities may not appeal to everyone. However, he affirms that even if outdoor ventures constitute a small part of someone’s travel experiences, the impact on the industry could be significant. Thus, the episode ends with a promising outlook for the future of the camping and glamping industry.
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/