Ever wondered about the financial side of owning a campground, the nitty-gritty of running one, or the benefits of joining a franchise? Get the answers you’re looking for on the next episode of MC Fireside Chats, airing April 16th, 2025, as we delve into the crucial aspects of investing in, operating, and franchising within the outdoor hospitality industry.
Brian will be joined by an expert panel of recurring guests, including: Jeff Hoffman, Board Member at OHI, Sandy Ellingson, a renowned RV Industry Advisor, Ali Rasmussen, CEO of Spacious Skies Campground, Chris Jeub, Owner of Monument Glamping, and Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at CRR Hospitality.
For this week’s episode, MC Fireside Chats welcomes Kurtis Wilkins, a Private Equity Analyst from Rjourney, to discuss the key financial metrics private equity firms prioritize for campground investments. Yolanda “Yo’EL” D’Oyen, the Owner of ARK@Denali Campground Resort, will share operational insights for managing a resort near a major national park. Finally, Jennifer L. Grissom, the Co-Owner of Crystal River KOA, will explore how the KOA franchise impacts their operations and guest experience.
April 9th Episode Recap
This MC Fireside Chats episode on April 9th, 2025, hosted by Brian Searl from Insider Perks, brought together a panel of experts to discuss the current state and future trends of the outdoor hospitality industry. The recurring guests, Joe Duemig, the owner and founder of App My Community, a company specializing in mobile apps for campground guest engagement and communication, and Kevin Thueson, a partner at KCN Campgrounds, a real estate investment firm operating a portfolio of nine KOA franchise parks, were joined by special guests Lucy Comer, the co-owner and founder of Hadspen Glamping, an off-grid glamping site in Southwest England, and Jen Rice, the general manager at Empire Recreation Management and WhoaZone, which develops water-based family entertainment centers.
The central theme of the discussion revolved around the anticipated impact of the prevailing economic uncertainty and the rapidly evolving sociopolitical landscape on camper behavior in the 2025 season. Brian Searl initiated the conversation by referencing early data that suggested an uptick in reservations for early 2025 compared to the previous year. However, this optimistic outlook was immediately challenged by Kevin Thueson, who reported seeing a contrary trend within KCN Campgrounds, with reservations currently lagging behind the same period last year. He attributed this hesitancy among travelers to the continued uncertainty stemming from various factors, including the recent election and ongoing rapid changes.
Joe Duemig offered a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that the impact of these uncertainties would likely vary significantly depending on the specific characteristics of individual campgrounds. He posited that factors such as the type of park (e.g., destination-focused versus en-route stops) and its geographical location would play a crucial role in determining its resilience. He voiced particular concern for campgrounds that heavily cater to snowbirds and those with a significant portion of their clientele coming from Canada, given the existing political tensions and reported decrease in border crossings. While acknowledging the historical trend of campgrounds performing well during economic downturns as a more affordable travel option, Joe Duemig cautioned that the recent increase in campground rates might alter this dynamic. He advised campground owners to proactively develop backup plans to mitigate potential negative impacts.
Kevin Thueson further elaborated on the booking trends, suggesting that the current situation might not necessarily indicate a crisis but rather a reversion to pre-pandemic travel patterns. He recalled that before the surge in early and extended bookings during COVID-19, the majority of reservations were typically made much closer to the stay date. He also pointed out the significant decline in international travel since the onset of the pandemic and the slow pace of its recovery, which could influence the impact of current international travel advisories. He emphasized the importance of differentiating between overnight or journey-style parks, which traditionally experience slower reservation pick-up, and destination parks that often see bookings well in advance.
Shifting the focus to the UK market, Lucy Comer provided an insightful perspective from Hadspen Glamping. She reported a substantial cost of living crisis in the UK, which has influenced travel patterns. Interestingly, despite this economic pressure, their bookings for April were double compared to the same month in the previous year. However, she also noted a clear trend of people opting for more local vacations and a significant decrease in international travel to their site. Lucy Comer highlighted that Hadspen Glamping’s success lies in offering a unique experience centered around sustainability, its off-grid nature, and its deep connection with the local environment and suppliers. She emphasized that they are selling an escape and an experience rather than simply accommodation.
The conversation then transitioned to strategies for enhancing the guest experience. Kevin Thueson underscored the critical role of exceptional hospitality and actively engaging with guests as a key differentiator, particularly for campgrounds that might not have the newest facilities. He suggested practical ways to elevate the guest experience, such as organizing tournaments and events around existing amenities like mini-golf or newly added pickleball courts. Joe Duemig, drawing from his extensive travel experiences with his large family, echoed the sentiment about the importance of friendly and attentive customer service. He shared positive anecdotes from campgrounds that went the extra mile, such as offering free water sports equipment, proactively providing assistance, and offering small but impactful gestures like welcome drinks for adults and children.
Jen Rice introduced WhoaZone, explaining its mission to revitalize existing bodies of water in various settings by installing inflatable water-based attractions for family entertainment. She emphasized the goal of encouraging outdoor recreation and providing an immersive and thrilling experience for guests, whether they are staying at a partnering campground or visiting for the day. Jen Rice highlighted that WhoaZone’s unique selling proposition is their deep operational experience, as they not only provide the equipment but also manage and operate the attractions, bringing a practical, on-the-ground perspective to their clients.
Finally, the discussion touched upon the future of the industry, particularly concerning sustainability and the adoption of new technologies like electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Lucy Comer discussed the challenges of implementing EV charging at an off-grid glamping site and the importance of ensuring that any technological additions are both effective and user-friendly for guests. Kevin Thueson provided a pragmatic view on investing in EV infrastructure, emphasizing the need to balance the potential demand with the financial implications for investors and the rapidly evolving nature of the technology. He suggested a cautious approach, monitoring the actual demand and the technological advancements before making significant capital investments, as overspending based on speculation could be risky.
In conclusion, Brian Searl thanked the insightful panel for their contributions, providing listeners with contact information for Hadspen Glamping (hadspenglamping.co.uk), App My Community (appmycommunity.com), and WhoaZone (gowhoazone.com). He announced the upcoming Outwired podcast episode, promising further data-driven discussions on consumer behavior in the outdoor hospitality sector.
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.