What turns a simple getaway into something guests can’t stop talking about? Join us January 14 at 2 PM ET as we chat about how operators are building comfort, connection, and surprise into the heart of the guest experience.
Host Brian Searl will be joined by a panel of experts: Casey Cochran of Campspot, Zach Stoltenberg, Associate Principal of Architecture at LJA, Joe Duemig of App My Community, Scott Foos of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, Jayne Cohen, Founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group, and Jeremy Johnson, Owner of Kona Hills Campground
We’ll be joined by special guests Charlotte Cleveley, Owner of The Apple Farm, and Kate Morel, CEO of Creative Hosts, who will share real-world insights on how thoughtful design, creative hosting, and intentional guest touchpoints can turn ordinary stays into memorable experiences that keep guests coming back.
Don’t just listen—get inspired! Tune in, take notes, and discover fresh ideas you can bring to your own properties to create those “wow” moments guests will remember long after checkout. You won’t want to miss the strategies, stories, and surprises our panel has in store.
January 7th Episode Recap
The first episode of MC Fireside Chats in 2026 kicked off with host Brian Searl navigating technical difficulties while welcoming a robust panel of industry experts to celebrate the show’s sixth year of broadcasting. Brian set the stage for a new year of insights, joined by recurring guests Phil Ingrassia, President of the US RV Dealers Association, Eleonore Hamm, President of the RVDA of Canada, and Scott Bahr, President of Cairn Consulting Group. The group began by sharing personal holiday experiences, with special guest Vicki Jones, Board Member of the Glamping Industry Trade Association (GITA) in the UK, sharing her unique experience celebrating a hot Christmas on the beaches of South Africa, contrasting sharply with the winter traditions familiar to the North American guests.
The conversation quickly pivoted to the upcoming RV show season, a critical indicator for the industry’s health in the coming year. Phil Ingrassia highlighted the significance of the Florida RV Trade Association’s SuperShow in Tampa, noting it as a massive regional event that drew snowbirds and visitors from across the Southeast. He predicted strong attendance, potentially reaching up to 74,000, bolstered by favorable weather forecasts. Eleonore Hamm echoed the importance of these events, mentioning upcoming shows in Calgary and Halifax, while noting that despite a prediction of flat growth for 2026, web traffic to Go RVing Canada remained high, suggesting strong consumer interest in the lifestyle.
Phil Ingrassia provided a forecast for the US market in 2026, describing a “stair-step” low single-digit increase in sales and shipments. He pointed to positive economic indicators such as lower interest rates and stable gas prices, though he cautioned that consumer sentiment remained fragile due to uncertainties regarding tariffs and foreign affairs. He also noted that anticipated tax cuts could result in larger tax returns for Americans, potentially fueling discretionary purchases of RVs and boats. Eleonore agreed with the cautious outlook, predicting a similar year to 2025 for Canada.
Special guest Rachel Hodge, Director of Guest Experiences at Great Parks in Hamilton County, Ohio, introduced her organization’s unique position as a political subdivision operating 22 parks and three campgrounds. She discussed the operational challenges of balancing conservation mandates with the need for modern amenities. Rachel highlighted recent upgrades at their Winton Woods facility, including the addition of pull-through sites and gray water stations, and emphasized the success of their “Creepy Campouts” Halloween event, which sold out annually and drove engagement through generational nostalgia.
The discussion shifted across the Atlantic as Vicki Jones outlined the state of the UK glamping market through the lens of GITA. She described the association’s efforts to unify a fragmented industry of approximately 5,000 glamping sites through in-person summits and road trips. Vicki frankly addressed the lack of data available to the UK market due to budget constraints and the volunteer nature of their organization. This prompted a collaborative moment where both Scott Bahr and Brian Searl offered their assistance and data resources to help GITA survey their members and gather crucial market intelligence.
Scott Bahr then led a deep dive into booking window trends, revealing a significant shift in camper behavior. He noted that while 42% of campers expressed a desire for spontaneous trips, actual behavior showed a shortening booking window driven by uncertainty rather than pure spontaneity. He revealed that over half of campers were booking within a month of their trip, a sharp contrast to the pandemic era where travelers booked months in advance due to scarcity. Bahr advised that while avid campers remained reliable in their planning, the broader market was delaying decisions due to economic and life factors.
The panel engaged in a critical discussion regarding pricing strategies in response to these shortened booking windows. Vicki Jones questioned whether operators should hold their rates or discount for last-minute bookings. Scott Bahr advised against eroding value through panic discounting, suggesting that price was part of the guest experience and that value-additions, like free firewood, were better than dropping rates. Brian Searl added that competitive analysis was vital here; if competitors were full, discounting was unnecessary, but if the market was soft, operators had to make strategic decisions based on their specific local data.
Rachel Hodge contributed to the operational dialogue by sharing how Great Parks managed occupancy, noting that despite being closed for renovations for half the year, weekend occupancy remained high. She asked Vicki about her specific glamping site, Tractors and Cream, prompting Vicki to describe her six geodesic domes and the emphasis on communal spaces, such as a craft hut and sensory play areas, which differentiated her business in a crowded market. This exchange highlighted the universal importance of unique amenities in driving guest satisfaction across different continents.
As the show neared its conclusion, the “round-robin” question segment revealed interesting cultural and economic nuances. Eleonore Hamm asked Scott about his trip cost analysis tools, leading to a promise of sharing proprietary algorithms. Vicki asked Phil about average daily rates for RV sites in the US, to which Phil and Scott explained the massive variance between rustic public parks and high-end resorts with luxury patios. This underscored the complexity of the North American market compared to the UK’s more condensed geography.
The episode wrapped up with a final inquiry from Phil Ingrassia regarding Canadian snowbirds. Eleonore confirmed reports that many Canadians were indeed staying home or choosing different destinations rather than traveling to the US southwest, citing media reports and softer sales of larger RV units typically used for snowbirding. Brian Searl concluded the broadcast, thanking the diverse panel for a session that bridged international gaps, covered essential data trends, and set a collaborative tone for the 2026 season.
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.