The outdoor hospitality industry is evolving fast, and today’s guests expect more than the basics. From elevated design to seamless technology and unforgettable on-site experiences, operators are finding new ways to raise the bar.
On October 8 at 2 PM ET, tune in to hear how industry leaders are transforming campgrounds and resorts into destinations that inspire loyalty and excitement.
Host Brian Searl will be joined by a panel of experts Zach Stoltenberg, Associate Principal of Architecture at LJA, Casey Cochran of Campspot, Joe Duemig of App My Community, Scott Foos of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, Jayne Cohen, Founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group, and Kelly Jones, Vice President of RV Operations at Great Escapes RV Resorts.
We’re also excited to welcome special guests: Jordan Lewis, Co-Founder of Garth Glamping, and Stephanie Kichler, General Manager of BaseCamp 37.
Whether you’re an operator, supplier, or simply passionate about the future of outdoor hospitality, this conversation will offer fresh ideas and practical insights you won’t want to miss.
October 1st Episode Recap
The MC Fireside Chats episode on October 1st, 2025, was recorded live at the Glamping Show USA, with host Brian Searl guiding a wide-ranging discussion on the current trends and future of the outdoor hospitality sector. Brian Searl was joined by a distinguished panel that included Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality, Sven Schuurmans of Glampings.com, Ann Howard from HoneyTrek, Tori Bolt and Seth Bolt of Bolt Farm Treehouse and Bolt Coaching, consultant Greg Emmert of Vireo, and technology expert Ari Smith of Fat.Rat.AI and Balance Farm. Sarah Riley, the Co-Conference Director, also joined the conversation later to share her unique perspective on managing the event’s transition.
The discussion began with the panelists sharing their experience and perception of the Glamping Show’s evolution. Mike Harrison noted that over his four years of attendance, the show has matured significantly, moving past being primarily for “dreamers” to now attracting builders, developers, and investors from other sectors like multifamily and traditional hospitality. He found this year to be his favorite, citing the high quality of structures, the variety of units, and the exciting diversity of attendees, including international guests. Sven Schuurmans, whose company Glampings.com is an online booking platform focused on Europe, echoed this, mentioning that this was his second visit and he saw a clear development in the variety of accommodation and the sophistication of the technology being presented.
Ann Howard reflected on the show’s history, recalling that the first event was held in a Hilton, which attendees felt was contrary to the spirit of glamping. She praised the current outdoor setting for allowing attendees to “touch and play and explore” the structures, and she commended the American Glamping Association (AGA) for making the first day an invaluable foundational learning experience for newcomers. Ann Howard specifically noted that the community built over the years feels like a homecoming, fostering genuine relationships that extend beyond the conference floor. Tori Bolt and Seth Bolt, who were speaking at the show for the first time, expressed excitement, with Tori noting the visible improvement in the quality and quantity of vendors and speakers, stating the show felt “5% better” than the previous year’s event.
Seth Bolt emphasized the “pioneer spirit” of the show, which he sees as a rebellion against the constant noise of modern life. He stressed that the core ethos of glamping is connecting people with nature and providing unique experiences that offer far more than just a place to stay. Seth Bolt shared that Bolt Farm’s journey taught them the risk of building unique ventures without guidance, which is why they started Bolt Coaching—to help others navigate the complex process of construction, operations, and team building. Greg Emmert, who was initially recruited to help hold the microphone, added his perspective, noting that the conference acts as a “spark,” re-energizing his forward-thinking, progressive approach to consulting.
The conversation then delved into the crucial role of technology and AI, with Ari Smith providing his key takeaway that attendees are now fully embracing the need for AI, asking about its implementation rather than its utility. Ari Smith emphasized that this acceleration of technology is not just about automating tasks, but about delivering personalized intelligence that optimizes the entire guest experience. Mike Harrison agreed with the concept of a “smart cabin,” stating that true smartness means knowing, for example, the right time to have a guest’s coffee ready based on their profile, rather than just simple voice commands, which Ari referred to as a “chip sale” from 15 years ago. Ari Smith stressed that this is the world “bending to the guests” and that glamping professionals’ enthusiastic approach to disruption is a rare and powerful thing.
Ann Howard pivoted the discussion to sustainability, stressing that glamping operators should be leaders in this area because their audience inherently cares about the environment. She advocated for reframing the conversation to focus on regenerative resorts and their positive footprint. Greg Emmert, a conservationist, agreed, but pointed out that a primary barrier for many consulting clients is seeing sustainability as a cost, similar to complying with the ADA, rather than an asset. He argued that operators must properly “tell the story” of their environmental efforts—like creating pollinator plots—to connect with guests and translate the effort into a higher ADR.
Greg Emmert also raised a specific concern as a conservationist: the amount of glass in new glamping structures. He noted the lack of visible mitigation strategies to prevent bird collisions, which kill up to a billion birds a year, and urged manufacturers to build conservation into their designs from the ground up. Mike Harrison followed up by sharing his advisory perspective on finding a balance between sustainable behaviors and the business’s bottom line, and he also contributed to the conversation about the diversity of glamping, arguing that it is an open industry where glamping is defined as any unique accommodation that isn’t a tent or RV.
Sarah Riley provided her view as Co-Conference Director, noting that the most challenging aspect of taking over the show was the transition, but she credited the new owners, Emerald Exposition, for investing so heavily in the industry and allowing the veterans to guide the content. She noted that the glamping sector is maturing, with attendees possessing much more knowledge now, which means the conference needs to evolve to provide higher-level content. Sarah Riley also commented on the Marriott announcement, saying it signals a major shift that will bring distribution and awareness, but that the industry needs to be proud that they are “way ahead” in defining the experience.
Following Sarah’s contribution, Mike Harrison expanded on the Marriott Outdoor brand announcement, which includes four to fifty properties across the US. He argued that the entry of a major player like Marriott is a positive development that will bring financial investment, technology, and widespread awareness to the space. Ann Howard questioned whether the boutique operators should create their own loyalty point system to “share these guests” and prevent Marriott from dominating the market, to which Mike countered that the true value will be in access and exposure to Marriott’s millions of members, not points.
In closing, Sven Schuurmans spoke about the European market, where parks often copy each other’s glamping concepts, making the diversity seen in the US market a source of inspiration. He noted that the focus in Europe is on adding amenities like hot tubs and saunas to attract guests. Greg Emmert concluded by affirming that the conversation about conservation was his most interesting takeaway. Mike Harrison’s final thought centered on the importance of continuous education and learning, citing that Greg’s point about bird collisions was an important takeaway he would immediately implement in his own developments. Brian Searl wrapped up the show, summarizing that the key takeaway is the sheer diversity of voices and learning opportunities that can only be accessed by attending the show in person.
Short summary: The MC Fireside Chats episode, recorded live at the Glamping Show USA, featured host Brian Searl and a diverse panel discussing the industry’s maturation, the disruptive opportunities presented by AI and personalized guest technology, and the significant impact of the new Marriott Outdoor brand. The conversation highlighted a strong focus on building sustainability and conservation into the core business model, with experts urging operators to view these efforts as a value driver rather than just a regulatory cost.
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.