A few weeks before the year comes to a close, join us for our final guest-experience–focused episode of the year! Today’s travelers expect far more than just a place to park their RV or pitch a tent—they’re seeking connection, comfort, memorable moments, and a touch of magic that keeps them coming back.
Host Brian Searl will be joined by a panel of experts Casey Cochran of Campspot, Zach Stoltenberg of Clockwork, Joe Duemig of App My Community, Scott Foos of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, and Jayne Cohen, Founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group as the newest members of our panel.
We’re excited to welcome Jeremy Johnson, Owner of Kona Hills Campground, as our newest regular panelist. His on-the-ground insights and passion for elevating the outdoor hospitality experience will add a fresh perspective to the conversation.
We’ll also be joined by special guests Greg Rose, CEO of Camp Nauvoo, and Tyler Duffy, President of CampLife. Together, they’ll share strategies, real-world examples, and forward-thinking ideas on how operators are redefining what exceptional guest experiences look like in today’s evolving travel landscape.
Tune in on December 10 at 2 PM ET as we uncover how leading innovators are crafting next-level experiences that surprise, delight, and inspire travelers of all kinds. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
December 3rd Episode Recap
The MC Fireside Chats episode on December 3rd, 2025, focused on data, trends, and the future of the outdoor hospitality industry, led by host Brian Searl. The panel included Phil Ingrassia, President of the RV Dealers Association of America (RVDA); Scott Bahr, President of the Cairn Consulting Group; Simon Neal, Founder of CampMap; Miguel Huerta, President of the Mexican Glamping Association; and special guests Deneen Allen, CEO and Founder of Firecircle; and Jen Ballenger, owner of Jim & Mary’s RV Park.
Phil Ingrassia opened the discussion by sharing the RVIA wholesale shipment forecast for North America for 2026, noting a cautious optimism based on incremental improvement. He detailed that RV shipments in the US and Canada in 2025 were up about 3% year-over-year, with the 2026 forecast projecting another incremental growth of roughly 2% to 3%.
Phil attributed this cautious outlook to lower interest rates, hoped-for tariff stability, and an expected increase in income tax returns in the US, which typically feeds into discretionary spending. Scott Bahr inquired about the impact of higher-income markets, and Phil confirmed that while entry-level travel trailers drive volume, the higher-end fifth wheels are currently performing well, indicating a focus on more profitable mid-to-higher-level units. Deneen Allen asked Phil about Canadian efforts to attract new Canadians to RVing, and Phil discussed studies showing that 60% to 70% of pandemic buyers plan to buy an RV again, indicating strong retention.
Scott Bahr elaborated on new market entrants, noting a movement toward less expensive forms of RVing like boondocking and overlanding, but highlighted the robust and growing sector of using RVs for events, travel sports, and festivals, with the older millennial group being a key driver. Jen Ballenger confirmed this trend, stating that her park in Missoula, Montana, has seen a great job in attracting event-based travel, emphasizing that RVing is perceived as budget traveling compared to dynamic hotel pricing, a point that Jen has observed over her 25 seasons of operation. Deneen Allen then asked the panel if this group trend represented an opportunity for RV parks to focus more on group camping infrastructure.
Miguel Huerta shifted the focus to the global hospitality market, reporting a decline in hotel demand across the US, Mexico, the UK, and Canada in 2025, with Mexico seeing the steepest drop at 12%. For glamping, Miguel noted steep declines in Spain, Mexico, and the UK, but a surprising 20% increase in demand for glamping sites in Canada.
Miguel predicted the glamping industry, especially in Mexico, will consolidate, suggesting that sites designed for B2B or group bookings will be the ones to survive. He emphasized the massive revenue opportunity of the upcoming World Cup for RV and glamping operators, which could be monetized by putting low-entry models to work as Airbnbs.
The discussion turned to the complex relationship between pricing and the guest experience. Scott Bahr stressed that pricing is intrinsically part of the perception of the experience, and operators must effectively communicate the value to justify any increase.
Deneen Allen supported this, advocating for a focus on delivering value and a “no discounting” philosophy, instead suggesting that operators set a base floor rate and utilize strategic framing or value-adds. Jen Ballenger noted that while she does offer discounts like Good Sam, she sees less complaining about incremental price increases because consumers understand that everything, including power and property taxes, has become more expensive.
In a final rapid-fire Q&A round, Jen Ballenger asked Scott Bahr about data on campers preferring mom-and-pop parks over corporate parks, to which Scott confirmed a large market for authenticity and rustic experiences. Scott Bahr asked Miguel Huerta about the market for rustic camping in Mexico, but Miguel stated the market is currently favoring more luxurious experiences.
Miguel Huerta asked Simon Neal about his 2026 outlook, and Simon expressed optimism that the year would be better than 2025. Simon Neal asked Phil Ingrassia about campgrounds capitalizing on the World Cup by using RVs as rentals, and Phil confirmed that major RV rental companies are already gearing up for a big year due to the World Cup and the US America 250 celebration.
Phil Ingrassia asked Jen Ballenger for advice for RV dealers preparing first-time buyers, and Jen recommended dealers focus on setting them up with tools for advance planning and spending more time demonstrating essential tasks like sewer dumping and breaker box location. Finally, Deneen Allen asked Phil Ingrassia about the RV resale market for entrepreneurs considering used RVs for glamping setups, and Phil responded that RV values on used units have been steady, noting that two used RVs are typically sold for every new one. Scott Bahr concluded by announcing a new research initiative focused on Gen Z attraction to the industry.
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.