Campground life never slows down—but your growth doesn’t have to either. Join MC Fireside Chats on September 17 at 2 PM EST and pick up real-world tips from industry pros to boost profits and simplify your operations.
This episode brings together leading voices in outdoor hospitality: Jeff Hoffman, Board Member at OHI; Sandy Ellingson, a renowned RV Industry Advisor; Ali Rasmussen, CEO of Spacious Skies Campground; Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at CRR Hospitality; Angele Miller, Co-Founder of Creekside RnR Glamping; and Robert Preston, CEO and Founder of Unhitched Management.
Guiding the conversation as guest host will be Rafael Correa, President and CFO of Blue Water Development Corp.
We’re also excited to feature special guests Daan Kalkman, Chief Operating Officer at EasySecure, and Oliver Kane of Cedar Lodge & RV Park, who will be sharing their insights and experiences with our audience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and spark new ideas that can take your business to the next level.
September 10th Episode Recap
On September 10th, 2025, MC Fireside Chats was guest-hosted by Zach Stoltenberg, Associate Principal of Architecture at LJA, as Brian Searl was out for the week. The episode featured a discussion on glamping and outdoor hospitality, with special guests including Kelly Jones, Vice President of Operations for Great Escapes RV Resorts; Jayne Cohen from Campground Consulting Group and Glamping Consulting Group; Dawn Farnworth, co-owner of By the Wye glampsite in Wales, UK; and Chang Liang, managing partner at Collective Acre, which operates two glamping resorts in Texas.
The show kicked off with a discussion on what’s new in the industry. Dawn Farnworth noted a growing trend in Wales and the UK for guests to “escape the tech world,” seeking experiences that allow them to switch off and disconnect from Wi-Fi. The conversation also touched on upcoming events, with Kelly Jones mentioning her plans to attend several conferences, including the Jellystone Park Symposium, OHI, KOA conference, and COE. Zach Stoltenberg also plans to attend the KOA and COE conferences, while Jayne Cohen mentioned two of her associates would be at the US Glamping Show.
Dawn Farnworth then shared details about her glampsite, By the Wye, located in Hay-on-Wye, Wales. The site, which started as a project during the COVID-19 lockdown, features five safari tents on a 10-acre woodland property. The tents are built on platforms elevated 14 to 15 feet off the ground, placing guests in the tree canopy for a unique, nature-based experience. The site is fully sustainable, with no electricity or Wi-Fi, running entirely on solar power. The furniture is crafted from local wood, including salvaged oak from trees affected by ash dieback.
A key aspect of the By the Wye experience is the balance between rustic camping and high-end amenities. The tents are equipped with full en-suite bathrooms and kitchens, providing a “hotel experience in a tent”. Farnworth emphasized the importance of this, noting that it brings back guests who might be deterred by a more primitive “muddy tent in a field” camping experience. The site caters to both couples and families, with one tent designated as a “romantic” couples’ tent and the other four for families.
The discussion moved on to the importance of ancillary revenue and the guest experience. Dawn Farnworth talked about the “hampers” offered at By the Wye, which are baskets of local produce, chocolates, and other items. Guests receive a complimentary hamper upon arrival, and additional, more elaborate hampers can be purchased in advance. Kelly Jones shared a similar concept from Great Escapes RV Resorts, which offers “barkuterie boards” for dogs and “fun in the sun” packages with beach towels and sunglasses, demonstrating that add-ons don’t have to be food-related.
The show then transitioned to Chang Liang, who discussed Collective Acre’s two resorts in Texas: Moon River Ranch and Camp QYB. Moon River Ranch is a 550-acre glamping resort with a safari animal theme, home to over 600 wild animals. The resort is strategically located between major cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, making it a popular destination for family gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. It offers a “full ranch takeover” package that includes all accommodations and activities, such as skeet shooting, archery, axe throwing, and kayak excursions.
Camp QYB, Collective Acre’s second resort, is a 40-acre lakefront property north of Dallas. It serves as a testing ground for different lodging types, including cabins, wagons, and “Area 51 vessels”. The site also features 50 RV sites for guests who prefer to bring their own trailers. Liang highlighted that both resorts focus on events and a diverse range of activities, such as a “luxury glamping picnic experience” at Moon River Ranch, which enhances the overall guest stay.
A central theme of the episode was the balance between personal touch and technology in outdoor hospitality. Dawn Farnworth emphasized the importance of the owner’s presence at By the Wye, noting that her personal interactions with guests, from check-in to ensuring their fires are lit, are crucial for building relationships and creating a memorable experience. The most technical thing they use is a digital guidebook, which provides guests with all the necessary information about their stay and the local area before they arrive, but once they are on site, the tech stops.
Chang Liang explained how Collective Acre, operating on a much larger scale, leverages technology to maintain a personal touch. They use a technology stack that includes Guesty and NewBook for operations and automation. This allows them to automate tasks like booking confirmations and sending personalized welcome messages on in-unit TVs, which frees up staff to focus on in-person guest interaction. Jayne Cohen weighed in, expressing her belief that technology is valuable for automating “busy work” but should not replace human interaction, as authenticity is key to true hospitality.
The podcast concluded with each guest sharing where listeners can find them and their respective businesses. Zach Stoltenberg thanked everyone for tuning in and mentioned that the next glamping episode would be broadcast live from the Glamping Show.
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.
