How are top-tier campground managers streamlining operations while simultaneously delivering unforgettable guest experiences across multiple properties? Modern Campground invites you to tune into the next MC Fireside Chats on June 24, 2026, at 2 PM ET to uncover strategies for maximizing efficiency and guest satisfaction in today’s dynamic outdoor hospitality landscape.
Guiding the conversation will be returning experts Casey Cochran, Vice President of Business Development at Campspot; Zach Stoltenberg, Associate Principal of Architecture at LJA; Scott Foos, CEO of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality; Jayne Cohen, Founder and CEO of Campground Consulting Group; and Jeremy Johnson, Owner of Kona Hills Campground, all bringing their diverse perspectives to the forefront.
Joining this esteemed panel are special guests Sarah Krause, Chief Customer Officer of CD Hospitality and Izaac Rains, Owner of Dappled Light Adventures, ready to share their firsthand experiences and actionable insights.
Krause will delve into the effective utilization of digital check-in systems and the integration of expansive family-focused amenities, such as inflatable waterparks and engaging themed weekends. She will explain how these innovations are not just trendy additions but crucial tools for streamlining multi-property management.
Rains will discuss his journey of transforming a family-owned property into a premium glamping destination. He will highlight how leveraging dedicated event spaces can successfully attract high-value group bookings, corporate retreats, and micro-weddings in the outdoor hospitality market.
Listeners will gain an understanding of how these strategies drive engagement and significantly elevate the overall guest experience, ensuring return visits and positive word-of-mouth in a competitive market.
Recap from Previous Episode
In the July 1, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl gathered a diverse panel of industry experts to discuss the latest macroeconomic trends, generational shifts, and operational strategies in the outdoor hospitality sector. The panel included recurring guests Scott Bahr of Cairn Consulting Group, Simon Neal of CampMap, and Phil Ingrassia of the RVDA, alongside special guests Lori Severson and Christina (Tina) Severson from Severson & Associates, and Ward Wijngaert from the European franchise Yelloh! Village.
Phil Ingrassia opened the industry discussion by sharing revised projections for US RV shipments in 2024. Acknowledging that macroeconomic factors like gas prices, global conflicts, and wavering consumer sentiment have created a “perfect storm,” he noted that the industry expects to move around 310,000 units this year, down from earlier estimates of 350,000. However, he highlighted a silver lining in the used RV market, where sales and wholesale values remain strong, suggesting that consumer demand still exists but is currently constrained by affordability, with a wider rebound anticipated around 2027.
Scott Bahr expanded on this consumer behavior, noting that while many potential buyers have hit pause on their plans, their fundamental intent to travel and camp remains intact. Drawing from a recent large-scale focus group of RVers, Scott observed that today’s consumers are highly discriminating about value; they want absolute transparency regarding what they are paying for, including a clear understanding of what amenities they are not getting. He emphasized that minimizing the perceived risk of booking an unknown campsite is becoming critical for operators.
Offering a highly optimistic contrast from across the Atlantic, Simon Neal shared recent data indicating a booming summer for the European outdoor hospitality market. He highlighted that Croatia saw a 5% increase in arrivals and a 7% jump in overnight stays between January and May, while the Spanish Federation of Campsites is projecting a record-breaking summer with occupancy rates nearing 90%. Simon suggested this surge might be driven by European travelers opting to stay closer to home and embracing glamping accommodations over long-haul flights.
Bringing the focus back to the American Midwest, Lori Severson shared on-the-ground insights from her own Wisconsin campground. She noted a distinct trend toward last-minute bookings and emphasized that while guests are still willing to spend money, their expectations for a premier, high-quality experience have skyrocketed. Lori pointed out that seasonal camping remains a strong financial anchor, but operators can no longer afford to be complacent; they must actively deliver unique themed weekends and exceptional guest services to justify their rates.
This led to a candid conversation between Brian Searl and Lori Severson about the vital alignment between a park’s marketing claims and its actual operational delivery. Lori shared a personal anecdote about a disappointing theme park visit where a highly advertised “giant dinosaur” turned out to be shorter than a seven-year-old child, illustrating how broken expectations can permanently ruin a guest’s perception. Both agreed that the old industry adage of “fake it till you make it” is a dangerous strategy in an era of hyper-informed consumers.
The panel then shifted to the evolving demographics of campers, with Scott Bahr and Phil Ingrassia discussing the unique preferences of younger generations. Scott noted that Gen Z campers prefer self-directed experiences and deeper, smaller-scale socialization compared to the highly communal nature of older generations. Phil added that this demographic shift is directly influencing RV manufacturing, evidenced by the massive explosion in popularity of expensive, highly mobile van campers over traditional, bulky Class A motorhomes.
Providing an international perspective on campground design, Ward Wijngaert discussed how Yelloh! Village is adapting its properties. Despite a recent industry trend of over-saturating parks with fixed rental accommodations, Ward noted that his company is now actively recovering land to offer traditional RV pitches, as they require less investment and maintenance. However, to meet rising consumer expectations, they are aggressively “premiumizing” these sites by adding luxury features like private sanitaries, personal BBQs, and sometimes even private swimming pools right on the pitch.
This concept of premiumization resonated strongly with the American panelists, prompting a discussion on the future of “VIP sites.” Lori Severson argued that even guests arriving in compact van campers desire spacious, private, and well-appointed outdoor areas, rather than simply being squeezed into smaller footprints. Scott Bahr eloquently coined the term “boutique sites” to describe this emerging trend, suggesting that the industry should move away from generic, massive pull-throughs and instead design highly customized, experience-forward spaces tailored to specific RV types and guest preferences.
The conversation eventually turned to the intersection of technology and reputation management, sparked by a concern from Phil Ingrassia regarding how AI search overviews might unfairly evaluate small RV dealerships based purely on review volume. Christina Severson responded by stressing the importance of proactive reputation management, advocating for industry-wide education on maintaining accurate online information and training staff to actively solicit positive reviews during the checkout process to feed these AI algorithms effectively.
Wrapping up the episode, the panel briefly touched on the future of towing and electric vehicles, with Scott Bahr mentioning a new 1,100-mile EV battery from Toyota and Phil Ingrassia noting the ongoing towing capacity struggles of current electric trucks. The show concluded with final thoughts and event plugs, reinforcing the critical need for industry professionals to continuously adapt to both technological advancements and shifting consumer demands.
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: Marketing, AI and Technology
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.