MC Fireside Chats, an Outdoor Hospitality Podcast

The April 15th, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, brought together a panel of industry leaders to discuss the complexities of scaling outdoor hospitality brands, the integration of advanced technology, and the rising demand for luxury wellness amenities. Brian Searl opened the conversation by introducing recurring guest Robert Preston, the CEO and Founder of Unhitched RV and Climb Capital, and new guest Cody Fall, the Chief Operations Officer of Happy Grounds Campgrounds. The group was soon joined by Angele Miller, Co-Founder of Creekside RnR, who provided a fascinating look into the high-end glamping market in New Brunswick, Canada.The dialogue initially focused on the intersection of technology and business operations, with Robert Preston and Brian Searl diving into the shifting landscape of artificial intelligence. Robert discussed the challenges of rising API costs for models like Claude and his strategic pivot toward local, hard-device-hosted models to maintain data security while managing the "monotony" of tax season and investor relations. This technological foundation set the stage for a larger conversation about efficiency as Cody Fall described how Happy Grounds Campgrounds has scaled from one to 16 locations since 2022. Cody addressed the "shadow enemy" of corporate perception, explaining that while seasonal campers often resist the change brought by new ownership, professional investment is frequently the only thing saving distressed properties from aging infrastructure and eventual closure.Angele Miller shared the impressive growth of Creekside RnR, which has evolved into a premier wellness destination. She detailed the opening of a massive Nordic spa, a specialized wellness center offering vitamin IV therapy and lymphatic drainage, and a new restaurant centered around fire cuisine. Angele told a unique story about the construction of their salt cave, which required sourcing massive concrete culverts usually reserved for septic systems, highlighting the innovation required to create "luxury in nature." Her experience served as a live case study for Brian Searl’s observation that lodging and glamping are currently seeing higher occupancy rates and nightly premiums than traditional RV sites, as younger demographics seek outdoor experiences without the need to own or transport heavy equipment.As the discussion moved toward future trends, Robert Preston and Cody Fall debated the long-term habits of different generations. Robert suggested that while Gen Z and Millennials may currently show different camping patterns, the fundamental human attraction to water, food, and fire remains a constant that will sustain the industry. The panel concluded with an "inside baseball" look at their organizational charts. Cody explained how Happy Grounds utilizes a centralized sales and service center to handle guest inquiries, ensuring on-site managers aren't pulled away from property maintenance. Robert shared that Unhitched RV, which has grown to 34 properties with a goal of 50 by year-end, uses a tiered system of area and regional managers to maintain standards. Collectively, Brian Searl and his guests painted a picture of an industry in a state of professionalization, where data-driven strategies and high-touch hospitality are becoming the new standard for success.

The April 8th, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, provided a comprehensive look at how outdoor hospitality operators are leveraging automation and premium accommodations to elevate the guest experience. Joined by returning guests Jeremy Johnson and Zach Stoltenberg, alongside industry experts Zac Cummings, Matt Kraeuter, and AL and Sabine Betschart, the panel explored the delicate balance between high-tech convenience and preserving the natural charm of camping. Despite a brief moment of host audio troubleshooting that kept the live-stream authentic, the conversation delivered high-value insights on streamlining operations, designing purpose-built cabins, and preparing for future infrastructure compliance.Jeremy Johnson, Owner of Camp Kona Hills, kicked off the discussion by highlighting new automation tools like Campspot's license plate readers, noting that seamless, contactless check-ins are quickly becoming a baseline consumer expectation akin to an Airbnb stay. AL Betschart, Co-owner of Countryside Campground, agreed but stressed that from an operator's perspective, technology must be highly intuitive and straightforward to manage. He cited his use of Schlage smart locks and Roku TVs with auto-wipe guest modes as cost-effective alternatives to paying hefty API fees to link disparate property management systems. Building on this, Zach Stoltenberg, Associate Principal of Architecture at LJA, observed that to bypass integration headaches entirely, some developers are abandoning traditional campground software in favor of hotel-grade platforms that inherently support automated lighting, HVAC controls, and seamless food and beverage charging.Shifting the focus to the intersection of luxury accommodations and nature, Matt Kraeuter, CEO of Great Outdoor Cottages, pointed out that park model cabins compete directly with hotels rather than rustic RV pads. He emphasized the massive financial incentive for operators, noting that converting a dirt pad into a premium cabin can transform a $4,000-a-year revenue stream into a $40,000-a-year powerhouse, complete with significant tax benefits. Zac Cummings, Director of Growth and Marketing for Sweet-Haus Cabins, added that younger generations and families now expect these higher-end amenities, meaning manufacturers must partner closely with parks to integrate them seamlessly. To ensure guests don't just stay inside these comfortable units, Sabine Betschart shared her strategy of using low-tech "hooks"—like a wishing tree, hidden trail gnomes, and a barefoot walking path—to entice families out into the woods. Echoing this back-to-nature sentiment, Johnson shared recent Airbnb data showing a massive Gen Z demand for rural stays, explaining that his park focuses on "purpose-built" design that integrates cabins directly into the landscape, right down to adding mudrooms to accommodate heavy winter camping.The conversation took a regulatory and design-focused turn as the panel examined the future of infrastructure compliance. Stoltenberg warned operators to brace for imminent building code shifts—particularly in fire-prone states—that will soon mandate Class A fire-rated roofs and materials for all structures, while also advocating for elevated, hassle-free site designs like push-button propane fire pits over traditional wood fires. AL Betschart highlighted a surging demand for accessible tourism, sharing his recent journey of retrofitting a hay wagon with a wheelchair lift and noting that manufacturers need to create adaptable, flippable cabin floorplans to fit the utility layouts of older campgrounds. Cummings agreed, reiterating that modern manufacturers must assist owners with these very layout and ADA compliance hurdles. Brian Searl concluded the episode by emphasizing that whether an operator is navigating fire codes, designing for winter use, or choosing the right software, the ultimate blueprint for success lies in deeply understanding the specific needs of their target guest before making a single investment.

The April 1st, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, offered a deep dive into the shifting landscape of outdoor hospitality as the industry prepares for the summer season. Joined by recurring experts Phil Ingrassia, Scott Bahr, and Simon Neal, the discussion focused on how economic pressures and geopolitical tensions are influencing traveler behavior and dealership operations. While technical glitches briefly hampered the show's intro, the panel quickly pivoted to a series of optimistic data points regarding consumer resilience and the therapeutic value of the outdoors.Phil Ingrassia, President of the RVDA, shared surprising news from the Wall Street Journal, noting that US consumer sentiment held steady despite the onset of war and rising fuel costs. He suggested that higher tax refunds this year might provide a necessary boost for discretionary purchases like RVs and marine vacations. Ingrassia also highlighted a strategic shift in manufacturing, where leaders like Thor and Winnebago are carefully balancing production with actual retail demand to avoid the inventory gluts seen in previous cycles. This cautious approach by dealers to "right-size" their inventory is intended to maintain long-term market health and protect margins.Scott Bahr, President of Cairn Consulting Group, reinforced this positive outlook by explaining that outdoor recreation often thrives during times of crisis because it serves as a vital stress-reliever. His research into historical events like 9/11 and the Iraq war showed that National Park visitation actually tends to increase during such periods. Bahr also shared recent interview data indicating that while some travelers may stay closer to home, the majority of RVers refuse to let higher gas prices cancel their plans entirely. He encouraged campground owners to pivot their marketing toward the "escapism" and relaxation the industry provides, staying top-of-mind as booking windows continue to shorten.The conversation took a global turn with Simon Neal, Founder and CEO of CampMap, who contrasted the American camping experience with the highly developed "resort style" common in Europe. Neal explained that in regions like Croatia, family-owned campgrounds have evolved into all-inclusive destinations featuring multiple restaurants, entertainment stages, and a mix of accommodations that cater to both budget tenters and luxury glampers. This led the panel to debate why such a model remains limited in the US, citing factors like land size and a traditional "blue-collar" social culture. Brian Searl concluded the episode by suggesting that even small, low-cost enhancements—like providing fresh garden herbs or facilitating delivery services—could help American operators bridge the gap and capture a wider audience.

The March 25, 2026 episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl of Insider Perks and Modern Campground, featured Peter Pilarski, founder of the Tourism AI Network and CIPR Communications, alongside Mike Lee, the solo developer and owner of the Campsite Tonight app. The conversation centered on how AI and evolving technology are reshaping discovery, marketing, and commerce for campground owners and tourism operators.Peter Pilarski introduced the concept of "digital authority," describing it as the convergence of traditional PR and digital marketing into a single discipline aimed at making tourism businesses the definitive, trustworthy answer across both human searches and AI-driven queries. He emphasized that websites need to expand beyond marketing fluff and instead focus on answering real, specific questions travelers ask — everything from campsite amenities to nearby attractions — and that this content must be structured with tools like schema markup and FAQ sections so AI systems can easily parse and surface it. He also stressed the importance of entity consistency, meaning that a business's core identity and claims should be uniform across every digital touchpoint, from Google Business Profile to LinkedIn to press releases, so that AI tools and search engines build a coherent picture of who you are.Mike Lee shared his perspective as a tech entrepreneur building Campsite Tonight, an app that aggregates campsite availability across dozens of fragmented public and private sources in the US and offers a premium feature that monitors for cancellations at high-demand locations like national parks, placing open sites into users' carts. He pushed back gently on the idea that consumers are ready to let AI handle purchasing decisions for camping, noting that campers tend to have highly specific, individualized preferences — proximity to bathrooms, shade, particular site numbers — that make fully agentic booking difficult in the near term. He did, however, validate the importance of structured data, sharing that when he reformatted about 40 to 50 of his website pages to present historical cancellation statistics and availability trends in a machine-readable way, his Google search impressions tripled without any other changes.Brian Searl wove the discussion together, raising the point that much of the detailed campsite information campground owners possess is currently buried behind JavaScript-heavy booking engines that AI tools cannot read, making it invisible to anyone searching through ChatGPT or similar platforms. He also explored the tension between bot detection and the coming wave of personal AI agents acting on behalf of consumers, questioning where businesses and public lands should draw the line between blocking automated behavior and accommodating legitimate agent-driven browsing. He noted that the interface for tools like Campsite Tonight may evolve — potentially piping data into conversational AI platforms or wearable devices — even if the underlying business model remains strong.The three speakers converged on several practical takeaways for small business owners feeling overwhelmed. Peter recommended starting with a fully updated Google Business Profile, treating it like a social media account with frequent photo uploads and current information, then moving to enriching website content with specific, verifiable details and structured data. Mike advised campground owners to identify their single biggest problem — whether it's on-site experience or discovery — and focus energy there rather than trying to do everything at once. Both guests and Brian agreed that the businesses most likely to thrive are those that do genuinely good work, communicate transparently about what they offer, and make that information easy for both humans and machines to find and trust.

The episode of MC Fireside Chats from March 18th, 2026, hosted by Brian Searl, brings together a panel of outdoor hospitality industry leaders to discuss current market trends, operational strategies, and the integration of new technologies. The recurring guest panel includes Jeff Hoffman from Camp Strategy, Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality, and Robert Preston from Unhitched RV. They are joined by special guest Stacy Dam, the CEO and co-founder of Set Your Sites.The conversation opens with a discussion on macroeconomic factors, specifically rising fuel prices and inflation. Robert Preston notes a recent personal trip where gas prices spiked significantly, raising the question of how travel costs might impact the camping industry. Brian Searl adds that compounding inflation, such as a reported 50% increase in wholesale vegetable prices, is something campground operators need to monitor closely.Despite these economic concerns, Mike Harrison points out that the outdoor hospitality industry has historically been insulated from economic downturns. When budgets tighten, consumers often trade expensive hotel vacations for more economical camping trips. Additionally, he notes that average travel distances have already shortened in recent years, mitigating some of the sting of higher fuel costs.Building on the idea of shorter travel distances, Robert Preston explains that his company shifted its strategy years ago to focus heavily on long-term guests and properties located near dense population centers. By operating in tertiary markets primarily in the Southeast, his parks rely on guests traveling 150 miles or less, rendering national fuel price spikes relatively inconsequential to their overall occupancy.When asked if these close-to-home travelers present an opportunity for glamping and cabin rentals, Mike Harrison emphasizes that glamping is an entirely different market from traditional RV camping. He notes that glamping falls into a luxury segment that has seen massive, multi-year growth. It operates more like a boutique hotel alternative and requires separate marketing and operational strategies compared to standard RV sites.To help operators prepare for market shifts, Mike Harrison introduces a blunt but effective analogy: "Are you fat?" He uses this to explain that campground owners must first acknowledge their business shortcomings by diving into their data, reviewing monthly P&Ls, and looking at basic reporting before they can craft a strategy to improve revenue.Robert Preston softens Mike’s analogy to "looking in the mirror," stressing that operators often misdiagnose their problems. He highlights the concept of system constraints, pointing out that a park can have millions invested in amenities and cutting-edge marketing, but if the primary constraint is a grumpy employee answering the phones, the entire business will underperform.Special guest Stacy Dam shifts the conversation toward camper friction. She introduces her company, Set Your Sites, which was born out of a frustrating personal experience of being denied a walk-up site due to outdated administrative rules. Her technology aims to eliminate the traditional cash box, providing real-time digital booking for walk-up campers and preventing software blackout periods that needlessly lock out same-day guests.Stacy’s product sparks a debate on the necessity of fully digital check-ins. Robert Preston cautions against treating RVers like hotel guests; he argues that someone navigating a 45-foot rig still wants the reassurance of a human conversation and a quick visual of their site before committing to pulling in. He warns that over-automating the arrival process could alienate traditional campers.Mike Harrison agrees that human interaction is vital but counters that operators must cater to diverse demographics. While Boomers and Gen X guests appreciate front desk chatter, Millennial and Gen Z campers increasingly expect frictionless, entirely digital check-ins. He argues that campgrounds failing to implement digital options like smart locks and gate codes will eventually be left behind by younger consumers.Despite differing views on automation, the entire panel agrees that technology should enhance, not replace, the human element. Jeff Hoffman emphasizes that simple human touches—like training staff to use specific, welcoming phone scripts—can drastically increase conversions. Stacy Dam echoes this, noting that automating tedious tasks allows campground staff to step out from behind the desk and deliver proactive, surprise-and-delight hospitality.The chat wraps up with a round-robin Q&A. When asked about future industry disruptions, Mike Harrison points to the rapid evolution of AI and the accelerating consolidation of independent "Mom and Pop" campgrounds by larger corporate entities. Finally, Jeff Hoffman shares that he is currently gathering data to track the lifecycle of the used RV market to better forecast long-term campsite supply and demand.