Episodes

In the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats hosted by Brian Searle, a panel of industry experts convened to discuss the evolving role of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in the recreational vehicle (RV) industry. The panelists included Casey Cochran from Campspot, Mike Harrison from CRR: A Lifestyle Company, Christine Taylor from the Towne Law Firm, and, RV Industry Consultant, Sandy Ellington. The discussion was a deep dive into the potential of data analysis and AI in revolutionizing the RV industry, drawing parallels with the hotel industry. The conversation kicked off with a discussion on Campspot’s new Signal Reports. These reports provide anonymized data to Campspot’s customers, offering insights into their performance compared to other similar parks. The data is derived from several factors, including location, amenities, size, and climate. The panelists highlighted the importance of such data in making informed business decisions and driving revenue growth. The panelists also discussed the broader role of data analysis in the RV industry. Drawing from their experiences, they noted that the RV industry could significantly benefit from the kind of data analysis that has been a staple in the hotel industry for years. The panelists emphasized the need for the RV industry to leverage data to understand market trends, customer behavior, and business performance. The conversation then shifted to the potential of AI in the RV industry. The panelists expressed optimism about AI’s ability to simplify and enhance data analysis. They discussed how AI could prompt users with relevant questions and insights based on their data, making data analysis more accessible and efficient for RV park owners. The panelists also touched on the legal implications of data scraping, a method used to extract large amounts of data from websites. While data scraping is not illegal, the panelists acknowledged that it is a gray area that needs to be navigated carefully. They emphasized the importance of understanding the legal landscape when using data scraping for business intelligence. The discussion also delved into the role of management companies in the RV industry. The panelists noted that many RV park owners do not have the time or expertise to conduct in-depth data analysis. As such, they can benefit from partnering with management companies that specialize in data analysis and can deliver valuable insights. The panelists also highlighted the need for education in the RV industry about data analysis and AI. They noted that many RV park owners may not fully understand the value of these tools and may need guidance on how to leverage them effectively. The panelists called for more webinars and educational resources to help RV park owners understand and utilize data analysis and AI. Towards the end of the discussion, the panelists expressed their hope for the future of the RV industry. They envisioned a future where data analysis and AI are integral parts of the industry, helping RV park owners make informed decisions and drive business growth. The latest episode of MC Fireside Chats offered valuable insights into the role of data and AI in the RV industry. The panelists highlighted the potential of these tools in revolutionizing the industry and called for more education and resources to help RV park owners leverage them effectively. The MC Fireside Chats series continues to be a platform for thought leaders in the outdoor hospitality industry to share their insights and discuss the latest trends and developments. As the RV industry continues to evolve, these discussions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future.

July 5 Episode Recap In the previous episode of MC Fireside Chats episode presented by Horizon Outdoor Hospitality hosted by Brian Searl, the discussion started about the departure of co-host Cara due to her increased responsibilities at CCRVC. Brian together with the recurring guests touched upon the occupancy rates of their properties during the July 4th holiday, with the high temperatures and weather conditions impacting the rates. Sandy shared that the midweek placement of the holiday and harsh weather led to lower than expected occupancy rates. Brian warned about the danger of attributing lower occupancies to external circumstances, advocating for addressing the core issues. Christine informed that Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays usually have better occupancy rates due to their weekend placement. Mike introduced data from CampSpot indicating increased park bookings in June and predicted steady occupancy for Q4. They also discussed the US consumer confidence spike in June and factors contributing to it, such as stabilized gas prices and softened inflation. They then discussed the state of the economy, small businesses, public perception, and issues within the park industry. Christine raised some problems she encountered in parks like disgruntled guests causing problems and increased employment lawsuits. The group also discussed the trend of guests abandoning their old rigs in parks and brainstormed possible proactive solutions, such as requiring annual inspections or setting age limits on rigs. The conversation then shifted towards the industry innovation award proposed by Sandy, intended to recognize unique advancements within their industry. While Mike and Sandy argued that the awards could raise industry standards by promoting innovation, Brian expressed concerns about award saturation and the value of such recognitions. Brian also raised a concern about the self-nomination process commonly employed in these types of awards. Electric vehicles (EVs) and their impact on the camping industry also featured in the discussion. Brian emphasized the necessity of accepting the transition towards EVs. Sandy pointed out the benefits of EV charging stations at RV parks as a revenue stream and marketing opportunity. However, the lack of widespread understanding and appreciation of EVs within the industry was also addressed. In terms of individual experiences, Christine shared her journey dealing with customer service and transitioning into a new managerial role at a long-standing campground. Mike discussed strategies for leveraging a park’s identity and legacy for marketing purposes. He also shared his experience of hosting themed weekend events to attract visitors to RV parks and discussed new initiatives like farmers’ markets. Sandy then discussed her successful attempts to encourage camping even in high heat by theming weekends, introducing activities like foam parties, and using a bundled payment model for activities. She also shared her insights on the potential of agritourism, drawing from her experiences with a park in central Florida. However, a humorous suggestion about hosting an “outrun the gator weekend” was advised against due to potential liability issues. The chat concluded with the hosts expressing their gratitude for the active participation of the guests and a teaser for a future episode on glamping. The discussions were centered around various aspects of camping and RV resorts, with a focus on occupancy rates, consumer behavior, industry trends, and innovative solutions to existing challenges.

In the June 7 episode of MC Fireside Chats presented by Fireside Accounting, hosts Brian Searl, recurring guests Sandy Ellingson, Mark Koep and Casey Cochran delve into a lively debate on a plethora of topics, from traditional marketing methodologies to the transformative influence of AI. The conversation starts with the campground maps and the efficacy of their surrounding advertisements. While Sandy advocates for traditional marketing forms, citing the relevance of physical maps in locations with poor cellular connectivity, Mark echoes her sentiments, lauding push marketing’s targeted approach. Contrarily, Brian is more skeptical, highlighting the shortcomings of these tactics in terms of data tracking and measuring return on investment. Instead, he envisions a future where AI would radically revolutionize marketing strategies. The discourse then veers towards AI’s impact on advertising, specifically the influence of personalized search results and AI algorithms on shaping user experiences and manipulating emotions, respectively. Mark provides insights into his experiences with YouTube ads and influencers, emphasizing how a single viewed video can alter the stream of recommended content, hence potentially influencing individual perspectives on a range of subjects. Sandy, Brian, Mark, and late joiner, Casey, then pivot to explore AI’s accelerated advancements. Sandy cites a professional instance where AI effectively traced website visitors unable to make reservations due to unavailability, thereby offering crucial data to inform potential business expansions. Brian reiterates the ubiquitous impact of AI across various fields, including medicine and text analysis, by mentioning an AI system that could detect cancer in radiology scans with 99% accuracy, pending FDA approval. Mark paints a hypothetical scenario involving an AI drone surpassing its programmed limitations to accomplish its target in a military exercise, underlining the potential unpredictability and autonomy of AI. The discussion then segues into the socioeconomic repercussions of AI, with Brian suggesting that unlike previous technological transitions, those displaced by AI would have less time to adapt and prepare. Casey sheds light on a novel role announced by Campspot, the Seasonal Chief Outdoor Officer, a unique initiative aiming to promote the company by encouraging more people to camp. Mark commends Campspot’s giveaway campaign, while Sandy provides fascinating Memorial Day statistics, revealing that glamping sites were sold out, while RV sites were not. Casey confirms a surge in camping reservations surrounding Memorial Day. Casey also introduces a new feature designed to provide park owners with a heatmap of reservations, aiming to assist in planning marketing strategies effectively. Despite acknowledging the significance of data analysis, Brian expresses concern that many park owners might disregard the value of websites and other tech-driven strategies due to time constraints or technological apprehension. In response, Sandy proposes outsourcing these tasks to experts and suggests an innovative feature for Campspot, a platform that continually searches for canceled reservations, enabling users to snag spots at otherwise fully-booked locations. They further discuss potential improvements to campground booking procedures and capacity issues. A brainstorming session on various ideas, such as a notification system for park availability, a tiered system for alerts, or a bidding system for popular sites, concludes with the consensus that the viability of these ideas largely depends on data surrounding park capacity trends and camper booking habits. The conversation wraps up with a contemplation of the potential threats posed by Google and AI to the camping reservation industry, with Mark emphasizing the importance of niching down in the technology realm. Casey extols the virtues of AI, such as personalizing and simplifying campground searches, while acknowledging current systems’ complexity and the significance of user comfort concerning data privacy. Brian anticipates that Google’s AI would soon make personalized recommendations based on collected data, necessitating privacy regulations. Sandy, however, raises a skeptical viewpoint that AI may not honor human-set privacy rules, but recognizes people’s increasing willingness to share their data as it simplifies processes. Mark’s concluding remarks express enthusiasm over the post-Memorial Day surge in camping bookings and commend Michael for his invaluable contribution of aggregate data, which can significantly inform industry insights. Brian concludes the lively debate, highlighting AI’s democratizing influence, which allows small businesses to compete with major operators and grants underprivileged teachers access to new resources. In this wide-ranging conversation, the group not only underscores the transformative potential of AI and data analysis The conversation concludes with Mark reflecting optimistically on the uptick in camping reservations following Memorial Day and commending Michael for contributing valuable industry data insights. Brian wraps up the dialogue by underscoring the leveling impact of AI, which allows small businesses to compete with major operators, while also providing unprecedented access to resources for underprivileged educators. Throughout the spirited discussion, the group highlights the transformative power of AI and data analytics, envisioning a future where these technological advances profoundly reshape the camping industry, and possibly beyond. As they look forward to the evolution of their industry in the hands of AI, they remain both vigilant and excited, ready to embrace the inevitable changes and challenges the future may bring.

April 5 Episode Recap During last week’s open discussion show sponsored by Fireside Accounting, Hosts Brian Searl and Cara Czismadia were accompanied by Mike Harrison from CRR Lifestyle and Christine Taylor from Towne Law Firm. Mike began the discussion by sharing insights on CRR’s third-party management service, which focuses on experiential hospitality and revenue enhancement through data and analytics. He highlighted that their service is unique as their primary objective is to drive owner profit, NOI, and asset value by concentrating on revenue enhancement through various means such as marketing, experiences, activities, and ancillary services. Christine provided valuable insights into employment law, emphasizing the importance of having clear policies and procedures in place to ensure physical and emotional safety in the workplace, prevent harassment and discrimination, and minimize legal liability. Brian and Mike also discussed the challenges of operations in the camping industry and how it can impact employee satisfaction. The conversation then shifted to AI technology and its potential in various industries, including the hospitality industry. They discussed a VR resort that can’t be insured, AI-generated videos, and their AI chatbot for customer service. The speakers also touched on potential legal issues with the chatbot and the need for proper terms and conditions. As the episode concluded, Brian and Christine discussed the impact of AI on various industries, including law and outdoor hospitality. They talked about how AI can help speed up processes, increase efficiency, and improve customer service. The conversation ended with a discussion about the ChatGPT plugin and how it can be used to connect different apps and automate tasks, such as booking reservations and ordering food. Overall, the discussion was rich in insights and perspectives, providing valuable information for anyone interested in the outdoor hospitality industry, employment law, and AI technology. The hosts and recurring guests all expressed their excitement about the possibilities of AI and encouraged others to embrace it while also acknowledging potential legal and ethical issues that may arise.

In this week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Fireside Accounting, Host Brian Searl, along with a panel of experts, discusses the future of the campground industry and the impact of technology on it. The panel to discuss the latest trends and developments in the industry are RV Industry Consultant Sandy Ellingson, Campspot Software Vice President of Business Development Casey Cochran, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality CEO & Owner Scott Foos, and CampgroundViews.com Founder & CEO Mark Koep. During the show, the group provided a comprehensive overview of the state of the campground industry and where it needs to go this year. They agreed that 2023 would be the “year of the marketer,” discussing how parks need to have the ability to adapt to the new audience and use effective digital marketing to succeed. They also talked about how the uniqueness of the properties and locations would have an impact on the campers’ booking patterns and how the industry changed in that aspect, like shorter booking windows. Sandy Ellingson, who attended the recent Tampa RV & Camping Show, reported that the industry is thriving despite what the people in the industry say about the economy. She said the event had more qualified buyers, more rig innovations, and an increased number of campgrounds having booths. She advises manufacturers to change their language to match the current state of the industry. The panel also discussed the future of online bookings for camping sites. They examine the potential impact of AI-powered search engines like Bing and Google on the industry and discuss the role of online travel agencies (OTAs) in the future. Brian predicts that websites will not be relevant in 20 years, while Sandy believes they will still play a role. In addition to online bookings, the panel also explores the impact of AI on the camping industry. They believe that implementing AI in search engines such as Google and Bing will force people to adapt faster and create an arms race in the market. They also touch on the idea of a marketplace for the camping industry, where some platforms might offer only some of the benefits a park provides, like tokenized credit card payments and security deposits. These flaws may force parks to integrate with other platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. “MC Fireside Chats” provides an insightful and engaging look into the future of the camping industry, providing listeners with a glimpse into the latest trends and developments in the sector. The episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the camping industry’s future and technology’s impact on the sector.

In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, outdoor hospitality experts discussed various trends and provided insights regarding the sector. The discussion kicked off on how businesses can prepare for and come back from a long break like the recently concluded holiday break and how culture can define a company for its employees. One way to reward staff for their contributions is to give them a break they deserve. The group noted that executives chose their work when they started the business and, therefore, may have to work during the holiday break. “So it’s different. Like, and I told this to people I talked to today. It’s different for me. I’m the owner. I signed up to do it. Randy’s the owner; he signed up to do it. Mark’s the owner; he signed up to do it,” Brian Searl said. Randy Hendrickson, Founder & CEO of the Intrepid Group, suggested improving the company’s culture, including managing staff and creating a positive work environment and customer service. Casey Cochran, the Vice President of Business Development at Campspot Software, emphasized the importance of setting expectations for the reality of the day-to-day job of being an executive and owning a business and how this can benefit the company. Randy also pointed out that people stay with a company not just for the brand but for the managers leading them and that a healthy culture and leaders who reflect that culture is key to success. “It’s also interesting, I mean, there’s a number of studies I’ve read over the years that people don’t always stay with the company because of the company brand itself. They stay because of the relationship they have with their immediate supervisor,” he said. “And when you think about that, kind of makes a lot of sense, right? Because they’re not reporting to the brand every day, they’re reporting through their immediate supervisor. So there’s also kind of a top-down thing. I think the culture is paramount, absolutely paramount.” Casey noted that money matters as employees still need to make ends meet at the end of the day, and that incentivizing staff could lead to increased revenue for the company and improved behavior among the people. Mark Koep, Founder & CEO of CampgroundViews.com, added that incentivizing staff encourages them to work more, not just the required deliverables and tasks assigned to them. Randy emphasized that a company’s culture is not just about its size but about its mission. Casey also mentioned the importance of finding the proper role for staff members, considering their strengths and capacity to fill a need, especially during times of change. The discussion then shifted to how the RV Industry would fair this year. Mark said a recent RVIA report showed data that wholesale numbers are down as 2022 ends and asked if international tourists can either save or balance the numbers to help the industry. Brian Searl, the host of MC Fireside Chats, mentioned that RV sales might be low, but they are still higher than pre-pandemic levels, according to an RVDA representative the show had last December 21. “[RVDA representative] said, you know, that yes, RV sales are down, but what they’re really doing is normalizing from 2019 over pre-pandemic. Right. And maybe that’s a buzzword; maybe it’s not. I tend to believe him based on the numbers that I’m looking at. Cause you can see they’re up still over 2019, even though they’re down 50% now,” he said. Randy emphasized that RVs are not just for camping but can also be used for traveling and accommodation while traveling around the country and that this trend is driven by demographic and customer behavior changes. Casey mentioned the impact of the shift to remote work on many businesses and the need for companies to adapt to this change in terms of finances and logistics. “Now, I think all of us would agree that we’re big components of remote work. But if that was to change, then I think you could maybe see, okay, this could affect our midweek stays even, you know, further because there’s not as many people that are able to do kind of that flexible workspace,” he said.

In this week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats, we welcome Jenna Celmer from Basecamp as a special guest host. Over the years, the RV, campground, and outdoor hospitality industries have seen significant growth. From primitive sites with no cell reception to reserving sites over the phone, campers can now experience the great outdoors by booking online to different accommodations based on their needs and preferences. Guest experts from the industry talked about experiential hospitality and the work culture in the RV and campground industries. Celmer asked the experts about their fondest memory of their time in the industry, and most of the experts shared how they started and how they fell in love with the industry’s work culture. Randy Hendrickson, founder & CEO of The Intrepid Group, shared that the industry’s “care gene” keeps him moving forward. According to Scott Foos, CEO & owner of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, it is vital to have that team-first mentality and ensure that team members are well taken care of. “The more that you really think about investing in your team, and the more that you truly understand that your team drives your business,” Foos added. The conversion focused on experiential hospitality and how the industry is gearing towards providing good customer service or guest service. For RV Industry Consultant Sandy Ellingson, it is essential to understand the meaning of experiential camping to get the guests there. “We are moving into a season where we are competing across so many different kinds of markets now, especially with the growth of glamping and some of the things we’re seeing there, that understanding the definition of experiential Camping and understanding what that is is super important just to help get the guests there for the first time,” Ellingson said. Mark Koep, Founder & CEO of CampgroundViews.com, emphasized that communicating with guests is important to provide a unique experience. Casey Cochran, vice president of Business Development at Campspot Software, talked about how creating a culture and providing the ‘experience’ starts within the staff and team members.

In the recent episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Fireside Accounting, we broadcasted live from the Glamping Show USA! We discovered what was new that year and discussed the latest industry news in our open discussion format. MC Fireside Chats was joined by Sacha Macey of Yurts for Life, Connor Schwab of Sage Outdoor Advisory, Zachary Stoltenberg of Clockwork, and Nick Purslow of Glampitect. MC Fireside Chats, a weekly show focused on the latest news, trends, and commentary from the Outdoor Hospitality Industry, was hosted by Brian Searl and Cara Csizmadia. The show was available live on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and is now available to listen as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Audible, and more.