On July 6th, 2022, MC Fire chats welcomed a special guest, Bill.
July 13, 2022

MC Fireside Chats – July 13th, 2022

In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Let’s Camp, we welcomed several special guests to the show to discuss financing options and campground development. We were joined by Ken Kaplan, CEO of K2 Commercial Finance, and Bill McLeod and D Melton, Owners of Big Rig Friendly RV Resort in South Carolina. D also serves on the CARVC board of directors. MC Fireside Chats is a weekly show focused on the latest news, trends, and commentary from the Outdoor Hospitality Industry with hosts Brian Searl and Cara Csizmadia. The episode was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, and is now available for listening as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Audible, and more.

Recurring Guests

Scott Bahr

Scott Bahr

Cairn Consulting Group

Simon Neal

Simon Neal

CampMap

Miguel Huerta

Miguel Huerta

Mexican Glamping Association

Rafael Correa

Rafael Correa

Blue Water Development

Eleonore Hamm

Eleonore Hamm

RVDA Canada

Phil Ingrassia

Phil Ingrassia

RVDA

Michael Moore

Michael Moore

Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO)

Tom Mason, IVEE Group

Tom Mason

IVEE Group

Zach Stoltenberg, Clockwork

Zach Stoltenberg

Clockwork

Joe Duemig, App My Community

Joe Duemig

App My Community

Jayne Cohen, Campground Consulting Group

Jayne Cohen

Campground Consulting Group

Scott Foos, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality

Scott Foos

Horizon Outdoor Hospitality

Jeremy Johnson, Kona Hills Campground

Jeremy Johnson

Kona Hills Campground

Kaleigh Day, Surf Junction Campground

Kaleigh Day

Surf Junction Campground

Jeff Hoffman, Camp Strategy

Jeff Hoffman

Camp Strategy

Sandy Ellingson, RV Industry Advisor

Sandy Ellingson

RV Industry Advisor

Mike Harrison, CRR Hospitality

Mike Harrison

CRR Hospitality

Angele Miller, Creekside RnR Glamping

Angele Miller

Creekside RnR Glamping

Robert Preston, Unhitched Management

Robert Preston

Unhitched Management

Casey Cochran, Campspot

Casey Cochran

Campspot

John McMahon, Camp Door County RV Resort & Campground

John McMahon

Operations Director

Camp Door County RV Resort & Campground

Mychele Bisson, Bison Peak Ventures

Mychele Bisson

Bison Peak Ventures

Cara Csizmadia, Canadian Camping & RV Association

Cara Csizmadia

Canadian Camping & RV Association

Matt Whittemore, Climb Capital

Matt Whittemore

Climb Capital

Ravi Parikh, RoverPass

Ravi Parikh

RoverPass

Sarah Stahl, Market Movers

Sarah Stahl

Founder

Market Movers

Special Guests

Ken Kaplan

CEO
K2 Commercial Finance

Bill McLeod

Co-Owner
Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

D Melton

Co-Owner
Big Rig Friendly RV Resort

In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Let’s Camp, we are joined by Ken Kaplan, CEO of K2 Commercial Finance, who talked about the whys and hows of campground and RV park financing, and Bill McLeod and D Melton, owners of Big Rig Friendly RV Resort in South Carolina who shared the story on how they built and developed their RV resort from the ground up.

McLeod and Melton started in the industry around 12 years ago; since then, they’ve seen the market get hotter and hotter.

Big Rig Friendly RV Resort has full hookup sites that measure between 75 feet to 120 feet, with most sites being pull-throughs.

“The demand has gotten so much stronger than it was and steadily increasing year by year,” Melton said.

Melton also mentioned that he’s seen the age group of RVers get younger and younger as it goes.

Kaplan, who has been financing RV parks and campgrounds, said he’s seen people struggling with finances.

This motivated him to help people reach their goals and dream of owning properties.“Small mistakes in financing can cost tens of thousands if not more over the term of owning an asset,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan also highlighted that things that make a successful park had changed a lot with respect to modernization.

“A lot of the things that make a borrower a solid borrower and that make an asset [RV park] a good investment from a lending investment haven’t changed very much. What changed is the economy that we’re all operating in,” Kaplan added.

Kaplan highlighted the significance of relationship in lending and financing, saying that an appropriate lender and a good borrower is fueled by relationships and preparation–making transactions easy.

In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Let’s Camp, we are joined by Ken Kaplan, CEO of K2 Commercial Finance, who talked about the whys and hows of campground and RV park financing, and Bill McLeod and D Melton, owners of Big Rig Friendly RV Resort in South Carolina who shared the story on how they built and developed their RV resort from the ground up.

McLeod and Melton started in the industry around 12 years ago; since then, they’ve seen the market get hotter and hotter.

Big Rig Friendly RV Resort has full hookup sites that measure between 75 feet to 120 feet, with most sites being pull-throughs.

“The demand has gotten so much stronger than it was and steadily increasing year by year,” Melton said.

Melton also mentioned that he’s seen the age group of RVers get younger and younger as it goes.

Kaplan, who has been financing RV parks and campgrounds, said he’s seen people struggling with finances.

This motivated him to help people reach their goals and dream of owning properties.“Small mistakes in financing can cost tens of thousands if not more over the term of owning an asset,” Kaplan said.

Kaplan also highlighted that things that make a successful park had changed a lot with respect to modernization.

“A lot of the things that make a borrower a solid borrower and that make an asset [RV park] a good investment from a lending investment haven’t changed very much. What changed is the economy that we’re all operating in,” Kaplan added.

Kaplan highlighted the significance of relationship in lending and financing, saying that an appropriate lender and a good borrower is fueled by relationships and preparation–making transactions easy.

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