Glamping Americas Podcast

You got into glamping because you love the personal side of it.

Chatting with guests when they arrive.

Giving them your own local tips, not something off a leaflet.

Being the person who makes their stay feel like it was made just for them.

But what happens when the phone is ringing, and questions are coming in by email from potential guests who might move on to the next property if you don't pick up?

Who answers the phone when you're not, and what's the cost of missing that conversation because you're too busy on site?

So today I'm talking to Todd Sabo, Chief Growth Officer at Grevon, an AI booking platform built for hospitality and outdoor operators. In this episode, I explore how this AI tool helps you secure bookings and increase revenue, without losing the human touch.

So if you're curious about how AI can help you deliver a better service today… than you did yesterday… and make more money while you do… this episode is definitely for you.

For more information, please contact:

Grevon.ai

Sell the experience, not just the stay, with https://grevon.ai/

Free 14-day trial available

Todd Sabo - Chief Growth Officer https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddsabo/

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MarsDome

MarsDome is a glamping dome - an insulated composite dome for resorts, retreats, and holiday stays. Unlike fabric tents and thin-shell domes, it's built as a solid, one-piece monocoque shell with 4-inch (106 mm) continuous insulation rated R-35.

That one design decision solves the two complaints glamping operators hear most: noise and condensation. The dense shell cuts storm noise by roughly 35 dB, and the continuous insulation keeps the inside dry - no water dripping onto guests.

MarsDome installs in an afternoon with three to four people and is designed to last 50 years.

Contact: [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 137 7533 8243, or learn more at https://marsdomes.com

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American Glamping Association

Ruben Martinez

https://americanglampingassociation.net/

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Sarah Riley, Podcast host - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with Collin from Pacific Yurts to trace these structures from their Mongolian origins as the 'ger' or 'gur' to their modern role in glamping and hospitality. We cover why these circular, historic homes create such a distinct feeling for guests, what goes into building a yurt that can withstand snow loads and coastal storms, and the real economics behind them, including client stories where yurts paid for themselves in months, not years.

Collin also gets candid about the two biggest mistakes new glamping operators make: skipping proper site planning and underestimating permitting, which can quietly unravel a business years after launch. If you're considering yurts for your glamping site or retreat venue, this conversation is full of practical, honest guidance for you to apply to your own glamping business ventures.

For more information, please contact:

Collin Miller - Director of Sales, Pacific Yurts, Direct - 458-298-2612

Email: [email protected] Website: https://yurts.com

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MarsDome

MarsDome is a glamping dome - an insulated composite dome for resorts, retreats, and holiday stays. Unlike fabric tents and thin-shell domes, it's built as a solid, one-piece monocoque shell with 4-inch (106 mm) continuous insulation rated R-35.

That one design decision solves the two complaints glamping operators hear most: noise and condensation. The dense shell cuts storm noise by roughly 35 dB, and the continuous insulation keeps the inside dry - no water dripping onto guests.

MarsDome installs in an afternoon with three to four people and is designed to last 50 years.

Contact: [email protected] or WhatsApp +86 137 7533 8243, or learn more at https://marsdomes.com

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Sarah Riley, Podcast host - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

What if everything you've been told about building a successful glamping business is backwards?

What if adding more amenities isn't the answer...

What if discounting isn't the answer...

And what if the secret to charging three times the average nightly rate has nothing to do with having a bigger budget?

In this fascinating episode, Sarah Riley sits down with Janice Wilson, software engineer, hospitality innovator and founder of Menizei, a boutique glamping retreat that's quietly becoming one of the most talked-about businesses in outdoor hospitality.

Janice approaches her business like a scientist. Every decision is an experiment. Every marketing campaign is measured. Every guest interaction is tested. And, unlike most entrepreneurs, she openly shares both the successes and the failures so others can learn from them.

In this conversation, you'll discover:

• Why Janice deliberately removed amenities that most operators consider essential, and why guests love it. • How she's able to command premium prices without competing on features. • The surprising guest behaviour data that's reshaping her entire marketing strategy. • Why she believes hospitality businesses should stop trying to be "better" than the competition and instead become a category of one. • How AI is helping independent operators build tools and systems that were once only available to the world's largest hotel brands. • Why the future of luxury hospitality isn't technology… it's unforgettable human experiences.

Whether you're planning your first glamping business, looking to increase profitability, or simply fascinated by the future of hospitality and AI, this episode is packed with ideas that will challenge conventional thinking and leave you inspired to look at your own business in a completely different way.

Janice will also be speaking at The Glamping Show Americas, where she'll be sharing her framework for creating a true hospitality unicorn… a business so distinctive it no longer competes on price or amenities.

If you're ready to stop following the crowd and start building something remarkable, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

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More Information:

Janice Wilson [email protected]

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicewilson/

Wilson Studio https://wlsn.studio/

Menizei https://www.menizei.com/

Territori https://territori.io/

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado

https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

What do Taylor Swift, a sold-out concert, and a 71-acre property in rural Indiana have in common?

More than you might think.

When Maggie Klein secured tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, she unknowingly set in motion a chain of events that would completely change her family's future. With the house needed for concert guests, her husband Mark suddenly found himself with an unexpected free weekend and one simple task: find somewhere else to stay.

Instead, he found something much bigger.

What started as a casual scouting trip to explore potential investment opportunities quickly became an emotional connection to a piece of land that neither Mark nor Maggie could ignore. Just days later, they found themselves asking a very different question—not "Should we do this?" but "How are we going to make this happen?"

In this episode, we meet Mark and Maggie at the very beginning of their journey. There's no polished success story yet. No completed resort. No ribbon cutting. No grand opening.

Instead, you'll hear the raw, honest reality of what it looks like to stand at the start of a dream.

Together, they share how they discovered a remarkable 71-acre property near Indiana's famous Turkey Run State Park, why they believe nature itself is the greatest amenity, how they're balancing family life, careers, and business development, and the lessons they're learning as they navigate feasibility studies, financing, planning, and the countless decisions that come with building a hospitality business from scratch.

If you've ever dreamed of creating a glamping site, retreat, or nature-based business—or you're simply fascinated by how big ideas become reality—this conversation offers a rare opportunity to follow a project from its very first steps.

Because sometimes the most exciting stories aren't the ones that have already been written.

They're the ones that are just beginning.

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Mark & Maggie Cline

Website: https://www.theparkeatturkeyrun.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theparkeatturkeyrun/

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

In this fascinating conversation, Sarah Riley interviews Leslie Martin, founder of the breathtaking Lagom Retreat in the Texas Hill Country... a Swedish-inspired glamping, wellness and events destination that is already turning heads across the hospitality world.

What makes Leslie's story even more incredible?

She came from the tech industry with zero hospitality experience.

Now she's creating one of the most unique outdoor hospitality experiences around, featuring extraordinary cabins from across the world, immersive wellness experiences, dark-sky stargazing, saunas, cold plunges and unforgettable design-led accommodation.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Leslie transitioned from a 26-year tech career into glamping and wellness hospitality

• Why creativity, nature and hosting people became the foundation of her business vision

• The story behind her wildly unique structures from Spain, Austria and the Netherlands

• How wellness goes far beyond hot tubs and saunas

• Why glamping experiences can create lifelong memories and transformations

• The importance of design, emotion and attention to detail in hospitality

• How taking risks helped her stand out in a crowded market

This episode is inspiring, honest and full of visionary ideas for anyone dreaming of creating a lifestyle business rooted in nature, wellbeing and unforgettable guest experiences.

Prepare to feel inspired… because this one could seriously make you rethink what's possible.

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Leslie Martin - Lagom Retreat

https://lagom-retreat.com/

[email protected]

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping done-for-you marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

What if starting an outdoor hospitality business didn't require land, cabins, permits, or a six-figure investment? In this episode, Sarah Riley speaks with Adam Odgaard from Isabella Camping about the Camp-Let tent trailer… a clever Danish invention that has been popular across Europe for decades but is only now arriving in the United States.

We explore how this lightweight trailer (just 595 lbs) unfolds into a surprisingly spacious camping setup with sleeping cabins and living space, and why it's attracting attention as a new business opportunity in the outdoor hospitality industry. They discuss:

• The fascinating 70-year history of Isabella, a family business founded in Denmark

• How the Camp-Let trailer bridges the gap between camping and glamping

• Why its lightweight design works perfectly with electric vehicles

• The growing opportunity for mobile outdoor hospitality businesses

• How some operators in Europe already use these trailers as rental units on campsites

• A potential low-cost entry point into the outdoor hospitality industry

Adam also shares example numbers showing how a Camp-Let setup could potentially reach break-even in around a year, opening up new possibilities for entrepreneurs who want to help people experience nature without needing to own land.

If you're interested in glamping trends, innovative outdoor accommodation models, or creative ways to start a hospitality business, this episode will definitely get you thinking… and may even change the way you think about going camping.

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Adam Odgaard - Isabella Camping - Camp-Let Trailer

isabellacamping.com [email protected]

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

Join us at the next show in Colorado!

What does the future of glamping and unique hospitality really look like? In this episode, Sarah Riley speaks with Nathan Mayfield, President of ResNexus, about the major trends shaping the future of glamping, campgrounds, and unique stays… from AI and automation to guest expectations, direct bookings, data, and digital marketing.

With years of experience and a broad view across the hospitality sector, Nathan shares the kinds of insights operators rarely get to see from inside just one business. This is a valuable conversation for anyone who wants to understand not just what is changing, but what actually matters.

Inside this episode, we explore:

• How AI is beginning to influence hospitality across guest communication, marketing, pricing, reviews, fraud prevention, and demand forecasting

• Why social media is becoming the new search engine for travel inspiration

• What changing guest behaviour and shorter patience levels mean for operators

• Why direct booking tools, automation and email marketing matter more than ever

• The growing challenge of tech stack costs and how operators can avoid unnecessary complexity

• How to use technology to save time behind the scenes while protecting the human side of guest experience

• What smart businesses are doing now to prepare for the future of outdoor hospitality This episode is full of practical insight, big-picture thinking, and honest reflections on where the industry is headed next.

If you run a glamping site, campground, holiday park, or unique short-stay business, or you simply want to understand where hospitality is heading… this is a conversation worth hearing.

Because the future may be more automated… but the best hospitality will still feel deeply human.

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Nathan Mayfield, President, ResNexus https://www.resnexus.us/

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

Join us at the next show in Colorado!

In this episode, Sarah Riley talks with Chris Jeub of Monument Glamping… a familiar name in the industry and one of the early voices helping landowners turn beautiful properties into outdoor hospitality businesses. Chris shares the remarkable story of how a simple idea in 2019, of moving his bedroom into a hunting tent during a home remodel, unexpectedly became a fully-fledged glamping operation that now spans two properties and dozens of permitted units.

Together, Sarah and Chris dive into the realities behind building a glamping business from scratch: navigating county regulations, dealing with neighbour complaints, expanding with container homes, and turning backyard tents into a six-figure enterprise. Chris also explains the powerful mindset shift that allowed him to reposition his offering, double his nightly rates, and transform Monument Glamping into an experience-led brand rooted in reconnection and simplicity.

If you're curious about organic growth, overcoming regulatory hurdles, or how everyday landowners can create profitable, meaningful glamping stays, this episode is packed with honest insights, hard-earned lessons, and plenty of inspiration.

More Information:

Chris Jeub - Monument Glamping and

Your land Is Gold Skool

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://monumentglamping.com/

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

In this episode, Sarah Riley talks with Tyler Watts, a civil engineer turned real estate developer who's transformed raw land into thriving outdoor hospitality businesses, using creativity, strategy, and seller financing instead of deep pockets.

Tyler shares how he scaled from single-family homes to multi-million-dollar apartment portfolios, then pivoted into glamping and RV resorts... all while leveraging partnerships, other people's capital, and a clear vision for long-term growth.

Disclaimer: The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial advice. We are not financial advisors. Please consult with a professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to use seller financing and creative funding to grow your glamping or hospitality business.

• The skills you need to be good at attracting the right seller and sealing the deal.

• The power of combining RV, cabins and glamping units in one destination.

• Why diversification and design-thinking are reshaping the outdoor hospitality market.

• And how to turn a small idea... and someone else's capital... into a dream project that guests can't stop talking about.

This is an inspiring, practical episode that proves you don't need to be rich to build something remarkable... you just need to be resourceful.

More Information:

Tyler Watts - Broad River Campground, North Carolina

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://broadrivercampgroundnc.com/

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]

Today, we're stepping into the world of Walden Retreats, a breathtaking riverside escape in the Texas Hill Country that reimagines what it means to live well, simply, and with intention. Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's timeless work Walden, this is a place where luxury meets philosophy, and where the modern traveler can pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Thoreau spent two years in a cabin by Walden Pond, exploring what it meant "to live deliberately." His reflections on simplicity, self-sufficiency, and harmony with nature became a cornerstone of American thought, and today, that same spirit echoes through the vision of my guest, Blake Smith, founder of Walden Retreats.

Blake and his wife have created more than a destination... they've built a living philosophy. A place that reminds us that great hospitality isn't about building the most luxurious property… it's about building the most intentional one. A space where guests aren't just offered comfort, but clarity. Not just an escape, but a return... to themselves, to stillness, to meaning.

In this episode, we explore how Blake turned an idea rooted in literature and mindfulness into an extraordinary guest experience. We talk about the power of defining your mission, vision, and values, and how that foundation can shape every decision, from design to guest experience to long-term success.

If you've ever wondered how to build a brand that feels as good as it looks, or how to infuse your glamping or retreat business with soul, you're going to love this episode.

More Information

Blake Smith, Walden Retreat

Website: https://waldenretreats.com/

Email: [email protected]

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Sarah Riley - Glamping, retreat events, and guest attraction

Glamping Academy & Owners Club https://inspiredcourses.com

Glamping marketing studio https://inspiredcollectiveltd.com/

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The Glamping Show Americas, Denver, Colorado https://www.glampingshow.us [email protected]