In this week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Firefly Reservations, Kyle Krieg, co-owner of Black Rock Adventure Park and Campground, joined the show to discuss the impact of amenities, accommodations, and innovation on the experience of guests and staff members.

We were also joined by our regular guests, Mike Harrison from CRR Lifestyle, Duncan Winship from Papoose Pond, and Joe Duemig of App My Community.

Krieg opened the discussion, saying that his campground has a 10-year development plan, looking to add around 50 to 6000 sites and other amenities like a playground or a concert area.

When asked what amenities to develop, Krieg said they have to focus on amenities based on their growth, following, online traffic, and experience. He also believes that when adequately marketed, the amenities start selling themselves.

Duemig mentioned that he, his family, and friends plan to go to a campground with a concert area, adding that these amenities are attractive to guests on their own. From a marketing standpoint, he believes that concert areas are appealing due to the business’s advertisements, the music it plays, and the bands and artists that play in it.

He said that as a business owner, you need to know what factors these amenities bring in for your campground and to utilize its appeal to your advantage.

We also tackled the topic of innovation. Harrison said that if a stabilized campground is happy where they are and see they have enough, they will start to move backward.

He said that he and his team would usually build a park with the amenities and accommodations they’ve chosen, then move on to another phase once it stabilizes.

Winship said you must innovate, expand, and maintain to build a stable park. On which of the three factors to focus on, he said it depends on how you prioritize cash flow and how it will affect the others.

As per development and innovation, some amenities make revenue due to the campground’s primary driver, accommodations. Winship said it really depends on where a park makes its money.

Mike said they charged more depending on the accommodation they offered. For instance, they offer a site that costs more due to electrical billing, but since it is a site guests love, they make revenue without complaints.

Mike said you need to have a primary core purpose for the park, driven by its amenities and identity.

As per artificial intelligence, Winship said A.I. could solve problems and answer questions that owners never thought of before. However, his main concern with it is the possible lack of human touch.

Still, Duemig said A.I. has its benefits like alleviating some frustrations of the staff and improving their work experience and the guests’ experience. Krieg said if you're not thinking ahead for your campground, you will definitely be left behind.