On March 29, the latest episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, took a closer look at the outdoor recreation industry, such as the emerging trends in outdoor activities, innovations in the RV industry, and the growing popularity of glamping.

This week’s show featured a panel of entrepreneurs from the outdoor recreation industry, including Kay Rodriguez from Outerly, Chandler Cooper from SkillAbove, and Mike and Melissa Crowe from Mitten Getaways Glamping.

Kay Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Outerly, shared her company's mission to help people connect with nature and each other, particularly in underutilized spaces within cities.

"75% of people would go outside more frequently if they could easily find someone else to go with," she said.

She said that Outerly addresses this need by offering a platform for users to find outdoor activities and connect with like-minded individuals.

Chandler, the founder of SkillAbove, discussed the various tools and consumer products his company has developed to improve the RV experience. Among their innovations is a device that overrides slide-out mechanisms when they get stuck, allowing RV owners to continue their journey.

Chandler highlighted that some manufacturers have started to switch to better slide-out mechanisms due to the increase in problems related to them. He also revealed that RvTesters is working on a new slide mechanism to improve RV quality.

Mike and Melissa Crowe, founders of Mitten Getaway's Glamping Company, shared their vision for a year-round glamping resort in Michigan. The resort will feature diverse accommodations and on-site activities, with a focus on meeting specific property criteria such as having a water feature, being secluded, and offering space for on-site activities.

The discussion also touched on the integration of technology in the outdoor recreation industry, such as artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnostics and maintenance in RVs.

Chandler acknowledged the potential for this technology but emphasized that the RV industry would need to adopt a more unified approach to system communication and diagnostic access, similar to the automotive industry, for this to be feasible.

The conversation also explored the possibility of collaboration between the RV rental marketplace Outdoorsy and SkillAbove to offer a "rescue package" for users who rent RVs and may need assistance with maintenance or repairs.

This partnership could provide an added layer of support for those venturing into the great outdoors.

As people increasingly seek connections with nature and others in the wake of the pandemic, businesses like Outerly, SkillAbove RvTesters, and Mitten Getaways Glamping are poised to lead the way in transforming the outdoor recreation experience.

With new technologies and innovative approaches, the future of outdoor adventure promises to be more accessible, enjoyable, and connected than ever before.