In the May 4 episode of the MC Fireside Chats podcast, hosts Brian Searl and  Cara Csizmadia as well as industry experts discussed various topics related to camping and outdoor hospitality. 

Casey Cochran, the VP of Business Development at Campspot Software, highlighted the importance of introducing different age groups to outdoor hospitality, especially since many people below 55 years old are exploring their options.

Cochran also noted that the camping season is in full swing, and he shared how his company created a heatmap to track where people are coming from to help parks. Moreover, he highlighted that their marketing strategy focuses on creating more camper nights and providing an intriguing aspect to their services.

Scott Foos, CEO & Owner of Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, discussed how the pandemic has led to an increase in camping as people explore outdoor activities. He also noted that the emergence of Gen Z is the fastest-growing demographic in camping and understanding their needs and preferences is crucial for the industry.

Foos emphasized the importance of connecting emotionally with guests and making operations more efficient to reduce costs. He mentioned that despite the recent shift in consumer optimism, the industry is in for a rollercoaster year in 2023.

Sandy Ellingson, an RV Industry Consultant, mentioned that 70% of people who travel for business or pleasure stay in some kind of RV park. She also raised the problem of the difficulty in booking due to the short booking window. 

Mark Koep, Founder & CEO of CampgroundViews.com, noted the increase in camping and the continuous trend of people searching for campsites. He also mentioned that the closure of national park campgrounds due to remodeling and weather conditions could impact private campgrounds.

Mike Harrison from CRR Lifestyle has suggested that resorts and campgrounds should provide amenities that cater to people of all ages. He has emphasized the need for these parks and resorts to continually evolve and establish careful guidelines, particularly when it comes to children's safety. Additionally, he has stressed the significance of regularly monitoring indicators like oil consumption and finding ways to improve business efficiency without compromising the customer experience.

Finally, Christine Taylor of the Towne Law Firm highlighted the importance of being inclusive in advertising and not discriminating against any specific group or demographic. She emphasized the need to write down and enforce rules to create a positive experience for everyone. Overall, the guests emphasized the importance of operational efficiency, using technology to improve the customer experience, and understanding the needs of different age groups and demographics.