MC Fireside Chats - February 1st, 2023

MC Fireside Chats

In this week’s episode of MC Fireside Chats, sponsored by Fireside Accounting, Host Brian Searl, along with a panel of experts, discusses the future of the campground industry and the impact of technology on it.

The panel to discuss the latest trends and developments in the industry are RV Industry Consultant Sandy Ellingson, Campspot Software Vice President of Business Development Casey Cochran, Horizon Outdoor Hospitality CEO & Owner Scott Foos, and CampgroundViews.com Founder & CEO Mark Koep.

During the show, the group provided a comprehensive overview of the state of the campground industry and where it needs to go this year. They agreed that 2023 would be the “year of the marketer,” discussing how parks need to have the ability to adapt to the new audience and use effective digital marketing to succeed.

They also talked about how the uniqueness of the properties and locations would have an impact on the campers' booking patterns and how the industry changed in that aspect, like shorter booking windows.

Sandy Ellingson, who attended the recent Tampa RV & Camping Show, reported that the industry is thriving despite what the people in the industry say about the economy.

She said the event had more qualified buyers, more rig innovations, and an increased number of campgrounds having booths.

She advises manufacturers to change their language to match the current state of the industry.

The panel also discussed the future of online bookings for camping sites. They examine the potential impact of AI-powered search engines like Bing and Google on the industry and discuss the role of online travel agencies (OTAs) in the future.

Brian predicts that websites will not be relevant in 20 years, while Sandy believes they will still play a role.

In addition to online bookings, the panel also explores the impact of AI on the camping industry. They believe that implementing AI in search engines such as Google and Bing will force people to adapt faster and create an arms race in the market.

They also touch on the idea of a marketplace for the camping industry, where some platforms might offer only some of the benefits a park provides, like tokenized credit card payments and security deposits. These flaws may force parks to integrate with other platforms like Airbnb and VRBO.

"MC Fireside Chats" provides an insightful and engaging look into the future of the camping industry, providing listeners with a glimpse into the latest trends and developments in the sector.

The episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the camping industry's future and technology's impact on the sector.