MC Fireside Chats - December 20th, 2023

MC Fireside Chats

In the special episode of MC Fireside Chats, hosted by Brian Searl, a panel of outdoor hospitality experts gathered to discuss their experiences and future plans. The panel included Ali and Eric Rasmussen from Spacious Skies Campgrounds, Joann Delvescio from the New Jersey Campground Owners And Outdoor Lodging Association, Joshua Turner from Blackstrap Glamping Resort, Steve Rappleyea from Drivehome RV, and Greg Emmert, Co-founder and Senior Consultant at Camp Strategy.

Ali and Eric Rasmussen shared insights into their journey with Spacious Skies Campgrounds. They emphasized their focus on operations and enhancing the guest experience across their campgrounds. The Rasmussens discussed the importance of brand development and market presence. A significant new hire, a Director of Operations, was highlighted as a key step in their strategic growth. They also reflected on the sacrifices made in their personal lives for the business and expressed a desire to balance family time more effectively in the coming year.

Joann Delvescio provided an overview of the camping industry in New Jersey. She highlighted the strong demand for seasonal sites and the impact of weather on camping trends. Delvescio mentioned their active participation in consumer shows and the importance of these events in driving interest and reservations for New Jersey campgrounds. She also touched upon the regulatory challenges in New Jersey and the efforts to support campground owners in navigating these challenges.

Joshua Turner from Blackstrap Glamping Resort discussed his experience building the resort and his plans for the upcoming year. He emphasized the learning curve involved in transitioning from construction to operation. Turner expressed his ambition to create unique guest packages and experiences, aiming to position Blackstrap as a top destination in Canada. He also mentioned managing the growth of his other business ventures, including a tiki bar and a clothing line.

Steve Rappleyea shared his journey with Drivehome RV, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of managing a rapidly growing RV rental business. He discussed the importance of setting customer expectations, especially for first-time RV users. Rappleyea also shared his goal of retiring from his day job to focus full-time on RV rentals, highlighting the potential of the rental market in the context of changing RV sales trends.

Greg Emmert spoke about his transition from working with smaller clients to forming Camp Strategy with Jeff Hoffman. He emphasized their focus on providing consulting services to individual owners or smaller groups of parks, steering clear of large-scale management. Emmert also shared his personal and professional resolutions for the coming year, including promoting the importance of conservation in campgrounds.

Each guest shared their New Year's resolutions, reflecting a mix of personal and professional goals. These resolutions ranged from improving health and work-life balance to specific business objectives like expanding services, enhancing operational efficiency, and achieving recognition in the industry.

The episode highlighted the diverse challenges and opportunities within the outdoor hospitality industry. The panelists' experiences underscored the importance of adapting to market demands, focusing on guest experiences, and the need for continuous learning and improvement.

The discussion also touched upon the importance of data in understanding industry trends and making informed decisions. Brian Searl shared plans to explore new methods of data collection and analysis to provide deeper insights into campground operations and market dynamics.

Overall, the episode of MC Fireside Chats offered valuable perspectives from various corners of the outdoor hospitality industry. The panelists' stories and plans for 2024 provided a glimpse into the ongoing evolution of the camping and RV industry, highlighting the need for innovation, adaptability, and a focus on quality guest experiences.