WCM's Park Update: Recent Episodes
Woodall's Campground Magazine
WCM’s Park Update is a weekly show covering the news, happenings, and events in the Outdoor Hospitality industry.
Hosted by Ben Quiggle, editor of Woodall’s Campground Magazine (WCM), and Mike Gast, former vice president of communications at Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) and a senior writer for RVTravel.com.
WCM’s Park Update is a production of Woodall’s Campground Magazine. Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox: https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), dives into RV industry issues with Josh ‘the RV Nerd’ who operates out of a Bish’s dealership in Coldwater, Mich.
A well-known creator of videos on RV industry topics, Josh looks at manufacturing issues, camping trends, reservation issues, dealer/park collaborations and much more.
Check out Josh’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@JoshtheRVNerd.
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), is excited about the upcoming Glamping Show Americas and brought David Korse, the organizer of the event, back on the show to discuss all of the details.
Korse speaks on the growing number of vendors the show is bringing in, the breadth of knowledge that is set to speak at the variety of sessions the show offers, how the glamping industry continues to trend upward and more.
To learn more about The Glamping Show, head to https://www.glampingshow.us/.
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA), chats with Kimberly Jenkins, the CEO of Clair Lagon, a company that creates custom lagoons for RV parks, campgrounds and resorts.
Originally introduced in France, the company has recently made its way across the Atlantic and is now ready to begin expanding its operations here in North America. Jenkins highlights the many features of the lagoons, what separates them from a traditional pond, how they can add a relaxing atmosphere to any park and how they can be customized to fit any space.
To learn more about Clair Lagon, head to: https://www.clairlagon.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by KOA, highlights the growth of PMRV and Cabin builder Timberhut with the company's CEO Brooks Anderson.
Anderson explores the creation of the company, its journey into PMRV manufacturing, its goals for the future and more. Anderson also chats about the company's work with substance abuse recovery shelters and how the company is making the recovery process easier for individuals with substance abuse issues.
To learn more about Timberhut, head to https://timberhut.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, chats with Marc and Julie Bennett, co-founders of RVLove, about the journey they have undergone as RVers and how their popular website, RVLove.com was launched.
The authors of two books, the Bennetts have a well-known reputation for being RVing and camping experts. Now based out of a stick-and-brick house, the Bennetts still enjoy traveling the country in their RV and helping out other RVers. During this episode WCM tackles RVer trends, campsite pricing, hot amenities and more.
To learn more about RVLove, head to rvlove.com.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, checks in with Christine Taylor, a principal partner at The Towne Law Firm, P.C. in Albany, N.Y., to see how her park's 2024 season is going and on other legal issues facing the industry. In 2022, Taylor, along with her mother, purchased a campground in upstate New York and transformed it into the Catskill Mountains / Gilboa KOA Holiday. Taylor explores the type of season the park has had, what improvements she is focused on at the park and also dives into legal issues surrounding background checks and more.
To learn more about the park, head to: https://koa.com/campgrounds/catskill/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, explores the recent announcement that Harvest Hosts has acquired the Escapees RV Club.
Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, highlights the impetus of acquiring the club, explores what his future plans are for both organizations and also tackles questions on how the industry is doing.
Learn more about Harvest Hosts at https://www.harvesthosts.com/ & https://escapees.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, chats with Billie McNamara, the general manager of Loon's Haven Family Campground in Naples, Maine, about the 2024 season and trends she has noticed.
McNamara highlights the parks location, tis unique seasonal setup, new additions to the park, how camper behaviors have changed and more. The episode also touches on hiring issues, marketing questions and more.
Check out Loon's Haven here: https://www.loonshaven.com/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, chats with Garrett Weber-Gale, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who still holds the 400 freestyle relay world record in swimming along with teammates Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak. After success in the 2008 Olympics, Weber-Gale explored business and hospitality, eventually opening Gather Campground in Belton, Texas, with the help of business partners.
During this episode, Weber-Gale talks about the challenges the group faced developing the resort — including a particularly rough time with one contractor, highlights the ethos behind operating the park, notes how his background helped him prepare for park ownership, and also chats about the future growth of the Gather brand.
To learn more about the park, head to https://gathercampgroundbellcounty.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, chats with Mark Lemoine, the co-owner of the Coloma/St. Jospeh KOA Holiday in St. Joseph, Mich., to catch up on how the parks 2024 season is going so far.
Lemoine describes improvements the park has made, what traffic at the park has been like and challenges that park owners in the Mitten State are facing. He also dives into future plans, on how to create partnerships with local entities and more.
You can explore the park at https://koa.com/campgrounds/coloma/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electrical Products, chats with Scott Nielson, the developer and owner of the Zion Utah Jellystone Park — the first Jellystone Park in the state of Utah.
Built in a desert area, the park is like an oasis featuring a full water park and a variety of family-focused amenities. Nielson chats to WCM about the challenges he faced developing the park, about the role his family played during the process and what the future holds.
You can check out the new park here: https://zionutahjellystonepark.com/
This week, Tyson Leavitt made his name in a Netflix show where he built a playhouse for Steph Curry's kids, but his best creative work has come at Charmed Resorts, a magical glamping escape in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
Charmed Resorts is truly a one-of-a-kind site that has to be seen to be believed. Tune in to hear the story of how it happened.
Visit Charmed Resorts: https://charmedresorts.ca/
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Midwest Electric Products, chats with Daniel Mulcahy, the co-founder of USA Camping Company, about his journey into the outdoor hospitality industry and the growth of USA Camping’s portfolio.
With over 10 parks, USA Camping offers a variety of locations spread across the U.S. Mulcahy elaborates on the philosophy of the system, challenges it has faces as it continues to grow its portfolio, expounds on new acquisitions and plans for the future, plus more.
To learn more about USA Camping Company, head to: https://usacampingcompany.com/.
WCM's Park Update chats with Kevin Thueson, a co-founder and partner of KCN Campgrounds, which owns nearly a dozen Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) franchised parks throughout the U.S.
Thueson talks about how he entered the outdoor hospitality industry, the formation of KCN, how KCN continues to grow and what the future holds for the company. He also dives into challenges the industry faces and how what KCN has learned as it grows its portfolio.
To learn more, head to KCNcampgrounds.com.
***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This episode is a marketing masterclass from Conrad O'Connell, of BuildUp Bookings. He takes us through the five key facets for successfully marketing a glamping business.Want to invest in Posh Outdoors, our brand-new glamping startup? Email nick@posh-outdoors.com for more info, or visit our deal page: https://posh.dealpage.io/Take our "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/usCheck out BuildUp Bookings: https://www.buildupbookings.com/Take Conrad's course (coupon code "glampitect"): https://courses.buildupbookings.com/***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Care Camps Foundation, chats with Andy Cates, the founder of RVC Outdoor Destinations, about the growth of RVC and the addition of a new resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Cates also chats about the current development market, the influx of new owners and investors, and how that is impacting the industry. He also dives into the need for better segmentation, so that campers know what type of park they are staying at. Learn more about RVC Outdoor Destinations at https://rvcoutdoors.com/. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Emily Simmons, the newly minted president and CEO of the Campground Owners of New York (CONY), about her history in the industry and how her past experience is going to help her guide an association that represents parks across New York.Simmons has worked in business development organizations, death care and more, all things she said uniquely qualify her for the role she has taken on at CONY. She talks to WCM about the challenges that parks in the Empire State face, how she is approaching her new role and learning more about the outdoor hospitality industry.
This week on Supplier Showcase, WCM explores Bushtec's new WYLDSTAY program, which offers a revenue-sharing model for park owners.
Gary Flaks, CEO of Bushtec, talks about the program which is tied to an app. It allows park owners to bring in tents, that WYLDSTAY provides and sets up, while sharing a percentage of the sales those tents produce.
To learn more about the program, head here: https://wyldstay.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Carter Moses, director of investments for DLP Capital, about her history in the industry and how DLP's recent partnership with Climb Capital has allowed it to expand its presence in the outdoor hospitality industry. DLP currently owns/operates several resorts, all of which are mainly centered in the southeastern part of the U.S. Moses notes what DLP looks for when acquiring or developing a resort, highlights current market trends and gives some insights into what the future holds for the company.
This week's guest is Jacob Halverson, current experiences manager at Bishop's Lodge (an Auberge Resort) and former general manager of Mendocino Grove, a large glamping resort in California.
Jacob is a true hospitality expert with an incredible amount of hotel and glamping operational experience, and he joins us to discuss everything from how to create a magical hospitality experience to why you should avoid using bunk beds.
Mendocino Grove: https://mendocinogrove.com/
Bishop's Lodge (Auberge): https://aubergeresorts.com/bishopslodge/
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
On this week’s episode of Supplier Showcase, WCM highlights Bushtec Safari, a provider of a wide variety of safari tent structures. WCM spoke with Gary Flaks, the company's CEO, about the growth in business that the company is seeing as the glamping sector continues to explode.
Flaks highlights some of the popular products that Bushtec offers to park owners and also gives viewers some updates on recent partnerships and initiatives that Bushtec has been working on.
For more information, visit https://bushtecsafari.com/.
Synopsis: Scott Bahr, president of Cairn Consulting Group, joins the show to chat about the recent release of KOA’s annual Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, which Cairn Consulting Group has helped develop over the past 10 years. He explores some of the key data points and how they have changed over the past decade, as well as more recent trends that impact park owners.
From glamping to Baby Boomers, this episode explores everything and also dives into data points that KOA is set to release more data on in later reports. To access the full report, head to https://koa.com/north-american-camping-report/.
***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week's guest is Chris Hipple, from Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance. Chris is a true expert in the field of outdoor hospitality insurance, and he explains what insurance glamping operators need, why it's important and the consequences of overlooking this vital ingredient.
Check out Leavitt Insurance: https://www.leavitt.com/lrh/prod/campground-insurance.
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, invites Nick Purslow to the show to chat about his new venture, Posh Outdoors, which is set to help park owners/developers enter the glamping industry through a profit-sharing model.
Purslow notes that Posh Outdoors, which is currently seeking investors, gives park owners/developers the chance to place Posh Outdoors' cabins at their park without the huge upfront costs of purchasing the units. Park owners then sign a profit-share agreement with Posh Outdoors that will allow both businesses to make money from the units. Puslow said the arrangement is great for parks that are looking for support when it comes to creating a glamping destination. During this episode, Purslow explores the impetus for creating Posh Outdoors, the details of how park owners/developers can take part and what the future holds for glamping.
To learn more, head to: https://posh.dealpage.io/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Benjamin Cohen and Andrew Garcia, co-founders of Outdoor Adventure Retreats, which just announced its fourth acquisition, Cotton Patch Landing in Chocowinity, S.C.
A newer brand, Cohen and Garcia explore why they decided to begin investing in RV resorts and the process they work through in acquiring locations. They talk about how their past ventures have equipped them to operate RV resorts, some of the challenges they have faced, how they are approaching future growth and if a new-build project could be in the works.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Abby Follansbee, the marketing manager of Camp Margaritaville Auburndale, about the park's development and transformation into a Camp Margaritaville destination.
Camp Margaritaville famously gets its branding from the well-known singer Jimmy Buffett, who recently passed away. Its resorts are tropical-themed and include a wide range of amenities. Follansbee explores what Camp Margaritaville Auburndale offers, how it caters to campers and why Camp Margaritaville is so popular.
On this week’s episode of Supplier Showcase, WCM highlights the growth of Hekipia America Inc. as it works to build and distribute PMRVs in North America. Originally from France, Louis Dupont, plant manager and engineer at Hekipia's new manufacturing facility in Whitehall, Pa., dives into the construction process for the company's "Roulotte" PMRV. He also discusses why the company decided to pursue the N. American market and what is ahead for Hekipia. To learn more about Hekipia, head to https://america.hekipia.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Christa Neundorfer, a part-owner and operator of Aspen Grove RV Park in Tremonton, Utah, along with her husband, Johnathan. She explores how their dream of sailing turned into an RV adventure that helped the couple fall in love with the RVing lifestyle.
Neundorfer also chats with WCM about the development of Aspen Grove, the though process behind the amenities it offers and what they plan to do with the park in the future.
Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Clint Bell, COO of KEI and his brother, Josh Bell, CFO of KEI, about the continued growth of the family-operated business that owns seven parks in the Kampgrounds of America Inc. system.
Both of the Bell brothers discuss how they tackle adding amenities to their parks, explore how they take care of their campers and highlight other industry trends that the company is staying on top of. With decades of experience in the outdoor hospitality industry, the Bells have a vast array of experience that they share with WCM viewers.
Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/.
This week's guest is Glampitect's founder Calum MacLeod. He joins us to talk about his journey from his first site on family land in 2018, to founding Glampitect, to the 59-unit megaproject he's building at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England.
Check out AvantGlamp: https://avantglamp.com/
Check out Glampitect North America's brand-new glamping startup here: https://posh.dealpage.io/
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
On this week's episode of Supplier Showcase, WCM highlights Colortime, a company that provides t-shirts, canvas bags and other products that campers can color.
Michael and Gail Plotnick, the owners of the company, chat about the products they offer park owners, including customized merchandise. They also dive into how park owners can sell these items in their stores and even host events at their park where campers can purchase and color products.
The Plotnick's also discuss changes to their website, how the business continues growing and more.
To learn more about Colortime, head to: https://colortime.com/pages/wholesale.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Dawn Watanabe, RV Life's new Director of Campground Partnerships, about her extensive background in the industry and how park owners can benefit from the exposure they receive on the RV Life platform.
Watanabe talks about the growth of the RV Life platform, some of the unique tools it offers, why platforms like this are important for park owners to take advantage of and more. She also discusses how industry trends and growth have given rise to more platforms like RV Life.
Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Cathy Reinard, an associate broker with Danielle Windus Cooke Properties and a park owner, about tips she has for aspiring and new park owners in the outdoor hospitality industry. With experience as both a Jellystone and KOA park operator, Reinard is well-known in the industry and is a go-to source for advice on how to effectively operate a park.
In this episode, Reinard offers practical advice on operations, employee issues, guest issues and more, as she also discusses the challenges she sees most park owners face and some of the mistakes she has seen other park owners make. Reinard also gives her perspective on the health of the industry and how franchise models fit into today's market.
Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/.
This week’s guest on WCM’s Supplier Showcase is Campground Support, a company that offers call center reservation support for RV parks and campgrounds.
WCM chats with Steven Kramer, Campground Support’s CEO, about the services it provides to park owner/operators, including a chance for parks to see an increase in reservations by providing “exceptional customer service.”
Kramer notes that the service can help seasonal parks during the off-season and even alleviate the number of phone calls a park’s staff has to deal with — freeing them up to tackle other things.
To learn more about Campground Support, head to: https://www.campgroundsupport.com/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Joey Locker, a developer who is building a new luxury motorcoach resort near Nashville, Tenn.
This episode explores why Locker decided to build the resort and the growing demand for luxury motorcoach resorts that sell lots, while also offering sites to transient campers. Locker explores the upscale amenities the resort will offer and also notes that he has a second location in the works.
Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/.
This week's guest is Irene Wood, owner of The Fields in South Haven, Mich. Irene has created a beautiful glamping site that offers unrivaled guest service.
Unlike many of our guests, her hospitality policy is for her and her staff to meet their guests several times throughout their stay. She talks us through the process of implementing this model, among many other discussion points.
Visit The Fields: https://www.thefieldsofmichigan.com/.
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with David Balser, the chief strategy officer at OHI (formerly the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds) and Jaqueline Gloria, OHI's vice president of operations, about the association's recent rebranding and the change to its membership options. Basler and Gloria speak on the reasoning behind the rebranding, how OHI is going to use the rebranding to hopefully grow its membership base and more. WCM also tackles questions about OHI's support of state associations and concerns that its new membership method may force competition between it and the state associations. *** Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Adam Lendi, the founder of Beyonder Holdings and Beyonder Camp, about the growth of its portfolio and the recent announcement of its Campground Catalyst platform.
Lendi explores how Campground Catalyst will offer park owners a supportive network, along with offering them access to expert tips and advice. Along with Campground Catalyst, Beyonder Camp had a big year in 2023, with the unveiling of a new park assessment tool, the addition of its seventh park to its portfolio, the unveiling of "Boomer," the system's mascot and more.
Lendi explores all of the activity surrounding the system and also offers some insights into what the system is planning for the future.
This week's guests are Carolyn and Rob Sourek from Columbia Gorge Getaways. They talk us through how they developed their 400-plus acre property, how they create a five-star experience without charging five-star prices, and the things they would do differently if they could do it all over again.
Visit Columbia Gorge Getaways: https://www.columbiagorgegetaways.com/
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Michael Moore, general manager of Texas Advertising, assistant executive director of the Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) and the Supplier Representative on the OHI Board of Directors. Moore shares details about the upcoming TACO conference that will run from April 25-26, which is set to include a large tradeshow and numerous educational opportunities. The show also dives into TACO's legislative work, trends in the industry and more. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Spot2Nite, chats with Greg Emmert, a founder and partner of Camp Strategy, a consulting firm focused on the outdoor hospitality industry. Emmert, a former park owner, partnered with Jeff Hoffman, an OHI board member and park owner, to create Camp Strategy as a way to help others realize their dream of operating a park. During this show, WCM discusses Emmert's path to consulting and the challenges that Camp Strategy sees when working with developers, or even current park owners. Camp Strategy also aims to help current park owners operate their parks more efficiently through financial analysis and operational guidance, notes Emmert, as he also discusses the industry in general. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week's episode is a winter glamping special! Our guests are Josh Turner and Jane Rushbridge, owners of Blackstrap Glamping Resort in Saskatoon, Canada. Temperatures reach minus 50 Celsius (minus 58 Fahrenheit) in that part of the world, so we dig deep into what it takes to operate a successful glamping business in the extreme winter.Other topics of conversation include working with government agencies, influencer marketing and what it's like to start a glamping business with your life partner.Check out Blackstrap Glamping Resort: https://blackstrapglampingresort.ca/Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, tackles the RV industry with Rick Kessler, a well-respected RV industry journalist and publisher of both RVBusiness and Woodall's Campground Magazine.
While the show has previously hosted individuals from the RV Industry Association, the RV Dealers Association and more, Kessler offers a unique perspective on the RV industry and gives insights into what people on the street are saying about the health of the industry. From shipment numbers to quality control issues, innovations in RV technology, dealer challenges and more, this is an episode that gives viewers some important takeaways on what to expect on the RV front in 2024. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week's guest is Paul Bosley, CEO of Business Finance Depot. Paul is an expert in all things glampground financing, and he walks us through the process of SBA loans, USDA loans and equipment financing.Check out Business Finance Depot: https://businessfinancedepot.com/. Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
It’s tax time and WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, takes a look at effective accounting strategies with Donna Bordeaux, CPA and founder of Campground Accounting. Bordeaux has years of experience working with park owners of all types of parks — big and small.During the show, she explores what park owners need to focus on as they keep track of their financial records, she discusses some of the challenges she has faced working with park owners and also highlights the importance of pre-planning when it comes to passing down a family business.To learn more about Campground Accounting, head to https://www.campgroundaccounting.com/. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
Today's guest is Blake Smith, founder of Walden Retreats in Texas. We spoke to him about how he raised the capital for his glamping project, the details of Walden Retreats' backend operations, and the partnership with Matthew McConaughey's bourbon brand that had a huge impact on his business.
Check out Walden Retreats: https://waldenretreats.com/.
Visit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.
***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, chats with Tim Rout, founder of AccessParks, and takes a look at how the company continues to grow since its inception in 2016. From a military career to advancements in broadband technology, Rout shares why he created AccessParks and how the company aims to help campers get better connectivity as they camp.Rout also explores what is coming down the pipeline when it comes to Wi-Fi technology, why campgrounds and RV parks offer unique challenges when it comes to delivering Wi-Fi and more.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week's guest is Irene Jones from Marshall Sterling Insurance. Irene specializes in ADA compliance, and she walks us through what the ADA is, what happens if your business doesn't comply and what you can do to ensure compliance.Check out Marshall Sterling: https://www.marshallsterling.com/specialties/campgrounds-rv-parksVisit Glampitect’s website at https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, chats with Joann DelVescio, the executive director of the New Jersey Campground Owners and Outdoor Lodging Association and organizer of the Mid-Atlantic Conference this upcoming Tuesday (Feb. 6).DelVescio chats about the upcoming conference (Feb. 19-21) being hosted in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. She highlights some of the key educational sessions, notes that over 40 vendors are expected to take part in the tradeshow and more. DelVescio also talks about the state of camping in the Garden State and highlights how key trends are impacting park owners.The show airs every Tuesday. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, chats with John Tuyo, Skyline Champion's newly-minted director of park models and cabins, about the health of the PMRV industry and the growth of the company's PMRV lines. He tells WCM that the company is bullish on its future as it continues to find ways to build more units, with new developments and expansion projects a big piece of the puzzle. He also discusses the challenges the industry faces and how the company plans to expand its already large footprint. To learn more about Champion PMRVs, head to: https://www.championhomes.com/park-model-rv***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
Today's guest is Jeroen van Rootselar, from AfriCamps. AfriCamps partners with South African landowners and provides them with tents and marketing support in return for a share of the glamping revenue. We talked to Jeroen about the Africamps experience, the pros and cons of the revenue share model and the mistakes he'd avoid making if he were to start again today.Visit AfriCamps: https://africamps.com/Take our "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment:https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/us
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, chats with Maris Brennan, membership director for the Michigan Association of RVs and Campgrounds (MARVAC), about the association’s upcoming Campground Vendor Showcase, which takes place a day before the kick-off to the 58th Annual Detroit RV and Camping Show on Jan. 30 from 2-6:30 p.m. at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.The event will include a chance for vendors to introduce their products and services to the more than 30 campground owners/operators who have signed up already.Brennan also dives into the Detroit show, how the outdoor hospitality industry is fairing in the Mitten State, how the association supports its members and more.
This week's guest is Bygnal Duston, founder of Open Sky in Zion. Open Sky is now a beautiful, successful glamping resort, but it wasn't always that way. Bygnal came across an incredible amount of obstacles on his journey, and he joins us to talk about how he navigated them.Visit Open Sky: https://www.stayopensky.com/Take the "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/us***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week, we interview Travis Berube of SomaBuild. He takes us through SomaBuild's five-step process to starting a glamping business, with a particular focus on choosing contractors and managing construction.Visit SomaBuild's website: https://www.somabuild.com/Take the "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/us
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, takes a look at Sunland RV Resorts with James Lim, senior vice president, and Olivia Devlin, corporate director of marketing, as WCM explores the growth of the company, the unique experiences it offers to campers and more.
With a robust pickleball program at some of its parks — including national tournaments, Sunland RV Resorts also connects its campers with renowned chefs and offers unique food experiences. Those programs and more are one of the reasons Sunland continues to see growth as it works to cater to a younger, more diverse camper base.
WCM also discusses the company’s growth plans and industry trends during the show.
To learn more, head to https://www.sunlandrvresorts.com/.
In the spirit of giving during the holidays, WCM's Park Update, sponsored by BookOutdoors, chats with Gwynn Sullivan, the executive director of Care Camps, about its mission to support oncology camps throughout North America.
She talks about the history of the charity, how it supports kids dealing with cancer and their families, how the need for support has grown, how park owners can host fundraisers to support Care Camps, and more.
Join WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, as the show takes a look at what is driving insurance costs up with Leah Bright, an agent with Leavitt Recreation and Hospitality Insurance.
Bright discusses how natural disasters and the current economic climate are impacting insurance rates, how park owners can mitigate larger insurance payments, what the future holds for the insurance market and more.
This week's guest on The Start A Glamping Business Podcast is one of the pioneers of the glamping industry. Meet Ruben Martinez, founder of Glamping Hub and the American Glamping Association, as well as media partner of the Glamping Show Americas.Ruben shares his wisdom from all three ventures, as well as common trends among successful glamping entrepreneurs and the rising stars to look out for in the industry.Check out the American Glamping Association: https://americanglampingassociation.net/Visit Glamping Hub: https://glampinghub.com/Check out Glamping Show Americas: https://www.glampingshow.us/Visit Sage Outdoor Advisory's website: https://sageoutdooradvisory.com/Take the "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/us***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Book Outdoors, chats with Kathleen Walsh, the founder and CEO of Advanced Outdoor Solutions, about the prevalence of third-party management and how rate control is key to ensuring a park is operating at its full capabilities.
Walsh discusses how she formed her company, how it has grown over the years, how she utilizes rate management to boost the parks she works with, trends in the industry and more. Walsh is a regular at industry events and is a well-known thought leader in the outdoor space.
To learn more, head to https://advanced-outdoor.biz/.
This week's guest is Tyler Watts, from Broad River Campground. Tyler has created a super-cool campground and RV park that includes geodesic domes, and it's gone spectacularly well since launch.
Listen for advice on combining all three of those elements, installing septic systems, hosting holiday events and more.
Visit Broad River Campground: https://broadrivercampgroundnc.com/.
Visit Glampitect North America's website: https://glampitect.com/us
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, chats with Pamela Wright, the founder of Focused on Management, about the growing need for third-party management services, how her company consults with developers and current park owners to improve their businesses and more. A former park manager and work camper herself, Wright discusses how those experiences have shaped how she approaches the consulting business.
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, chats with Charlie Boyne, the founder of Glamp Coach, about how he created a small park and then launched his consulting business to help other developers.
Boyne discusses the current development market, chats about his experience, trends in the industry and more.
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This week, we're joined by Nick Parker, a Loan Officer on the RV Park and Campground Lending Team at Live Oak Bank. We discuss the various ways of securing loans to fund your glamping development; the green and red flags he looks out for in a loan application; and much, much more!
Learn more at https://www.liveoakbank.com/
Visit Glampitect’s website https://glampitect.com/us and take the “Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?” assessment https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/.***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week on WCM's Supplier Showcase, sponsored by Everest Ice & Water Systems, WCM chats with Denyse Pontius, president of the company, about the variety of sanitation products the company offers to RVers. WCM also dives into how park owners can showcase these products in their campstores and the programs Century Chemical offers to park owners. To learn more about Century Chemical, head to https://www.centurychemical.com/***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, chats with Shannon Connolly about how a family RV trip inspired her and her husband to open Roamstead Smoky Mountains near the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. She highlights how the couple was able to purchase the land the park sits on, how they developed the park, their past careers and how it helped prepare them for park ownership, and more. ***Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox.https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
This week, we spoke to Chris Jeub, from Monument Glamping. Chris tells us how he went from schoolteacher to successful glamping operator, all while raising 16 (yes, that's 16) children!
Visit Glampitect's website: https://glampitect.com/us
Take our "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/
Check out Monument Glamping: https://monumentglamping.com/
Visit The Glamping Guy's website: https://glampingguy.com/
Patrick Hardy, the founder of Hytropy, a disaster management firm, joins WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, to chat about how park owners can prepare to tackle an emergency at their park. From wildfires to floods and even tornadoes, park owners must be prepared to handle any disaster and help their campers find shelter or evacuate. How do you prepare your employees? What are the steps employees should take if an emergency situation pops up? Those questions and more are answered in this episode. To learn more about Hytropy, head to www.reversedisaster.com.
This week, we interviewed Mike Paclik and Austen Trimble, from Lucky Arrow Retreat in Texas. Among other things, we discussed what it takes to run a glamping resort alongside an events business, and how Austen applied his knowledge of tech to the resort.
Check out Lucky Arrow Retreat: https://luckyarrowretreat.com/
WCM's Park Update chats with Graham Sowden, chief investment officer for RREAF Holdings, as it works to grow its portfolio, announcing earlier this year that it plans to spend nearly $1B to acquire and develop parks. With five parks already under its ownership and more in development, Sowden told WCM that the asset class is alive and well and that RREAF feels like it has the tools to succeed.
This week Glampitect was joined by Amanda Jensen, from Sanctuary Treehouse Resort in Sevierville, Tenn. The show discusses how she and her husband have built the world's first interactive treehouse resort, and how they plan to become the world's largest treehouse resort.Visit Glampitect's website: https://glampitect.com/us toTake its "Do You Have What it Takes to Start a Glamping Business?" assessment: https://glampitect-na.scoreapp.com/Check out Sanctuary Treehouse Resort: https://www.treehouseresort.com/
Moe Kruger, vice president of RV park financing at Live Oak Bank, chats about the lending market and how developers and potential park owners can put themselves in a better position to secure financing.
Kruger also looks at the current economic situation, the health of lending in the outdoor hospitality industry and what he anticipates in the years ahead.
DISCLAIMER: Portions of audio have been lost towards the end of the interview.
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We talked with Gene Eidelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, which is reshaping the way they build homes by bringing 3D printing technology, modular construction and recycled materials together to create truly sustainable living in a modern and beautiful design. Gene talks about the Azure Sky Backyard Studio which is the perfect extra space to step into that adds value to both your home and life.
This interview was live from the fairgrounds of the 2023 Glamping Show Americas in Aurora, Colorado.
Learn more about Azure Printed Homes here:https://www.azureprintedhomes.com/
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WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, invites David Basler, Chief Strategy Officer at the National Association of RV Parks and Campground, too the show to chat about the upcoming Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo in Kansas City.
He discusses the growth of the show, exciting events that are going to be taking place in Kansas City, new expo features, including more accommodation units to tour than ever before and more. You can learn more about OHCE at arvc.org/ohce.
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WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, brings on Kama Humphrey, KOA’s director of training and events, to chat about its upcoming International Convention which is set to be held in Las Vegas this November.
Humphrey offers up some details on unique events that the convention will be hosting, along with details on educational sessions, the convention's keynote speaker and more. After having to cancel their Las Vegas convention in 2020, KOA is excited for whats in store at this year's event.
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WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, chats with Mary Arlington the executive director of three state associations — Colorado, South Dakota and Kansas — about the recent efforts in Colorado to designate parks with 5 or more mobile homes on their property as mobile home parks. WCM chats about the impact this could have on parks in state, what this move could signify for the rest of the outdoor hospitality industry and more.
Arlington also discusses the housing issue and how park owners should prepare to tackle key issues in their legislatures.
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Lori Severson & Danielle Todd join WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, to chat about the third annual Campground Owners Expo which takes place at the end of November. Both Severson and Todd walk through the highlights of the conference and some of the unique activities attendees can take part in.
They also talk about how the conference continues to grow, why the conference was formed and how it helps park owners and smaller state associations.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, sponsored by Everest Ice & Water Systems, we chat about the opportunities available for supplier partners to get in front of park owners and how park owners can get a look at products and suppliers as we head into the off-season.
This video series is hosted by WCM’s Digital Media Coordinator Alex Burkett. It focuses on industry vendors by providing both business and product updates. Industry vendors interested in highlighting their products can contact Alex Burkett at aburkett@rvbusiness.com for more information.
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WCM is excited to once again be attending the Glamping Show Americas and David Korse, the show's organizer, joins WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Newbook, to give us all the details on this year's show — which promises to be bigger and better than ever.
With over 140 confirmed vendors, speakers with decades of experience in the industry and a great chance to walk through dozens of accommodation units, the Glamping Show Americas — from Oct. 3-4 — is going to be bustling.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, sponsored by Everest Ice & Water Systems, we chat with Mark Koep, founder and CEO of the Campground Views, about how the company was founded, what goes into creating a virtual tour, and the benefits it can provide parks.
WCM also asked Mark about their new unique, hand-drawn map integration that visitors can access to get an in-depth view of their desired site.
To learn more about the Campground Views, click here: https://www.https://campgroundviews.com/omg/. To view the Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park map integration, click here: https://idahofallsluxuryrvpark.com/
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Geoff Baekey, managing director of CMH Government Services, joins the show to chat about public sector parks and how funding and current trends are leading to more projects at publicly-managed parks. He highlights trends and notes the importance of public/private partnerships.
Baekey also discusses reservation system issues, whether public parks are keen to expand and add more sites, challenges that public parks face and more.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, sponsored by Everest Ice & Water Systems, we chat with Murray Kramer, owner of the Murble Game, a game loosely based on the ancient European game called Bocce. “Murbles” (Murray’s marbles) however, are sized right, lighter, more dynamic, exciting, and made for the whole family to play.
WCM also asked Murray about the rules of the game, recreation possibilities, how to generate revenue in camp stores, and how to drive more reservations through in-park tournaments.
To learn more about the Murble Game, click here: https://www.murblegame.com/.COUPON: "WALMG15" for 15% OFF!
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WCM's Park Update welcomes Nick Purslow, managing director of Glampitect USA, to its show to chat about how glamping continues to grow in North America and different challenges the market faces.
A new resident of Edmington, Purslow hails from the UK and notes the differences between the glamping market in North America and the already fully developed market in Europe. He also discusses zoning challenges and offers key advice to glamping park developers and entrepreneurs.
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Brad Ritter, The Comms Coach, joins the show to chat about public relations, the good and the bad, and how park owners should prepare for when reporters come knocking. From social media, to local news sources and beyond, everything is visible now and how park owners manage their park's public persona is key to the success of their park.
We chat about pre-planning, run through various scenarios and chat about how park owners can utilize the local media to spread the word about things going on at their parks. To learn more, head to https://thecommscoach.tv/.
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WCM's Park Update chats with Jeff Cavins, the CEO and co-founder of Outdoorsy, about the company's recent announcement of a fund to help individuals start glamping businesses. H goes through the ins and outs of the new fund and how the company hopes it will stir more individuals to create glamping spaces.
Cavins details the company's move into park ownership and the development of the company's first glamping park in Texas. He highlights the fact that the company has the goal of owning more than 500 parks. Cavins also discusses the RV rental market, Outdoorsy's holistic approach to serving the outdoor hospitality industry and more.
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WCM's Park Update chats with Michael Moore, the past president of CAMP and the supplier representative on the National ARVC board about trends impacting state campground associations, including membership trends, trends impacting members and the influx of new park owners.
He also discusses how park owners are fairing in 2023 and notes that park owners need to find ways to differentiate themselves to keep campers coming back.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, we chat with Donna Bordeaux, co-owner and founder of Campground Accounting, an industry-specific service provider, about its services and what makes Campground Accounting different.
WCM also asked Donna about the difference between QuickBooks and a dedicated professional, when to make the switch and the kickoff process.
To learn more about Campground Accounting, click here: https://campgroundaccounting.com/. Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox: https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
WCM's Park Update invites back Mark Koep, CEO and founder of Campground Views, to give us an update on the progress of the company's Virtual Tours and how it has helped to grow the company.
Koep also chats about issues facing park owners, the emergence of AI, things park owners should look out for and how the industry is going to fare in the near future.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, we chat with Bailey Hutchence, co-founder of Cedar Bound, a glamping cabin provider, about its two types of glamping units including their newest unit called 'The Tent'.
WCM also asked Bailey about their recent projects, the materials they use, the construction method, and the process for someone once they receive a cabin kit.
To learn more about Cedar Bound, click here: https://www.cedarbound.com/
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WCM's Park Update welcomes Ali and Eric Rasmussen, the founders of Spacious Skies Campgrounds, to chat about the health of its 15-park system as the 2023 summer camping season reaches its midway point.
The Rasmussens note that each of its parks is doing well in 2023, with campers even showing up in wet weather. They also chat about future plans for the system, including the potential for ground-up developments and franchising. A westward push may even be in the future picture.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, we chat with Tim Rout, CEO at Access Parks, a broadband WiFi provider, about its company's history and how they charge for services with their guarantee of service.
WCM also asked Tim about how rural communities and parks are finding better access to Wi-Fi as well as how to build a better broadband system.
To learn more about Access Parks, click here: https://accessparks.com/
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KOA's Chief Operations Officer Darin Uselman joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the recent growth of Kampgrounds of America's corporate portfolio and the continued interest in new developments.
Uselman also highlights the importance of a healthy corporate portfolio, the strength of the franchise market, financing and development trends in the current economy and more. He also highlights some new features and site types at KOA parks and how the system continues to innovate.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, we chat with Rodrigo Ricaud, sales and marketing manager at Moskinto, a provider of skin-friendly solutions, about its line of insect repellant and itch-relief patches.
WCM also asked Rodrigo about the company's wholesale products and line of retail products, along with how campgrounds can use their products to drive additional revenue.
To learn more about Moskinto, click here: https://moskintousa.com/
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Jason Vaughan, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association (PCOA) joins WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Bushtec Safari, to chat about the status of the outdoor hospitality industry in the Keystone State.
Vaughan covers some of the key issues facing park owners in his state, highlights trends, notes parks are still seeing a ton of campers and discusses new developments and expansions.
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This week on our Supplier Showcase, we chat with Casey Cochran, VP of sales and business development at Campspot, a provider of campground reservation software, about its new features like guest self-service and two-way text with SimpleTexting.
WCM also asked Casey about the company's expanded support to 24/7 operations during the summer season, SOC 2 Certification and how parks on Campspot are fairing on advance reservations and nightly occupancy.
To learn more about Campspot, click here: https://software.campspot.com/
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Fresh off a visit to Washington D.C., Matt Rose, from the Indiana Campground Owners Association (ICOA), stops by WCM’s Park Update, sponsored by Bushtec Safari, to give an update on legislative efforts at both the state and national levels.
He notes that during his visit to D.C. he spoke with elected officials on repealing the Death Tax, creating funding that private parks can have access to as the nation looks to build out its EV charging network and more.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Justin Sharp, Lead User Experience Architect at CampLife, a provider of campground reservation software, about their streamlined event management and activities feature.
WCM also asked Justin about the continual feature upgrades and improvements the software is making to meet park demands as well as what's next on the horizon.
To learn more, click here: https://getcamplife.com/
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Sean Vidrine, CEO of Four Points RV Resorts, chats with WCM's Park Update about the creation of the company and its recent growth trend. He highlights the types of parks the group owns, including multiple Jellystone Parks, and what the group looks for when acquiring parks.
Vidrine also discusses industry-wide issues, including his recent venture to Washington D.C. as part of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds' Advocacy Day.
To learn more about Four Points RV Resorts, go to https://fourpointsrvresorts.com/.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Brad Doherty, Enterprise Business Consultant at TPx Communications, an internet, cybersecurity, and communication company, about their service offerings and what parks aren't paying enough attention to in cybersecurity that could impact them over time.
WCM also asked Brad about how park owners can protect themselves, protect their customers, and find easy solutions to implement during the season.
To learn more, click here: https://www.tpx.com.
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This week, WCM's Park Update, sponsored by Bushtec Safari USA, focuses on the RV industry with guest Monika Geraci, spokesperson for the RV Industry Association (RVIA), on the show to highlight the marketing efforts of GO RVing and trends in RV ownership.
WCM's Park Update also spoke to Geraci about recent RV shipment numbers and how inflation and current economic conditions are impacting consumers and RV dealers.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Joel Holland, founder and CEO of CampersCard, a new discount member program in the camping industry, about their program offering and how parks can use it to expand their reach and their campground to over 800k avid campers.
WCM also asked Joel about the discounts and partner brands included in consumer memberships and the ease of use to set up and list your campground on the platform.
To learn more about CampersCard and sign up your campground, click here: https://www.camperscard.com/list-a-campground
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This week on WCM's Park Update Cara Csizmadia, the newly minted president of the Canadian Camping and RV Council, catches up with WCM about her new role with the association and on the advocacy work the association has been focused on in 2023.
From campground expansion issues, small business tax reform, electric vehicle concerns and more, Csizmadia gives WCM's Park Update a great look at how park owners are fairing amid a continued surge in RVing. She also talks about her background as a park owner and how the industry has impacted her life.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with TJ Ammond, CEO and co-owner of Campsite360, a provider of immersive virtual tours for businesses in the outdoor hospitality industry, about their 360 virtual tour product and interactive campground maps, their newest product offering.
WCM also asked TJ about how their service can elevate the guest experience and improve marketing moving forward using features like Google Street View.
To learn more about Campsite360 and see examples of their virtual tours, click here: https://campsite360.com/
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This week on WCM's Park Update, we chat with Scott McGee, vice president of operations for Roberts Resorts on the development of their Village Camp brand and the growth it has seen over the past few years.
McGee spoke about new developments that the company is working on, expansion plans for the future, the type of resorts that the company likes to create and how long-term campers are a key component, plus much more.
This episode is sponsored by Bushtec Safari Tents. Learn more about Bushtec here: https://bushtecsafari.com/
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Terry Broussard, CEO and co-founder of Spot2Nite, an online travel agency in the campground industry, about its process to sign-up more parks, book more site nights, and their consumer marketing to continue attracting more campers.
WCM also asked Terry about how their service is different than traditional travel OTAs in the hotel space like AirBnB or Expedia and he previewed their tenth park management system (PMS) integration.
To learn more about Spot2Nite and list your campground, click here: https://partners.spot2nite.com/
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This week on WCM's Park Update the show sits down with Phil Ticknor, founder of the Jellyheads Community, which connects Jellystone Park campers, to chat about the rapid growth of the community and its relationship with Camp Jellystone. He speaks about the impetus for forming the community, what its mission is, how it works with Jellystone Parks, trends and issues that community is talking about and more.
Check out the Jellyheads Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jellyheads
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Roxi Baxley, owner of Strait Web Solutions, about its marketing services and available service offerings. WCM also asked Roxi about how to improve your park this season with blog posting and search traffic and new product innovations in the marketing space.
To learn more about Strait Web Solutions' marketing services, visit https://straitwebsolutions.com/
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WCM's Park Update spoke with Tyler Watts, from Student Rental Investments, about its new development Broad River Campground in Mooresboro, N.C., an 82-acre park that was carved out of hunting land. He spoke about some of the challenges that the company worked through as they developed the park, the decision-making process on what to offer at the park, why they went with domes and hot tubs, and more.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Ryan Houchens, vice president of sales and marketing at Cold River Mining, about its product mix and newer offerings like the Elemental series and gemstone trees.
WCM also asked Ryan about how to improve add-on revenue at your park and what you can do to quickly get products so you can start selling.
To learn more about Cold River Mining's offerings, visit https://coldrivermining.com/
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Jeremy and Stephanie Puglisi, the hosts of The RV Atlas podcast, give WCM's Park Update a look at what they are hearing from RVers as the 2023 season gets underway. The show takes a look at RV repair issues, overcrowding and campsite pricing.
The Puglisi's note their concerns about campsite pricing as prices for sites have increased over the last several years, highlighting the need for resorts to offer "resort-level" service and more. Plus, Ben Quiggle, co-host of the show, admits that he tent camps and has never camped at a private park.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Tommy Woog, CEO and owner of Water Wars, about their water attractions and availability of portable and stationary products. We asked Tommy about how to grow ancillary revenue and improve the guest experience by adding attractions likethe ultimate water balloon game to your park.
To learn more about Water Wars' products, visit https://waterwars.com/
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Scott Bahr, president of Cairn Consulting Group, chats with WCM’s Park Update about the recently released 2023 North American Camping& Outdoor Hospitality Report, which the Cairn Consulting Group compiles data for.
In its ninth year, the annual report has become a staple for outdoor hospitality professionals looking for data on recent trends and camping behavior. Bahr speaks on some of the key takeaways from the report, highlights emerging trends and notes some surprising facts during this show.
Get the report here: https://woodallscm.com/koa-releases-23-report-58m-housholds-camped-in-22/
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Steve Dunn, president of Purifyd Systems, about its sanitation system and how to implement it at your park. We asked Steve about how to combat housekeeping staff issues and improve the guest experience in cabins and rental units. To learn more about Purifyd's products, visit https://purifydsystems.com/resort-benefits-2023.
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Rob Schutter, Camp Jellystone's president, joins WCM's Park Update to talk about the health of the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort franchise system and its continued plans for growth.
The system is currently working on a number of new development projects, as well as focusing on introducing more single-park owners to the franchise system too. Schutter speaks on the process of transitioning to be a Jellystone, offers some insights into the health of campstore sales and merchandising, speaks about challenges the system is facing, and more.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Peter Rodriquez, President of Land Betterment, the parent company of Ekō Solutions, about their Gateway Park Model RV, which is built from repurposed shipping containers. We asked Peter about the unit's unique features and the response they've seen in the market since launch. To learn more about their products, visit https://www.ekosolutionsllc.com/eko-commercial
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Lloyd Lauland joins WCM's Park Update to give the show a look at the growth of RVC Outdoor Destinations as it continues to develop new parks. The company is planning to open a Sandusky, Ohio location next year and Lauland chats about the development of that park, other projects in the pipeline, how the company is preparing for eclipse traffic and more.
To learn more about RVC Outdoor Destinations, please visit: https://rvcoutdoors.com/
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Michael Nissley, the national director at Colliers' Manufactured Housing & RV Group (MHRV), about the current state of the real estate market, how interest rates are affecting sellers, and its available real estate services. To learn more, head to https://www.colliers.com/en/services/manufactured-housing
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David Basler, chief strategy officer at the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC), joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the association's recent release of its 2023 Outlook Report, which offers insights into park ownership trends and the overall health of the industry.
During the show, Basler highlights trends in corporate ownership of parks, offers insights into what park owners are investing in, chats about challenges the industry faces and more.
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This week, WCM’s Park Update: Supplier Showcase chats with Bobby Sorden, senior marketing manager with Firefly Reservations, about its campground reservation software, how the company is upgrading its features and the costs associated with the service. Firefly Reservations software is a system designed by campground owners for campground owners. To learn more, head to https://fireflyreservations.com/.
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Glenna Hecht, founder of Humanistic Consulting and an HR Guru, joins WCM’s Park Update at 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday (April 11) to chat about challenges when it comes to hiring people in today’s economy.
Hecht is a popular speaker at Kampgrounds of America Inc.’s (KOA) annual conference and speaks during the show about how park owners can find employees and some of the tools they can use to keep employees — whether they operate a seasonal business or not — train employees and more.
Learn more about Humanistic Consulting and connect with Glenna here: https://glennahecht.com/humanisticconsulting-outsourced-hr-services/
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Let's talk with Dennis Steinman, founder and CEO, of Plainscraft Covered Wagons about products and pricing and what park owners can expect for the quality of the units. Their covered wagons are available as basic glamping units, fully-furnished luxury camping experiences, or anything in between.Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox: https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
Amy Wirtz, a senior consultant with The Family Business Consulting Group, joins WCM's Park Update to chat about family planning and how park owners can better prepare to pass their parks down to children or other family members when the time comes.She speaks on the difficulties that park owners face when it comes to passing their parks down, especially given the higher valuations of parks in today's market. Wirtz also speaks on the issue of working with other family members and how park owners can structure their businesses depending on the type of involvement family members want.Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
Let's talk with Barry Sendach from Domespaces, a unique outdoor structure brand that provides every kind of dome possible. We'll talk about their products and price points and a look at the business over the next year.Subscribe for free to receive the latest news and information delivered daily to your inbox. https://woodallscm.com/subscribe/
Louis Thompson, the founder, and CEO of Nomadic Resorts, is set to join WCM's Park Update to chat about the growth of his company and trends in the glamping industry.
Nomadic Resorts is an experiential firm that has helped develop glamping parks in exotic locations around the globe. Thompson offers a wealth of knowledge in park design and chats about the firm's mission and how glamping continues to evolve. He also discusses moves the company is making to get more involved in the North American market.
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Mike Harrison, COO of CRR: A Lifestyle Company, and Erin Forrest, director of sales and marketing at CRR, join WCM's Park Update to chat about the growth of CRR, the formation of the company's park management division, it's adaption of new technology like AI and more.
Learn more about CRR Lifestyle here: https://crrlifestyle.com/
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Let's talk with Dan Smucker from Lancaster Log Cabins straight from the production facility to talk about their new products and production schedule for the upcoming year.
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Tim Murphy, the owner of Emberglow Outdoor Resort in Mill Spring, N.C., joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the growth of the park, his path to park ownership, some of the lessons he has learned along the way, and more.
Learn more about Emberglow Outdoor Resort here: https://emberglowoutdoorresort.com/
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Let's talk with John Gibson and Garrett Walker from Secret Creek, makers of Colorado Yurts, Earthworks Tipis, and Destination Tents. We'll hear about their pricing and timeline to purchase products as well as a look at their product offerings.
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Paul Bosley, the founder, and CEO of the Business Finance Depot joins WCM's Park Update to chat about how current economic trends are impacting the loan market, the types of loans individuals are seeking, the loan process, and more.
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Marcia Neese, co-owner of the RiverWalk RV Park on the Yadkin River in N.C. joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the development of the park, how the family's experience RVing helped shape the design of the park, trends they are noticing at the park and more.
Learn more about River Walk RV Park here: https://riverwalkrv.com
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Diego Michelato & Patrick Israel join WCM's Park Update to discuss the growth of Ginast Outdoor Wellness and its lineup of outdoor fitness equipment. Both guests talk about the demand for more recreational products at parks and also discuss what the future holds for the company as it continues to focus on the outdoor hospitality industry.
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Adelle Rodriguez, senior director of marketing, and Kaelyn Beckman, marketing manager, for RMS North America join WCM's Park Update to chat about RMS' recent 2023 State of the Industry Report. An annual report, it highlights trends in how the Millenial and Gen Z generations approach camping.
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Travis John, the founder of CampersDAO, joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the blend of technology and the outdoor hospitality industry as he works to buy a park through a blockchain method. The unique method will initially offer 10,000 memberships beginning on Earth Day (April 22) that will help fund the purchase of an RV park.
During the show, John talks about the blockchain method, how the purchase and operation of the park will be conducted in a democratized blockchain where investors get voting rights on decisions, what the value is to members, how CampersDAO plans to scale this model, and much more.
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Sarah Smith, co-founder of The Dyrt, and her husband, Kevin Long, CEO of The Dyrt, join WCM's Park Update to dive into the company's recently released 2023 Camping Report. They note that finding a campsite is still difficult for campers, highlight campsite rate trends and demographic changes, and more.
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Cara Csizmadia, the membership coordinator for the Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC), joins WCM's Park Update to talk about the association's upcoming virtual conference and some of the highlights that attendees can expect. She also dives into the health of the outdoor hospitality industry in Canada and some of the trends park owners are noticing coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Mike and Melissa Crowe join WCM's Park Update to chat about the progress of their new venture, Mitten Getaways Glamping Co. Currently, the couple is looking for a piece of land to purchase with the idea of building a small, tranquil glamping park in northeastern Michigan.
The Crowes talk about some of the challenges they have faced while trying to find a piece of land that fits their vision, the ideas they have on what the park will provide, the steps they have taken to educate themselves about the industry, and more.
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Joel Holland, founder, and CEO of Harvest Hosts and the new program CampersCard, joins WCM's Park Update to chat about how CampersCard benefits park owners and how the program is a natural extension of the work Harvest Hosts does to work with park owners.
Holland also discusses the recent issue Harvest Hosts dealt with in California when one county went after several Harvest Hosts sites and the work the company does to ensure they stay on the right side of local laws.
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Mark Koep, the founder and CEO of Campground Views, joins the show to chat about the health of the industry, how national conferences fared this past fall, trends for the year ahead, and more. A well-known figure in the outdoor hospitality industry, Koep is always full of valuable insights.
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Zach Stoltenberg, from Clockwork, an architectural firm, joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the work the company has been doing on new development and expansion projects. He talks about some of the keys to designing a park the right way and what developers should be considering as they build out a park.
He also discusses current industry trends and other topics.
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Nick Purslow, the regional chief executive officer of Glampitect, joins WCM's Park Update to discuss the growth of Glampitect, the services it provides to park developers and owners, and about the expansion of glamping in North America.
Purslow also talks about the differences in glamping between the UK and North America, and on some of the challenges that park developers face as they look to build a glamping park. Enjoy the show!
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Rue Mapp the founder of Outdoor Afro to discuss the organizations efforts to provide access to the Outdoors to underserved groups. She talks about the success and growth of her organization and the overall growth of more diverse populations taking part of RVing and camping. Enjoy the show!
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Danielle Todd & Lori Severson, organizers of the Campground Owners Expo, along with Dennis Steinman, founder of Plainscraft Covered Wagons, join WCM's Park Update to talk about the upcoming Campground Owners Expo in Branson, Mo.
Severson and Todd both note that they are expecting an even larger show than last year, along with more experiential opportunities and educational sessions. Steinman highlights the expo portion of the show, which is expected to be even larger this year.
Toby O’Rourke, the CEO and president of Kampgrounds of America Inc. (KOA) joins WCM’s Park Update to talk about the tremendous growth of the company — over 300% since 2011 — and the health of the industry as KOA continues to aggressively expand.
O’Rourke discusses KOA’s new headquarters which are being built in Billings, Mont.; how competition has impacted its ability to acquire parks; the company’s decision to build more parks; its expansion of the Terramor brand; how KOA is encouraging its parks to add EV chargers and more. Enjoy the show!
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Adam Lendi, co-founder of Happy Camper Capital, joins WCM's Park Update to chat about the growth of the company's portfolio — which now includes 4 parks. Happy Camper recently started fundraising for investment in a $25 million fund that Lendi says will allow the company to add 6-10 more parks.
During the show, Lendi talks about the health of the industry, the types of acquisitions the company looks for, how the company attracts and works with investors and more. Enjoy the show!
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Kama Humphrey, KOA’s director of training and events, joins WCM's Park Update to discuss the franchise system's upcoming convention in Orlando, Fla., from Nov. 14-17. Humphrey notes that the conference will feature a variety of educational sessions, an IdeaXchange, a large expo and some exciting entertainment options. Enjoy the show!
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David Basler, vice president of membership and marketing at the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (National ARVC), and Susan Motley, Nat. ARVC’s senior director of education and events, join WCM’s Park Update to discuss Nat. ARVC’s upcoming Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) taking place from Nov. 7-10 in Orlando, Florida. Enjoy the show!
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Nearly a year after being acquired by Sun Outdoors, Camp Jellystone is ready to gather its franchisees at the Embassy Suites Hotel and the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston, S.C., from Nov. 6-9. Marley Behnke, Camp Jellystone’s director of franchise education, joins WCM’s Park Update to give a preview of the conference and what attendees can expect.
Behnke focuses on the number of educational sessions the conference will be hosting, previews the keynote speaker, Jessie Cole, the founder of the Savannah Bananas, a minor league baseball team, and highlights the more than 100 vendors that are expected to take part in the symposium’s expo. Enjoy the show!
Learn more about Symposium here: https://website.eventpower.com/22LSYS-ANNUAL and email Dan Wolford for vendor information and questions: dwolford@campjellystone.com
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Go RVing is celebrating 25 years in 2022 and WCM’s Park Update caught up with Sarah Neely, senior manager of strategic marketing at Go RVing, and Courtney Bias, director of strategic marketing at Go RVing, to celebrate the milestone and get an update on what the organization has been working on and what it is focused on for the future.
The marketing arm of the RV Industry Association, Go RVing is responsible for creating some iconic marketing campaigns and is now utilizing influencers to really boost the RV industry and the outdoor hospitality industry to new heights. Enjoy the show!
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