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MC Fireside ChatsOutdoor Hospitality News/Commentary for Campground, RV park, and Glamping business owners Author: Modern Campground LLC
Join Brian Searl as we discuss important topics and recent news from the outdoor hospitality industry. Our weekly episodes will feature guests ranging from campground owners to companies that provide products/services, and much more. Language: en Genres: Business, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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MC Fireside Chats - August 13th, 2025
Wednesday, 13 August, 2025
In the recent episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl, kicked off with a slightly chaotic but charming start as Searl navigated a remote studio setup. He introduced the diverse panel of guests, including returning speakers Zach Stoltenberg and Scott Foos, new recurring guest Jayne Cohen, and special guests Brian and Ann Konradi. A late but welcome addition to the chat was Casey Cochran from Campspot. A running joke about the exclusivity of their outdoor hospitality businesses set a friendly, casual tone for the conversation.The special guests, Brian and Ann Konradi, owners of The Yurtopian, shared the origin story of their two glamping properties in Central Texas. They explained how they began with six Mongolian yurts in 2019 and have since expanded to a second location, running a total of 16 rental yurts and four for personal use. They highlighted the unique, hand-crafted nature of their yurts, which are imported from Mongolia through a company called Groovy Yurts. The conversation delved into the engineering and insulating properties of the traditional Mongolian design, which uses hand-stripped wood and sheep's wool, making them both beautiful and comfortable in any climate.Zach Stoltenberg, an associate principal for architecture at LJA, expressed his fascination with the Konradi's yurts. He emphasized the importance of experience over just accommodation, a recurring theme of the chat. The unique story and cultural connection behind The Yurtopian's structures, he argued, is what truly creates a memorable stay for guests. He also noted a growing trend among major hotel brands like Marriott and Hilton to partner with outdoor hospitality companies like AutoCamp and Under Canvas, a move he believes is driven by consumers' desire for unique experiences and the ability to use their brand loyalty points.Scott Foos, a managing partner with Horizon Outdoor Hospitality, added to this point, noting that glamping and traditional RV resorts appeal to very different guests. He and Jayne Cohen of the Campground Consulting Group both stressed the importance of properties understanding and catering to their specific target market. Jayne gave the example of the Dripping Springs area, which is known for weddings, suggesting that a couples-focused glamping spot like The Yurtopian could be as successful there as a family-centric destination like a Jellystone Park. She also shared her own concerns that an over-reliance on technology and automation could detract from the "human touch" that is essential to the hospitality business.The conversation then shifted to the topic of customer loyalty. Brian and Ann Konradi explained that their guests are typically couples celebrating special occasions and that a significant portion of their business comes from repeat customers. They employ a simple loyalty strategy by offering a discount code on their digital guidebook for guests to use on their next booking. They also shared a heartwarming story of a couple who got engaged at their property and wrote about it in the guest book, a personal touch that both Brian and Ann cherish.Casey Cochran from Campspot, the property management software company, addressed the potential for a loyalty program within their platform. He explained that Campspot is currently exploring a loyalty program for 2026, but they are cautious about creating one that would compete with parks for direct bookings. He highlighted the importance of their platform in expanding a park's audience by helping new guests discover properties. Casey also brought up Campspot's dashboard tool, which helps parks understand where their guests are coming from and how much they spend, providing valuable insights for targeted marketing.The discussion circled back to the importance of the return on experience (ROX), a concept Zach introduced from an article by Jeremy Wells with Longitude. This idea, which Scott also contributed to, is an emotional ROI...
