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MC Fireside Chats, an Outdoor Hospitality PodcastOutdoor 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 - January 21st, 2026
Wednesday, 21 January, 2026
On the January 21st, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl gathered a robust panel of industry experts to navigate the evolving landscape of outdoor hospitality. Despite some initial technical difficulties with the studio setup, the group quickly settled into a dynamic conversation regarding the year ahead. The panel included recurring guests Jeff Hoffman, Board Member at OHI , Robert Preston, CEO and Founder of Unhitched RV , Sandy Ellingson, an RV Industry Advisor , and Mike Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at CRR Hospitality. Joining the recurring lineup were special guests Mike Yasieniuk, CEO and Founder of Let’s Camp, and Anjali Harvie, Vice President of Daiva RV Resorts.The conversation opened with a retrospective on the recent Tampa RV show. Sandy Ellingson provided an on-the-ground perspective, noting that crowds were larger than anticipated and there was a general sentiment that 2026 would show improvement over the previous year. However, Mike Harrison offered a counter-perspective based on broader hospitality trends, expressing caution regarding occupancy rates. He noted that the hotel industry had seen consecutive months of decline and emphasized that the outdoor sector must still absorb the new supply of inventory built over the last few years, suggesting a year of caution rather than unbridled optimism.Jeff Hoffman weighed in on the changing behaviors of guests, specifically regarding booking windows. He suggested that while some might view current delayed bookings as a negative trend, it may actually represent a return to normalization compared to the post-pandemic boom where sites were booked a year in advance. Sandy Ellingson added a critical nuance to this observation, urging the industry to view guests as "travelers" rather than just "campers." She argued that the proliferation of accommodation options—such as glamping units, cabins, and tiny homes—gives travelers more flexibility, allowing them to delay booking decisions because they are no longer solely dependent on securing a specific RV site.A significant portion of the dialogue was dedicated to the state of industry associations. Robert Preston highlighted the friction that often exists between state and national organizations, attributing some of the difficulty to the dual nature of the industry as both a real estate and a hospitality business. He noted that real estate challenges are often hyper-local, making them difficult to solve at a national level. Jeff Hoffman, drawing on his leadership experience, proposed that the solution lies in better communication, specifically through quarterly reporting and shared educational initiatives that demonstrate a clear return on investment for members of both state and national bodies.Building on the topic of associations, Mike Harrison emphasized the critical role of advocacy. He cited the Credit Card Competition Act as a prime example of legislation that requires the leverage of national associations combined with the grassroots pressure of local park owners. Harrison argued that alignment across the fragmented industry landscape—including OHI, RVIA, and state groups—is essential for financial wins that roll down to the bottom line of every operator. He expressed hope that as institutional investors continue to enter the space, the industry will naturally move toward better consolidation and professionalization.Special guest Anjali Harvie introduced the panel to Daiva RV Resorts, formerly Roots RV, a family-run business based in Ontario, Canada, that has recently expanded to 18 parks. Harvie shared her unique background of growing up in the industry and discussed the recent rebranding effort. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a family-centric culture even while scaling up operations. Unlike top-heavy corporate structures where employees feel like numbers, Harvie explained that Daiva relies on onsite managers—often couples and families—who are...
