MC Fireside Chats – November 6th, 2024

MC Fireside Chats

In this episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl led a live discussion from the Outdoor Hospitality Conference and Expo (OHCE) with several prominent voices in the industry, including Scott Knepp, Greg Emmert, Melissa Cummings, Ashley Migliaccio, David Basler, Steven Marks, and Hugh Mickel. The session provided a space for these industry experts to share insights on networking, business strategies, and innovations in outdoor hospitality. Brian began the discussion by emphasizing the expo’s value as a platform for campground owners to connect with vendors and gain insights. Scott Knepp, Director of Growth and Development at CRR Hospitality, noted the familiar faces he saw each year, describing OHCE as a “homecoming” that deepened industry connections. For him, the conference was an opportunity to discuss strategies and challenges with a supportive community. Greg Emmert, co-founder of Camp Strategy, observed that this year’s focus on experiential offerings marked a shift in the industry. More owners and operators were looking to create unique guest experiences rather than simply providing basic amenities. He saw this as a powerful way to differentiate parks and noted that the trend was gaining momentum among attendees. David Basler, Chief Strategy Officer at OHI, shared strategic changes to OHCE, including adjustments to the expo layout. The new structure allowed attendees to transition between educational sessions and the expo floor, reducing the pressure to rush and facilitating more in-depth conversations. He also highlighted the Hosted Buyer Program, which provided campground owners with focused one-on-one time to explore relevant products and services. Ashley Migliaccio, a third-generation campground owner from Connecticut, spoke about the friendships and professional connections she built at OHCE, which she credited with improving her business practices. This year, she focused on finding fiber optic internet solutions for her campground to accommodate guests working remotely. Ashley found the expo to be invaluable for learning about new solutions tailored to her specific needs. Melissa Cummings, representing Camp Riverview and Silverthread Base Camp, discussed the educational sessions she attended, which provided practical tips for profitability and cost-saving measures. While she usually approached the expo with a set agenda, this year she explored without a fixed plan, discovering new solutions like Steven Marks’ menu design advice that she felt would benefit her campgrounds directly. Steven Marks from Ideal One, a point-of-sale software company, highlighted the expo’s open layout, which encouraged spontaneous networking and genuine connections. He explained that while his company traditionally focused on family entertainment, they saw exciting possibilities in campgrounds and valued OHCE for helping them understand campground operators’ unique needs. Hugh Mickel, a civil engineer specializing in wastewater treatment, provided insight into the challenges campground owners face in managing waste. Representing Infiltrator, he shared how his company’s solutions could help campgrounds meet these needs sustainably. Hugh saw OHCE as an opportunity to educate owners about sustainable waste management options, especially as many parks expand their operations. David elaborated on OHI’s approach to planning OHCE, noting that planning for future events began almost immediately after the current expo wrapped up. He shared that OHI aimed to create a balanced experience that included learning, networking, and social activities, all of which contributed to a welcoming atmosphere where attendees felt comfortable sharing ideas. Brian then asked the panel what they would take back to their businesses. Ashley shared that she planned to implement ideas from her own session on creating sensory-friendly spaces, inspired by the enthusiastic response. Her session focused on making campgrounds more inclusive by accommodating guests with sensory sensitivities. Melissa expressed her commitment to follow up with the new connections she made at the expo, emphasizing the importance of consistent communication with vendors. She planned to share her insights with her team and incorporate improvements immediately. Steven echoed this sentiment, underscoring his goal to promptly fulfill commitments he made to campground owners during the expo. Scott highlighted that CRR Hospitality would work on applying broader industry insights gained at OHCE to expand their service offerings. He felt inspired to increase CRR’s engagement with industry associations, not only to benefit his business but to contribute to the outdoor hospitality community. Greg emphasized the importance of maintaining the post-conference momentum and staying connected with new contacts. He acknowledged that events like OHCE could be exhausting, but he saw value in following through with clients and connections to build long-term relationships. In closing, Brian asked David for his perspective on advancing the outdoor hospitality industry. David emphasized community and collaboration as critical to industry growth. He encouraged attendees to share their OHCE experiences with others, broadening awareness of OHI’s resources and fostering a stronger network among campground owners. The episode ended with an invitation to join OHCE 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, and a reminder that fostering connections is essential for the continued success of the outdoor hospitality industry.