MC Fireside Chats – October 2nd, 2024

MC Fireside Chats

In the October 2, 2024 episode of MC Fireside Chats, host Brian Searl, founder and CEO of Insider Perks, led a dynamic discussion live from the Glamping Show Americas in Denver. The show featured a stellar lineup of industry leaders and experts from various parts of the world, all sharing their perspectives on the growing glamping industry and its international reach. The panel included recurring guests Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality, Miguel Ángel Huerta Vallejo from the Mexican Glamping Association, Chris Jeub from Monument Glamping, and Greg Emmert from Camp Strategy. Special guests included Tomás Rodas Calderó from Ecuador’s Starwild Glamping, Jason Thawley of Tree Tent International, Joanna Reimann from FDomes in Poland, and a special appearance by William Clark from Fiji. The show began with each guest briefly introducing themselves. Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality, which manages upscale luxury glamping and RV resorts, expressed his excitement about being part of the American Glamping Show again. He described the show as a “Christmas” for the glamping community, echoing sentiments from several panelists. Miguel Ángel Huerta Vallejo, representing the Mexican Glamping Association, also described the event as a significant annual gathering, akin to a holiday, filled with excitement and innovation for the glamping world. Greg Emmert, a consultant with Camp Strategy, shared his enthusiasm for the diverse range of attendees and vendors from across the globe. Newcomer Jason Thawley, the founder of Tree Tent International, introduced his company’s unique suspended tree structures, which were being shown for the first time at the U.S. glamping show. Thawley expressed gratitude for the warm welcome his company received in the American market, noting that the U.S. glamping industry is highly organized, with business owners who have done their research and understand the market. He compared the U.S. show favorably to the UK glamping show, which he said doesn’t quite capture the same energy and diversity. Joanna Reimann from FDomes in Poland discussed the growth of her company and how their innovative geodesic domes have become popular worldwide, especially in the U.S. market. She shared that this was the third year in a row her company was exhibiting at the glamping show, and they were once again premiering new products, including a new camping tent and outdoor furniture line. Joanna spoke about FDomes’ dedication to supporting their clients throughout the entire process of setting up a glamping operation, emphasizing the importance of educating people about what glamping is, especially in countries like Poland, where the concept is still relatively new. Chris Jeub, the self-proclaimed “Glamping Guy,” shared his experiences operating a glamping site in Colorado. He reflected on the rapid growth of the industry, noting how five years ago, glamping was a term he had to explain to everyone. Today, glamping has exploded into a creative, dynamic industry with a wide variety of accommodation types, from domes to treehouses, container homes, and even buses. Chris emphasized the importance of creativity and flexibility in the glamping industry, as operators continue to innovate and create unique guest experiences. He also teased his upcoming educational course, “Easy Entry to Glamping Business,” which he plans to offer internationally to help aspiring glamping operators get started. The conversation then turned to Tomás Rodas Calderó from Ecuador’s Starwild Glamping, who shared insights about the emerging glamping market in Ecuador and other parts of Latin America. He explained that while the glamping industry in Ecuador is still in its infancy, there has been significant growth in recent years. Tomás described how his company has seen domes being used for a wide range of purposes, not just for glamping but also for schools, designer stores, and even churches. He noted that Ecuador’s more relaxed zoning laws for rural areas make it easier to establish glamping operations, offering significant potential for growth. However, he also pointed out that there is still a need for better business planning and operational expertise in the region, which presents an opportunity for development. Miguel Ángel Huerta Vallejo highlighted the diversity of the attendees at the show, particularly the growing number of Latino and Latin American participants. He praised the inclusive atmosphere of the event and shared his thoughts on the evolution of the glamping industry in Mexico. He discussed how recent regulations in Mexico, such as limits on Airbnb rentals, are driving developers to invest in glamping sites instead. This shift, he said, will further boost the popularity of glamping in Mexico, especially in areas like the Firefly Sanctuary near Mexico City, where local guides and workers are now able to remain employed year-round thanks to glamping operations. A significant part of the discussion focused on the international expansion of glamping. The panelists explored how glamping has evolved in different countries, including challenges like regulatory hurdles, land use, and zoning laws. Chris Jeub and Greg Emmert discussed how U.S. states are beginning to embrace more flexible land-use laws, particularly with regards to accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which could help further the expansion of glamping operations. Greg Emmert pointed out that the glamping show has provided a platform for innovation, noting that some of the prices for glamping units have adjusted to more reasonable levels, making it easier for operators to build financially sustainable businesses. The conversation then touched on the global growth of glamping associations. Miguel Ángel Huerta shared his excitement about the Mexican Glamping Association’s progress and how other countries have expressed interest in creating their own associations. He joked about the possibility of a “Confederation of Glamping Associations” in the future but emphasized that the growing number of organizations dedicated to glamping reflects the industry’s increasing international appeal. At this point, William Clark from Fiji posed an important question about the possibility of forming an international glamping association. He highlighted how an international organization could help link the various national associations and provide a platform for sharing information, resources, and best practices. The panelists agreed that while forming a global association would be challenging due to the vast differences in regulations and market conditions across countries, there is immense value in fostering better communication and collaboration between existing national organizations. The discussion also touched on labor and staffing challenges in rural and remote areas. Mike Harrison pointed out that while staffing has been a challenge for many hospitality operators, the glamping industry provides a unique opportunity to foster a sense of community and connection. He emphasized that passion, drive, and a love for hospitality are more important than formal education in succeeding in this industry. Miguel Ángel Huerta noted that in Latin America, labor costs are lower, and workers often live near the glamping sites, which can add a personal touch to the guest experience. To wrap up the episode, Brian Searl asked the panelists to share their thoughts on how to inspire passion for hospitality in staff and employees. Mike Harrison responded that while passion cannot be taught, it can be inspired through leadership and fostering a culture of enthusiasm for hospitality. He emphasized the importance of education and creating opportunities for learning, whether through in-person events like the glamping show or online resources like the American Glamping University, which offers comprehensive courses on setting up and running glamping operations. The episode concluded with a sense of excitement about the future of the glamping industry, both in the U.S. and internationally. The panelists expressed optimism about the continued growth of glamping as a global phenomenon, driven by innovation, creativity, and a shared passion for providing unique, memorable outdoor experiences. The glamping show, with its diverse array of products and ideas, was described as a hub of inspiration and networking, bringing together people from all corners of the world to share their knowledge and passion for this rapidly evolving industry.