From Pitch to Pontoon

In this special Fourth of July episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , we explore what one of the busiest boating weekends of the year reveals about marina operations, customer expectations and the future of marina management software in the US. Calum and Lisa are joined by Mikkel Oldenburg, Chief Revenue Officer at Elite Dynamics, and Jamie Gilman, US Business Development Manager, to discuss the press...

Lisa is back from Marinas26 in Australia , where the conversations covered everything from marina technology and connected software to practical AI, sustainability and the future of marina operations. In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , we talk about what stood out from the event, including the open and collaborative marina community, the appetite for systems that work better together and w...

In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum, Lisa and Andrew reflect on the Elite Dynamics Customer Day 2026 , bringing together holiday park and marina operators for a day of insight, discussion and celebration. They talk through the key themes from the event, including Elite Dynamics’ 10-year anniversary, the 2026–2027 product roadmap, customer-led development, AI in holiday park and marina...

What does success look like for hospitality operators in 2026? In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , we explore the shift into what we’re calling the Refinement Era, where smarter decisions around pricing, distribution, and operations are separating high-performing operators from the rest. Joined by Rentals United’s UK & Ireland Account Executive, John O’Gara, we break down key insights f...

Is SEO dead in an AI-first world? Or is it more important than ever? In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum sits down with SEO strategist Jason Pittock to unpack what AI search really means for holiday parks, marinas and service businesses in 2026. They explore: How Google’s AI Overviews are impacting website traffic and click-through rates Why discoverability now matters more than ranki...

Rising fuel costs are back in the conversation, but what does that actually mean for holiday parks and marinas? In this episode, Calum and Andrew talk through the potential impact on travel behaviour, booking patterns, and on-site spend. From shifting catchment areas to shorter stays and changing customer behaviour, they explore what operators might see in the months ahead. The discussion covers p...

If your marina systems “kind of work”… is that actually good enough? In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Lisa is joined by Sean Conklin from 365 Vertical to explore what happens when marina operations outgrow spreadsheets, disconnected systems and manual workarounds. From multi-marina operators managing 30–40 locations through complex Excel sheets to finance teams relying on batch-level rep...

Revenue doesn’t always disappear in obvious ways. In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , we explore the silent killers of revenue in holiday parks and marinas — the small gaps in process, communication and customer experience that quietly chip away at profit. We cover: The impact of slow or generic inquiry responses Why automated emails need to nurture, not just acknowledge Missed upsell and c...

What makes a marina story worth telling and why do many marketing messages miss the mark? In this episode, Calum and Lisa are joined by Patrick Norén and Brianna Johan from Marina World for an honest look inside one of the industry’s most established publications and how it’s evolving in a changing media landscape. We explore how Marina World curates content across regions and disciplines, the rol...

After a year of contrasts across holiday parks and marinas, Calum, Lisa and Andrew kick off 2026 by talking honestly about what’s changing and what operators should be paying attention to next. The conversation explores how marketing is becoming less formal and more personal, why social platforms and influencers are shaping customer expectations, and how technology and AI can support smarter decis...

In this Christmas special, Santa (Calum), Mrs Claus (Lisa), and Fred the Elf (Andrew’s proudly displayed festive companion) gather for a year-end episode that’s equal parts heartfelt and hilariously unhinged. From Calum’s failed Santa beard reveal to jokes about ransacked houses, the trio dive straight into festive chaos exactly the way a From Pitch to Pontoon Christmas should be. Between the laug...

In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum, Lisa and Andrew dive into the emerging technologies that could shape the future of parks and marinas, from Microsoft’s research into holoportation to robotics , AI-powered drones , and advanced environmental sensing. The team explore which innovations could genuinely support operators, enhance safety and streamline maintenance, and which feel a lit...

Calum, Lisa, and Andrew are back together to share laughs, horror stories, and honest insights about customer service in the holiday park and marina world. From cold calling disasters to unforgettable guests, the trio unpack what great service really looks like and why communication is always the common thread. Expect real stories, plenty of banter, and a reminder that people, not processes, make...

Join Calum and Lisa for a special on-location episode of Pitch to Pontoon , recorded in Venice at the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference. From canal-side chats to gala dinners, they share insights from marina professionals around the world, discuss AI and connected software, and reflect on what’s next for the industry — all with a touch of Venetian humour and sun-soaked storytelling

Every business has a backstory. In this special episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , founders Jamaine Campbell , Nicola Campbell , and Jack Vernon reflect on the leap of faith that created Elite Dynamics. From late nights with laptops on the sofa to winning their first customers and building a passionate team, they share the risks, the resilience and the vision that shaped the company over the past...

Budget season hits every operator differently, whether you’re running a holiday park or a marina. In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum and Lisa share how two non-finance people approach planning for 2026. From cash flow around site and mooring fees to seasonal services, weather curveballs, and keeping investment realistic, they explore the realities of budgeting in parks and marinas, w...

In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum, Lisa, and Andrew open with a frank discussion on the tough conditions facing the holiday park industry, from softening holiday home sales to rising costs and wage pressures. Calum then sits down with Stephen and Cerys from Lady’s Mile Holiday Park in South Devon. They share how their family-run park is tackling the realities of the national insuran...

What happens when a holiday park brand starts from scratch with purpose at its core? In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , Calum, Lisa and Andrew sit down with the leadership team behind Ohana Mua the UK’s new family-first holiday park with an energy positive ethos. From rejecting dynamic pricing to embedding sustainability and wellness into every stay, discover how this ambitious startup is...

In this episode, Calum and Andrew kick off with stories of superyacht fires, boating mishaps, and the rise of liveaboard lifestyles. Then, Calum sits down with Paul Knox-Johnston, Sales & Marketing Manager at Haven Knox-Johnston, to dive into the realities of marine insurance, from evolving risks and new technology to why great customer service matters more than ever.

We sit down with Tim Mayer, Sales & Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, to explore how one of the UK’s leading marina operators is redefining the customer experience. From loyalty schemes and fitness clubs to digital innovation and community investment, Tim shares how MDL is evolving to meet the needs of today’s boater and why it's about more than just berths. Whether you’re in parks, marinas,...

Harry Rix joins us to lift the lid on modern holiday home manufacturing, from factory floor to park feedback. We get into how Rix Group (Victory, Prestige, Atlas) is tackling rising costs, changing buyer behaviour, and the growing demand for smarter, more sustainable accommodation. If you're in parks, production, or planning for the future, this one's packed with insight you won't want to miss.

Think floating lodges are just a trend? Think again. Ian Watkins from Waterlodge UK shares how marinas are generating up to £50k per berth and why the model works. Calum, Lisa and Andrew zoom out: talking festivals, memberships, glamping and all the ways operators can grow revenue without growing their footprint. Packed with ideas. Well worth a listen.

In this episode of From Pitch to Pontoon , we sit down with Richard Dickson, co-founder of Play It Green, to explore what sustainability really means for parks and marinas—without the greenwashing or jargon. From small changes that make a big impact to climate-positive bookings and the role of AI, we unpack practical, credible ways operators can reduce their footprint and tell a better story. If y...

In our first episode, Calum, Lisa and Andrew sit down to talk about how they ended up in parks and marinas, why this industry deserves more honest conversations and what From Pitch to Pontoon is all about. It’s a bit of an intro, a bit of a laugh and the start of something we hope you’ll want to be part of.

Welcome aboard From Pitch to Pontoon – your new go-to podcast for the people behind holiday parks and marinas. Join hosts Calum, Lisa and Andrew as they dive into the conversations that matter across the industry – from smart tech and guest experience to real stories from park and marina operators. Subscribe now and don’t miss your stop between the pitch and the pontoon.