Outdoor Hospitality Weekly

In this solo edition of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , lets break down the massive, industry-shaking news that just dropped: Patrick Industries and LCI Industries (Lippert) have officially agreed to combine in an all-stock merger valued at a staggering $7.7 billion in enterprise value. As two of the absolute largest giants in the RV component space, this historic merger of almost equals is set to re...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we sit down with Garrett McKinnon to talk about the future of campground discovery, AI-powered trip planning, and evolving camper behavior. Garrett shares how CampgroundViews has grown into one of the industry’s leading virtual tour and trip-planning platforms, helping campers explore parks before they book while giving operators new ways to market t...

In this special solo edition of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , Alex reflects on Memorial Day weekend and what the first major holiday of the camping season revealed about the state of outdoor hospitality. Drawing from new AAA travel data, KOA research, and firsthand operational experience, he breaks down the mixed signals campground operators are seeing across the industry—from softer RV sales and s...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we break down the latest industry trends, economic pressures, and market shifts impacting campgrounds, RV parks, and outdoor hospitality operators across the country. The conversation covers Matt’s trip to the Florida & Alabama RV Park Conference, where AI, rising payroll costs, park valuations, and increasing competition dominated discussions among...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we sit down with Billy Rhyne, developer of Horseshoe Ridge RV Resort in Wimberley, Texas, to break down what it actually takes to build a high-end RV resort from the ground up. Billy shares his journey from working in software with no prior experience in outdoor hospitality to developing a luxury, amenity-rich RV resort in the Texas Hill Country. We...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we break down the latest industry data, major hotel brand expansion into outdoor hospitality, and new signals from the RV market. We unpack insights from the 2026 KOA report and Campspot’s Q1 data, including shifting demand, changing camper demographics, and the evolving balance between occupancy and pricing. We also cover continued hotel entry into...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we go deep on AI in our first AI “Tech Corner” takeover—breaking down the real tools, workflows, and use cases we’re actively using across campground operations, investing, and day-to-day work. Matt shares his experience building with Claude Code and OpenClaw, including how AI agents actually work, what it takes to set them up, and the reality behind...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we break down a major shift in campground demand: the growing role of events, experiences, and timing in driving bookings. We explore how large-scale events like the World Cup and Route 66 anniversaries are creating massive but short-term demand spikes, and what operators can learn from failed and successful development attempts tied to those opportu...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we break down one of the biggest shifts in the industry: major hotel brands entering the campground space and converting traditional properties into higher-end lodging experiences. We discuss recent development case studies, the growing role of loyalty programs from brands like Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott, and what this means for independent operator...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we break down the rise and potential fall of LOGE Camps , a lifestyle outdoor lodging brand that once scaled to 17 locations and positioned itself as the future of outdoor hospitality. We explore how the brand grew quickly during the outdoor travel boom, raised nearly $40 million in capital, and built a portfolio of properties across the country befo...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , Matt and Alex break down Blue Metric Group’s $97 million acquisition of a seven-park RV resort portfolio and what it signals for the outdoor hospitality market. We discuss portfolio sourcing, off-market deal flow, branding strategy, and what today’s consolidation wave means for independent operators. Matt also shares insight from Unhitched’s transiti...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we sit down with Ben Uyeda, founder of HomeMade Modern, to unpack the development story behind RESET Hotel in Twentynine Palms, California. Ben shares how the concept came together—from early site planning and zoning considerations to shaping a modern desert hospitality concept that balances design, function, and guest experience. We explore how the...

We’re back! In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , break down the biggest signals shaping the RV park and campground industry right now: from professional third-party management entering the space to accelerating acquisitions and changing guest demographics. We unpack why a major self-storage operator launching RV park management matters, what recent campground acquisitions reveal about b...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , Matt talks with Tori Bolt, co-founder of Bolt Farm Treehouse, about building one of the most iconic luxury outdoor destinations in the country. Tori shares how Bolt Farm grew from a single handcrafted treehouse into a design-driven, experience-first brand with national demand and a loyal following. We dive into land selection, guest experience strate...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , Matt and Alex break down everything they learned at the 2025 Outdoor Hospitality Conference & Expo in Louisville. From shifting demand patterns to the rise of strategic revenue management, this conversation recaps the real trends shaping operators heading into 2026. They dig into the growing role of AI tools like Campspot’s new pricing engine, why tr...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we sit down with Jesse Baker, founder and CEO of JET Hospitality , to unpack how independent operators can outperform the big corporate consolidators moving into outdoor hospitality. Jesse shares how he scaled JET from a single riverside property to a multi-million-dollar portfolio using his “hedgehog investment model”—buying distressed, underperform...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we unpack one of the toughest chapters in Matt’s journey. How a $250,000 glamping investment at Covered Bridge Campsite spiraled into delays, vendor issues, and a lost $5 million development deal. Matt shares the full story of what it’s really like to bootstrap a campground: living on-site, hiring in a rural market, chasing capital, and learning the h...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we sit down with Gene Eidelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes , to explore how 3D-printed structures made from recycled plastics are changing the way we think about construction and outdoor hospitality. From rebuilding after California’s wildfires to creating sustainable glamping units that use millions of recycled water bottles, Azure is reshapin...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we explore how Under Canvas may be shifting its strategy away from National Parks and what that means for glamping’s future. We also tackle one of the industry’s biggest guest experience gaps — park Wi-Fi and broadband challenges — with real-world solutions for operators. Finally, we wrap with branding insights from John Gibson at Secret Creek , on st...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we explore how federal actions, such as the government shutdown and new import tariffs, are reshaping the outdoor hospitality industry, from guest demand to operating costs. We also dig into the latest RV retail registration data, what it signals for 2026 planning, and how the work camping model is evolving as a staffing strategy. If you manage or in...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly, we unpack Marriott Bonvoy’s two-layer strategy behind its new Outdoor Collection. First came the guest-facing brands, Postcard Cabins and Trailborn, positioned as the friendly consumer gateway into outdoor hospitality. Then, at the Lodging Conference, Marriott revealed the second layer: a curated network of prefab partners like elmntl, OOD House, Nokk...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we dive into the difference between marketing and advertising—and why true marketing is about building lasting value, not just buying attention. Using Covered Bridge Campsite as a case study, we explore how giveaways, social media, and activities/programming create deeper guest connections and drive long-term success. Whether you manage a campground,...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , Alex and Matt break down a case study from Covered Bridge Campsite in Livingston Manor, NY, where a Zook Cabins A-Frame cabin is reshaping the park’s performance. We dive into booking data, ADR, and occupancy to see how the A-Frame compares with traditional sites, and what those numbers reveal about the growing demand for unique lodging. Alongside th...

Episode Note: This conversation was prerecorded earlier this year, directly following the sale of BookOutdoors to Hipcamp. Amir Harpaz of Harp Development joins us for a behind-the-scenes look at campground expansion, strategic development, and what’s really happening in the outdoor hospitality industry. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, Amir shares how he's growing parks across Florida, Georgia, and...

In this episode of Outdoor Hospitality Weekly , we're joined by Margaret Jankowski, Director at FWD , a landscape architect who specializes in transforming outdoor hospitality properties through thoughtful design. Margaret shares her expertise in balancing ecological resilience with exceptional guest experiences, revealing how proper landscape architecture can make or break your property's success...