The MC Fireside Chats episode on October 1st, 2025, was recorded live at the Glamping Show USA, with host Brian Searl guiding a wide-ranging discussion on the current trends and future of the outdoor hospitality sector. Brian Searl was joined by a distinguished panel that included Mike Harrison from CRR Hospitality, Sven Schuurmans of Glampings.com, Ann Howard from HoneyTrek, Tori Bolt and Seth Bolt of Bolt Farm Treehouse and Bolt Coaching, consultant Greg Emmert of Vireo, and technology expert Ari Smith of Fat.Rat.AI and Balance Farm. Sarah Riley, the Co-Conference Director, also joined the conversation later to share her unique perspective on managing the event's transition.
The discussion began with the panelists sharing their experience and perception of the Glamping Show's evolution. Mike Harrison noted that over his four years of attendance, the show has matured significantly, moving past being primarily for "dreamers" to now attracting builders, developers, and investors from other sectors like multifamily and traditional hospitality. He found this year to be his favorite, citing the high quality of structures, the variety of units, and the exciting diversity of attendees, including international guests. Sven Schuurmans, whose company Glampings.com is an online booking platform focused on Europe, echoed this, mentioning that this was his second visit and he saw a clear development in the variety of accommodation and the sophistication of the technology being presented.
Ann Howard reflected on the show’s history, recalling that the first event was held in a Hilton, which attendees felt was contrary to the spirit of glamping. She praised the current outdoor setting for allowing attendees to "touch and play and explore" the structures, and she commended the American Glamping Association (AGA) for making the first day an invaluable foundational learning experience for newcomers. Ann Howard specifically noted that the community built over the years feels like a homecoming, fostering genuine relationships that extend beyond the conference floor. Tori Bolt and Seth Bolt, who were speaking at the show for the first time, expressed excitement, with Tori noting the visible improvement in the quality and quantity of vendors and speakers, stating the show felt "5% better" than the previous year's event.
Seth Bolt emphasized the "pioneer spirit" of the show, which he sees as a rebellion against the constant noise of modern life. He stressed that the core ethos of glamping is connecting people with nature and providing unique experiences that offer far more than just a place to stay. Seth Bolt shared that Bolt Farm's journey taught them the risk of building unique ventures without guidance, which is why they started Bolt Coaching—to help others navigate the complex process of construction, operations, and team building. Greg Emmert, who was initially recruited to help hold the microphone, added his perspective, noting that the conference acts as a "spark," re-energizing his forward-thinking, progressive approach to consulting.
The conversation then delved into the crucial role of technology and AI, with Ari Smith providing his key takeaway that attendees are now fully embracing the need for AI, asking about its implementation rather than its utility. Ari Smith emphasized that this acceleration of technology is not just about automating tasks, but about delivering personalized intelligence that optimizes the entire guest experience. Mike Harrison agreed with the concept of a "smart cabin," stating that true smartness means knowing, for example, the right time to have a guest's coffee ready based on their profile, rather than just simple voice commands, which Ari referred to as a "chip sale" from 15 years ago. Ari Smith stressed that this is the world "bending to the guests" and that glamping professionals’ enthusiastic approach to disruption is a rare and powerful thing.
Ann Howard pivoted the...
