MC Fireside Chats, an Outdoor Hospitality Podcast
MC Fireside Chats - September 30th, 2026
The September 30th, 2026, episode of MC Fireside Chats opened with host Brian Searl broadcasting from his chilly outdoor patio in Calgary, Alberta, embracing the outdoor hospitality theme despite technical difficulties with his indoor studio. Because this broadcast fell on a fifth week of the month, the show deviated from its usual panel of recurring industry experts to feature a more intimate conversation with two distinct property owner-operators. Searl welcomed Stephanie Bias, the general manager of Camp Aramoni, and Munro Murdock, the owner of North Haven Campground, setting the stage for a deep dive into the nuances of operating diverse outdoor hospitality properties. Stephanie Bias introduced Camp Aramoni, a high-end glamping resort located in Central Illinois near the immensely popular Starved Rock State Park. The family-owned property features eleven safari-style canvas tents outfitted with luxury amenities such as hardwood floors, comfortable beds, and ensuite restrooms. Bias explained that the core philosophy behind their resort is to entirely remove the labor from camping, which they achieve by including chef-prepared breakfasts and dinners in all of their room rates, creating a seamless and pampered getaway for their guests. Munro Murdock then shared the story of North Haven Campground, situated in the scenic North Idaho Panhandle. Murdock and his wife acquired the property four years ago after falling in love with the area during a vacation. They operate a highly diverse, hybrid accommodation model that includes traditional RV sites, luxury log cabins, unique Conestoga glamping wagons, a glamping teepee, and basic tent sites. Murdock, who briefly shared the humorous origin of his unique Scottish name, explained that their park primarily serves as a comfortable, nature-immersed pass-through for travelers heading toward major destinations like Glacier and Banff National Parks. The conversation naturally transitioned into the intersection of authentic hospitality and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the campground industry. Brian Searl emphasized his belief that technology should remain invisible to the guest, acting as a backend tool that frees up operators to spend more face-to-face time delivering exceptional service. Stephanie Bias strongly agreed with this approach, noting that while Camp Aramoni utilizes artificial intelligence to streamline internal processes, they deliberately keep all guest-facing interactions strictly human, ensuring that every visitor is greeted personally and given a physical tour of the property upon arrival. Munro Murdock echoed these sentiments, cautioning that technology must never be used as a crutch by owners trying to avoid the hard work of genuine hospitality. While Murdock acknowledged the potential value of tools like AI virtual receptionists for handling after-hours bookings, he stressed that the implementation of such systems will always reflect the operator's true mindset. If an owner is genuinely guest-centric, their technology will be designed to enhance the guest's convenience while always providing a clear pathway to connect with a real human being when needed. Searl then shifted the dialogue toward broader industry development trends, criticizing the recent surge of high-density, "parking lot" style RV parks that prioritize maximum site count over the guest experience. Murdock contrasted this trend with the deliberate layout of North Haven Campground. By maintaining just twenty-one sites spread across nearly four acres, Murdock preserves natural privacy buffers and landscaping between guests. He noted that this breathing room is exactly what modern campers are looking for, distinguishing his property from more cramped, high-density competitors in his local market. This layout philosophy led to a discussion about the harsh economic realities of building new campgrounds in the current financial climate. Searl pointed out that with the cost of developing a single concrete-padded RV site now ranging from sixty to eighty thousand dollars, it is incredibly difficult to convince a bank to finance a spacious, nature-focused park given today's high interest rates. Murdock agreed that ground-up development is increasingly prohibitive due to skyrocketing land and construction costs, suggesting that savvy investors are better off hunting for retiring mom-and-pop operators whose older parks can be acquired and revitalized. Analyzing the broader market, Searl posited that the outdoor hospitality industry does not suffer from a lack of consumer demand, but rather a dual crisis of affordability and generational mismatch. He argued that a large portion of the industry is still operating on a sixty-year-old business model designed for the Boomer generation, leaving a massive void for Millennials and Generation Z travelers who desire highly curated, unique outdoor experiences but are not finding them at traditional, outdated RV parks. Responding to this generational shift, Stephanie Bias detailed how Camp Aramoni actively caters to younger demographics, including hosting bachelorette parties and intimate weddings. She explained that their high-touch, concierge-level service is a major differentiator. By offering highly involved add-ons like in-tent massages, yoga classes, Chicago dog packages, and elaborately staged luxury picnics in the woods, Bias’s team removes decision fatigue for their guests. While these services are incredibly labor-intensive, she noted that guests are more than willing to pay premium prices for these memorable, hassle-free experiences. Munro Murdock expressed admiration for Bias’s all-inclusive model but noted that his property successfully targets a different kind of traveler. North Haven Campground caters to independent explorers who prefer self-guided experiences and frictionless, automated online booking. Murdock also highlighted the surprising profitability of basic tent sites, which require minimal investment but consistently draw adventure motorcyclists traversing the state. Searl expanded on this by suggesting that parks could easily offer pre-pitched, comfortable tent setups to attract younger guests who desperately want to connect with nature but are intimidated by the logistics of buying and setting up their own camping gear. The episode concluded with the two operators asking about each other’s business strategies and future goals. Bias asked Murdock about his success with group bookings, to which he shared that his diverse accommodations perfectly suit weddings and family reunions, allowing different family members to choose between a cabin, a glamping wagon, or bringing their own RV. When Murdock asked Bias about her future plans, she emphasized a desire to build a sustainable management infrastructure to prevent her family from burning out from the intense daily operations. Murdock then revealed his own major transition, announcing that he plans to list North Haven Campground for sale soon so he can return to his professional roots in the real estate brokerage business.
