International Glamping Business | November 2018

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Issue 14 November 2018

USA Special Issue

Frontier

The New Inside:

California Glamping Summit Preview Glamping Show Review Interview: John Romfo from Paws Up MaryJane Butters’ Amazing Airstream Renovation

Inspiration and Information for Glamping Operators Gl mping 00 Business

Welcome to

Hello & Welcome Feature

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Cover photograph: Photo courtesy of Luiz Centenaro, Terlingua, USA

International Glamping Business is published by: Upgrade Publishing Registered address: 47 Oliver Close London W4 3RL

Other Publications: Holiday Parks Management www.holidayparksmanagement.com Publishers: Upgrade Publishing Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Editor: Steph Curtis-Raleigh e: steph@upgradepublishing.com Reporter: Will Rusbridge Sales: Kathryn Kelly t: +44 (0) 7575 408580 e: kath@upgradepublishing.com Design: Dean Coulter Design on Tap www.designontap.co.uk

This is the final issue of International Glamping Business of 2018. Our next job will be to put together the 2019 Glamping Suppliers Directory – an annual round-up of all the companies who supply products and services to the sector around the world. If you are a supplier and you would like a free entry, please visit our website and fill in the form!

This issue, we celebrate the US market with interviews and profiles of some of the leading sites and suppliers. It has been a pleasure to compile – with characters such as the indomitable Mary-Jane Butters – who shared a step-by-step renovation of her classic

Global Glamping Summit w: www.glampingsummit.com e: peter.r@swanevents.co.uk

© Upgrade Publishing Ltd. International Glamping Business is pubilshed 5 times a year.

No reproduction of any part of the magazine is permitted, nor storage in a retrieval system without prior consent of the publisher. No commercial exploitation is permitted.

No warranty is implied in respect of any product or trader mentioned herewith. Prizes offered in competitions might be substituted with ones of similar value.

I am looking forward to meeting many of our contributors at our first California Global Glamping Summit this month. The team and this magazine will also be at the Farm Business Innovation Show.

We hope to see you there

Steph International Glamping Business Editor/Publisher

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Other Events: The Glamping Show w: www.glampingshow.com e: dan.w@theglampingshow.com

Airstream trailer. I love the way our interviewees have shared details of their lives and even their diets along with their businesses and beliefs!

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International news GlampAid Global Glamping Summit – California

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Interview with Sarah Dusek and Ruben Martinez – US Glamping Association

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Jessica Haden Walsh, coFounder Lotus Belle

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Mendocino Magic – site interview Paws Up – Interview with John Romfo

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Mary-Jane’s Incredible Airstream Renovation A Week in the Life of David Leventhal Wood of Eden – site review from Rendy Regtuit The Glamping Show Review Farm Business Innovation show Preview Executive Spas Kate Morel

Autocamp Profile

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Booking Software for Glampsites launched at The Glamping Show GlampManager, a management and booking software solution for glampsites was successfully launched at this year’s Glamping Show. The web-based software enables smarter working so glampsite owners can manage their glamping business 24/7 on the move, anytime, anywhere.

GlampManager may be a brand new product but the team behind the software certainly aren’t new to the industry.

GlampManager are under the umbrella of CampManager who have spent the past 12 years providing park management and booking systems to over 400 campsites and holiday parks in the UK & Ireland.

Backed with this knowledge and industry experience, GlampManager know exactly what it takes to have a superior booking and management system.

GlampManager has been purpose-built and designed specifically for the glamping industry. The software features a set of core modules including Booking Management, Online Booking and Channel Management making it easier for glampsite owners to manage their bookings, to accept commission-free

bookings on their own website and to manage bookings from 3rd parties.

With the booking management module owners can create and manage all their bookings in one centralised, easy to use management system. Card payments can be taken simultaneously from multiple locations without the worry of double bookings and the system will automatically generate and send out email booking confirmations. The management dashboard provides owners with a snapshot of key information such as how busy their glampsite is, an overview of recent bookings and daily, weekly and monthly views of arrivals and departures.

The online booking module enables guests to check availability, book and pay online.

The simple, fast and clear online booking process generates commission-free bookings and frees up time that owners would have previously spent answering calls and responding to booking request emails.

GlampManager also helps owners to easily maintain control of their availability and allocation across their 3rd party booking

channels without any effort. Advertising via Online Travel Agents (OTAs) such as Glampsites.com and Airbnb, can help glampsites to maximise their exposure, reach more guests and boost their bookings. By managing an entire inventory in one system, owners save time by not having to update several systems, manual data entry is eliminated and the risk of double bookings is removed.

“GlampManager is all about saving owners time” says Leona Mills, Marketing Manager at GlampManager. “The system does all the work so you don’t have to. The burden of repetitive administrative tasks is reduced through automation. Pre-arrival and departure emails can all be automated along with emails to chase payments, increasing productivity and efficiency so owners have more time to focus on higherlevel activities. Backed up with excellent support, a tiered pricing model and a 30 day ‘try before you buy’ free trial, we are confident that our feature rich, easy to use software solution will transform the management of glamping sites.”

To learn more about GlampManager or to request a free trial, email hello@glampmanager.com, call 02081918938 or visit www.glampmanager.com.

BOND ….. more than meets the eye!

Once again The Glamping Show was a great success for regular exhibitor and UK based Safari Tent manufacturer BOND. Managing Director Mike Halliwell said, “The show was fantastic for us this year and we are involved in more outdoor events and glamping projects than ever

before, especially with clients who are looking to create something quite unique or want to expand on what they currently offer. We thrive on working with clients who have a specific goal in mind and a creative flair.”

BOND has long been associated throughout the leisure industry with design and manufacture of high quality marquees and bespoke temporary structures, and maximising their 30 years of experience in the industry means custom design projects are no problem at all. With a variety of frame styles, canvas

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colours and the opportunity for clients to be fully involved in the end result, BOND is in a position to really make clients’ glamping dreams come true.

Many glamping sites are now adding to their offering with additional tented spaces for their guests, providing the opportunity for outdoor events and weddings. As the market becomes more competitive the outdoor events industry and holidaymakers alike are looking for exceptional glamping experiences, BOND can design and supply many different styles of structures to suit a wide variety of locations with a creative and client led approach. www.bondfabrications.co.uk

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GlampingFeature News

Is Your BusIness MIssIng out on earlY BookIngs?

Some glamping and camping sites are missing out on vital revenue, popular bookings website coolcamping.com have warned.

Early demand for advanced bookings this year have risen, following a hot summer and positive consumer sentiment. But many businesses are not yet processing bookings for 2019.

The warning comes following a swift rise in early booking enquiries received by Cool Camping and their new partner website glampingly.co.uk.

“Customers have been e-mailing us from as early as August to try and place bookings for the following year”, Cool Camping marketing manager James Warner Smith confirmed. “And, now we’re into autumn, demand has really risen, especially for glamping sites, which consumers fear will book out early.”

For more established glamping sites, creating online availability and setting prices for the new year have always been an essential piece of summer admin. Many have regularly returning customers who like to pre-book holidays in advance but, Cool Camping warned, there are worries that not all newer business owners are quick to recognise this trend.

“Many business owners take a well earned break after the busy summer season and don’t start the heavy lifting again until winter,” Warner Smith commented. “While that’s fine for many aspects of the business, deciding on pricing and making dates available to book are vital tasks to get done early, to avoid needlessly missing out on revenue”.

Cool Camping’s founder, Jonathan Knight, also emphasised that potential customers could be lost. “At this time of year potential customers often phone our London office asking about booking a specific glamping site over the telephone because they are unable to do it online and just don’t realise that the site hasn’t yet made their 2019 dates available,” Knight said. “Not all customers will make that effort, however. Some may simply book elsewhere instead, preferring to secure high-end accommodation they can book there and then, rather than getting on the phone or waiting and potentially missing out.”

For most glamping and camping businesses, setting up online bookings for the following year is a simple process. The majority of online booking systems, such as Bedful, allow you to clone the previous year’s seasons in the click of a button and simply modify the prices.

“Even better,” James Warner Smith concludes, “Set up your booking system for two or three years at a time, saving you hassle in the long run and giving you confidence that you will never ever miss advanced bookings. You’ll still be able to amend the prices on future years but you’ll always have dates available to book.”

Give Them A Break The Glamping Show led to a new project for the homeless, established by Kevin and Laura Baker, with the help of Erik Verwaaijen of Campplus and International Glamping Business. Kevin and Laura visited the show in the hope of finding the perfect accommodation for a new type of glamping business. After a dark period of homelessness, Kevin Baker got back on his feet when he started the `Nice Baps` roadside café near Wadebridge with his wife Laura. The café has become a huge success and has recently been voted the most popular eatery in Cornwall!

Kevin`s new project is social entrepreneurship at it`s very best. He is setting up a small glamping site near his café

which will be used for two months in high season at commercial rates, four months a year at a subsidised rate for carers and others that deserve a break, and offered free to homeless families and individuals for the remaining six months a year.

Kevin and Laura loved the Glamping Barrels from glamping structure and ensuite pod provider CampPlus, which they viewed at the Glamping Show. Erik from CampPlus is supplying the couple with two fully fitted Glamping Barrels and a Duo ensuite unit at a very low cost to get the site going.

With the support of International Glamping Business/GlampAid charitable

foundation and Erik, Kevin and Laura have established the Give Them A Break project.

Kevin and Laura hope that others will follow in their footsteps and that Give Them A Break sites will pop-up all over the country.

The Give Them A Break pods will be on display at the upcoming Farm Business Innovation Show on Stand 2282 and will be shipped to Cornwall right after the show. abreak.org

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GlampingFeature News

Wanderlust Camper CO Receive Commendation

Bluestone natIonal Park resort IntroDuCes gPs MoBIle aPP A dedicated app featuring satellite navigation, real-time updates and interactive guides to accommodation and activities has been launched to significantly enhance the guest experience at Bluestone National Park Resort.

Wanderlust Camper Co are pleased to announce that they have received a Commendation at the Visit Herefordshire Awards for Excellence 2018 at the prestigious award ceremony, held on Tuesday 11th September at Bank House Hotel, Worcestershire. The Visit Herefordshire and Visit Worcestershire Awards for Excellence are presented annually celebrating the best tourism business in the county and focus on what makes Herefordshire and Worcestershire a unique and diverse visitor destination.

Wanderlust is a glamping-style campervan hire company operating around the counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, including the Forest of Dean, as its core destination focus. Many of their guests choose to stay within the region to enjoy the area of outstanding natural beauty, which is one of the reasons Annah and Andrew Todman, the owners of Wanderlust Camper Co, have chosen to partner with local attractions and campsites. Of course, more intrepid guests can and do travel further afield with several guests undertaking roadtrips to the Scottish Highlands this year for the 500 route.

Annah and Andrew both have a passion for everything campervan and with over 10 years’ experience of home-onwheels ownership, they decided to create a fleet of unique, hand-crafted campervans with a glamping feel that appeals to holiday makers looking for something different.

Receiving their Commendation within the Touring, Camping and Holiday Park category, sponsored by Olpro at the annual event, Annah said, ‘To receive such recognition in such early days for us a newbie in the industry is fantastic for us and a great confirmation to us that our concept and innovation are well received. We’d like to thank the judges and all on the team for providing us with this recognition.’

Annah went on to say, ‘We’re passionate about being to facilitate with guests’ adventure on wheels and privileged that we can help create guests’ lasting memories and quality leisure time with our campers in our wonderful region.’

The intuitive new ‘Bluestone App’ has been developed by global software and data solutions provider Data Clarity for Bluestone, a luxury short break resort set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

The resort provides all-weather, year-round free range breaks including a spa, waterpark and wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages.

Guests have been trying the new app for the first time this month, taking advantage of ultra-convenient features such as real time GPS directions - working just like using a satnav and up-to-the-minute information about events, activities and dining options.

The nifty and easy-to-use app also means a significant reduction in paper guides and maps - fitting with Bluestone’s environmentally conscious ethos.

Yvonne Buckingham, Head of Sales and Marketing, said, “Very few people go out without a mobile phone today and we recognised that the way people look for information has changed hugely in the 10 years since we opened.

“Our new interactive app is ultra-convenient - with clever features such as satellite navigation, which makes it super easy to find your way around.

“Free Wi-Fi around the key areas of our resort means people can access the app easily and quickly – plus it greatly lessens the need for us to produce printed maps, reducing the impact we have on the environment.”

The new App is easy to download from the iOS App and Google Play stores and provides guests with spoken directions to all attractions.

It will make it easier for Bluestone to communicate guest information, pre-arrival instructions and essential safety notifications. www.dataclarity.uk.com

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GlampingFeature News

great thIngs CoMe In sMall PaCkages

Cosy Under Canvas with IRC Radiant Heating Systems from Universal Glamping One of the highlights of the recent Glamping Show was the GlampRAD™ on Universal Glamping’s stand, which kept visitors to the stand warm inside despite the cold weather.

“People couldn’t believe that we had a radiator within the canvas of the tent. Not only is it incredibly cosy, it extends the season for canvas and other structures,” said the company’s Bradley Richardson.

GlampRAD™ is an innovative stand-alone radiant heater panel developed for the glamping and park home industries as an efficient and cost-effective alternative heating solution. Developed as a primary heating system that can be installed during construction or retro-fitted as an afterthought, the GlampRAD™ is easy to use, requires no annual servicing, maintenance or repairs as there are no running parts, and provides optimum comfort at low cost.

Operating at a surface temperature of 70-80c the GlampRAD™ emits 60% far-infrared radiation, with the remaining 40% being convective heat. Infrared radiation is a wave form which permeates outwards from the surface and travels through empty space until it reaches solid mass.

The mass in turn absorbs the radiation, generating heat and becoming a convective heat source itself.

With a 36-48v supply the GlampRAD™’s themselves are extra safe and do not require a qualified electrician to install.

The GlampRAD is produced in canvas and stainless steel panels meaning that they can be installed into a variety of structures. The canvas GlampRAD’s are suitable for tents, tipis, safari tents, yurts, geodomes and any other canvas glamping structure. The steel GlampRAD’s are great for pods, huts, tree houses , lodges, static caravans and more traditional brick and mortar buildings. Both the canvas and the steel panels are available in a variety of colours.

There are many benefits to radiant heating, but to list a few, each unit creates comfortable radiant heat with a 99.97% efficient heating element. Not only does radiant heating not circulate dust and allergens but it is also 70% more efficient than conventional heating methods. www.glamprad.com

One of the most popular stands at this year’s Glamping Show was Tiny Eco Homes, which specialises in creating custom built, road legal Tiny Homes and can ship them anywhere across the UK. While the company offers pre-designed ranges, many of their builds are fully bespoke, built to suit the needs of the customer.

For standard builds, there are two main options available.

The Traditional Range starts from 16ft X 8ft and comes with a wide range of features that can be custom fitted for the buyer’s needs. With 25mm thermally treated exterior cladding, tile effect PVC coated galvanised roofing and PVC double glazed windows, cold winter nights will no longer be a problem. The fully fitted interior has LED lighting and electric throughout the unit. The main double bed can be found in the upstairs loft with an openable window. The kitchen includes 100 base unit, integrated oven, 2 burner hob, stainless steel sink, built in fridge freezer and microwave with storage space and solid oak worktop. Guests can enjoy their meals on a fold out oak table with two stools, before heading to the sitting room area with a two seater sofa bed. The full bathroom features a steam spa shower cubicle, sink and vanity unit and cassette toilet.

The Elegance Range tiny homes are 7m X 2.55m and are the largest road towable tiny homes that can be towed in the UK. 25mm. Thermally treated exterior cladding with UV protection and enhancing coating, the Georgian style double glazed windows and cedar shingle roofing will ensure that the unit retains its heat. Featuring LED lighting throughout, the mains electricity comes from a standard 16amp caravan hook up point. While the kitchen and bathroom are similar to the Traditional Range, the Elegance Range features two large upstairs bedrooms (a master bedroom with a king size bed and second bedroom with two single beds), as well as a large sitting room area with a corner sofa bed and storage.

Tiny Eco Homes Uk offer a cost effective way to add unique accommodation to your site that will allow you to stand out from the crowd. The beauty and charm of the finished product truly has to be seen to be believed, each tiny home is sure to bring character to any glamping site.

The management, when compared to a canvas structure is a lot more manageable and each unit contains all the amenities that a customer could want. On top of this, due to the excellent heat retention of each unit, they can be rented out year round.

Tinyecohomesuk.com

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GlampAid

Update We have launched! It’s going to take some time to get the momentum going, but I have to say that the overall reception to the concept of an industry charitable trust has been incredibly positive. Imogen McIntosh from aidBox Community, our primary charity, visited the glamping show to see what the industry is all about and to meet Max McMurdo, who has kindly become our charity ambassador.

Kerry and I have received various pledges; bell tents and bedding, marketing support and even the possibility of the proceeds of a book! It’s going to take some time to work out the logistics of collecting items and delivering them to Bristol – where the charity hub is based, but I will be driving over there in the next couple of weeks with the collecting tins from the show and a car full of toys, books and clothes that have resulted from my son getting a bedroom makeover!

The most exciting development has been a project involving our dear friend Erik from CampPlus, who was at The Glamping Show with his barrels – circular pods that create a magical atmosphere – not unlike a gypsy caravan inside. He met up with a visitor to the show, Kevin Baker, who is looking to invest in some pods in order to offer heavily discounted and free holidays to people in need – carers, families with difficulties and the homeless.

From left: Imgoen McIntosh, MaxMcMurdo, Steph Curtis-Raleigh and Kerry Roy After experiencing a dark period of homelessness himself, Kevin got back on his feet again when he started the “Nice Baps” roadside café near Wadebridge with his wife Laura. The café has become a huge success and has recently been voted the most popular eatery in Cornwall!

Kevin and Erik have dubbed the scheme – Give Them a Break and it will work on a 2, 4, 6 basis. For two months of the year in high season, the site will operate at full rate in order to finance four months at a reduced rate in mid-season and 6 months for free in low season. Erik has very generously donated an extra pod and a Duo en-suite unit to Kevin to get the scheme up and running.

You will be able to talk to Erik about this at the Farm Business Innovation show, where he will be showing his barrels and en-suites on stand number 2282.

The season is now coming to an end for many and you may have some items that you could donate to people who have literally nothing. When people come to this country as refugees or seeking asylum, they are expected to survive on as

little as £5 a day. They cannot get work or claim benefits until they are granted asylum and this means that they and their children live in abject poverty.

Your donations – of anything at all – are made available to these people for free by Aidbox Community and the charity will often pay for their bus fare to visit the hub so that they can meet other people and go away with items to cheer up their homes and clothe and entertain their kids. Can you imagine the loneliness of being in a foreign country with nobody to talk to and no money to leave your accommodation?

Everything is appreciated – donations or fundraising ideas Everyone who donates, will be given our GlampAid badge to put on their website and a mention in the magazine and newsletters With thanks

Steph and Kerry

The CampPlus barrels and en suite

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SUPPLIERS DIRECTORY Management Classifieds Business 2019-2020

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In March we will publish our second International Glamping Business Suppliers’ Directory If you have a product or service for the glamping sector you can be included for FREE Visit www.glampingbusiness.com to sign up for your free listing today

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Global Glamping Summit

usa special

Connect the dots of outdoor tourism

aCross the usa The variety of natural landscapes across the US is breathtaking. This single country spans a distance of 1650 miles north to south and 2,800 miles east to west across the 48 contiguous states.

There’s a lot of outdoors to dive into. So it’s not surprising that glamping is taking off in the US as more and more travellers are demanding experiences that take them closer to nature.

“We are at the forefront of a huge wave in the US – glamping is going to be huge and we are positioned to be swept along with it ...”

Laurie Womer from Denver Tent Co, speaking about Global Glamping Summit Denver

DON’T MISS THE BOAT: CONNECT WITH THE US DEMAND FOR GLAMPING It’s the right time to be looking at setting up or taking your glamping business to the US and the Global Glamping Summit is the only US event to bring together those who share a passion for the outdoors and want to make it accessible to more travellers than ever before.

Glamping is a natural gateway for operators to access the demand for other growing outdoor trends, for example ecotourism and wellness tourism. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the wellness tourism market stood at $639 billion in 2017 and the wellness economy has grown by 6.4% annually from 20152017.1 While other sectors have suffered in the recent global financial slowdown, it’s clear consumer demand for outdoor tourism isn’t going anywhere. “in terms of experiences for guests I think that more exciting players will be moving into the industry and pushing the boundaries of imagination. ... a few will push the boundaries and bring some really

exciting experiences which I can't wait to hear about and experience myself. I couldn't imagine a better time to be doing this frankly.” Sonny Vrebac, Bubble Tent - Global Glamping Summit California Speaker The opportunities in the outdoor tourism market look to be only increasing as US travellers are looking beyond Africa’s safari parks for that once in a lifetime experience and are now searching closer to home.

LOOKING FOR A COMPETITIvE ADvANTAGE? CONNECT WITH SOURCES OF INSPIRATION The surge in demand for glamping is compelling, but don’t be lulled into thinking it offers those who are unimaginative a way to make a fast buck.

The trends we’ve been witnessing in the UK are also evident in the US: more potential operators are spotting the opportunity and setting up business leading to greater competition and increasing expectations from guests.

Sonny Vrebac, drawing on his experience of guiding Bubble Tent from nothing to generating millions of dollars of publicity, says “I think in an increasingly competitive market it's not just enough to put a yurt tent in your backyard and expect it to blow people away, what would you as a guest need to scream 'wow' and tell all your friends about?”

In search of the latest inspiration, the Global Glamping Summit California is blazing a trail beyond the Denver event with exhibitors showing full size, fully pitched tents. It’s the most tangible and interactive glamping dedicated expo in the US. If you’re serious about launching or growing your business in the US then

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you need to: 1. Experience accommodation structures for yourself: see and feel the high quality product and the light, spacious interior of a Bell or Safari tent.

2. Talk directly to exhibitors to visualise how you’ll find and transform a site to get guests to embrace glamorous camping there.

The growing list of confirmed exhibitors is up on the website so have a look now at the innovative suppliers, products and solutions lined up for Summit attendees.

FROM PRACTICAL ‘HOW-TOS’ TO LIGHTBULB MOMENTS: CONNECT WITH SOURCES OF LEARNING If you were there, you’ll have felt what we mean by the buzz in the seminar room at Denver. Sessions led by the pioneers of US glamping set the event alight with conversation and ideas. For California, expect an agenda that builds on that with practical know how, insights gleaned from personal journeys, common pitfalls and how to avoid them, quirky accommodation answers and unconventional approaches that lead to success.

The agenda is carefully curated to offer valuable insight for newly established operators and those further down the road who are looking to scale up by offering a separate stream for each.

Keynote sessions and panel discussions at the start of each day bring all attendees into one room to share ideas and learn from each other. Then you will zero in either Exploration & Creation or Growth & Innovation for practical and detailed learning concentrated on your biggest challenges. See the website for the full program.

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Global Glamping Summit

usa special GLOBAL GLAMPING SUMMIT CALIFORNIA - SPEAKER PROFILES KEy NOTE & PANEL SPEAKERS

Ruben Martinez, Glamping Hub Ruben Martinez is the co-founder of Glamping Hub and Glamping With Pets, booking platforms, and technology dedicated to outdoor and unique glamping accommodations for guests looking for direct access to mother nature. With accommodations listed all over the world, Glamping Hub has become the market experts in the US and beyond. Property owners not only come to Glamping Hub to list their glamping accommodations for daily bookings but also to build custom booking technology for corporate events and other consulting services.

Glamping Hub has offices in Denver Colorado and Seville Spain with over 100 employees.

coveted Inc. 5000 list and Sarah was named to the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Womenlist from Ernst & Young. In 2018, Sarah co-founded the American Glamping Association with a goal of bringing consumer clarity to the fast-growing industry by providing accreditation to U.S. glamping properties that meet a baseline standard.

Neil Dipaola, Autocamp Neil is an expert in California coastal land use policy, affordable housing law, and sustainable development, and is a frequent guest lecturer for the Environmental Studies and Economics Programs at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

He has led the successful development of numerous, high profile public-private urban infill developments, hospitality developments, and college housing communities. He was recently awarded California’s highest environmental honor – The Governor’s Economic and Environmental Leadership Award – by Governor Jerry Brown, and the California Environmental Protection Agency for his work to develop prototype net-zero energy buildings.

in the unique position of having experience building, living in and commercially managing and renting various structure types.

Tim’s personal interest is in the development of alternative ways to live healthily and helping evolve the glamping industry with his ‘Forward to nature’ principle coupled with the vision of ‘quirky quality’.

Sonny Vrebac, Bubbletent Australia Sonny is cofounder of Bubbletent Australia with his partner Mayu, a new glamping site overlooking the widest canyon in the world- Capertee Valley.

Located in Australia’s Central tablelands some 3hrs away from Sydney.

A new Glampreneur, he stems from a theatrical background and a litany of startups with mixed success.

ExPLORATION & CREATION STREAM

Sarah Dusek, Under Canvas Sarah Dusek founded adventure hospitality company Under Canvas Inc. alongside husband Jacob Dusek in 2009.

As CEO, Sarah strategically guides the brand while overseeing the development of future camps at some of America’s most beautiful destinations. In 2017, Under Canvas received a spot on the

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Tim Rees, Quality Unearthed Tim Rees is one of the UK’s leading experts in Glamping.

Founder of Quality Unearthed, an agency representing glamping structures in the UK and France, Tim is

Sarah Riley, Inspired Camping Sarah Riley is a professionally qualified business coach and visibility specialist who started her consultancy after jointly running a boutique hospitality business and being involved in the glamping industry for many years. She now shares techniques in her internationally acclaimed Glamping Business Start-Up Guide and Marketing Masterclass to help unique vacation rental owners set up their business, attract more guests and increase their profits in this increasingly competitive industry.

Global Glamping Summit

usa special

Mackenzie O’Donnell, Mendocino Magic Mackenzie owns and operates Mendocino Magic in Northern California. The 600 acre former logging camp and commercial fishery transitioned into a year round campground in May of 2015 and is heralded as one of the most popular destinations for camping in the Emerald Triangle region, featuring the Holland Reservoir for campers to enjoy for private use. The campground was given a boost with the help of online marketing partner Hipcamp, whose servers and network allow the public to peruse and book available campsites online.

Kelsey Sheofsky, Shelter Co. Founders Kelsey and Mike Sheofsky launched Shelter Co. in 2012, at the helm of the glamping phenomenon.

Shelter Co. has produced corporate retreats for Google and Nike, full-scale 'glamp' sites at music festivals and private wedding weekends around the country.

Their unique trifecta of full-service events, rentals, and retail is part of what makes Shelter Co. unique from others in the industry.

GROWTH & INNOvATION STREAM

David Leventhal, Playa Viva David is a high energy entrepreneur with tremendous knowledge across many subjects including sustainable travel and hospitality, conservation, and community development. He blends business savvy with a passion for social and environmental impact. He and his wife Sandra created Playa Viva which opened in 2009.

The hotel has received many accolades not only for Best of Show Hospitality Design for the bamboo treehouse but also for the Regenerative Business practices of the hotel.

Scott Hale, Brand New Stay Scott Hale is the founder and Chief Experience Officer of Brand New Stay®; a company specializing in redefining, reimagining, and reinventing hospitality venues and the guest experience.

Scott also founded LEANTO® which outfits and operates Luxury Camping experiences in the Northwest.

LEANTO® glamping in Moran State Park on Orcas Island launched in 2015, and offers fully-outfitted glamping sites.

Glampers enjoy Moran State Park’s 5,252-acres, 5 freshwater lakes, and over 30 miles of hiking trails with jawdropping vistas. In addition to a fiercely loyal guest base, LEANTO® also enjoys lots of media attention.

Alexis Stephens & Christian Parsons, The Tiny House Expedition Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons are filmmakers, DIY tiny house dwellers, and

community educators. As cofounders of Tiny House Expedition, they are inspiring others to redefine home and rethink housing through thoughtprovoking storytelling, resource sharing and educational events. Their documentary work follows the people, culture and legal obstacles of the tiny house movement, and includes the acclaimed educational docu-series, Living Tiny Legally. They travel across North America with their tiny home and have visited numerous tiny house resorts and communities. With over 50,000 miles so far, they are humbly the world’s most traveled tiny house on wheels!

Ryan Miller, Autocamp With more than 10 years of experience as a creative strategist, Ryan leads the marketing and brand team at AutoCamp.

He co-founded AutoCamp with its first property, which opened in Santa Barbara in 2013. Following a wildly successful opening in Santa Barbara, Ryan was a key contributor to the opening of AutoCamp Russian River in 2016.

As a lover of the outdoors, Ryan graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from UC Santa Barbara. is passionate about travel and design, and resides in San Francisco, California.

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Glamping Association Interview

usa special

The Dawn of

the aMerICan glaMPIng assoCIatIon you announced the new Glamping Association at the Denver Conference what can visitors to the California Global Glamping Summit expect to see 6 months on?

industry to see it become the giant it can become see us positioned well to help guide it into the future.

Sarah: The formal launch of the Association! We are now just about ready to start receiving applications for membership to really spearhead the acceleration of the association. Gaining members is now what we’re ready for!

Ruben: The idea is that we want to tackle the standardization gap in the glamping industry. Currently, because of the high growth of glamping in the US, there exists a need to provide business owners with the tools and resources so that they can provide a consistent experience for their guests. This will keep their guests coming back and help move the industry forward as a whole. As well, often new business owners can feel like they are taking on this endeavor on their own and our goal is to connect operators at all stages to the tools and resources that will help elevate their business.

Why do you think you are best positioned to lead a trade association for the industry?

Ruben: Sarah and I have seen this industry grow the past several years and after countless conversations we agreed that this association is just what the glamping industry needs. It’s the right time here in the States to launch it and the demand for the resources that the association can bring became obvious after conversations with stakeholders in the US glamping community.

Sarah and I come from different backgrounds within the industry, which makes this partnership a strong one. Our intentions are to see the community grow and move in the right direction and the association is a platform to launch the industry forward.

Sarah: I don’t know that anyone feels qualified to launch out and do something they’ve never done before but that is what true entrepreneurs are doing all the time. As Ruben mentions, we both have been involved in the glamping industry for 8 plus years and have seen it grow dramatically in that time. We believe our expertise in leading our respective fields and our passion for the

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What issues are uppermost for the association?

Sarah: I couldn’t have said that better myself!

Will you lobby for the industry at government level and if so - what areas are you looking out for?

Sarah: I certainly believe over time it may well become very appropriate for the association to lobby the government on certain issues that will affect all involved in the glamping industry.

Currently, for example, we are seeing the seasonal international students J1 workers program threatened in the US which would make hiring seasonal employees even more difficult than it already is in a tough jobs market. Being vocal about the issues and regulations that affect the industry will be a great role for the association to play.

Glamping Association Interview

usa special

International glamping Business catches up with sarah Dusek of under Canvas and ruben Martinez of glamping hub to find out how the association is developing, what its main objectives will be and how us glamping businesses will be able to benefit from membership

What benefits can an association member expect to receive?

Ruben: The members will have a variety of benefits that will be centered around education and networks. Members will have access to member only tools and resources such as blog/podcasts/newsletter etc. We will also be providing an accreditation process that new and existing owners can go through and attain. This will verify that they are in line with the high expectations of the US glamping community.

Sarah: initially our first members will also play a significant role in shaping the association, in helping us set the standards we all want to adhere to and will play a very strategic role in developing the association.

Will the association bring in expertise in areas such as zoning/legal/health and safety and how?

Sarah: Eventually, I’m sure yes. One of the resources we hope to provide over time is to provide access to information for people thinking about creating a new glamping site and those who are trying to understand how to permit a glamping location.

What has the reaction been to the Glamping Association thus far?

Ruben: The initial reaction to the association thus far has been very positive. This is an initiative that is a long time coming and is not only exciting for the industry as a whole but will positively affect business owners across all levels for years to come. The excitement comes from the recognition within the

industry that there is a need for tools and resources that will help elevate the business owner throughout their journey as an operator.

How do you plan to recruit new members?

The landing page has gained a decent traction through articles and social media and we have an initial list that has proven to be a great starting point for us. The Global Glamping Summit will be a great venue to inform the community about the association and what they can expect by joining it.

Where will your meetings take place with members?

Sarah: We will likely have annual meetings in Denver and possibly sub-meetings in California once a year.

Who else, if any, will make up the association team?

Drew Rhamy is on the ground here in Denver supporting our efforts for the AGA. Sarah: Currently the board consists of Robert Frisch from Firelight Camps . Myself, Ruben and David Monkman is the Director of the Financial Investment Group at the private equity company National Community Development Fund, following more than 15 years of economic development consulting.

Sarah Dusek and Ruben Martinez will be keynote speakers at the Global Glamping Summit.

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Lotus Belle Interview

usa special

Rolling Stone Turned Glamping Belle

Jesica haden Walsh was travelling and working the festival scene when she came across the lotus Belle tent and its designer harriet seddon. she tells us how a can-do attitude, social media savvy and the ability to say hi to everyone has built up a multi-national business (albeit a family one with a sales team of two). she is now setting up her own site in Byron Bay, cracking the usa and managing to avoid burn-out along the way… steph Curtis-raleigh finds out more Can you give us the background of how you co-founded Lotus Belle?

My home country is New Zealand but I spent a brilliant three years living in the UK. Many Kiwis gravitate there, as we have a strong ancestral connection. With a background in the film industry and PR, my skills found their way into the festival scene in the UK during the years of 20092012, when glamping was really starting to take off. With festivals like Glastonbury where the local area housed a tiny population and no hotels; the natural solution was to start creating pop-up hotels.

Christmas when I was 6 my folks bought my sister and I a Sir Edmund Hillary tent from Sears in New York. I kept it until I was about 25. It was similar to Kodiak in design. Since then, I was always on the lookout for my dream tent. I went through a few on my stint in the UK and then saw a very early prototype of the Lotus Belle in Wales (not far from where Hari lived) and just fell in love. It needed a bit of modifying for Down Under and that’s why we came up with the Outback. By making small modifications and marketing Lotus Belle as an “all weather tent” with varying models and accessories, it gave it global appeal.

I teamed up with Harriet Seddon the founder/designer and started Lotus Belle New Zealand, quickly followed by Lotus Belle Australia

How have you gone about growing the business since 2012 and expanding into new territories?

What was it about the tents that first attracted you and why do you think they are so loved the world over?

Harriet and I both had the same love of camping as kids. It seems we sort of had parallel lives in a way, on opposite sides of the globe. We both had tent bedrooms and spent long summers outdoors. For

It was an interesting journey. I’d not run a business before but knew I had it in me. I started out in my parents’ garage with very little money. I built my own website from scratch and utilised 3rd party sales sites like eBay, ETSY and Trademe. I also did a lot of “show and tells” which were invaluable because I started to connect with my customers and really understand what they wanted. The biggest success was Facebook in those early days. I was almost fanatical

with posting and kept my audience engaged. Before I knew it, we’d reached 100K followers. Having that social media audience has been a huge part of our success. We have a strong and loyal following and we also actively promote our customers, particularly the ones with their own businesses. We really want them to succeed!

What have been the highlights of the journey for the company?

Launching in the US was pretty amazing.

Again, I didn’t really know anyone and I started to go to festivals. In fact I reached out to customers and said, “Hi I’m Jessica, I see you have a Lotus Belle and I’d love to meet you”. I think Americans were blown away by that. Here’s this Kiwi gal wanting to meet people who had bought the tent.

Sort of like Croc Dundee saying “G’day” to everyone as he walks down the streets of Manhattan! But that’s how I was raised, my parents came off sheep farms and we said ‘Hi’ to everyone. Before long, I had calls from the likes of Soho House in West Hollywood asking me to do celebrity parties with the tents at Coachella. The word was getting around and I started to get publicity. We ended up in Forbes Magazine and countless other highlights.

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Lotus Belle Interview

usa special I’ve recently been hand-picked to appear on one of Kevin Harrington’s shows (one of the founders of Shark Tank/Dragons Den).

I feel blessed to be someone who has helped put glamping on the world map.

What if anything, would you have done differently?

I made myself very accessible and did start to go through a burn-out phase. I have a very supportive family and my Dad is working for the company, so I’m lucky.

The recipe to me being able to do what I do is taking my downtime over September and that includes an annual fast. Some people don’t understand why I do that, but it’s an imperative re-set for me. I have to be disciplined; I work across 11 time zones.

I don’t know if I’d have done anything differently because I was so passionate when I started, that a bit of burn-out is inevitable, but when I see fellow entrepreneurs at the same stage I was back then and they ask for advice I always say “don’t burn out”. It’s easy to get blindsided, especially when you start as a grass-roots business and grow fast. Have friends in business too. That’s been invaluable. No one understands it better than someone who has been through it.

What should those joining the glamping sector as operators consider in the first instance?

Absolutely buy a quality product. You will get a much better return on your investment in the long run. If you think you are saving money buying an unnamed brand tent on Alibaba – think again. I can’t tell you how many conversations I’ve had with people, almost in tears who have just bought a badly made product with no customer support. We offer a 2-year manufacture warranty and a lifetime of support.

The other thing is don’t over extend yourself. It’s nice to think about lavish bathrooms etc. but it’s expensive. If you need to lower your prices and start off with an eco-chemical toilet or composting toilet then do that. Just make your customers aware. As long as you communicate, then they will be happy. At the end of the day, they are looking for an authentic

experience. Once you have a few bookings under your belt then you can look into upgrading into better facilities.

How does the US market differ from others you are involved in?

I think the market in the US is behind but catching up to the UK and Australia and New Zealand. It’s a tricky place, because there is so much big business and you’re the little guy and that can be overwhelming but you just have to know your audience and develop their loyalty.

In the US, they think we are much bigger than we are. A well-known camping brand has 200 people in the call centre. We have 2! But we actually offer longer customer support hours than they do and longer warranties. I make sure people are aware we are a family-run business and I’m not afraid to ask for help and be appreciative of the help I get. Its humbling being in the presence of so many greats but we’ve got a loyal following and are growing. Everyone started somewhere.

teenager, I had a vision of creating a place for people to come, ground in and connect with nature. It’s in Byron Bay, a place I adore, there’s a lot of work to be done but we’ll eventually be offering farm to table food, retreats, yoga, music and of course glamping. I am also focussed at bringing Americans to the area, having been up there for 5 years now I have many great connections. Support from the likes of Global Yoga Teacher Shiva Rea and a vibrant community of inspired people all wanting to be a part of it, so watch this space. Instagram is @byronbayboomajarril we’d love you to come stay!

As an avid environmentalist, how do you think that glamping can grow responsibly as a sector?

It’s already doing a lot. If you look at the throw-away culture of buying a cheap nylon tent and leaving it on the field, well glamping is the opposite.

People are coming back to nature. It takes them out of their comfort zone (yes even when you glamp, you may get a spider in your tent) but the majority of people are thankful.

I had guests camp recently and it was torrential rain all weekend. I felt awful and even considered a discount but they just told me, “No, no we are happy. We have food, we are warm and dry and we are connecting and having a great time”. I was so happy I nearly cried because that’s what its all about.

What will the Lotus Belle company look like five years from now?

That’s the hardest question! We are constantly evolving, learning and growing from each other. We are bringing out new products, listening to our customers and trying to make the best tents we can. There are a few copycats on the market now, which is sad but flattering but we have such a great following and people can see our dedication so at the end of the day that’s what matters.

you are working on a project in Australia – can you tell us more about it?

I’d like to see expansions into retail, though it’s a difficult product for that but our new Air Beam Bud is very portable and perfectly situated for retail so I hope it will do well.

I’ve fulfilled my lifelong dream of starting my own glamping retreat called Boomajarril. It means “home of the little people” in Aboriginal. Even before I knew what glamping was, way back as a young

I’d like to see more Lotus Belle glamp sites across the world and more wonderful collaborations with people. The sky is the limit!

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Site Review

us contributor rendy regtuit of supplier Woodytent interviews her customer nancy sweeney of Woods of eden, due to open next year about the process of planning, building and marketing her new site, Woods of eden.

Getting Started IN GLAMPING by rendy regtuit (Woodytent Inc) In the middle of Bar Harbor island, Maine, is a beautiful spot where the ‘Woods of Eden’ glamping site can be found. On its grounds it has 4 Lodge tents with a bathroom and kitchen unit. It will offer the ultimate ‘glamping experience’, away from busy life, in the middle of nature and close to beautiful Acadia National Park. Ideal for hikers and bikers, or people who just want a peaceful retreat.

“I like to spoil my guests”, says Nancy Sweeney developer of this unique glamping site, set to open in Spring

2019. After studying Tripadvisor, she knew what her customers would like and created some starting points to consider: no visible road, no noise. Nancy decided that it must be a quiet setting, attractive and secluded. Together with a realtor they looked for the perfect spot.

Zoning proved to be a bit of an issue. “It would not be commercial, not residential, not a campground, so how would you call this; a glamping site?” Nancy spoke with several town managers to see how they would define it, but due to the lack

of glamping in the area, they didn’t know what to call this new way of enjoying the outside without giving up on comfort and luxury.

She found a perfect spot at Seabury Drive. Not being a developer herself, Nancy looked for help to put up a financial plan and found the Score Business Association. At Score, experienced mentors help with the financial side of the glamping business, leaving the owners free to focus on set up and management. Score is a national

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Site Review

association and is open to anybody who needs help to establish a new company.

Nancy brought the financial plan to the bank and they agreed on a loan as investment for a first round of 4 tents to be followed by another 4 tents next year.

Expecting the ROI (return of investment) to be paid back in 4 years, the glampground ‘Woods of Eden’ promises a much longer life.

The Bar Harbor season is from mid-May to mid-October. During the spring, the luxury tents will be rented for a minimum 3 night stay, during the high season they will be rented out on a weekly basis (Saturday to Saturday) and when autumn arrives, the accommodation will return to the 3 night stay system. The price will follow the market, with autumn pricing being slightly higher than spring due to the fall colours and increased demand. “The uniqueness of this new type of accommodation is so attractive that customers are willing to pay a good price for it. My target group is the younger families, 2 parents with kids, but I can see bachelorette parties, walking clubs, or extended Family outings too,” adds Nancy.

“I shall also provide glamping for a special group. Those who rely on a wheelchair. The special ‘ADA tent’ can be entered by a small ramp. Inside it offers a lot of space for the wheelchair. This tent sleeps a family of 4. The shower and toilet are spacious as is the master bedroom. There are many rental possibilities at the island but not a lot of them offer the possibility to enjoy being outside in nature with family in a comfortable setting while bound to the use of a wheelchair. I think this group is overlooked and I had a very strong feeling that it could work! Together with Woodytent I now can offer this special tent, I am very happy about it.”

essentials. In the bathroom I offer luxury toiletries for showering. For colder periods I think I might offer an electrical sheet/blanket.”

Nancy concludes, “Score advised me to make us of a professional marketing and publicity company. So I did this and I am

happy with my decision as I know this is a process that needs constant attention, which I could not take care of alongside my other job. My marketing company made the website, creates Facebook adverts and has contact with magazines and does so much more to market my business.”

“I will always meet and greet the glampers for a personal welcome at the site. I like to connect with them. I constantly update the instruction and tourist information book which gives basic information about the stay and also details about the great hiking trails. In the lodge tent I provide linen and paper products next to coffee, tea and kitchen

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Restoration Project

usa special

MaryJane’s INCREDIBLE

Airstream Restoration First lady of glamping - MaryJane Butters takes us through a step by step guide to restoring the classic american airstream

I knew exactly what I was getting into— my nose let me know I was in for a ride.

One of my farmhands owned a 1968 Safari 22-foot Airstream but said the sound and smell of mice in the walls was getting to him. I asked if he’d sell it to me and then help me renovate it. He was game. Once it was done, I towed it through several states, but since then, I’ve built a permanent shelter over it and have been offering it to my farmstay B&B guests.

The reason I’m keen on sharing what it takes to bring a travel trailer back to its former glory is to encourage you to take a second look at those “trailer relics” you might think are too far gone, because, unlike the six canvas wall tents I offered to farmstay guests for nine years, a trailer has staying power.

With the Airstream restoration crossed off my list, I’m almost done restoring a 1957 two-door 23-foot Yellowstone trailer that I’ll also offer to farmstay guests.

After so much use, my tents were fatigued, which is why I decided to upgrade my B&B (opened in 2004) to a mix of vintage trailers (with RV hookups), fire pits, and covered pavilions with all the amenities of home minus the walls. And gardens and an orchard to eat from, and milk and cheeses from my cows, and eggs from my chickens.

Obviously, water was getting in—the main sources in this instance were leaky window seals.

The first step was to remove the panels.

Taking out rivets is easier than you think.

Grab a drill bit the size of your rivets and put the tip into the hole in the center of the rivet. (It will look like a tiny donut.)

Drill until it disappears, freeing up what the rivet is attaching (in this case, the walls). Be careful not to drill past the

Apart from the evidence of mice in the Airstream I took on, there was floor mold, which is never a good sign.

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Restoration Project

usa special a 12-volt battery) and household-type wiring. I didn’t want to bother with lowvoltage wiring, so I put in a call to a licensed electrician.

rivet head into the soft aluminum sheeting. After you’ve drilled all the rivets in a panel, use a pry bar to work the panel loose.

In both ends of the Airstream, there were fiberglass panels instead of aluminum panels. These also helped structurally to strengthen both ends, but I didn’t like them. The front panel had a shelf as part of the fiberglass unit that I knew I wouldn’t want. What did I do? I discarded them and put down new strips of wood.

Underneath the panels, there was a strange black goo (mouse droppings) along with some mold from the leaky window seals. No wonder it stank to high heaven. The mice had built a highway system in the fiberglass insulation.

Next, the floor came out, using a pry bar.

That’s when I knew why I’d decided to take up the recently installed faux wood floor; the plywood subfloor was rotten in places and needed to be replaced. It wasn’t as bad as some trailers I’ve seen; it was a matter of patching it in a couple of places using a skill saw to cut out the old wood, paying close attention to where the steel framing was below the subfloor.

Travel trailers usually have both lowvoltage wiring (lighting, etc., that runs off

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Make sure you have several cans of expanding-foam gap filler. You’re going to need it. Partially used cans don’t store well, so the foam needs to be used all at once with few delays. Find every conceivable air gap and fill it with foam.

When the foam bulges (it will), you’ll need to trim it flush to the finished surfaces. It cuts off easily using a razor blade.

I took out the existing toilet and blackwater holding tank for sewer waste and opted for just a gray-water discharge. (I’m not a stranger to a porta-potty. I lived without an indoor privy for some 39 years, raising my family with an outhouse instead.) I filled the hole with foam. But since then, for the convenience of my B&B guests, I’ve installed a flush toilet that’s hooked up to our farm’s septic system.

Next, I insulated the trailer. For curved panels, I settled on foil-faced, polybubble insulation, and in some cases, This wasn’t just a face-mask job, it was a respirator/monkey-suit/rubber-gloves job.

After all the unmentionables were removed, it was thoroughly washed down using a sponge and rubbing alcohol.

rigid insulation scored on the convex side to conform to a particular arc.

Once it was insulated, some of the painted aluminum panels were cleaned and riveted back in place where they belonged.

Now it’s time for your electrician to show up. I wanted lots of outlets plus wiring for an AC, cable TV, Internet, fridge, and phone. Make sure that when your wiring is going through the “studs” or frame of your trailer, it routes through plastic ports. It’s absolutely necessary to keep all electrical chases through metal protected from chafe, strain, and abrasion. There’s a whole lotta chafing goin’ on when you’re on the road.

Restoration Project

usa special While the electrician was wiring my trailer, it was time to redo the windows. I visited my local hardware stores and searched the Internet. The entry door, windows, opening vents, and baggage or utility doors and hatches all required different seals. There are modern, lowprofile, two-sided adhesive seal tapes you can get online and at professional glaziers that can make glass installation easy.

Now, the floor. There are a million floor options, but I was feeling so guilty about all the mouse goo and poo I took to the landfill that I went to our local building recyclers and brought home enough maple planks from a former basketball court to cover the entire floor of the trailer for only $525. It took some sanding and extra work and love, but it’s gorgeous.

For the storage area beneath the bed, I didn’t need to use the decorative paneling, so this was a good place for more of the door skins, painted white to match the walls. I also painted the existing wheel-well covers.

Use only good butyl caulking for your fixed windows. This is also THE type to use for any metal-to-metal patches to the body, vent flashings, or other fixtures exposed to the weather.

I picked out an Enviro Ascot freestanding propane cast-iron fireplace at my local building-supply store. I also had them order a can of high-heat paint so I could change its color from black to ivory.

Remember to bolt your fireplace securely to the wall and/or floor and be sure that the venting and gas plumbing is done to meet all installation standards. The stove was bolted to the floor with a washer in between. When my trailer was in motion on the road, the ceramic logs and castiron top had to be removed and stowed.

Now, back to the walls. I added pizzazz to the walls and ceiling with decorative thermoplastic backsplash panels. To hold them in place while the glue dried and to apply pressure to the glue tape that adheres the panels, a bit of bracing was in order. After some head scratching, I used strips of scrap plywood cut slightly longer than the height of the ceiling, then “sprung” into place using the stiffness and flexibility of the wood to create a firm brace.

Now, the ends. This was tricky. I settled on some 1/8-inch maple panels sold as replacement “skins” for hollow doors.

They were free of knots and flexible and were easy to work with.

For a refrigerator, I purchased a Norcold N300 2.7-cubic-foot refrigerator. This dual-powered appliance came with very specific instructions about the size of the enclosure in which it’s installed. A frame was built to those specifications, and because a refrigerator generates heat, it needed to be vented to the outside. It also comes with a door that can be customized, so I used a piece of the thermoplastic panels from the walls to soften its look.

I opted for a cooktop instead of a full oven since I wanted the extra space for a cupboard. I ordered a stainless-steel, two-burner cooktop and cut a hole in the top of the countertop to accommodate it. And as luck would have it, I found a rare 4 1/2foot vintage clawfoot tub at my local building recyclers for only $250.

I made a cardboard template for where the tub was going to go to make sure it

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usa special lined up with the plumbing. I wanted the tub to serve as a work surface when it wasn’t in use, so I made a “lid” for it using 3/4-inch plywood. Blocks of wood were positioned on the underside to fit against the edges of the tub so the top wouldn’t slide around when on the road.

In transit, it doubles as a handy storage space.

I wanted a deep sink for crafting projects while on the road, so I settled on an extra deep stainless-steel sink.

pieces of 3/4-inch plywood in three different shapes to fit the contour of the trailer, effectively turning the entire back of the trailer into a bed.

Here’s the finished project, complete with a fully-functioning treadle sewing machine.

For lighting, I found beautiful wallmounted lights and chose a vintage copper and glass fixture for the exterior light.

I found a nifty on-demand propanepowered water heater that was capable of supplying all my on-the-road needs, including “glamporific” soaks in my vintage clawfoot tub (with only a 10minute fill time). Air conditioning? Now that’s glamping! I bought a Coleman Polar Cub low-profile roof air conditioner and installed it over the middle ceiling vent. When I spent three nights in a South Dakota campground with daytime temperatures above 100°F, I was mighty glad I’d installed it.

For door molding, I purchased “D”-shaped, 3/8-inch-wide rubber molding at my local hardware store.

For cabinets, I combined two pre-fab bathroom vanities I purchased at my local hardware store. Because the unit was going to fit over one of the wheel wells, two of the drawers needed to be nonfunctioning and merely decorative after gluing the door fronts back on.

IMAGE 61 (vertical photo) I wanted a bed frame with a cargo bay underneath, so for a base, I cut three

MaryJane Butters has worn many hats in her day, everything from carpenter to wilderness ranger to milkmaid. Her organic farm, located outside Moscow, Idaho, is where she runs her many businesses that include a micro dairy, a B&B, and MaryJanesFarm magazine, now in its 19th year. She is the author of eight books. Through example, she inspires young people to reach for their dreams when they find out that as a landowner and businesswoman, she is entirely self-made—nary a penny from family or marriage. “When I left home at age 18, my parents gave me a box of home-canned peaches, a dozen eggs, and a sewing machine.” Two of her grown children, their spouses, and four granddaughters live and work with her on her farm.

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Autocamp Interview

usa special

Bringing Boutique Back an outdoor hotel comprising of airstreams, tents and architectural cabins - autocamp takes the boutique stay to new levels.

The new ADA units in Yosemite designed by M-RAD Architecture

Can you give us a brief history of how the company came about?

hospitality destination for Bay Area residents, as well as national and international travelers.

AutoCamp’s mission is to connect people to the outdoors and each other with beautiful design and welcoming hospitality.

Just outside of Guerneville, CA in the renowned Russian River Valley wine country, AutoCamp Russian River is a haven for Bay Area professionals and families alike who jaunt up the coast for wine tasting, hiking, canoeing, beachcombing and excellent food. Additionally, Bay Area companies have found AutoCamp Russian River to be an ideal location for full-buyout events and corporate retreats.

AutoCamp was founded in 2013, at the forefront of the Outdoor Hospitality industry. AutoCamp’s first property in Santa Barbara gained popularity due to the novelty of the concept of using Airstreams as hotel suites, and it’s unique blend of nostalgia and modern design.

AutoCamp opened its first property in Santa Barbara, California in 2013, to rave reviews. In 2016, AutoCamp opened its second location in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. AutoCamp Russian River quickly became the go-to outdoor

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Yosemite National Park has always been an ideal destination for the AutoCamp, due to its outdoor attractions like Half Dome & Yosemite Valley, rich history with environmental pioneers like John Muir, and relative proximity to the Bay Area.

In February 2019, AutoCamp will open up its next location just outside of Yosemite National Park in the charming town of Mariposa, CA replete with its own rich history, strong local community, and many delicious restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. AutoCamp plans to open additional locations throughout California and the United States in the coming years.

How has the concept changed since the first site was established?

With each property we open, our team has been iterating on the concept to make each and every experience unique to the AutoCamp brand.

Our first property in Santa Barbara has six trailers and after opening the property, our team quickly realized that we had a new and unique

Autocamp Interview

usa special concept on our hand. The luxury Airstream trailers were so well received that we began our search for a second property.

How is the perception of this kind of holiday changing in the US?

Our goal was to expand the concept with more luxury trailers, offer well designed and comfortable glamping tents, build out a luxurious ADA unit, and create a mid-century modern lounge and reception area that would wow guests as they arrived on the property and also serve as a space for people to gather.

Sparked by personal and interpersonal needs for escape from urban areas, access to outdoor activities, and rejuvenating effects of being in nature, the sector has positioned itself as an alternative way for travelers to get away. Enter outdoor hospitality and luxury camping.

As we’ve evolved we’ve put more of a focus on outdoor destinations, which has helped us better deliver on our mission of making the outdoors more accessible for people.

How did you market yourselves in the early days?

Our team focused on earned media and garnered coverage in major publications including Sunset Magazine and the LA Times. Word of mouth about the concept helped to drive reservations via our online booking system. We also used the power of social media to spread the word by featuring great images of the Airstream trailers and surrounding area.

What kind of demographic are your guests and does this change from one site to another?

Our core audiences include young professionals (many who come from the Bay Area and Silicon Valley), young families, and baby boomers.

Our Russian River property is more adult focused, because of the proximity to wine country and we anticipate Yosemite having more of family focus, because of the overall surroundings, blend of activities, and iconic destination.

Research conducted by the ‘Family Break Finder’ website questioned 1400 of their members and revealed that 50% intended to stay in a local campsite or holiday park next year, while nearly a third specifically said they wanted to try luxury camping.

The survey also revealed that 1 in 3 families expected to see their holiday budget shrink. Since outdoor hospitality is considered to be a more affordable travel option amongst those questioned, this points to a boon for the glamping trend.

There is a growing trend around authentic, experience-based travel as evidenced by rise of Airbnb and other alternative lodging platforms.

Additionally, outdoor recreation is also gaining ground, because of increased urbanization. We also know that many people want to camp, but don’t know how to camp and luxury camping makes it easy for people to get outdoors.

What makes Autocamp unique?

AutoCamp has reimagined the outdoor lodging experience for the modern adventurer. One of our core differentiators and what makes Autocamp

so unique is our design-first approach to each of the properties we build on.

For Yosemite, AutoCamp is thrilled to be working with the same design team that brought AutoCamp Russian River to life.

We are narrowing in on the successes from our past designs and amplifying them for their new surroundings in Mariposa. The design team consists of Anacapa Architecture (Architect) and Geremia Design (Interiors). We’ve also brought on M-RAD Architecture to assist with the unique design and building of the five ADA units that will be on the property.

The Clubhouse at AutoCamp Yosemite draws inspiration equally from the iconic national park lodges of the past as well as modernist greats such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier. Furnishings, decor, and art are also modernistinspired, with comfort and relaxation in mind to soothe guests whether they are lounging at the property or resting after a long day of exploration / hiking.

How important is social media to your brand?

Social media plays an important part in the way we market our business. With some many of our customer base online and interacting through social media, we believe that this medium plays an important role in building a lifestyle brand while also giving us the opportunity to interface with our existing and potential customers.

What does the future hold for Autocamp?

National expansion and new properties stay tuned!!!

Meet Ryan Miller and Neil Dipaola from Autocamp at the Global Glamping Summit in California this month.

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Paws Up Interview

usa special

Roughing it in Style: The Resort at Paws Up If you ever dreamed of a ranch holiday, chances are you never dreamed as big as the resort at Paws up – which encompasses a 37,000-acre site in Montana. and if you hankered for authentic dude ranch activities like trail rides, cattle drives and chuck wagon dinners - then you may not have imagined the level of first-class service, luxurious accommodations and five-star amenities that are also available at Paws up.

John Romfo

The team at Paws Up call it ‘roughing it in style’ - getting down and dirty; fly fishing on the Blackfoot River, rappelling down cliffs, clay shooting and white-water rafting and then heading back to private luxury homes and glamping tents featuring flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi, in-home laundry, heated bathroom floors, rain showers, organic spa products and hot tubs and even your own glamping butler.

International Glamping Business catches up with Vice President, Marketing and Development John Romfo to find out what makes The Resort at Paws Up - The Last Best PlaceTM.

IGB: The ranch has an extensive history when and how did it first become a hospitality business?

JR: The beginning of the Ranch itself dates back to the homesteader days of the late 1800s. The history of the land goes back even farther to the time when the Blackfoot River served as a transportation corridor for Nez Perce, Flathead and Blackfeet Indians and later for fur trappers, miners and loggers. The Indians called the river ‘Cokalahishkit,’ which means ‘the river of the road to the buffalo’. The first ranch was built in about 1915 and in the

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ensuing seven decades, it would host eight diverse and fascinating owners, including the sons of the celebrated aviator Charles Lindbergh; Land and Jon, who created the current boundaries and owned the property from 1965 to 1986.

In 1997, the Lipson family arrived with a herd of superior horses and their beloved ranch name - ‘Paws Up’ was inspired by the family dogs, who greeted visitors by rolling on their backs with their paws in the air with their tails thumping the ground!

The owners were used to hosting friends and business colleagues at the ranch. They also built a restaurant to host an annual dinner with cattle buyers (which today is now the core fine dining restaurant for the resort. The ranch also had a 100 year-old barn, which was converted into a meeting facility in 2011 to host groups, for weddings and other large events.

IGB: When did glamping become part of the accommodation mix and why?

JR: Another key step into hospitality was an outfitting business that Paws Up owned called Paws Up Outfitters, which led 7-8 night hosted excursions into the nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness complex (fishing,

hunting, roving) where guests were housed in luxury tents. So, it was an easy transition into establishing a unique hospitality experience on the ranch in an elevated luxury camping experience.

IGB: What are your feelings about the word ‘glamping’ to describe what you offer?

JR: We are proud to stay that Paws Up defined glamping in North America, and we still set the standard. Glamorous is something that Paws Up takes seriously by offering a glamorous camping experience that is truly nature served on a silver platter.

We provide authentic safari-style tents featuring fine linens, The Last Best Bed®, chic rustic furnishings, art-adorned walls, electricity, air conditioning, heat and, most importantly, a camping butler at their beck and call. Guests experience a wide variety of adventures and activities on property by day, and by night they refresh in their private master bathroom with a Montana-sized rain shower, jetted tub, heated floors and indulgent organic spa products. A skilled chef will bring new meaning to haute grilling as he cooks before your eyes in the camp’s Dining Pavilion.

Paws Up Interview

usa special IGB: With 37,000 acres what are the logistics of looking after guests in tents? What happens if something goes bump in the night?

IGB: What percentage of guests combine the tent stay with one of the houses you offer?

JR: It is very common for summer guests to partake in our One Resort, Two Vacations experience where they stay part of their stay in the homes, and some of the stay in a luxury camp. Also, 8 of our 28 luxury homes offer a private tent adjacent to the home.

Offering June 1 to September 1, this is a great option for families who have a desire for some of the family to have a glamping experience, and some to have a home experience.

JR: Paws Up offers 6 luxury camps, each with 6 tents – ranging from one-bedroom honeymoon tents all the way up to threebedroom tents ideal for families. Each camp has its own restaurant for meals staffed with chefs and a butler to cater to all guests’ needs. Paws Up also provides complimentary on-property transportation so guests can easily navigate the 37,000acre property. Paws Up also has an easy-to-use Mobile App, which is a great way to communicate all requests to Concierge Services team to ensure a very high level of guest services to each guest.

IGB: Could the Paws Up brand translate into further locations or is it unique to Montana?

JR: It very well could in the future if the destination was right, however at this time, Montana is home.

IGB: Nostalgia for another time and for another lifestyle that is part of the American consciousness appear to underpin the offer. How difficulties it to stay true to the gritty past while offering incredible luxury to your guests?

JR: It’s not difficult at all as the resort is on a truly authentic work ranch… The expansive property is a haven for authentic Montana dude ranch activities, like trail

IGB: What is the difference, if any, in the cost of renting a tent or non-glamping accommodation? rides, cattle drives and chuck wagon dinners. What differentiates Paws Up from an average guest ranch is our commitment to luxury. We are authentic, genuine in nature and dedicated in offering first-class service, luxurious accommodations and five-star amenities.

IGB: What are the main reasons why guests choose Paws Up? What percentage take part in the activities you offer?

JR: It’s the overall Montana experience; the setting, the service, the accommodations but mainly it is an operation that offers over 40 different adventures and activities right on property.

We also offer a wide range of special events throughout the year which enhances the list of “things to do” for our guests.

JR: The cost is fairly flat across both and mainly varies a bit on the accommodation size (regardless if it is tent or a home). So, a two-bedroom home or a two-bedroom tent could be $1500/person/night and a threebedroom home and a three-bedroom could be $1800/person/night. (Rates are inclusive accommodations as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner per person and are inclusive of soft drinks, house wine and beer with lunch and dinner. Spa services and guided excursions and activities are additional).

IGB: What percentage of your guests are repeat bookings?

JR: While I can’t give specifics, we do see a high amount of returning guests particularly over our special events or holidays and we see a good amount of guests returning to experience the resort in an opposite season so they can experience a different set of outdoor experiences.

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Mendocino Magic Interview

usa special

Where the

MagIC

Happens

Camping and glamping sit side by side in this enchanting 600 acre site in northern California. a former logging camp - Mendocino Magic is now casting its spell on groups and events, as well as creating a trust to protect the land for future generations.

What’s the history behind Mendocino Magic, how did the land become acquired and was there always camping there?

Mendocino Magic was founded in 2000 when it was purchased. The 600 acre space served as a logging camp through much of the 20th century and a commercial and recreational fishery with its many ponds. The campground had a soft start in the early 2000s but its true launch was in 2015 when owner and operator Mackenzie completed her graduate studies in San Francisco and officially moved to the land to maximize its potential.

There is a great conservation element to the website can you explain more about the work you do with the Mendocino County Land Trust and with your guests?

The Land Trust serves as an integral part to the future of Mendocino County's rangelands and forests. Mackenzie serves as a board member on the land trust

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working with other land owners throughout the region. While there is not currently any easement on the property, Mendocino Magic is working with guests on enhancing cooperative living principles to consistently improve the campground and the experience our guests take away. Guests often take nature hikes with our management staff to learn more about our natural environment here, covering elements of our taxonomic index on site, our waterways and numerous bird species.

you reference Hipcamp as a valued partner – how long have you worked together and what have you learned from the experience?

HipCamp’s founder Alyssa Ravasio visited Mendocino Magic in 2015 as their land share program was getting established.

The campground then became one of Hipcamp’s first landshares wherein private property became accessible to the public through HipCamp's revolutionary online platform. Over the last four seasons Mendocino Magic has grown online from two to twenty campsites!

How long have you offered glamping and how does this type of accommodation fit with the overall mix of experiences on site?

We have offered our glampsites since the campground came online in 2015.

Glamping fits our style here at the magic, simply because our variety of guests often love to have the option of sleeping in a bed during their stay, but a cabin doesn't do the trick. Miles of trails and kayaking on a private reservoir suit glamping well for couples or small groups. We also accommodate larger private glampouts, upscale events serving as uniquely catered campouts.

Does glamping bring in a different demographic to the regular camping and Rvs? Not really. Since the majority of our guests find us through HipCamp, the majority of guests have similar expectations so long as the profile descriptions and photos of the campsite or glampsite are accurate.

Mendocino Magic Interview

usa special How much of your business is with large groups of people and events?

Approximately half of the camping season caters to private events.

How important is glamping for weddings and other family gatherings?

Family members arriving for the event from out of state who may not have their camping gear with them are very happy with the glampsites. Sometimes the wedding party needs an upscaled place to camp and prepare for the event, which also makes for fun in the glampsites.

How important is social media in promoting your business?

Social media is a very important tool we use in order to reach more customers and communicate with potential event organizers. Often after seeing photos and reading testimonials online, interested parties will reach out to us to inquire further. We offer discounts for guests pending their planned headcounts, activities, and level of interest in working with us on volunteer projects, therefore it is important to utilize social media to attract customers

before engaging live and connecting with our guests with a phone call and site visit. It is critical to maintain the human connection with our guests as much as possible, despite the benefits of completely automating the process of finding and booking a space for an outdoor event.

There are private residences on site, how do you manage the relationship between the owners and the guests?

The layout of the campground allows for guests to rent the three main houses and utilize the campground without being disturbed by the tenants or staff.

The staff housing is outside of the general campground boundaries, and we continue to make improvements with year round housing so our friends and extended family of guests can visit us throughout the year.

What future plans do you have for Mendocino Magic?

We plan to continue growing our community and the campground, including building more cabins and available housing for seasonal use, as well as adding more hot tubs and gathering spaces for a variety of uses for the space.

Mendocino Magic will look forward to a 2019 full of outdoor rustic weddings, more outstanding photo submissions online, unique opportunities for gatherings and live music, family reunions, and of course, more happy campers.

Folks who are interested in following us on our journey can sign up for our newsletter or follow our blogpost at https://mendocinomagic.com/blog/.

Mackenzie O’Donnell from Mendocino Magic will be speaking at The Global Glamping Summit in California.

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Week in the Life

Week in the Life of David leventhal remote owner and Manager of glamping hotel Playa Viva

am never the bottleneck for anything to get done.

Meetings like this allow folks to get visibility in areas of the business and activities they might not be aware of and then go directly to their peers to collaborate. Also, we have a few new team members. We just added a new full-time Permaculture Manager. We also added team members to marketing, one in Group Marketing and another in FIT (Free Independent Traveler) marketing.

We also have a role of Social and Environmental Impact Manager and just transitioned someone new into this role.

OUR FIRST WEDDING Looking over my journal, much of my week was spent supporting our new sales person in responding to inquiries for groups. We do a lot of Yoga retreats but have our first big wedding coming up.

The wedding is of one of our regular yoga teachers who so loves Playa Viva that she is hosting her wedding at our hotel.

While our capacity is 36 people, she wants to extend the invite list to 50, so we are adding some tents and additional infrastructure. My work here is with our

Photo Courtesy of Playa Viva, by Misha Wilcockson

WORK LIFE BALANCE I’ve been reading recently about different types of “journaling.” I never realized the art and science behind journaling and how it can help you be more productive, more organized and help live a more balanced “live/work” life. When International Glamping Business Magazine asked me about writing a story/column about “A Week in the Life…” I saw it as the perfect opportunity to start journaling in order to more effectively track and share what it takes to do what I do. Hopefully you will find this relevant to your work/life balance as well as to the operations or aspirations of operating your glamping business.

For context, I live in San Francisco Bay Area and own a 12-room sustainable boutique hotel on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, called Playa Viva. In addition, I’m spearheading an endeavor called

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Regenerative Resorts as a collective of independent properties dedicated to the highest levels of social and environmental impact. So bear with me as my week’s work/life is very varied!

QUARTERLy ExECUTIvE TEAM CALL I’m generally not a big believer in huge all-hands-on-deck meetings as they can be a waste of time if held too often. Our team has asked for a quarterly exec team call; so we had our first of the new season (we close every Summer for a few months and reopened for the “season” in early October). This was meant to be a 1.5 hour call but it ran 2 hours long. All of the Executive Team members report up to me, so I have full visibility into what is happening with the team. Therefore this meeting is the opportunity for all to have the same level of visibility. As a management team, we encourage folks to work directly with each other so that I

Photo Courtesy of Playa Viva, by Anna Paola Covarrubias for We Are Young Souls

Week in the Life

usa special on-site Manager in working out how this will all be accomplished for the bride, as well as making sure the team is prepared for all the extra work in support of her and her guests.

ADvENTURE BUCKET LIST In addition to my regular role as owner of the hotel, I made an investment in a startup company called Adventure Bucket List (ABL). They provide a Booking Engine for Tours and Activities. As a hotel owner, I fully understood the need for this type of platform, especially in developing countries (the target market for ABL). The amount of time we spend calling tour operators, and then not succeeding in getting in touch since they are in the field doing their work, waiting to hear back about availability and confirming with the guests (who are used to having immediate confirmation), is time consuming and inefficient.

ABL has a great solution, small team with low burn rate and good base of existing clients and cash flow. Plus this is an area where I have a small amount of knowledge, enough to make me think its a good investment.

Like any “seed” stage investment, they need follow-on capital to grow and scale as they execute their strategy. As an angel investor, you need to be prepared for these follow-on capital needs. In this capacity, I spent time with the team at ABL perfecting their pitch, making introductions to folks who could assist in their go to market plan as well as in fundraising. This too is part of my week and a mentoring role which I relish now more and more as I get old.

PERSONAL HEALTH Getting old also makes eating right and regular exercise and important part of my work life balance. I was diagnosed with prediabetes about 2 years ago. My wife says I should say I have “diabetes” and calling it pre-diabetes is just a form of denial, but I believe that with the right changes to my life, diet and exercise, I can whip this disease and keep it from being full on diabetes. I take my blood sugar every morning. My diet has consisted of no sugar, which means eliminating all carbs, incredibly difficult

Photo Courtesy of Playa Viva,

by Victoria Gamlen

and getting one of the best messages of for a sushi and pasta lover. Plus, I have my life. This was my ‘disconnect to increased my exercise routine which now reconnect’ day, core to our values at Playa means indoor and, more and more Viva and part of maintaining my balance recently, outdoor biking. so I can be of greater value to the people I However, I’ve been suffering from some serve. Make sure to take a moment out of gastroinstestinal issues, and I finally let go your day to serve others and to treat of my ego that all problems could be yourself to something special that solved by medicine and my doctor, so I recharges your batteries (as that is the shared my GI issue with a friend who work we do in hospitality for others). promptly told me she was suffering the same and solved it with the Elimination David is one of the speakers at the Diet. So over the past few week I’ve California Glamping Summit in the eliminated all meat, all dairy, all gluten, Growth & Innovation stream etc. and have been slowly reintroducing items to see which of these foods is the culprit. Early signs are pointing to gluten as the culprit. The good news is my blood sugar is way down, which means gluten was a major contributor to my pre-diabetes.

To end my week of work life balance, I spent the yesterday in Big Sur, joining a group for meditation, hiking on the beach Photo Courtesy of Playa Viva

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The Glamping Show Report

the glamping show 2018, held from the 20th to the 22nd of september, opened its doors to record numbers of exhibitors and visitors. as glamping continues to grow and evolve the glamping show, the only dedicated glamping exhibition in the world, mirrored this by boasting an even wider range of accommodation types and accessories than in previous years and welcoming visitors from the world over.

The weather over the course of the show was quintessentially British, allowing Exhibitors to showcase how their structures stand up to the country’s diverse climate. Chris Hill from Modular Leisure Buildings said: “The weather hasn’t put a dampener on things at all.

The show’s been good, the first day was fantastic. We’ve been talking to visitors from all over the world, from Belgium to Canada, showing them a range of new products and we’ve been getting great responses.”

Exhibitors new to the show were delighted with the number of visitors in attendance. Jag Virdie from The Conker

Report said, “Superb, it’s my first one this year and it’s been a pleasure to be here. Plenty of leads over the past couple of days. The personal touch that the Glamping Show team has is brilliant, sometimes when shows start to get bigger they become more money focussed at the expense of creating a great event for the exhibitors and the visitors.”

their site, but after a long discussion they were considering using a few of the units inside as well, which I thought was a great idea.”

Talking about the type of leads he was getting, Jag was surprised at the interesting ways visitors were thinking about using the units, saying: “I was talking to some site owners who were keen to put a few units outside on

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The Glamping Show Report

been more of the latter this year which is perfect for us.”

As Glamping has continued to grow in the accommodation industry, other sectors have begun to recognise the benefits that Glamping structures have over more traditional and permanent buildings. Talking about a particular visitor that he spoke to, William Lee said: “One really interesting lead we’ve had this year has been from the largest zoo in Belgium who are interested in a number of our structures to use as visitor points across the grounds.”

Lee Wood from Timber Tipi added: “The show’s been fantastic. The responses we’ve had have been incredible. We’ve been getting a lot of interest for the models that we brought up to display, but also for custom builds that are a lot larger than the projects we’ve carried out before.”

Those returning to the show were similarly impressed, noting that the visitors in attendance are more

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knowledgeable and informed than ever.

William Lee from the Little Hut Company had this to say: “It’s been better than last year, and last year was great!

We’ve been really happy with the number of visitors. We’ve noticed two types of visitor at the show, those who are in the very early stages of planning who are coming to the show to get a better idea of what Glamping is all about, and those who are further along and know what it is they want. We’ve noticed there have

Meet The Experts, which was introduced during the 2017 show continued to grow, with more visitors than ever sitting down for a one to one talk with industry experts. Covering a range of subjects such as finance, marketing, planning, booking platforms and more, Meet The Experts proved to be a huge success, both for visitors who were in the initial stages of planning to those who have already set up and established their site.

Also making a return was the incredibly popular seminar programme, with seminars running throughout the entirety of the show held at multiple different stages. Visitors to the show, James and Mary said, “It was our first time at the show this year and we came specifically

The Glamping Show Report

for the seminars after reading about them on the Glamping Show website. We are currently in the process of setting up a site and needed some help with the marketing side of things and the seminars we saw were absolutely brilliant. We live close to Southampton but booked a place to stay near the show so that we didn’t miss any of the seminars that we wanted to see, and it was definitely worth it.�

keen to give something back. GlampAid, a charity utilising industry knowledge of portable and semi-permanent structures to help those made homeless by conflict and disaster, has been set up with the show organisers teaming up with Kerry Roy of Camp KĂĄtur and International Glamping Business. TV Presenter, author and Upcycler, Max McMurdo has been welcomed as the charities ambassador.

On top of this, a number of 90 minute intensive mini-courses were introduced for the first time at the 2018 Glamping Show to help solve more specific challenges, which were lead by glamping and business experts.

While the 2018 show is over, plans are already underway for the 2019 Glamping Show with organisers looking to further improve the experience. Set for Thursday the 19th to Saturday the 21st of September, the Glamping Show continues to be an unmissable event for anyone in the industry.

With the continuing success of the Glamping Show, having grown every year since its inception, the organisers were

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Holiday Park & Resort Innovation

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Holiday Park & Resort Innovation

HOLIDAY PARK & RESORT INNOVATION

2018 Holiday Park & Resort Innovation will be returning to the NEC, Birmingham on the 7th & 8th November to provide leisure and hospitality professionals with all the latest products and services to make the most of their resorts, holiday parks and attractions. Combining world class experts, face-to-face advice, inspirational seminars, leading suppliers, workshops, unrivalled networking and live features all under one roof - these two days are truly unmissable for anyone in this sector!

Highlights of the show include: I A highly targeted audience of 4,500 decision makers from the country’s top leisure and tourism businesses I 400 market-leading exhibitors, supplying everything from innovative accommodation and hot tubs to playground equipment I 150 seminars from industry experts including keynotes from Google Digital Garage, Visit England and Lake District Estates I Exceptional networking and business opportunities I Trade industry awards highlighting and celebrating excellence Whether you’re relatively new in the holiday market and looking for inspiration and advice or an established business looking for new and exciting ways to improve your offering, the event covers everything you need to run your holiday business more efficiently. Discover all the latest technology and trends from within the sector and find out more about current marketing and business strategies. The industry’s most innovative and influential figures will pass on their peerless knowledge and advice and ultimately help you stand out from the competition and increase your occupancy rates. Google Digital Garage will look at how to improve your social media presence whilst Visit England will be providing top tips on how to make your tourism business successful. Speakers from top holiday parks and resorts, such as Lake District Estates and Afan Valley Adventure Resort, will share their knowledge on how to create the perfect destination.

Join some of the industry’s most progressive and ambitious suppliers and find absolutely everything you need to develop your holiday business whether it’s accommodation, marketing, booking systems, food and drink services, leisure equipment or energy companies. Interact with an audience of over 4,500 visitors who are facing the same challenges and have made the same decisions you are considering. No other event gathers such a diverse collection of the industry’s most progressive and innovative minds in one venue to exchange the knowledge, ideas, and opportunities that could change your holiday business.

Register for free tickets to attend via the website. Holiday Park & Resort Innovation runs alongside leading trade shows, Destination Hotel, Resort & Spa, Family Attraction Expo, Farm Business Innovation and Public Space Innovation and your free ticket gives you access to all of them. We look forward to welcoming you to the NEC, Birmingham on the 7th & 8th November. www.holidayparkshow.co.uk

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Spas

advertorial

Executive Spas is a family-run company, with a focus on providing good quality, affordable spa hot tub solutions to the leisure industry, holiday parks and individual customers.

Their success is built on core values of quality, innovation, customer service and aftercare and their hot-tubs, saunas, spas and whirlpool baths are tried and tested award-winning models which will stand the test of time.

STAyING SAFE – COMPLIANCE MATTERS! Did you know that it’s now law that if you operate a holiday let, hotel, leisure centre or any venue where you have a hot tub for customers to use, it must be HSG282 compliant? Don’t let that put you off buying one though, as it can add fantastic appeal to your unit, and of course you may get a lot of enjoyment out of it yourself too. Executive Spas started to make it

Executive Spas: adding that last bit of luxury to your glamping site! easier for those with holiday lets to find a workable hot-tub solution, as Alex Johnson explains; ‘I set this up mainly for the holiday let business as I could see it was proving difficult to find holiday let spas due to the new HSG rules. We’ve been really busy at holiday industry shows this year helping to make sure buyers get the right model for their needs and talking them through what they need to stay compliant and to keep their hot-tubs in good order. Our Holiday Let hot tubs offer a tailor-made solution to those looking to add luxury to their holiday let or glamping site.”

COMPETITIvE PRICING Maximum value at minimum cost.

FRIENDLy AND KNOWLEDGEABLE SERvICE Their job is to help you. Executive Spas guide you every step of the way and take the guesswork out of your hot tub purchase.

RELIABILITy Support in installing your spa, fix your spa or getting parts for it. www.executivespas.co.uk

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Kate Morel

kate’s experience and advice helps landowners develop a clear focus on how to create and shape a successful business because she understands that glamping, at its best, relies on creativity as well as financials. she also shares her expertise and experience through seminars and workshops for industry events and tourism organisations.

Tap into

Quirky

If you’re looking to create ‘something a bit different’ and add character to your glamping accommodation – this article is for you. There are many ways we can make our glamping more interesting, and one is by thinking outside the box, so, I thought we’d look at one subject that can be overlooked, perhaps considered a little dull, and turn it into something fun. I’m talking about plumbing, yes I know, my eyes glaze over too as a rule, sorry plumbers! But bear with me. We’re not talking about technicalities and pipes in the walls, we’re talking about the things that our guests directly interact with – like taps and baths. We might need to find a plumber with a sense of humour, but it will be worth it when the bookings and inspired guest comments start rolling in.

When shopping for taps and basins, a DIY or online store might well be our usual port of call, but as quick and

kate’s latest venture, Morel & Co, is a dream-team of glamping industry professionals, working with landowners to create bespoke, imaginative glamping accommodations. the team includes professional planning consultants and bespoke designers of treehouses and cabins as well as more unusual builds such as Celtic roundhouses. e-mail info@katemorel.com https://www.morelcompany.co.uk http://katemorel.com Facebook Business support group: ‘glamping Business link’

convenient as they are, they won’t necessarily deliver those quirky finishes that will set our glamping apart. It might take a little more time and imagination, but there are all sorts of items that we could substitute and adapt, so how about an old water trough for a bath or a cauldron as a wash basin? Once you start thinking about how things could be repurposed and given a new lease of life, you’ll be seeing potential projects everywhere. All of a sudden, throw-aways might develop a whole new sense of appeal!

Sometimes we don’t have a choice about going down this route because we are on a pretty tight budget. They say ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, it’s also the mother of initiative - some of my best ideas have been when I had things to finish off but was already out of cash. So, if you’re creating your own structure and furnishing it with limited funds, don’t see this as a restriction.

Reframe it as an opportunity, throw the rulebook out of the window, let your imagination loose and I bet you’ll end up with something that your guests will love.

When we salvage broken items we’re also saving materials from ending up in landfill, and not buying in newly manufactured products with a higher carbon footprint. I appreciate we won’t exactly save the planet by doing this, but every little helps. In fact, if everybody lived a little more sustainably in their everyday life, can you imagine the difference we’d collectively make?

Apart from anything else, it’s fun and satisfying to rescue things and make them useful again. In a former life I had a sideline venture - a small outlet selling old country furnishings and furniture, seeking out my stock at boot sales and auctions. The thrill of finding a nice, or potentially nice, piece amidst the

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DJ Davies & STOVES… WELSH DRAGON FUELS - no copy received EXPERIENCE ENHANCING THE GLAMPING We’ve got it Covered at Welsh Dragon Fuels & Stoves Happy Memories for your Guests and Maximum Returns for you Safe Supply & Fit of Stoves and Flues, HETAS Approved Fire Baskets & Fuels Too

HETAS approved to install stoves and flues and fully experienced in the particular safety needs of the Glamping industry, we can offer a bespoke supply and fit service across the UK and access to a comprehensive range of stoves. Every stove/flue installation receives its own unique HETAS certification and is backed by an ongoing maintenance package.

Get in touch NOW:

01269 842620 info@djdaviesfuels.co.uk or find us at www.facebook.com/welshdragonfuels

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Kate Morel

general junk was addictive. The things that appealed, however, weren’t the perfectly preserved, but the ones that needed some T.L.C. to get them back into service. Creating ‘marriages’, where two pieces of broken furniture are put together to make a new one, or reupholstering, and seeing them off to new homes, comes with a tangible feel-

good factor. Who knows, you might get the bug, and end up as a master upcycler like our friend Max McMurdo!

Some great examples here are an old tin kettle that has been transformed into a shower rose at Turners Wood with Canopy & Stars. A copper kettle mixer tap and pan as a basin at Ravendere Retreat in Devon, and quirky WC at Orchard Retreat with Quality Unearthed.

Before signing off, I feel duty bound to add a note about breaking up and repurposing things because, ideally, it’s about giving something that’s otherwise

had its day, a new lease of life. There’s an online craze about upcycling at the moment but the examples given can sometimes miss the point. If an item is really old and has survived this far, I’d say leave it be, and you’re not sure of the value of the item you’re about to cut up or paint, do double check. For me at least, the ‘distressed’ effect of chalk paint on an antique, isn’t confined to the piece.

Enjoy your bargain hunting, have fun creating interesting experiences for your guests, send me your photos of finished projects, and if you want my help, drop me a line.

Gl

mping

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