Glamping Business Conference

We recognize the need in the outdoor tourism industry to share, learn and solve business challenges in an interactive and engaging format.

Our mission is to provide a superb line-up of speakers who are running successful outdoor tourism businesses. Join our next The Glamping Show USA in Denver to learn about all aspects of setting up and running your own business. Topics covered include:

  • Regulations and standardization
  • Successfully running a seasonal business
  • Marketing and exposure for your site
  • Latest and emerging trends
  • Hospitality and customer service
  • Learnings from other tourism sectors
The Glamping Show Conference

Choose Your Conference Track

The Glamping Show USA makes this information relevant to all levels of business owners by creating two distinct tracks:

Choose your conference track at The Glamping Show

Track A

Discovery:
For those starting out

Taking those first steps is exciting, but can be daunting. Come and chat to like-minded explorers questioning these very steps. Share your ideas, share your concerns, share your tips. A Glamping business can feel isolating (literally!) and the opportunity to sense check yourself against your peers could be just what your business plan is missing.

Equip yourself with the tools to make those early decisions. How do I navigate the permissions process? What financial tools could be available to me? How do I get people to my property? Where is my marketing spend best used? Have I considered every possible scenario of what could go wrong? Or do I just need a little encouragement and inspiration to take the final step and sign on the dotted line? Whatever it is, we've got you covered.

Education for existing glamping businesses

Track B

Growth:
For those looking to grow and diversify

You are up and running – now what? Whether you are newly launched or have been running for some time, there is always plenty to learn. How do you hire, train and retain the very best staff? Is bigger necessarily better? How do you attract mid-week bookings and prepare for low season? Hear from industry leaders and successful site owners who have measurable and valuable case studies to share.

We're currently building our line-up of speakers. Check back with us soon to see what exciting content we have in store for you!

Glamping Conference Program

The 2019 conference program was filled with expert speakers and actionable takeaways – In the upcoming months we will be working on the 2020 program. Check back for updates.

While the two-tracks are designed to address topics of special interest to new glamping operators (Track A: Discovery) or experienced business owners (Track B: Growth), you may select sessions from either track to customize your own program.

DAY ONE – October 13, 2020

10:00am - Registration & Exhibition Opens

Track A
Discovery

11:00am - 12:00pm

Start up Stories

Launching a new business is full of unknowns, but guidance from those who successfully navigated the process can be invaluable. This panel shares their “what I wish I knew then” lessons and best ideas from their planning through their first years of business.

Learn: Some of the pitfalls you want to avoid and some advice to help smooth the road as you launch your new glamping operations.

Steph Curtis-Raleigh, Publisher, International Glamping Business; panelists TBD

Track B
Growth

11:00am - 12:00pm

Disaster Planning: Lessons Learned & Tips to Recovery

The Pandemic response to COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on the Glamping industry, but it is also an opportunity to discover the lessons to be ready for the next disaster. In this session, led by a nationally recognized expert in outdoor hospitality disaster management, you will discover the 5 critical lessons of COVID-19, and how your business can successfully develop its own recovery to this disaster, and prepare for the next one.

Learn: How to recover from COVID-19 and use those lessons for future disasters.

Patrick Hardy, President, Hytropy.com

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Break

Track A
Discovery

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Planning Your Site's Wastewater Management

In developing---or expanding--- your glamping site, what are the main considerations for handling wastewater? This session is an introduction to what you need to know during your planning process to avoid costly mistakes and meet local regulations.

Learn: Your options for removing wastewater from your glamping site before you build.

Speaker: TBD

Track B
Growth

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Harnessing the Power of Social Media to Captivate Your Audience, Generate Wanderlust & Attract More Guests

This mini-masterclass includes the 4 most important social media platforms and the techniques you can use to generate wanderlust. It also demonstrates the most sophisticated advertising tools on social media for attracting guests you’ll hear a case study of how one business used it to get booked out for an entire year---in a matter of days.

Learn: Effective social media techniques to bring attention to your business and maximize your bookings.

Sarah Riley, Business Coach and Visibility Expert, Inspired Camping & Inspired Courses

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Break

Track A
Discovery

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Ask the Expert: How Much Insurance Do You Really Need?

Every business needs some kind of insurance to protect the business owners and customers. Glamping sites are no exception and have their own special “circumstances.” This session begins with an overview of what you need to know with regard to insurance for your glamping business---from an expert in insurance for the outdoor hospitality industry. The focus of this program is to answer questions that are specific to your own business and the variety of services that you may offer. Bring your questions and find out what you need to know as you develop your business plan and launch your glamping operation.

Learn: What you need to know about insurance to adequately protect your business.

Damian Petty, Leavitt Recreation & Hospitality Insurance

Track B
Growth

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Adding Glamping to Your Campground or RV Park

Last year KOA shared with us the American Glamping Study and concepts of future RV parks. Are these compatible businesses? The future is now so come see and hear how two Florida destination RV parks successfully integrated Glamping into their locations. Patrick O’Neill will share his ‘how to’ and ‘how not to’ experience. He will share before and after photos, financials, customer survey results and much more. If you’re exploring the idea of adding glamping to your campground or RV Park, this session is for you.

Learn: If Glamping is compatible with your RV camping business.

Patrick O’Neill, Owner, Camp Gulf and Twin Lakes Camp Resort

DAY TWO – October 14, 2020

Track A
Discovery

8:30am - 10:00am

A Guide to Structures for Start-Up, Growth or Expansion

This unique session begins with a short introduction for, then breaks into separate topic groups with panelists. All types of structures and what to consider when selecting them will be covered.

Track A: If you’re new to glamping, get a high-level overview of what your options are and what you should be thinking about. Get educated on the process, explore the realm of possibilities and understand where to start in structure selection for your site. Hear from successful operators as to what they learned as they were going through the processes of choosing their structures.

Learn: Come and get all of your questions answered. This session will be your guide to all things structures.

Ruben Martinez, Glamping Hub, Moderator; panel members TBD

Track B
Growth

8:30am - 10:00am

A Guide to Structures for Start-Up, Growth or Expansion

This unique session begins with a short introduction for, then breaks into separate topic groups with panelists. All types of structures and what to consider when selecting them will be covered.

Track B: If you’re looking to expand your business, but have never done that before or are experienced and are looking for something different, hear about best practices to expand, what structure options exist and what you need to consider as you grow your footprint. Hear from others who have grown their operations and get your specific questions answered.

Learn: Be prepared to execute your master plan by talking with experts and operators who have successfully expanded their operations.

Ruben Martinez, Glamping Hub, Moderator, panel members TBD

10:00am - Main Exhibition Opens

Track A
Discovery

11:00am - 12:00pm

Glamping As Habitat Stewardship

Description TBD

Learn: How land stewardship and your glamping business can co-exist for the benefit of all.

Alyssa Ravasio , Founder, Hipcamp

Track B
Growth

11:00am - 12:00pm

Turning Dreams into Destinations

Are you ready to enter the exciting world of Outdoor Hospitality but don't know where to start? 

Kathleen Walsh and her team at AOS have been at the forefront of planning, designing, and managing some of the most popular resorts in the nation. Learn the in's and out's from an expert on

  • How to choose your land and location
  • Mixing it up with Site Types
  • Sewer Drives Everything
  • What are magnets and why should I care
  • Power Power Power
  • What amenities are most important
  • Funding options and Debt Coverage Ratios
  • Size Matters
  • Density considerations

Make sure you do not miss this eye opening session. 

Learn: How to take your vision from idea to creation of a Glamping Venue.

Kathleen Walsh, CEO, Advanced Outdoor Solutions

12:00pm - 1:00pm - Break

Track A
Discovery

1:00pm - 2:00pm

6 Essential Steps to Building a Recession-Proof Business in an Unsettled and Competitive Marketplace

You're a new, or soon-to-be business owner in the midst of a turbulent time. What are the key lessons we have learned from the impact COVID-19 has had on the hospitality industry? Explore the techniques you can take now to strengthen your business model in the face of an unsettled economy.

Learn: How to operate with confidence and recession-proof your offers and maximize your future growth.

Sarah Riley, Business Coach and Visibility Expert, Inspired Camping & Inspired Courses

Track B
Growth

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Going the Extra Mile

Should you consider adding more features to your glamping operation? Maybe massage or spa services, expand your meal service option, yoga classes or ??? This panel discusses their own experiences in going the extra mile for their guests and how to determine if the cost-benefits of these extra services mean more revenue or a bigger headache.

Learn: Explore the possibility of broadening your glamping services, and profits, with advice and ideas from experienced glamping operators.

Moderator: Steph Curtis-Raleigh, Publisher, International Glamping Business; panelists TBD.

2:00pm - 3:00pm - Break

Track A
Discovery

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Navigating the First Steps in Planning Your New Business

What are your first steps in launching your new glamping business or expansion? This session examines the mission critical items you need to consider, from whether a feasibility study is needed (getting a return on your investment) to determining what entities you must involve before you start the building process.

Learn: How to be prepared with the foundational issues you must consider, and may not have thought of, before you launch.

Speakers: TBD

Track B
Growth

3:00pm - 4:00pm

ABCs of Investment Capital for Growing Your Business

Description TBD

Speakers: TBD

Close of Day 2

“This is our first time exhibiting and we have met some interesting people and we have got some good leads. I have enjoyed talking to the participants but also to the other vendors too – we have learned from each other” – Ivy Fife, Colorado Yurt Company

Our Partners