From An Island on My Own to a Sea of New Glamping Friends

Let’s take a step back to 2024. My small business, Ozark Mountain Adventure, had been open for four years. In the beginning, during the first two years, I worked full-time as the Chief Marketing Officer at a community bank and outsourced all the needs of the glamping business. After retiring from the bank, I dedicated myself to the glamping business for two years; however, during that time, I managed everything on my own. I didn’t have outside landscaping companies, a housekeeping team, a marketing firm, or engineering support—just me, handling it all.

Throughout those two years, I often felt isolated, as if I was on an island. While I found countless YouTube videos on various glamping topics and watched many of them, I am a hands-on learner, and it felt like everything I was learning was the hard way. There was no manual to guide me.

Then I discovered the Glamping Show Americas, a convention where like-minded individuals from across the globe gathered. I found that I could attend the exhibits at no cost, but I would miss out on the educational seminars because my business earnings were invested in new construction on our fourth glamping site. I took a leap of faith and decided to attend the show.

Upon arrival, I brought business cards with the goal of meeting vendors, exploring the latest innovations in the glamping industry, and connecting with event organizers. I spent hours engaging with vendors about their products and services. I then shifted my focus to conversations with other attendees, discovering that while we all had different stories, we shared a profound purpose: to create unique experiences for guests and offer memorable glamping accommodations for rent.

I had the pleasure of meeting a couple who own The Wild Pines in Ohio. Surrounded by a bustling crowd, I approached them and asked if it was their first time at the event. Our conversation blossomed, leading to the sharing of marketing strategies and vendor discussions. It was truly refreshing, as it marked my first experience in the glamping industry where I found someone who deeply understood my journey. Throughout the two-day show, we (the owners of The Wild Pines) crossed paths multiple times, continuing our discussions and fostering a strong connection. To this day, we remain in contact, supporting each other through our social media platforms.

As for the vendors, the sheer number was overwhelming. Nevertheless, my intention was clear: I wanted to find the vendor I invested the most in and express my gratitude. For me, that vendor is the Montana Canvas Tent Company, representing my largest expense in the business model.

Since day one of business, I’ve reached out to Montana Canvas Tent Company multiple times: after a guest locked their dog inside a tent, damaging the zipper, and while inquiring about a cleaning solution to remove pollen from the tent. Though the owner was unavailable during my visit at the Show, I connected with Courtney, allowing me to build a valuable face-to-face relationship. Fast forward to this past year, when I called Montana Canvas again; our conversation felt like a family reunion as we reminisced about our time together at the Glamping Show. It was the warm greeting I craved.

Next, I set my sights on connecting with media contacts behind the glamping event. During one of the outdoor sessions, I spotted the woman who produced the Glamping Magazine, Steph. I had carried her magazine throughout the convention, and now it was my time to meet her. Knowing her background in marketing, I felt compelled to introduce myself. She welcomed me with open arms. Soon into our conversation, she introduced me to another individual who hosts a glamping podcast, Sarah. She requested a sound bite of my perspective as a first-time attendee. Just ten minutes earlier, I didn’t know these two women, and now I was sharing my experience with a global audience while promoting my small glamping business. It felt surreal!
After the convention, Steph asked me to write an article for the magazine, Glamping Business Americas. Not only did I write the piece, but one of my glamping photos made it onto the front cover! Then, I was asked to join Sara on her Glamping Americas Podcast to share my ‘boots on the ground efforts.’ Both opportunities placed my small business on the map. Following those opportunities, I was asked by a metro city (Kansas City, MO) to join their morning show My KC Live, to share my glamping story with their viewers. No matter what the media outlet, I am always honored to share my glamping insights with others who are also making a difference in their communities.

As if that wasn’t enough, this spring, I received an exciting invitation to speak at one of the educational seminars at the 2025 Glamping Show Americas. It’s such a full-circle moment; the person who couldn’t attend the educational session last year is now not only participating but also sharing valuable marketing insights in the glamping industry. What an incredible honor!

Walking away from the Glamping Show Americas, I felt revitalized, having collected over 50 new business cards that transformed into invaluable contacts and friendships over the past year. I didn’t arrive by mere chance; I stepped outside my comfort zone and worked diligently during those two days, engaging in meaningful conversations. I started with zero dollars, yet now I felt like my goals were limitless.

Throughout 2024 and now into 2025, I’ve maintained contact with many individuals from the Show, and those connections continue to inspire me. In fact, because of the intentional marketing push for my small business, the efforts were picked up by Midwest Living Magazine as the ‘Top 15 Glamping Destinations in The Midwest.’ Again, pausing and talking with the Editor of Midwest Living, building the relationship, and finding their goal of the publication, which was highlighting glamping under the stars. Well, guess who just happened to have a picture of a glamping tent under the stars? Yep, yours truly. And guess who landed on the front cover, yet again? Yep, you guessed it. Ozark Mountain Adventure.

In the beginning, I felt a bit isolated, as if I were on my own little island. After deciding to dive in at the Glamping Show Americas on a zero budget, I ended up forging lifelong friendships with vendors and other owners. Now, I’m having a blast sharing my glamping knowledge across various platforms and stages. Was I nervous? Oh, definitely! But before heading into the show, I took a deep breath of the fresh Colorado mountain air and reminded myself to believe in my abilities. It turned out to be one of the best things I could have done — not just for my business, but also for my mental well-being!