This episode of Campground Confidential features Chris Pyle, the Director of Operations at RV Self Park, a small, family-owned campground business. In this multifaceted role, Chris has worn various hats, handling everything from answering calls and spearheading marketing initiatives to overseeing upgrades at the park.
His journey into the outdoor hospitality industry began with a solid foundation in customer service as a recruiter prior to joining RV Self Park. This experience equipped him with the interpersonal skills and client-focused mindset that have proved instrumental in his transition into the world of hospitality. Chris's commitment to providing exceptional service and ensuring a positive guest experience has been a driving force throughout his career.
The concept of RV Self Park is rooted in providing a simple, automated, and stress-free overnight stay for transient travelers. The idea stemmed from the founders’ experiences as they RVed across America and often found themselves looking for a safe and affordable place to spend the night while they were driving from point A to point B. The challenge became finding a place that was close to the interstate and wouldn’t be too expensive considering they wouldn’t be using the large majority of campground amenities.
Of course, RVers know that a common solution to the dilemma of looking for a safe place to sleep without paying a high price point is stopping in parking lots of businesses like Walmart and Cracker Barrell. Many of these locations allow RVers to park overnight for free. However, noise, light, lack of hookups, and the variety of local ordinances make this a less than ideal solution for many travelers.
Enter RV Self Park.
The first RV Self Park location opened in January of 2020 in West Sullivan, Missouri right off I-44. The goal was “meet the needs of the RV traveler who” was looking for “a convenient, hassle-free, safe place to park for between a few hours, to a few days.” The greatest challenges came with developing the automated technology for guests and also communicating processes and expectations that RVers were not accustomed to with this entirely new model of campground.
The second RV Self Park location recently opened in Kingsland, Georgia. In this episode Chris discusses how they chose this location and the goals for growing the company and franchising their unique model.
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:36 RV Self Park Concept
07:03 Challenges and Solutions
08:01 Frustrations in the Campground Industry
09:02 Choosing the Right Location
11:36 Expansion and Franchise Model
20:55 Pricing and Promotions
25:57 Personal Camping Experience
27:02 Challenges with Guests
28:18 Dynamic Pricing and Promotional Pricing
30:22 Advice for Opening a Campground
31:01 Controversial Campground Rule
31:49 Misconceptions about Running a Campground
32:06 Conclusion
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