Upstream
Upstream is Blue Water’s podcast on outdoor hospitality, straight talk on running RV resorts, campgrounds, and glamping destinations from the people who manage them every day. New episodes each month.
Practical tips, industry insights, destination guides, and real stories from campground owners, travelers, and outdoor hospitality leaders.
Episode 4: Lawyer Turned Park Model CEO
What does a recovering attorney who started his career dialing for dollars from a phone book know about building premium outdoor accommodations at scale?
Great Outdoor Cottages is the park model manufacturing company built out of Blue Water’s own operation. On this episode, Raf and Matt break down where the park model market actually stands today, why premium accommodations compete against hotels (not pad sites), and how GOC retooled to build fully custom units at scale without sacrificing speed.
They also get into the overlooked case for park models as an affordable housing solution, what the RV Move America event signaled, and how Matt is using AI to cut BOM pricing from two days to minutes.
How Technology Powers KOA's Commercial Strategy
In this Upstream episode, Kim Wootteon, SVP of Commercial Strategy at KOA (Kampgrounds of America), shares her journey from retail to outdoor hospitality and how data, pricing, and technology are reshaping the camping and RV industry. They talk about KOA’s approach to revenue management and franchise operations, plus how AI is helping campgrounds improve guest experience and run more efficiently. A good listen for campground owners, RV park operators, and anyone in outdoor hospitality.
37 Years Building Camp Jellystone: Rob Schutter | Upstream Podcast Ep. 02
On this episode, Rob walks Rafo through the full arc from mom-and-pop campgrounds of the ’80s to full-service cabins, splash pads, and multi-billion dollar corporations. A transformation that required narrowing the franchise to operators who truly shared the vision, resetting expectations, and building infrastructure that 75+ independent business owners could depend on.
His biggest leadership lesson after 37 years? It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about knowing which questions to ask and trusting the team around you to help find them.
The Right (and Wrong) Way to Use AI in Outdoor Hospitality
Are you using AI and technology the right way in your outdoor hospitality business — or are you leaving money and guest satisfaction on the table? 🤔
In Episode 01 of Upstream with Raf Correa, we sit down with Erin Stevenson of Storable Newbook, Michael Scheinman of Campspot, and Garett McKinnon of Campground Views to break down the right and wrong ways to use AI in outdoor hospitality. We cover:
- How to use AI behind the scenes to streamline operations and create more value for your guests
- The tools and strategies that can actually move the needle at your property
- What industry leaders are prioritizing right now
If you own, operate, invest in, or care about the future of campgrounds and RV parks, this conversation is for you.