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EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley

Release Date: 05/07/2026

EP 269 Why Glamping and Retreats Are the Perfect Pair (And What Retreat Leaders Need to Know) with Sarah Riley

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality. Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites -...

EP 268 The Power of Retreats for Midlife Women: Building Community, Healing & Business with SOL Women

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

There is a powerful shift happening - and it’s centered around midlife women. Women who have spent years building careers, raising families, and showing up for everyone else are now asking a different question: What do I want? In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down in person in Austin with the founders of SOL Women to talk about the rise of retreats designed specifically for midlife women - and why these experiences are more needed now than ever. SOL Women creates holistic, supportive retreat experiences that help women reconnect with themselves, prioritize...

Behind the Scenes of the Retreat Industry Forum: Why Logistics & Operations Make or Break Your Retreat

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

There’s what your guests see at a retreat… And then there’s everything happening behind the scenes. In this special edition of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison and Erin (co-hosts of the Retreat Industry Forum) along with two of the Forum’s featured panel presenters - Matt Quinones and Daesha Donze - to talk about the operational side of running successful retreats. You can have an incredible concept, a beautiful location, and a powerful transformation… But if your logistics and operations aren’t dialed in, it will impact the entire experience. Matt...

EP 267 The Retreat Venue Gap: Why Retreat Leaders and Venues Struggle to Find Each Other with Emily Johnson

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

One of the biggest challenges in the retreat industry isn’t marketing, pricing, or programming. It’s the gap between retreat leaders and retreat venues. Retreat leaders struggle to find the right venues. Venue owners struggle to fill their calendars with the right retreats. And somewhere in the middle, opportunities are missed. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Emily Johnson, founder of Elevate Hospitality Collective, to talk about the disconnect between retreat leaders and venues - and how the industry can bridge that gap. Emily brings years of...

EP 266 The Power of Proximity for Retreat Leaders and Entrepreneurs

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Success in business isn’t just about strategy. It’s also about proximity - who you’re around, the conversations you’re exposed to, and the standards of the rooms you choose to enter. In this solo episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail shares why being in the right rooms can dramatically accelerate your growth as a retreat leader and entrepreneur. For many years Shannon’s business was doing well. But about five years ago, something shifted. She started attending conferences, joining masterminds, and intentionally placing herself in rooms with other high-level...

Special Edition: Stop Wasting Money on Ads: What Retreat Leaders Need Before Running Facebook & Instagram Ads with Jenn Possick

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Running ads to fill your retreat sounds like the obvious next step… But for most retreat leaders, it’s actually where they start losing money. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Jenn Possick (The Ads Maven) to break down what retreat leaders really need to know before investing in Facebook and Instagram ads. Jenn specializes in helping coaches, wellness professionals, and retreat leaders run strategic, data-driven ad campaigns - offering both done-for-you and done-with-you services. And here’s what she makes very clear: Ads are...

EP 265 The Communication Shift That Can Transform Your Retreats with Joel Weldon

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Retreat leaders spend months planning the location, the schedule, the experiences, and the transformations they want their guests to have. But there is one skill that quietly determines whether your retreat truly lands with your audience. Your ability to communicate. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon sits down with Hall of Fame speaker Joel Weldon to talk about the powerful role communication plays in the success of retreats - from filling the room to creating deeper breakthroughs for attendees. Joel has been paid to speak at more than 3,000 events and has coached over...

The Future of the Retreat Industry: Why We Need Standards, Community & Leadership with Holly Porter

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

The retreat industry is growing so fast. Especially in the last 6 years. But here’s the problem: There has never been a central place for retreat leaders, venues, and professionals to connect, collaborate, and operate at a higher standard. Until now. In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail is joined by Alison, Erin, and Holly Porter, founder of the International Retreat Association, to talk about the future of the retreat industry - and why the timing for this shift couldn’t be more important. Holly shares her powerful personal story - from building 12...

EP 264 Building Momentum: Staying the Course When Results Feel Slow

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

One of the hardest moments in the retreat business is the quiet period after you launch something. You announce your retreat. You post about it. You send emails. And then… crickets. In this solo episode, Shannon Jamail talks about why slow results are not a sign that something is wrong. In fact, momentum in the retreat industry is rarely sudden — it’s usually the result of consistent, focused action over time. Shannon breaks down the common traps retreat leaders fall into when results don’t appear quickly, including shiny object syndrome, comparison traps, and abandoning strategies too...

EP 263 Trust Leaks in Retreat Businesses: The 5 Places Retreat Leaders Lose Credibility with Debbie Simmons

The Retreat Leaders Podcast

Trust is the currency of the retreat industry. Guests invest their time, money, and emotional energy into retreat experiences expecting transformation, connection, and professionalism. But often, trust doesn’t break in big dramatic moments - it slowly leaks through small gaps in leadership, communication, and delivery. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Debbie Simmons to discuss the five most common “trust leaks” in retreat businesses and how retreat leaders can repair them before they damage reviews, referrals, and long-term loyalty. They break down where trust most often breaks...

More Episodes

The retreat industry is evolving - and one of the biggest opportunities right now sits at the intersection of glamping and retreats.

In this episode of The Retreat Leaders Podcast, Shannon Jamail sits down with Sarah Riley, a UK-based glamping industry expert and co-organizer of The Glamping Show America, to explore how glamping and retreats are becoming one of the most powerful combinations in experiential hospitality.

Sarah has been working in the glamping and retreat space since 2010, helping entrepreneurs launch lifestyle businesses and navigate the realities of building glamping sites - from concept to permissions to profitability.

Together, Shannon and Sarah break down:

Why glamping and retreats naturally complement each other
How retreat leaders can use glamping to enhance guest experience and increase revenue
The realities of starting a glamping business (and why it’s not as “cheap and easy” as people think)
Emerging trends in experiential travel and hospitality
How AI is driving people toward more authentic, in-person experiences

They also discuss Shannon’s upcoming participation as a speaker at The Glamping Show America this September, where retreat leaders and venue owners can learn directly from experts in the glamping and hospitality space.

If you’re a retreat leader, venue owner, or entrepreneur looking to expand your offerings or create more unique guest experiences, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why glamping and retreats are a natural and powerful combination
• How glamping can increase occupancy and revenue for retreat venues
• The real costs and considerations of starting a glamping business
• Funding opportunities available for glamping projects (including crowdfunding)
• How AI is shifting consumer behavior toward in-person experiences
• Trends shaping the future of experiential hospitality

Key Takeaways

Glamping and Retreats Are a Natural Fit

Glamping enhances the retreat experience by combining:

nature
comfort
uniqueness
immersion

This creates a more memorable and desirable experience for guests.

Glamping Is Not a “Cheap” Business

There’s a common misconception that glamping is easy to start.

In reality, it requires:

proper permissions
infrastructure
investment
planning

However, it also opens the door to unique funding opportunities not typically available to traditional accommodations.

Experiential Travel Is Growing Rapidly

Travelers are increasingly seeking:

unique environments
nature-based experiences
authentic, in-person connection

Glamping and retreats sit directly at the center of this trend.

AI Is Driving a Return to Human Connection

As AI continues to reshape the digital world, people are beginning to crave:

offline experiences
real human interaction
trustworthy environments

Retreats and glamping experiences provide exactly that.

About Sarah Riley

Sarah helps ambitious owners launch and grow their glamping businesses quickly and stand out in an increasingly competitive industry. From setting up your foundations to attracting consistent bookings, she shares the powerful (and often overlooked) strategies that give you a real edge… including hosting retreat events to maximise occupancy, even in the off-season.

With over a decade of hands-on experience running a boutique hospitality and retreats business, Sarah doesn’t just teach this industry… she’s lived it. Today, she’s a professionally qualified business coach, marketing visibility specialist, and the founder of The Glamping Academy, helping thousands of entrepreneurs turn their ideas into profitable, lifestyle-led businesses.

She’s also Co-Conference Director of Glamping Show Americas in Colorado, and a recognised voice in the global glamping space.

If you’re ready to launch with confidence and momentum… Sarah offers a range of high-impact programmes designed to help you start quickly, attract your ideal guests, and build a business you truly love.

Because this isn’t just about starting a business… It’s about creating a lifestyle.

https://www.glampingshow.us/ and https:glamping.academy

The Retreat Leaders Podcast Resources and Links:

Thanks for tuning into the Retreat Leaders Podcast. Remember to subscribe for more insightful episodes, and visit our website for additional resources. Let’s create a vibrant retreat community together!

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TIMESTAMPS

Sarah Riley’s Background & Glamping Show (00:01:11) Sarah shares her background in glamping, hospitality, and organizing the Glamping Show America.

Glamping and Retreats: The Perfect Match (00:03:23) Discussion on how glamping and retreats complement each other and enhance guest experiences.

Glamping Show Details & Experiential Industry (00:04:12) Information about the Glamping Show in September and the experiential nature of glamping and retreats.

Retreat Venue Models & Nature’s Role (00:05:32) Exploring retreat venue options, the benefits of glamping, and the importance of nature in retreats.

What is Glamping? Definitions & Structures (00:06:35) Sarah defines glamping, describes various structures, and highlights the diversity in the industry.

Budget, Myths, and Setting Up Glamping Sites (00:07:30) Addressing misconceptions about glamping costs, permissions, and funding options for new sites.

Innovative Glamping Models & Imagination (00:10:10) Discussion on creative glamping models, moveable structures, and the limitless possibilities in the field.

Glamping Show Inspiration & Unique Structures (00:10:51) Shannon shares experiences from the Glamping Show, emphasizing the inspiration and unique accommodations available.

Nostalgia, Vintage Experiences & Human Connection (00:12:05) Exploring the appeal of vintage experiences, historical structures, and the desire for authentic human connection.

Impact of AI & Digital Overload (00:12:44) Sarah discusses how AI and digital technology are driving people to seek real-life experiences and offline events.

Generational Shifts & Offline Experiences (00:14:14) Analysis of generational trends, with Gen Alpha and others seeking more in-person, authentic experiences.

Pandemic Effects & Glamping Industry Trends (00:18:19) How the pandemic increased demand for nature-based, in-person experiences and affected glamping bookings.

Future of Hospitality & AI Entrepreneurs (00:20:01) Tech entrepreneurs investing in experiential hospitality, and the uncertain future of online trust and marketing.

Marketing, Visibility & Rapid Change (00:21:04) Challenges of marketing retreats and glamping venues amid rapidly changing digital algorithms and platforms.

Entrepreneurs Shifting to Experiential Businesses (00:22:06) Stories of entrepreneurs leaving digital businesses to create glamping and retreat centers focused on connection.

Balancing Digital Tools & Authenticity (00:22:51) The need for entrepreneurs to stay visible online while maintaining authenticity and adapting to digital changes.

AI as a Disruptor & Essential Tool (00:23:13) AI’s dual role as a disruptor and a necessary tool for business owners, especially in hospitality and retreats.

Right-Brained Creatives & Data-Driven Marketing (00:24:52) The challenge for creative retreat leaders to embrace data-driven marketing, and how AI can help bridge the gap.

AI Adoption & Resistance in the Industry (00:26:07) Encouragement for retreat leaders to adopt AI, comparing its importance to the rise of the internet and social media.

Efficiency, Competition & AI in Hospitality (00:27:55) How AI can improve efficiency, reduce computer time, and help businesses stay competitive in hospitality.

Glamping Show USA: What to Expect (00:29:33) Sarah describes what attendees can expect at the Glamping Show USA, including exhibits, networking, and learning opportunities.

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