When Amy Gillespie launched the Campfire Experience in early 2016, the original intent was to eliminate the barriers to an enjoyable camping experience. Inspired by the feeling of sitting around the fire with friends, campers could create their own moments with the aid of a fully-equipped teardrop trailer or whimsical bell tent.
That feeling of connection – with nature, with friends – has remained, but now more brands are creating their “campfire experiences.”
“We really started as an outdoor rental company and we’ve transitioned into an experience or an events company,” Gillespie says.
The organic growth of the company played right into Gillespie’s experience working with brands and in event planning and marketing. Instead of just providing the equipment, Campfire Experience is digging into location scouting, event planning – being hands on in helping brands create experiences.
Creating and experiencing the events, Gillespie gets to see those moments of connection actually happening that her company is all about.
“Those are the moments that give me the goosebumps,” she says.
Campfire Experience has shifted to three main focuses: festivals (yoga, music, beer, etc.), brands (partnerships, activations, internal events, etc.) and weddings. The radius has expanded too, with events and partnerships that have taken the team across the country.
Gillespie knew they were on to something – and both humbled and surprised – by the brands that reached out to her, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Goose Island and Men’s Journal.
“It was very validating that what we’re creating speaks to some of these companies that know what’s going on in terms of trends and what people want to experience,” she says.
Speakeasies, bars, lounges, VIP areas, Campfire Experience has not only the tents, but the goods to set up a number of curated physical environments. Peak season is rapidly approaching and they will once again be working with Abercrombie & Fitch on the A&F Challenge 2018, Men’s Journal and the Nelsonville Music Festival.
Their own series of events, the Campfire Sessions, will return as well.
What started as a marketing collaboration between Campfire Experience and various artists and videographers, has turned into an outdoor musical showcase. Reminiscent MTV Unplugged only outdoors, rugs, adirondack chairs, a fire and s’mores create an intimate, relaxed concert experience.
The series picks up again in May at Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster and will run through October. Gillespie hopes to add other experiences, like creating flower crowns, to the evenings. As the Campfire Sessions continue, Gillespie says they will also start looking into other types of events they could host themselves, like pop-up dinners.
It’s not the only way Campfire Experience is expanding. This summer, the brand will stake its claim in Boulder, CO.
“Our reach so far has been Midwest, East Coast and portions of the South,” Gillespie says. “This would help us expand further into the Midwest and maybe even be able to access some events on the West Coast.”
And Boulder provides the ideal location for a number of reasons.
“Boulder and Denver together make up a really interesting mix of people and general lifestyle or culture that has a love of the outdoors, that has a love of experiences, and also has a high amount of tourism,” Gillespie explains.
A more western hub will help with brand activations that take Campfire Experience across the country. Gillespie will split time between the cities, spending the rest of 2018 investing in and getting to know the community then getting down to production in 2019.
Campfire Experience will maintain its operations in Columbus with the expansion.
“Columbus is our home,” Gillespie says. She always wants to support the community that supported the Campfire Experience from the very start, before she was even sure what the reaction would be.
Gillespie finds it’s an ideal time to be investing in her business and her team, and following the organic shift to creating experiences. As experiential marketing gains popularity, there is ample opportunity for Campfire Experience to be part of that trend while also bringing something special to the category.
For more information, visit thecampfireexperience.com.Â