Innovating Family Travel – Water Parks, Staycations and the Future of Lodging

Host Bill Mitchell sits down with Eric Lund, CEO of S&L Hospitality and a driving force behind Great Wolf Resorts, the brand that reinvented family vacations with the indoor water park.

Eric shares how Great Wolf grew from a clever idea into a nationwide phenomenon, the hurdles of financing a brand-new resort model, and why a people-first culture still drives success. He also looks ahead at the future of hospitality: tech, personalization and keeping family experiences at the core.

In this episode, we explore: 

(00:00) Birth of Great Wolf Lodge

(04:53) First indoor water park success

(06:40) Family-centric water park culture

(11:30) Family fun at Great Wolf Lodge

(14:29) Entrepreneurial journey and business culture

(19:26) Building a smart, leisure-driven culture

(21:05) Sharing unique experiences

(26:57) Adapting to next generation needs

(28:04) Passion for hospitality industry

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Eric Lund on LinkedIn

S&L Hospitality

Great Wolf Lodge