Grand Rapids company Appropos launches software to simplify online campsite reservations

Camping is supposed to be a bit rustic, but that doesn't mean that making an online reservation at a campground needs to be like starting a fire with two sticks and a piece of birch bark.

Grand Rapids-based technology company Appropos has announced the launch of an Appropos-designed software, Campspot , that will streamline, simplify and optimize online campsite reservations at select Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts around the country.

The software was developed for RezPlot Systems, LLC, an industry leader in campground management, and Northgate Resorts, the owners of RV camping properties, including several Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts.

Northgate Resorts CFO, Caleb Hartung, says the need for a new reservation management program was self-evident by anyone who has made campground reservations in the past, and in the case of Northgate Resorts an important part of the growth strategy.

"As we acquired RV resorts with their existing reservation systems, nothing met our needs,” Hartung says.

In fact, he says the whole online reservation system "was a miserable experience." Hartung says Campspot was developed with a superior front end design and a vastly improved user experience.

Mari-Megan Moore, senior UI/UX designer at Appropos, describes Campspot as "modern and responsive" and says it gives the camping customer a very simple and streamlined way to reserve sites from any device. It will also allow campground owners to better manage their sites for profitability through smart bookings, discounts to encourage longer stays and repeat reservations. It also gives them the ability to introduce other products and services such as firewood, pie irons and s’mores, golf carts, hot tubs, and more.

The launch was recently announced at the annual Yogi Bear Jellystone Park Symposium and Trade Show  in Cincinnati last week.

Appropos is a Grand Rapids tech company that was formed in 2012. It employs 22 people and serves some of the largest U.S. and international companies. Learn more about Appropos at www.appropos.com.

Written by John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor.