As this year’s playa MOOP map is revealed in tantalizing slices, the event all Burning Man market-watchers have been waiting for is almost here — the release of the annual Rock Star Realtor guide. MoopNPlay was able to secure an interview with the lady who’s said to be “plugged into” all the big-name camp land-leasing stories. This is what she had to say:

“As ever on playa, it’s location, location, location, sweetie, and there are winners and losers. 2013 was another big win for the French Quarter. They understand that the real money is in offering boutique style luxuries to paying campers who have refined tastes and high disposable incomes. Investors who got in early with the French Quarter will be excited by the high returns projected on camp dues for 2014.”

” The only possible blot on the landscape here is their ability to manage growth, which is what the market looks for, long term. I predict they’re going to make a significant cash offer to surrounding camps to increase their over-all footprint, and start offering even more super-premium camp membership packages in the $5 to $10K range.”

“At the same time, they’re going to have to do something to protect the French Quarter brand from being diluted by copy-cat camps. There are multiple reports of groups of tourists from as far away as Miami and Ibiza who found themselves camping out at L and 9:15 in something called Le French Eighth. In fact I got an email from someone who said that this camp was offering “discount membership packages” on their website and claiming to be “basically in the French Quarter” But when they got there, they were next to walk-in camping and all they got for their membership dues was a few bottles of 2 Buck Chuck, a tray of CostCo pastries and a note saying ‘blame the placement team.’ Obviously that sort of thing is something the French Quarter is going to have to keep an eye on.”

“Big loser this year? Probably White Ocean. It’s too soon to say, but this mainstream dance camp might be a little too mainstream for its own good. They certainly booked an impressive DJ line-up, which probably moved a few memberships, but their crowd seems to be kids who’re looking for something a little more adventurous than Electric Daisy Carnival, but nothing too adventurous. So they’re competing for festival lodging dollars against the Vegas Strip hotels.”

“Those EDC kids will pack 20 of themselves into a mini-suite at the Bellagio if they can get away with it, so you can obviously pack them into “members” camping like sardines, and you can get away with offering minimal amenities, but it’s a low-margin business. The smart money’s moving out of dance camps and into the more boutique glamping experience. You can charge a small premium to some kids on the basis of a tent spot with a view of the security cordon around Paul Oakenfold’s RV, but the big money’s in artisinal food, beverages and scented soaps. I think we’re going to see more French Quarter-style experiences that combine a gated community vibe with a geographic theme — look for I Can’t Believe it’s Not Barcelona in 2014.”

Big thanks to Rock Star Realtor for giving Moop-N-Play Industries the exclusive scoop!