Neil Dipaola is a nationally recognized thought leader in coastal land use policy, sustainable design, and development. He is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara; the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science; and Santa Barbara City College. His development projects have received numerous industry awards for their attention to sustainability design, technology, and modern architecture and have been featured in over 100 national periodicals including such publications as Dwell, Forbes, Sunset Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Time Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. In 2019, Neil was recognized by Fast Company as one of the most creative businessmen in America.

Dipaola was awarded California’s highest honor – The Governor’s Economic and Environmental Leadership Award by Governor Jerry Brown and the California Environmental Protection Agency – for his pioneering work to develop net-zero energy buildings in California.

In 2014 Neil founded AutoCamp to make it easier for people to experience and connect with each other in the great outdoors. AutoCamp has revolutionized the outdoor lodging industry by bringing boutique hotel style amenities, mid-century modern design, and welcoming hospitality to some of the world’s most iconic outdoor destinations.

With stylish accommodations in modern Airstream suites and luxurious tents, AutoCamp has locations in Santa Barbara, the Russian River Valley, and Yosemite National Park, with a national expansion of the brand currently underway. The company was recognized by AHEAD in 2019 as New Concept of the Year and was featured in TIME Magazine’s 100 Greatest Places of 2019. The current project pipeline includes AutoCamp Cape Cod, opening in Spring 2021 and a dozen other iconic locations across the US.
Neil leads the AutoCamp team with a passion for inspired hospitality and an eye for details, always seeking out new ways to create guest delight.