The Association for Challenge Course Technology & the ACCT Standard

Chairman of The Canopy/Zip-Line Tour Committee Introductions Victor Gallo Chairman of The Canopy/Zip-Line Tour Committee

Objectives Introduction to the ACCT Identification of the current standards and their applications Understanding the value of standards How to build toward a common standard in your region Answer questions

The ACCT: an overview Established in 1993, and setting standards developed by the international challenge course, zip line, and aerial adventure industry since 1994 Over 3,000 individual members and member organizations, on 6 continents, in 35 countries Annual conference and exposition that has over 1,000 attendees (and growing each year) Provides professional publications, resources, and networking to all levels and types of professionals Provides professional Inspector Certification, and is currently developing Program Accreditation

The ACCT Standard: background The ACCT Standard is written and maintained by an international community of professionals; 9 editions have been produced since 1994, including the ACCT/ANSI Standard The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accepted the standard as an ANS, creating the ANSI/ACCT 03-2016 Challenge Course and Canopy/Zip Line Tour Standard As interest in quality assurance and regulation in the industry grows, the ACCT Standard is increasingly being adopted by governments and regulatory bodies Most organizations to date have adopted the ACCT Standard voluntarily

Design, Performance, & Inspection Establish requirements for the design, performance, and inspection of elements and associated equipment for Challenge Courses, Aerial Adventure/Trekking Parks, Canopy Tours and Zip Line Tours. Define minimum acceptable practices Establish sound structural design criteria while allowing for design creativity Establish assessment and interpretation criteria for professional inspection Standardize interpretation through explanatory material and appendices providing rationale or additional information Provide an acceptable industry standard for adoption by jurisdictional regulatory bodies

Operation Standards Establish minimum operational procedures and staff competencies for Challenge Courses, Aerial Adventure/Trekking Parks, Canopy Tours and Zip Line Tours. Define the critical skills and knowledge necessary for management, programmatic, and technical operation of a course Designate core, technical, and facilitation staff competencies Elevate the level of quality and enhance professional practices Promote better risk management practices Allow for creativity in design and implementation of programs while ensuring effective operations Apply to all facilities and operations using the DPI Standard

Training & Certification Standards TRAINING STANDARDS Establish requirements intended to enable course owner/operators to design and deliver, or purchase training curricula that meet the minimum industry standards and provide necessary content for staff PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION STANDARDS Creates a common standard for industry use, identifying minimum individual practitioner skills and knowledge levels

An Effective Standard An effective standard: Sets minimum requirements for acceptable practices Is Performance Based: a standard that states requirements in terms of required results, but without stating the methods for achieving the required results. Allows freedom for people to meet the standard in a way that is best for each organization Is based upon the consensus of a large group of industry professionals who provide experience and expertise

For Example Operations Standard C.2.3.3: The organization’s staff shall be able to tie and evaluate appropriate knots for life safety systems. Note that this standard does not tell an organization which knots it should be using. It simply states that the staff must be able to tie and evaluate the appropriate knots (which are usually determined by the designer, manufacturer, and/or operator of the attraction).

Some Benefits of Following the ACCT/ANSI Standard Design of each course and all equipment as well as staff Training will be performed by a “Qualified Person” – someone who has documented education, training, and/or experience in their field Installation and Inspections will be performed by a “Competent Person” – someone who has documented skills knowledge, training, and experience to perform their duties Inspections, training, and staff evaluations will happen regularly – they will also be well documented Meeting Operations Standards facilitates Quality Assurance for what is happening daily ”in the field”; this produces a well operated course

Some Benefits of a Well-Operated Course Quality staff training practices that reduce the risk of injury A well-maintained facility and equipment, reducing the likelihood of a malfunction Competent staff members providing a better experience to guests and enjoying better working conditions Great experiences and guests reviews that make more people want to participate on the course or tour

How to Build Toward Implementing A Common Standard Within Your Region Do research, identify and speak with industry experts, and understand which standard(s) will help ensure quality practices Formally or informally adopt a common standard for organizations within your region to follow Work with industry experts and partners to educate people and organizations on the standard and how they can meet it Provide resources and support to organizations to make a well-defined path for them to follow to gain compliance Continue promotion of the standard through education, as well as recognition of organizations that are positive examples

Membership Options Professional Vendor Member: A PVM of ACCT is a company which has successfully completed the Professional Vendor Member Application, including the Accreditation process. Business to Business Member: An organization that provides services or products to operators, vendors, or manufacturers. Business to Client Member: An organization offering challenge course/aerial adventure course programs or services direct to the public at a specific site or location. Industry Stakeholder/Affiliate: An organization or entity that has interest or concern in the Challenge Course and Aerial Adventure Course market. Individual Member: A practitioner, student, or interested party who is not directly affiliated with an organization which delivers challenge course programming or provides services to the marketplace.

Membership & Information Find out more about the ACCT, as well as how to join the Association at www.acctinfo.org

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