ACCT International

ACCT International ACCT International is the leading professional resource for all aspects of the challenge course, zip line/tour, and aerial adventure park industry. Welcome!

ACCT International (formerly The Association for Challenge Course Technology) is the world’s leading and largest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer focused specifically and solely on the challenge course industry. ACCT International is comprised of a nucleus of more than 3,000 members worldwide and continues to develop a global alliance of like-minded organizations.

Your training program should give staff more than a checklist to follow.The Leveraging ACCT Operation & Training Standar...
09/18/2026

Your training program should give staff more than a checklist to follow.

The Leveraging ACCT Operation & Training Standards Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference will show you how to use ACCT Standards to strengthen the training you already provide.

Led by John Winter, this half-day session will cover:
• Chapter 2 standards related to practitioner and participant training
• Practitioner competencies that can guide staff development
• Ways to use ACCT Standards in your in-house training program
• Chapter 3 standards that support training program operations
• Ideas for improving consistency across your training process

This session is built for trainers, managers, and program leaders who want to connect their day-to-day training practices with ACCT Operation & Training Standards.

🕐 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $150 Early Bird | $175 after Early Bird

Register for the 2027 ACCT International Conference and add Leveraging ACCT Operation & Training Standards to your schedule:
https://acctconference.com/

Another Tie! Greg and Walker have both won this week's Where Are You Wednesday photo contest ... though, the council did...
09/18/2026

Another Tie! Greg and Walker have both won this week's Where Are You Wednesday photo contest ... though, the council did debate whether Greg's entry should get half points, but decided that we all have had a staff member or eight that we'd love to clone.

Have a Great Weekend!

Heads Up: Next week is a normal Where Are You Wednesday round, and then Sep 30 will be an Ultimate round, where all the winners will compete for extra prizes and glory.

Wood can look solid on the outside and still have problems developing inside.The Wood Decay & Inspection Fundamentals Pr...
09/17/2026

Wood can look solid on the outside and still have problems developing inside.

The Wood Decay & Inspection Fundamentals Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference will help you better understand what causes wood deterioration and what to look for during inspections.

Led by Gerald Presley, this interactive half-day session covers:
• Major wood-destroying organisms
• Conditions that allow wood decay to develop
• Common wood protection methods
• Chemical wood preservatives
• Wood pole inspection procedures
• Remedial treatments for wood poles
• Non-destructive assessment technologies

You’ll also see a resistance drilling demonstration used for wood pole inspection.

🕐 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $225 Early Bird | $275 after Early Bird

If you inspect, maintain, build, or manage challenge courses that use wood poles or other wood structures, this session gives you a stronger foundation for understanding what may be happening below the surface.

Register for the 2027 ACCT International Conference and add Wood Decay & Inspection Fundamentals:
https://acctconference.com/

Some inspection findings are straightforward.Others require experience, judgment, and a much closer look.Advanced Applic...
09/17/2026

Some inspection findings are straightforward.
Others require experience, judgment, and a much closer look.

Advanced Application & Forensics at the 2027 ACCT International Conference is built for experienced inspectors who want to work through the more complex situations that show up in the field.

Led by the ACCT Professional Inspector’s Forum Task Force, this half-day Pre-Conference Session will explore:
• Failure analysis and understanding why systems fail
• Applying current industry standards to complex findings
• Legal compliance and inspector responsibilities
• Liability in third-party and in-house inspection programs
• Managing difficult client conversations
• Emerging inspection technologies and industry trends

You’ll also have time for open discussion with other experienced inspectors, including opportunities to compare findings, talk through challenging scenarios, and share lessons from the field.

🕐 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $150 Early Bird | $175 after Early Bird

If you’ve spent time inspecting challenge courses and want to strengthen how you approach the difficult cases, this session was designed for that conversation.

Register for the 2027 ACCT International Conference and add Advanced Application & Forensics to your schedule:
https://acctconference.com/

If you use a scissor lift around your course, get trained to use it safely.The MEWP Scissor Lift (3A) Operator Training ...
09/16/2026

If you use a scissor lift around your course, get trained to use it safely.

The MEWP Scissor Lift (3A) Operator Training Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference combines classroom instruction with practical evaluation.

Led by Joel Parr, the session covers:
• Pre-start inspections
• Workplace inspections
• Operator responsibilities
• Common scissor lift hazards
• Safe equipment operation
• Steps that help prevent accidents

Successful participants complete both the classroom portion and hands-on practical evaluation for operator certification.

🕗 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $250
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Participants must bring their own harness for fit testing.

Scissor lifts are used for plenty of work around challenge courses, climbing structures, and adventure parks. This is a chance to build the skills to operate one with more confidence.

https://www.acctinfo.org/events/37th-annual-acct-international-conference---registration

AND/OR

Boom lifts can put you right where the work needs to happen.
That also puts safe operation squarely in your hands.

The MEWP Boom Lift (3B) Operator Training Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference gives participants practical training for operating boom lifts safely.

Led by Joel Parr, the session covers:
• Pre-start equipment inspections
• Workplace inspections
• Operator responsibilities
• Recognizing hazards during operation
• Safe boom lift operation
• Accident prevention

Successful participants complete classroom instruction, a written exam, and a hands-on practical evaluation for operator certification.

🕐 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $250
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Participants must bring their own harness for fit testing.

If boom lifts are part of your construction, inspection, maintenance, or repair work, this training gives you time to build skills with the equipment before heading back into the field.

WHERE ARE YOU WEDNESDAY?!‽Share your picture of where you're working from today in the "Where Are You Wednesday?" ACCT p...
09/16/2026

WHERE ARE YOU WEDNESDAY?!‽

Share your picture of where you're working from today in the "Where Are You Wednesday?" ACCT photo-sharing game!! Let's see if your friends will like your photo and help you win a prize.

HOW TO PLAY
1) The game will be opened NOW
2) You choose ONE picture you have taken of where you are THIS WEDNESDAY. It can be on course, at the office, job site, etc. You do NOT have to be in the photo, and a location and description of the photo are encouraged.
3) You enter the contest by posting your photo in the comment section of THIS "Where Are You Wednesday?" post. Entries will be accepted all of Wednesday in the Mountain Time Zone (US).
4) ACCT Facebook fans will scroll through the comments and vote by liking their favorite photos. Voters can like as many photos as they want, and begging for likes via social media is allowed. BE SURE TO SWITCH YOUR VIEW TO "All Comments" so Facebook's determination of what is "Most Relevant" doesn't sway your voting!
5) Voting ends Friday at 9:00 am Mountain Time Zone (US) The photo with the most reactions from verifiable individuals at that time wins. You may vote for your own, but your vote may be discounted to help break ties.
6) The winner will get an awesome ACCT logo prize mailed directly to them. (Remember to send us your address after each win if you want a prize😀)

What if the next big improvement in challenge course safety comes from outside our industry?The Applying Safety Research...
09/16/2026

What if the next big improvement in challenge course safety comes from outside our industry?

The Applying Safety Research to Challenge Courses Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference looks at what challenge course professionals can learn from fields like aviation, firefighting, space travel, and nuclear power.

Led by Steve Smith, this full-day workshop explores how safety research can change the way we think about risk management.

You’ll look at:
• How other high-risk industries manage safety
• What safety science says about preventing incidents
• Where traditional risk management approaches can fall short
• How safety models can apply to challenge course programs
• Ways to use research to strengthen policies, training, and decision-making

This session is built for people who want to think more carefully about how safety systems work before something goes wrong.

🕗 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $300 Early Bird | $350 after Early Bird

If you manage, inspect, train, build, or oversee challenge course programs, this session will give you a different way to look at risk.

Register for the 2027 ACCT International Conference and add Applying Safety Research to Challenge Courses to your schedule:
https://acctconference.com/

A good inspection starts with knowing what to look for.The Inspection Lifecycle Pre-Conference Session takes a close loo...
09/15/2026

A good inspection starts with knowing what to look for.

The Inspection Lifecycle Pre-Conference Session takes a close look at the full challenge course inspection process, from structural supports to equipment and hardware.

Led by the ACCT Professional Inspector’s Forum Task Force, this half-day session will cover:

• Inspecting utility poles, trees, and metal structures
• Evaluating hardware and equipment condition
• Recognizing wear and signs of structural concern
• Building stronger observational habits
• Applying consistent inspection methods
• Working through real-world case studies with other inspectors

You’ll also compare approaches with peers and build a shared language around what inspectors see, document, and evaluate in the field.

🕗 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $150 Early Bird | $175 after Early Bird

This session is designed for inspectors at all experience levels who want to sharpen their process and strengthen how they assess challenge courses.

Register for the 2027 ACCT International Conference and add The Inspection Lifecycle to your schedule:
https://acctconference.com/

Zip lines look simple from the ground.Building one correctly takes a lot more work than looks imply.The Zip Line Install...
09/15/2026

Zip lines look simple from the ground.

Building one correctly takes a lot more work than looks imply.

The Zip Line Installation Techniques Pre-Conference Session at the 2027 ACCT International Conference is built for people who want a stronger understanding of zip line design, installation, and evaluation.

Led by Luis Acevedo, this full-day technical workshop will cover:

• Steel cable selection, strength, and load limits
• Common anchor types and proper installation
• Safety factors for wire rope
• Measuring line resistance
• Calculating slope based on line length, rider weight, and braking system
• Passive and active braking systems
• Technical selection criteria for different brake setups
• ACCT Standards related to zip line installation and evaluation

Participants will work through the core calculations and decisions that affect how a zip line performs.

🕗 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Wednesday January 20th
💲 $300 Early Bird | $350 after Early Bird
👥 Minimum of 6 participants required

If you build, inspect, maintain, or work around zip lines, this session gives you a practical look at the technical side of getting the system right.

Learn more (under sessions) and register at: linktree.com/acctconference

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POB 19797
Boulder, CO
80308

Telephone

+13038272432

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