originally posted on 5/8/2020
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Even a few months ago no one could have imagined this, but after consultation with the host parks and careful consideration of options, the ACE Executive Committee (EC) voted to postpone Coaster Con 43 until 2021 because of the uncertainties surrounding the threat of COVID-19. An emergency Zoom meeting was held on April 25, at which the decision was made to hold Coaster Con 43 in the same four Pennsylvania parks — Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland, Dorney Park and Knoebels Amusement Resort — during the week of June 20-26, 2021. No one was happy with this decision; Coaster Con has never been postponed. However, it was appropriate and the most logical direction to take with all the factors involved.
In discussions with park personnel, ACE Events Director Steve Berto found them understandably reluctant to commit to providing everything that had been scheduled at their respective parks. None of the host parks is currently open or has announced a definite plan to open. In addition, the host parks have not yet worked out definite plans for how they will open, in terms of ensuring employee and guest safety. A postponement, with the same parks and same schedule for 2021, seemed like a safer option for both the parks and ACE. Berto is currently negotiating with the hotels to see if current reservations and rates can be kept. Announcements about lodging options for 2021 will be made as soon as they are definite.
Coaster Con is more than riding coasters, however. ACEers can’t ride them together this year, but they can certainly do other activities together — together virtually! ACE Communications Director Elizabeth Ringas and her team are working on plans for a virtual convention, which will include the following: the photo and video contests, which will be open to all members; speakers from the original host parks; coaster riding highlights; election platform speeches and the annual business meeting; scavenger hunts; trivia contests; virtual meet ups; and extra #ShareYourMoments drawings. And prizes! More details will be available in early June, when ACE will provide the planned schedule for all virtual activities and the details needed to participate.
This is an election year for ACE, so like many other activities these days, the business meeting, candidate speeches and all question-asking will be virtual. The business meeting booklet will be available online in early June, and candidate platforms will be posted by early June. Members will be able to submit questions to the candidates and to members of the Executive Committee that will be answered in an online platform. Voting will be online as well.
Being together virtually is better than nothing, but it’s no replacement for spending real time together. Some would say the camaraderie among ACE members at Coaster Con is what makes it the best week of the year. This shared time cannot be duplicated, but all is not lost for 2020. Stay tuned for plans for a virtual convention that will begin on June 20 with the annual business meeting and candidate platforms and will continue during the following week with online activities for all ACE members.
— Lee Ann Draud
ACE Publications Director
@#$%&!
#ACENews