originally posted on 5/1/2020
I am personally saddened that the Executive Committee has made the appropriate decision to postpone ACE Coaster Con 43 to June 20, 2021. After discussions with our host parks, it was clear that until they get the authorization to return to operation, the uncertain situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic makes it impossible for them to commit to event agreements this year. Likewise, the unknowns make it unclear for ACE members to make travel arrangements. Thanks go to Hersheypark, Dutch Wonderland, Dorney Park, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. and Knoebels Amusement Resort. We absolutely look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.
Certainly, we didn’t want to have to move the event, but given the current situation, it became the right thing to do. This delay allows our host parks to have a plan in place to ensure the safety of employees and guests, including ACE members in attendance. With any action we take, ACE will follow the guidance of health authorities and federal, state and local experts. We will keep you updated as the situation continues to unfold.
This change means the 2020 ACE Business Meeting will be a little different this year. The 2020 annual business meeting book will be posted in early June, and at that time members will be able to submit questions via email concerning the included reports. Answers will be provided online in a format still to be determined.
The ACE 2020 election of officers will continue. The nominations have been announced and the individual candidate election platforms will be posted online by June 1. At that time, members will be able to submit questions to the candidates. An online platform will be used to provide answers and offer the option for additional candidate communications. Online ballots will be distributed via email on June 15.
ACE Communications Director Elizabeth Ringas is putting together a team to host a series of events to hold a “virtual” Con this June. It will start on Saturday, June 20, with the online Annual ACE Business Meeting and ACE Election Candidate forum. The week following, when we would normally be celebrating in the parks, we plan to have a number of online activities for the entire ACE community to enjoy. If you have any ideas or would like to help in this effort, please email Elizabeth: eringas@aceonline.org.
For planning purposes, the posted schedule for Coaster Con 43 is the framework for the event in 2021. While some individual activities will have to change, the event will begin at Hersheypark on June 20, 2021. We are renegotiating our park agreements and lodging options to reflect the new dates. We are working with the host hotels to update reservations made with the ACE discount codes to our new dates. In the near future, you should receive information regarding your reservation via email. I know that thanks to the efforts of ACE Events Director Steve Berto, the ACE Eastern Pennsylvania region and our Events Committee, we can look forward to a great event next year.
Since Coaster Con 43 will be different from what was originally planned, we have decided to have a new Coaster Con logo contest with the deadline for submissions the first of October. Please see the contest rules for logo requirements and other information. We look forward to your creative submissions to reflect the joy we will all have when we return for this great celebration.
Barring further complications, we plan to host the ACE Preservation Conference in Colorado in late August 2020. I hope to see you then, if not before.
Please stay in touch through our social media outlets, biweekly email updates, and ACE News. If you have not received the newest issue of RollerCoaster!, it should be in your mailbox soon. Although the parks are not open, our ACE volunteers continue their efforts to keep you informed and ready when the environment changes.
Stay safe. Be healthy. See you in a queue.
Robert Ulrich, President
rulrich@aceonline.org
@#$%&!
#ACENews