originally posted on 12/2/2022 1:13:00 AM
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
New beginnings come with a lot of different emotions. Excitement, trepidation, renewal and being unsure of what to expect all are present with entering new territory. Those feelings, and quite a few more, were present as eager participants arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the inaugural meeting of the 2022 - 2024 ACE Executive Committee (EC) that took place in late October. Around half the group were new to the experience of serving on the EC, while the other half had been there before, but most returning individuals occupied entirely different roles. With several of the colleagues meeting for the very first time, there was a lot to learn about one another. For this group that needs to feel comfortable enough to have direct and honest conversations about a whole host of issues, time together to cement those relationships is paramount.
Before the meeting even began, several members of the new board took time to do just that and get to know one another while also solidifying the strong working relationships with titans of the amusement industry. Making inroads with different businesses that support and enhance the varied amusement parks the club frequents means that ACE stays true to the mission of helping to preserve those parks for future generations.
Officers gathered to network at The Gravity Group.
Photo: Derek Perry collection. View full-sized image.
The group did that when it met onsite with representatives from both Scenic 3dx, a company that produces a host of themed elements for parks including statues, facade fronts and parade floats, and the roller coaster manufacturer The Gravity Group. Getting an inside look at their respective operations means EC members have a deeper understanding of the painstaking work that goes into making amusement parks the vibrant and engaging places ACEers all love to visit. Seeing 30-foot-tall structures made of foam, wood and fiberglass, along with industrial shelving full of coaster pieces that reached high to a warehouse ceiling, members were able to experience some of what it takes to bring amusement parks to life. It was an enthralling experience for the EC members.
Meeting with Kings Island officials proved to be fruitful.
Photo: Derek Perry collection. View full-sized image.
After getting to know these vastly different players within the amusement park arena, there was another stop near Cincinnati that’s hard to pass up: Kings Island. While there were opportunities to enjoy rides on its world-renowned coasters, the group was there for a more essential reason: to meet and get to know the decision makers at Kings Island who keep us wanting to come back year after year. The EC members present were able to introduce themselves and the club to Kings Island’s managers such as the directors of communications, marketing and sales, the general manager and several others. Both enlightening and bond-forming, the sit-down really underscored how both groups can work toward a future that keeps amusement parks flourishing for generations to come.
On Saturday, October 22, the newly installed EC settled in for 16 hours of meetings over a two-day period. To begin, since ACE is first and foremost a volunteer-driven club, a simple question was asked: What made you interested in serving on the EC? Hearing those answers was helpful to ensuring that any ACE member who wanted to volunteer and help the club was able to do so. After that, the first brainstorming session focused on what sets ACE apart from other coaster clubs so the organization can hone those attributes and improve them. Quite a long list emerged and gave each member of the board, within their respective area of focus, something to work on.
Photo: Derek Perry. View full-sized image.
Following those opening discussions, the meeting then moved on to what projects and updates each director or elected officer had planned for their role. Since every member of the board is working toward a shared goal, everyone was able to ask questions of one another about their plans and direction moving forward. Stagnation can hinder positive momentum, so the club representatives dug in and had in-depth suggestions and insight.
For those unaware of the workings of EC meetings, many large, complicated issues and minute points are discussed over the two days gathered in a conference room. Here are some of the items discussed:
- ACE’s substantial budget
- Club publications
- Disciplinary incidents
- Immediate and long-term action items
- Guidelines for all representatives of the club
- The ongoing relationship with the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives
- National event planning
- Marketing strategies
- Effective member communications
- Improvements and clarifications of ACE’s bylaws
- Recognition of the club’s outstanding volunteers
- Tax compliance within individual regions
- Nominations for honorary membership within ACE
- ACE Roller Coaster Landmark candidates
- How to celebrate ACE’s 45th anniversary
By the end of the meeting, every person in attendance indicated how worthwhile meeting in person had been to hash out plans big and small. Each one left with a long list of to-dos and a renewed appreciation for serving the club we love so much. The spring meeting will take place in Orlando, Florida.
— Jeff Niemiec, ACE Secretary
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