Why Should CDI Clients Attend the 2027 ACCT International Conference?

TL;DR: If you own, operate, manage, or work at a ropes course, challenge course, zip line tour, or aerial adventure park, we think you should attend the 2027 ACCT International Conference. You’ll meet people who understand your operation, learn new ways of doing things, see new gear and equipment, get ideas you can use when you get home, and build relationships you can turn to when you run into a problem.

The 37th Annual ACCT International Conference is January 20-24, 2027, at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown in Tacoma, Washington.

This is THE conference for our industry

We don’t say that lightly.

If you run a ropes course, challenge course, zip line tour, aerial adventure park, or similar operation, there really isn’t another gathering quite like this one.

You’re surrounded by owners, operators, trainers, builders, facilitators, inspectors, educators, manufacturers, and other people who actually understand what you do every day.

That can be especially valuable if you’re new.

Most people outside our industry don’t really understand the strange mix of operations, staffing, equipment, training, risk management, customer service, maintenance, and everything else that comes with running one of these programs.

At ACCT, people get it.

You’ll come home with ideas you can actually use

This isn’t just sitting in a room listening to people talk.

General conference sessions cover topics such as operations, technical skills, facilitation, business practices, risk management, and industry trends. The 2027 conference also includes open forums, product demonstrations, networking events, and the Exhibitor Showcase.

You’re going to hear how other operators are doing things.

Some ideas will confirm that you’re already on the right track.

Others might make you think, “We should try that.”

And sometimes a small idea changes a process, solves a staff issue, improves training, or fixes something that has been bugging you for years.

Experienced operators need this too

If you’ve been doing this for 5, 10, or 20 years, you might wonder how much more there is to learn.

Plenty!

The industry keeps changing. Equipment changes. Standards change. Operations change. And other operators keep coming up with different ways to solve problems.

Bring the problems you’re dealing with.

Seriously.

Talk to people about them.

One of the best parts of this conference is having so many experienced industry people in one place. Somebody else may have already dealt with the exact problem you’re trying to figure out.

And there’s something renewing about being around old friends and colleagues again.

You remember that you’re part of a much bigger industry.

Spend time in the Exhibitor Showcase

We always recommend spending time looking at the new gear, equipment, products, and services being shown.

The Exhibitor Showcase is currently scheduled for Thursday and Friday during the conference.

You may find something that makes your operation easier, solves a problem, or gives your staff a better tool to work with.

And if you’re a CDI client, come find us and say hi!

Please.

Come by the CDI booth and say hello.

We’re not asking you to come over so we can sell you something. We’re not trying to get you to spend money.

We just like seeing our clients face-to-face.

Many of these relationships have lasted for years. We consider that a business friendship, and the conference gives us a chance to reconnect as people.

Yes, attending is an investment

We get that.

Registration. Flights. Hotels. Meals. Time away from your operation.

Especially in this economy, those costs are real.

But professional development and being connected to your industry are investments too.

The payoff likely won't show up neatly on a spreadsheet the week you get home.

Sometimes it shows up six months later when you run into a problem and realize you know exactly who to call.

Maybe that’s us.

Maybe it’s another operator you met at the conference.

The operators we see who stay connected to this industry tend to keep learning. They build stronger professional networks. They hear about changes. They trade ideas. And they have people to call when things get difficult.

That just makes good business sense.

If this is the industry you’ve chosen to be in, we think being part of its biggest gathering should be part of that too.

FAQ

When is the 2027 ACCT International Conference?

The conference is January 20-24, 2027, in Tacoma, Washington, at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown.

Who should attend the ACCT International Conference?

Owners, operators, managers, facilitators, trainers, builders, educators, inspectors, and staff working with challenge courses, ropes courses, zip lines, aerial adventure parks, and related programs can all find relevant sessions and connections.

Is the ACCT Conference useful for experienced operators?

Yes. Experienced professionals can compare ideas with peers, learn how others are solving problems, stay current with the industry, see new equipment, and reconnect with longtime colleagues.

Should first-time challenge course or zip line operators attend?

We think they’re some of the people who can benefit most! You’ll meet people who understand your business and start building a network you can turn to long after the conference is over.

Will Challenge Design Innovations be at the conference?

Yes, we will have a booth in the exhibitor showcase. And if you’re already a CDI client, please stop by our booth. You don’t need a project or a question. Just come say hello and hang out.