2015 aerial adventure park trends statistics and leading practices

Michael R. SmithFebruary 5, 2015

Operators/Practitioners

Owners

Vendors/Suppliers

Regulators

Investors

Other

MICHAEL R. SMITH 21 years experience designing, developing, and

operating aerial adventure parks and outdoor

adventure programs

Managing partner of AdventureSmith, Inc.,

ArborTrek Canopy Adventures, LLC and

ArborTrek/ZIPStream, LLC

Toured more than 300 commercial zip line canopy

tours and aerial adventure parks in U.S. and Canada

Tend to share too much information

ACCT Board of Director Member

1. EXAMINE

Current Trends and Statistics

2. LEADING PRACTICES

What are other operations doing

3. TIPS & TRICKS

Mitigating risk & making money

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ZIP RIDE

AERIAL TREKKING

ZIPLINE/ CANOPY TOUR

< 2013

< 2013

2013-15

<06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

ZIPLINE/

CANOPY TOUR18 23 43 72 147 234 380 480 515 580

AERIAL

TREKKING9 12 15 19 31 60 85 125 180 252

ZIP RIDE 4 5 6 10 18 29 70 120 200 325

* Figures are based on information pulled from www.ziplinenirvana.com and personal market research. Margin of error is estimated at 15-25%

SAMPLE LOW AVERAGE MEDIAN HIGH

ZIPLINE/

CANOPY TOUR213 $ 39.00 $ 87.43 $ 80.00 $ 499.00

AERIAL TREKKING 58 $ 14.00 $ 34.66 $ 39.95 $ 75.00

ZIP RIDE 71 $ 6.00 $ 21.18 $ 20.00 $ 120.00

* Estimated margin of error is increased because many operations offer a variety of packages and tour options. In cases where multiple packages were offered the most popular package was used.

#ANNUAL

VOLUME

AVG.

TICKET

ANCILLARY

REVENUESESTIMATE

ZIPLINE/

CANOPY TOUR580 9,500 $ 87.43 6% $511 M

AERIAL

TREKKING252 13,500 $ 34.66 7.5% $127 M

ZIP RIDE 325 14,200 $ 21.18 5% $ 104 M

$742 M* Annual volumes and ancillary revenues have been estimated. Margin of error is estimated at 10-25%

Land Grab

Growing of Big Brands

Big Money Enters

Amenity Add

Technology

Regulation & Standards

New User Experiences

Increased Costs & Competition

Based on probability, the most commonly landed on Monopoly square (not counting Jail) is Illinois Avenue. It's followed by Go, New York Avenue, B&O Railroad

Ski Areas, Hotel Chains, Resorts

Private Investors

Investment Groups

Big Brands

Government Agencies

Resorts and Lodges

Family Entertainment Center

Amusement Parks

State and Federal Parks/Lands

Events and Festivals

Continuous Belay Systems

Smart Belay Systems

Trolleys and Brake Systems

Rides and Attractions

PPE

ASTM F2959 Standards

ACCT 8th edition/ANSI Update

Aerial Adventure Park Operator

Standard Task Force

Local jurisdiction requirements

Aerial Trekking [mega parks]

Crazy long zip lines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEZIaN9LfWs

Zip Line Coasters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwagzrk45iw , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8MMRWtbmDY&feature=youtu.be

Via Feratta - http://youtu.be/iEDrK-rIY68?t=16s

Add-on activities

Jumps - http://headrushtech.com/quickjump-free-fall-device/ , http://youtu.be/VmaAsHIreQM?t=2m

Mazes - http://www.amazenmazes.com/#!lost-safari-splash-adventure/c1pen’

Stunts

Jaguar’s Mascot http://youtu.be/35AFrS1sQVA

Big Air Bag http://youtu.be/A5IJ6sLh-AM?t=14s

Zip Line Pinata https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upGpivqDio8

The links included on this page are representative samples of new types of activities

I have encountered on the web or participated in at adventure parks. I have no

investment of business interest in any of these companies nor should their inclusion

here represent an endorsement of any such product.

Insurance Costs

Payroll Expenses Affordable Care Act

Minimum Wage Increases

Entitlement Programs

Design and Development Costs

Regulatory Expenses

Other

Tools or Strategies that Add value

Mitigate risk

Save time

Increase revenues

Reduce expenses

Improve the quality of life

Better serve our clients

Operations & Program Management

Design & Construction

Marketing

Staffing Solutions

Waivers, Releases & Risk Mitigation

Workers’ Compensation

PPE

Training

Program Review

Weight limits

Waivers & Release Agreements

Legal review

Digital vs. printed

Time to sign

Proof of who signed

Course signage

Video Intros

Preparatory

Materials

Documentation

NCCI ruled 9180 over 9016

Alligator exhibition

Amusement device operation NOC-not traveling

Clubs-shooting

Dolphin training, feeding and care

Fireworks exhibition

Hunting guides-club-

Merry-go-round operation-not traveling

Mountain climbing instructors and guides

Pony rides-

Race car drivers; separately rate race car team as Code 8380

Recreational or amusement devices: pony rides--excluding track maintenance

Scenic railroad at amusement park

Serpentarium

Shooting gallery

Ski instructors

Skiing operations-tows, instructors, patrols, cable chair sky rides

Train operation - miniature at amusement park

Water skiing exhibitions

Water slides

Wave pools

Amusement park or exhibition operation

Archery range

Arena or stadium for boxing or wrestling matches

Arena or stadium for ice shows, boat shows, automobile shows

Arena or stadium for rodeos, circuses, dolphin exhibitions

Auditoriums or exhibition hall

Baseball batting range

Boat rental in parks(not boat liveries)

Caves or caverns-operation for exhibition purposes-including guides, ticket sellers, gate attendants, maintenance employees

Concessions-boats in parks-

Dog show-operation by owner or lessee

Drag strip operation

Golf driving range

Horse show-operation by owner or lessee-

Ice skating rink

Miniature golf course

Racetrack operation - horse or dog: all other employees-including starters & assistants

Recreational or amusement devices: archery ranges

Recreational or amusement devices: ball or dart throwing

Recreational or amusement devices: baseball batting ranges

Recreational or amusement devices: golf courses-miniature

Recreational or amusement devices: golf driving ranges

Recreational or amusement devices: kiddie rides at permanent locations

Recreational or amusement devices: pony rides-care & maintenance of track

Recreational or amusement devices: shooting galleries (air rifles)

Recreational or amusement devices: tennis courts-public-operation

Rodeos-facilities maintenance

Speedways-auto mobile races

Tracks-stock car, jalopy races

FL15 TN14 VT14

9016 2.85 3.85 6.66

9180 3.57 11.25 19.02

% CHANGE +25% +192% +186%

Interchange of Labor Some employees may perform duties directly related to more

than one classification. An example is an employee who from time to time interchanges between operations subject to more than one classification. When there is such an interchange of labor, the entire payroll of employees who interchange shall be assigned to the highest rated classification representing any part of their work, unless separate records are kept.

Standard Exception 8810 – Clerical, Drafting; 8871 – Clerical Telecomumuter;

8742 – Salespersons; 7380 - Drivers

Total WC hours: 1428

Estimated Payroll: $16,422 WC NO interchange (all 9180): $2,775

WC STANDARD interchange (8810): $2,580

WC PLUS GUIDE interchange (9016): $2,213

Breaking down offers 20% reduction

employees

participants

observers

seat

seat/chest combo

full-body

track/continuous-belay systems

smart belay

traditional, participant transfer

traditional, guide transfer

BORNACK

SSB

EDELRID

SMART

CLIC-IT

BELAY

ISC SMART

SNAPTRADITIONAL

LANYARD $310 $ 574 $ 469 $ 310 $85

CONNECTOR $25-40 $0 $0 $ 25 $0

PETZL TRAC W/

AT’TRAC$140 $0 $140 $140 $140

KEYS $85 $0 NA $85 $0

ROUGH COST

PER UNIT$560-$575 $574 $609 $560 $225

Aerial adventure courses

Zip line canopy tour

Guides