Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1443612
2022 is here and I am very excited because I believe it has the potential to be much better than the last! There are some significant events scheduled in the first two months of the year that could lead to an influx of new customers for our rinks. First on the calendar is the NHL Winter Classic, which will be back in prime time on New Year's Day after being postponed last year. This is a big deal, because this event will generate a huge media buzz that will likely capture the attention of many people (kids and adults) who have never been exposed to ice skating or hockey. Whether these people end up watching the game or not, just hearing about it in the weeks and days leading up to the event may get them thinking about where they could give ice skating or hockey a try. The following weekend, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships will be broadcast live on network television and on streaming services. The U.S. Olympic team members will be selected and announced immediately following the event. Again, the media attention will likely pique the interest of non-skaters. Just a few short weeks after that, the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing will be here. The Winter Olympics creates moments that inspire thousands of kids around the world every four years to give ice skating and ice sports a try. I still remember watching the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team pull off the Miracle on Ice on TV when I was 8 years old. That specific moment is what inspired me to want to become a hockey player and I'm sure inspired countless other kids to do the same. If history holds true, we will likely see a spike in skating and ice sports participation at our rinks during and after the Games are over. Finally, I am excited about 2022 because the North American Rink Conference and Expo (NARCE) will be held again May 17-20 in Buffalo, N.Y. It has been way too long since our industry was able to get together face to face, and I can't wait to see friends, colleagues, and meet our members during the event this year. All the best in 2022, — Jeff Theiler, Chief Operating Officer, United States Ice Rink Association Opening ADDRESS Welcome from Jeff Theiler THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES ICE RINK ASSOCIATION JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 // VOL. 25, NO. 1 USICERINKS.COM // INFO@USICERINKS.COM C H A I R M A N Steve Farbman P R E S I D E N T James McEwen S E N I O R V I C E P R E S I D E N T David Jensen C O N T R O L L E R Mike Schwarz C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R Rob Johnson A RT D I R E C T O R Mike DeArmond S E N I O R D E S I G N E R Brandon Favre D E S I G N E R Kelsey Cherwinka A D S A L E S Bryan Nelson M A R K E T I N G & AC C O U N T M A NAG E R Jessica Disch E D I T O R Aaron Paitich C O N T E N T M A NAG E R Elizabeth Boger A D C O O R D I NAT O R Samantha Cady RINK Magazine is the definitive business publication for professionals in the ice rink industry and is the leading source for information on facility management, operations and programming. PUBLISHING PARTNER 505 North Highway 169, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55441 P H : (763) 595-0808 FA X : (763) 595-0016 E - M A I L : info@touchpointmedia.com W E B S I T E : touchpointmedia.com Mission: "To advance the ice rink industry through membership, world-class education, training, resources and events." C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R Jeff Theiler D I R E C T O R , E D U CAT I O N John Monteleone O F F I C E A S S I S T A N T Tom Wacker P H : ( 719) 538-1149 FA X : (719) 538-7838 E - M A I L : info@usicerinks.com W E B S I T E : usicerinks.com A P R O G R A M O F E D I T O R Aaron Paitich C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Walt Grassl, John Monteleone, Jessi Pierce, Matt Steinberg, Jeff Theiler E D I T O R I A L B OA R D T.C. Lewis, John Monteleone, Craig Petersen, Jeff Theiler D E S I G N E R S Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre, Kelsey Cherwinka 12 / JANUARY.FEBRUARY.2022 USICERINKS.COM Buzzing with Potential , Mariah Bell will compete for the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team in Beijing. PHOTOS: USFS