Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1533631
Opening ADDRESS Welcome from Jeff Theiler THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE UNITED STATES ICE RINK ASSOCIATION MARCH/APRIL 2025 // VOL. 28, NO. 2 USICERINKS.COM // INFO@USICERINKS.COM C E O Laura McEwen 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 A T I V E D I R E C T O R Rob Johnson A R T D I R E C T O R S Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre D E S I G N E R Taylor McCumber A D S A L E S Bryan Nelson V I C E P R E S I D E N T, M A R K E T I N G & C L I E N T S T R A T E G Y Jessica Disch E D I T O R Aaron Paitich M A R K E T I N G & C O N T E N T C O O R D I N A T O R Emily Sizen 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 1601 Utica Avenue South, Suite 110, Minneapolis, MN 55416 P H : (763) 595-0808 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 A T I N G O F F I C E R Jeff Theiler D I R E C T O R , E D U C A T I O N John Monteleone P H : ( 719 ) 538-1149 F A X : (719) 538-7838 E - M A I L : info@usicerinks.com W E B S I T E : usicerinks.com A P A R T N E R W I T H 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 Paul Golomski, John Monteleone, Craig Petersen, Jessi Pierce, Jeff Theiler E D I T O R I A L B O A R D Barbara Bogner, Rockne Brubaker, T.C. Lewis, Gordon Harrison, John Monteleone, Rory Mushlin, Craig Petersen, Jeff Theiler D E S I G N E R S Mike DeArmond, Brandon Favre, Taylor McCumber 12 / MARCH.APRIL.2025 USICERINKS.COM At this point of the year, you and your team may very likely be running on fumes due to an extremely busy fall and winter season. But you'll need to find a way to refresh and recharge, because there is no such thing as an off-season anymore. Not long ago, revenue generated in the spring and summer months was consid- ered a bonus in our industry. Today it is a necessity for all rinks, even those that receive public funding, to offer expansive programming year-round in order to remain financially sustainable. Most spring ice schedules at suc- cessful rinks now look very similar to their fall and winter schedules. Their ice is filled with hockey skills clinics, youth and adult leagues, travel team tryouts, and weekend tournaments. These rinks are also keeping their figure skaters and skating school kids involved longer by holding figure skating exhibi- tions, shows and competitions to make sure their ice is full from March to the end of the school year. All businesses, including ice rinks, have little margin for error in today's economy. Everything that can be done to maximize net income with- out sacrificing customer service and experience is more important than ever to remain competitive and come out on top. Doing things the same way they were done 10 years ago just isn't going to cut it any- more. Thinking outside the box and driving change is what top-performing profes- sionals and companies do consistently. Are you and your colleagues doing the same? One of the best ways to stay ahead of your competition is to build a large net- work of peers within our industry and from other similar industries. The network you build will be an invaluable means for sharing and generating new ideas and best practices and for acquiring knowledge. If you are a current member of the U.S. Ice Rink Association, and if you have registered to attend the 21st Annual North American Rink Conference and Expo (NARCE) this May, you have already taken two important steps toward growing and enhancing your network. If you haven't done either, what are you waiting for? Have a great spring and we'll see you at NARCE! — Jeff Theiler, Chief Operating Officer, United States Ice Rink Association Competitive Edge Innovation, networking and professional development drive success If you are a current member of the U.S. Ice Rink Association, and if you have registered to aend the 21st Annual North American Rink Conference and Expo (NARCE) this May, you have already taken two important steps toward growing and enhancing your network. If you haven't done either, what are you waiting for?