Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/342311
T his Final Cut is always the most difficult one to write each year. It comes on the heels of our largest event, the North American Rink Conference and Expo, more aptly recognized as NARCE. It comes with a tight deadline that hits right before I head out on the road to instruct various three- day management programs from mid-June through mid-October. Prior to joining the STAR staff, the summer months were always the least exciting times in the rink. Once we pushed through graduations, we went into maintenance mode, getting the building ready for the next onslaught of our "32- Week Customers." Sure, we hosted a couple of camps, a high school summer league, and a few birthday parties during public sessions each week. But really, we were just in a holding pattern until the third week of August, when it would all start up again. Back then, I always appreciated coming home from NARCE and having the time to flip through my notes and jot down a to-do list of things I picked up from other attendees in class. These were usually a list of things I learned and wanted to learn more about, as well as a list of items I wanted to share with my staff. Now, a good part of my summer is spent waiting for a flight that will eventually get me to where I'm suppose to be. Here, I get the chance to work on my problem- solving skills, like figuring out how to rebook a cancelled flight with only two extra layovers. I also get to work on my people skills, specifically with the airline's lost-baggage department. I still get the chance to flip through my notes from NARCE, though now it mainly involves flipping through RINK Magazine surveys, instructor evaluations and satisfaction surveys. While all the feedback we received helps us set targets for 2015 and beyond, there are a few that didn't make the list but are worth repeating here. When asked what we could do to enhance the readers' RINK Magazine experience, one of the requests was, "RINK should come out with a swimsuit issue." SNL's Chippendales skit with Chris Farley comes to mind, and the YouTube video I dug up is now seared into my head as well as Loverboy's "Working for the Weekend." One respondent in the NARCE Attendee Survey expressed his dismay with the President's Reception. He believes he was misled. "How can you call this a President's Reception when Obama wasn't even here?" Point taken. Next year's event will clearly state that it is indeed the STAR President's Reception taking place, and not one being hosted by our commander-in-chief. Lastly, I would be remiss if I failed to share a write-in question and answer on the IMEO exam. Q: Aaron Kirby and Jake Hebeisen won the first bag toss event at NARCE. A: True. And while technically correct, Mr. Kirby will not be receiving extra credit on the exam, though we'll be sure to include this on the trivia-sheet giveaways for 2015. 54 / JULY.AUGUST.2014 RINKMAGAZINE.COM by JOHN MONTELEONE, CIRM Final cut Lessons learned around the rink Gathering feedback from Columbus and beyond SHOULD RINK MAGAZINE COME OUT WITH AN ANNUAL SWIMSUIT ISSUE? ANY OTHER REQUESTS? TELL US ON TWITTER AT @STARRINKS. NARCE Notes N O R T H A M E R I C A N R I N K CON F E R E N C E & E X P O