The Conference Work Group (CWG) is a dedicated team of volunteers who work tirelessly year-round to organize and execute the ACCT Annual International Conference and Exposition. Their primary mission is to advance the association’s goals while ensuring that the conference is meticulously planned, highly beneficial, and memorable for all attendees. Many CWG members contribute countless hours behind the scenes, while others take on visible roles on-site, serving as ambassadors for the event. Together, they create opportunities for professional development, networking, and community building that define the ACCT conference experience.
We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and proud to serve this amazing community. If there’s anything we can do to help make your conference experience even better, don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you to Cleveland for the 35th Annual International ACCT Conference and Exposition in January 2025!
 Paul Bland Workshops Coordinator |
Paul Bland, with a career spanning since 1997, has been deeply involved in the Challenge Course Industry. His journey began at a summer camp, where his passion for educational and recreational programming took root. Over the years, Paul has contributed his expertise to various establishments, including summer camps, adventure parks, zipline tours, and climbing gyms. Presently, Paul holds the position of professional services manager at Signature’s Training and Consulting department. In this role, he leverages his extensive experience and enthusiasm to assist practitioners in enhancing their facilitation, technical, and managerial abilities. Why do I volunteer? – I volunteer because volunteering is a valuable avenue through which I can contribute to supporting others in the industry. The individuals I have encountered within the ACCT community have played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development, nurturing me into the person I am today. I want to assist in their success. and help ensure that ACCT is a place of discovery and growth for all. |
 Emalyn Brown Conference Work Group Coordinator |
From age five, Emalyn Brown showed a love for adventure and got her start at Triangle Y Ranch camp. Growing up in this community taught her both the fun and the responsibility of aerial activities, and in 2019 she was trained on the same tower that she had been climbing as a child. While camp counseling had always been in her sights in some way, Synergo opened up a new door and she knew it would be a life goal and passion. She attended her First ACCT conference in Portland 2023 and realized how big her industry really was. She became an apprentice trainer at Synergo 2023 where her experience and passion only continued to grow. Why do I volunteer? – I’m looking for a way to get connected and learn more about the industry what better way to do that than serve your community of awesome humans directly |
 Jessica “Bird” Brown Exhibit Hall Liaison |
Brown graduated from North Georgia College and State University (NGCSU) with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Leadership. She also has her Master’s degree from NGCSU in Phys Ed. Registering for a ropes course class as a student was her first taste within the world of outdoor rec and ed. Bird’s first involvement in ACCT was in 2015 as a Yellow Hat. In 2017, she joined the Conference Work Group as the Exhibit Hall Liaison, and has been practicing thickening her skin ever since. Why do I volunteer? – I’ve always loved being on teams. As far back as I can remember, I’ve played on teams, worked on teams, constructed teams – if there is a way for a group of people to come together for a common goal, I want to find it and be a part of it. I want people to feel included, to feel valued, and to feel empowered to be their true and authentic self. I also love serving others. My favorite thing is when I get the chance to be on a team to serve people. And that’s what ACCT and the Conference Work Group has been for me. These people are my people. They see me and I see them. They value me and I value them. We love each other just as much as we love this industry – and because of that, there’s always magic happening when we come together in whatever city the conference happens to be in from year to year. This is why I volunteer. I love teams, I love serving people, and I love serving our people with my people. |
 Tyler Brown Digital Coordinator |
As the Digital Coordinator for the ACCT conference, I manage the digital presence and coordinate online communications to ensure a seamless experience for all participants. My role involves overseeing digital content, social media engagement, and virtual event platforms, leveraging my expertise to enhance the conference’s reach and impact. Why do I volunteer? – I volunteer at the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) conference because I believe in the transformative power of challenge courses and adventure programming. Volunteering allows me to support a community dedicated to promoting safety, innovation, and education in the industry. It’s a chance to give back, connect with like-minded professionals, and contribute to the growth and excellence of the field. |
 Leigh Carruth Service Crew Coordinator |
Leigh has been in this industry for over 20 years in a wide variety of settings. She is a deeply curious person who loves to travel, build relationships and try to become a better human. Leigh is happily married and has four incredible humans who call her “Mom.” Why do I volunteer? – I serve because I love being a part of someone else having a successful conference. ACCT has changed my life for the better and I love any opportunity I can to provide a similar experience. I also love getting to bust out my dance moves first thing in the morning to brighten people’s conference!! |
 Billy Hager-DeMyer Conference Work Group Coordinator |
I found the challenge course industry by happenstance in college when a high ropes kinesiology course opened up that I thought sounded cool and would challenge my fear of heights. I immediately fell in love with the industry and was lucky enough that a professor took me under their wing to get me connected. I have been in the industry now for over 12 years in areas spanning from summer camps, to zip tours, adventure parks and classic high and low courses. Even when I took a 2 year hiatus to pursue my master’s in Student Development Administration and work in higher education, experiential education was still deeply ingrained in how I approached my work. I now serve as the Director of Programs for Signature Research overseeing their challenge course programming in Washington and Indiana. Why do I Volunteer? – I volunteer because it challenges me, keeps me connected and up to date on an ever changing industry and allows me to give back and contribute to an industry that has molded me into the professional that I am today. |
 Lara Kreuter Workshops Coordinator |
Lara graduated from Texas A&M with a double major in Wildlife Conservation and Forestry Science. She had her mind set on working with animals, but instead stumbled by accident on the outdoor education world in 2012. Since then, Lara has worked at various camps and education centers in numerous different roles. Lara worked her first ropes course at one of these outdoor education centers and has continued to grow her knowledge and love for the industry ever since. Her first experience with the ACCT conference was as a Yellow Hat in 2019. In 2021 she joined the Conference Work Group. Currently Lara lives in Colorado and is a Program Specialist for the State of Colorado Amusement Rides and Devices program. In her free time, Lara enjoys rock climbing, skiing, ultimate frisbee, exploring nature, spending time with friends, doing all sorts of creative projects, and hanging out with her dog (Sir Winston). Why do I volunteer? – In 2019 I was stoked on attending the ACCT conference in Colorado but realized that the only way I would be able to make that happen was to volunteer as a Yellow Hat and in 2020 I received the scholarship to attend the virtual conference. Without these opportunities I would not have been able to attend the conference. I have passion for team building, leadership development, and emotional intelligence that has grown through my time at camps, outdoor education centers, and conference centers. These passions are all things that tie into the work of ACCT and the conference work group. Being able to be part of a committee which puts together a conference that continues the work that I love to do is very special to me. |
 Jenn Roetman Service Crew Coordinator |
Jenn is passionate about creating experiences for people to grow as individuals and as teams. Her journey to this field began at a camp in North Dakota where she soon added Challenge Course Manager to her many hats there. Wanting to further her experience in the challenge course world, she moved to Oregon. While there, Jenn worked as an aerial park course manager, zipline guide, and trainer. She now serves as the teambuilding and leadership coordinator at Greenbush Education Service Center in Kansas. Why do I volunteer? – I volunteer to make my conference experience even more purposeful. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to have an input, give back to the industry, and continue growing my network. My time as a Yellow Hat provided me with friendships and a background look into the conference. Now on the Conference Work Group, I find myself with more connections while constantly learning more about how the conference works. |
 Annika Spriggs Digital Coordinator |
Annika fell in love with the outdoor industry as a kid at camp, transitioning from seasonal work to year-round positions as she climbed into her career. Sixteen years later, she now owns and operates Outdoor Training Services. Annika has volunteered for the ACCT since 2021 as part of the Public Relations and Marketing (PRM) Work Group after attending her first conference virtually. She is excited for her second year on the Conference Work Group as a PRM Liaison! Why do I volunteer? – I love knowing that my time is being spent doing work that I am passionate about for an organization I believe in. The challenge course industry was foundational to me as a kid and young adult, and I am thrilled to be able to support a community that has had such a big impact on who I am as a person today. |
 Courtney Terilli Workshops Coordinator |
Courtney has always found comfort and community in the outdoors. She discovered a passion for challenge courses in 2016 as a facilitator on her college campus’ course, which has driven her goal to become a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, helping those of all abilities discover new recreational loves or re-kindle those they thought they had lost. She first attended the ACCT Conference as a Yellow Hat in 2017, where she fell in love with the conference and attended every year since, trying to find every way to be more involved. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at the University of North Georgia, she went on to the University of Mississippi to oversee their outdoor program as a graduate assistant while she earned a Master’s in Recreation Administration. She now works with Adventure Experiences, LLC, sharing her passion for the industry with others around the world. She serves on the Conference Work Group as a Hybrid Workshop Coordinator. Why do I volunteer? – I have always been a “helper”. If there is an opportunity for me to be involved and lend a hand, I do. I love staying busy, and volunteering allows me to not only stay busy, but do so in a heart-fulfilling manner. Each time I am able to help someone with even the smallest thing, it brings a smile to my face, knowing I made a positive difference in that person’s life. The little things add up to big things and I am here to make every little thing count. This is my community and these are my people. Those people were all so kind to give me a chance to learn, grow, and find my path; volunteering is my way of giving back to the community that shaped me and giving that same opportunity to others. |
 Mark Zmudy Conference Work Group Coordinator |
Mark Zmudy fell in love with teaching by working with kids of all ages at camps. As a freshman in college, Zmudy needed one credit to round out his schedule. Not knowing what it was, he signed up for “Adventure Activities,” which turned out to be a high- and low-challenge course. Experiential learning was an immediate match for Zmudy, and he has pursued this type of teaching and learning ever since! Zmudy is dedicated to creating instructional environments in outdoor, adventure, and physical education that are welcoming to people of all genders, races, cultures, ability levels, and backgrounds. Why do I Volunteer? – I have been very blessed to have wonderful family members and mentors who showed me the way into outdoor and adventure education. These experiences taught me to take the “Fun Factor” very seriously! Volunteering is a great way to stay current, stay involved, and be part of engaging environments where I can invite others to come along for the journey, as my mentors invited me. |
 Brittany Humphrey Outreach & Engagement Coordinator |
Brittany is ACCT staff who will be managing exhibitor and sponsor relations for conference. |
 Laura Purtzer Conference Project Manager |
Laura is ACCT staff who will be assisting with managing registration for conference. |
 John Voegtlin Office Manager |
John is ACCT staff who will be managing registration systems. |