Source: National Recreation and Park Association
Unique Partnership to Strengthen Ice Arena Management and Recreation in the US
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Source: National Recreation and Park Association
Unique Partnership to Strengthen Ice Arena Management and Recreation in the US
ASHBURN, Va. - The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has partnered with the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) and the National Training Center (NTC) for Public Facility Managers at Oglebay to present the Ice Arena Institute of Management (iAIM) program. The iAIM program is the ice skating industry's only educational forum designed to develop and recognize current and future management, programming and operating personnel, and perpetuate a standardized education and certification system.
The iAIM program offers comprehensive training and certification in ice arena management as well as courses to promote executive development. The program consists of four core educational tracks: Management, Operations, Programming and Design, Construction & Renovation. Each course provides students the technical education and confidence to successfully face real-world challenges encountered in the ice arena environment. The goal of the iAIM School is to make graduates more valuable to their facility, providing a competitive advantage for their organizations through heightened service, increased productivity and lower operating costs.
The new partnership, which launches at the Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling, W.Va., Sept. 18-23, 2011, has united iAIM and NTC for a second time-the first partnership taking place in 2001.
"We identified a growing need in the field for specialized training in ice arena management," said Barbara Tulipane, CEO of NRPA. "This comprehensive and unique program fills that need, and helps to ensure that America's local communities have access to well-run ice arenas and programs."
"The National Training Center at Oglebay is excited to again be the host site and operating partner of the ice management school," said Bill Koegler, director of NTC at Oglebay. "Using the successful Oglebay/NRPA school and institute template will further strengthen the outstanding educational program currently being offered, and provide a firm home base for the school to grow on an annual basis."
"The Ice Skating Institute is excited about its plans to return the iAIM program to Oglebay where it all started ten years ago," said Peter Martell, executive director of the Ice Skating Institute. "Oglebay provides the perfect setting for a concentrated education and training program, while the new partnership with NRPA provides access and CEU accreditation for recreation professionals nationwide."
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources. For more information, visit www.NRPA.org. For digital access to NRPA's flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrec-magazine.org.
The Oglebay National Training Center is a division of the Wheeling Park Commission in Wheeling W.Va., the largest non-tax supported agency in the U.S. The Training Center operates and manages 12 professional continuing-education programs for professionals in the parks, recreation and leisure industries. For more information, visit www.oglebay-resort.com.The Ice Skating Institute is a non-profit industry trade association providing leadership, education and services to the ice skating industry. For more information, visit www.skateisi.org.
