ACCT International: A New Name for a Global Mission
In early 2025, we changed our working name from Association for Challenge Course Technology to ACCT International.
This change is more than a new logo or shorter name. It reflects our commitment to serving and supporting the global challenge course, aerial adventure park, and zip line industry.
For years, our old name was sometimes misunderstood outside of our community, with the word “technology” leading some to assume we were a tech-sector organization. Our new name makes it clear: We are an international organization with a focus on people, operations, standards, and growth for our industry.
Our legal name will remain Association for Challenge Course Technology, but moving forward we will be known publicly as ACCT International. It is pronounced /ˈækt ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/ [ akt in-ter-nash-uh-nl ]
We say AKT. Not each letter A. C. C. T.
Check it out here!
Why the Change Matters
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Clarity for Our Audiences
Our name now immediately communicates who we serve and where we work—across the globe. -
Stronger Industry Representation
We connect professionals from every corner of the challenge course, aerial adventure park, and zip line world. The new name shows that we are here for all of it. -
A Symbol of Connection
Along with the name change, we introduced a bold new logo centered around a knot—a universal symbol of connection, trust, and resilience. In our industry, knots are practical tools, but they also represent the strength of our community and the way we support one another.
What Is ACCT International?
ACCT International is a 501(c)(6) international trade association comprised of individuals, businesses, and other stakeholders.
What are Challenge Courses?
Challenge courses – once called “obstacle courses” and sometimes ropes courses - likely had their start in military training programs. They further developed in the 1960s as experiential education programs began using challenge courses in their programming. Depending upon type and setting, challenge courses (also sometimes called ropes courses) typically include a variety of different elements, coupled with safety systems that can be either mechanical or human-controlled.
Over the past two decades, the field has expanded rapidly. Today, we still see broad use of challenge course elements in experiential education, including summer camps and academic settings. But challenge course elements, canopy tours, zipline operations, aerial adventure parks and other forms of active outdoors experiences are also now found in for-profit settings like family fun centers, indoor trampoline parks, and even on cruise ships.
What does ACCT International do?
ACCT International and its members engage in government relations, address regulatory issues, and help develop and promote best practices and standards. We work in collaboration with relevant bodies within ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) to help create standards for designers/builders, inspectors and operators of challenge courses.
We developed the most current ANSI/ACCT Standards in 2019. We offer certification for individuals who conduct course inspections, and accreditation for vendors who provide design, build, inspection, and operational training services that meet or exceed the ACCT International standards. ACCT International has also implemented Operation Accreditation, an industry-wide program to acknowledge operators' adherence to ANSI/ACCT Standards and other best practices.
We also engage in regular outreach to our membership and the wider industry, keeping them informed about news and developments related to the industry, and offer our annual conference with more than 100 professional development workshops each year.
For more information on how ACCT International Operates, download our bylaws (PDF).
What doesn’t ACCT International do?
ACCT International does NOT offer inspection or certification services directly to challenge course, zip line, or adventure park operators. These services are offered by a variety of accredited vendor members but not by ACCT International itself. We are the standards setting and accreditation body, not the direct service provider.
Who can become a member?
ACCT International has several different categories of membership including:
Business to Business (B2B) Members category includes companies that provide equipment and other services to the industry such as gear manufacturers, builders, etc.
- Accredited Vendor Members are B2B Members who are accredited by ACCT once having proven the highest levels of experience and expertise in design, installation, training and inspections, practitioner certification.
Business to Client (B2C) Members include both commercial and non-profit organizations such as camps and colleges that operate zip lines challenge courses.
- Accredited Operation Members are B2C Members accredited by ACCT, demonstrating compliance with ACCT Accreditation Policies and Procedures, adherence to ACCT Standards, and proven high levels of experience and competence.
Industry Stakeholder Members provide adjunct services such as regulatory bodies, insurance providers, or marketing companies.
Individual Members include people with any interest in the industry who may not receive membership from a company.
Acceptance for membership in ACCT International does not imply that ACCT International endorses the individual or organization in any way, unless the company/organization is accredited by ACCT International, or an individual holds a certification from ACCT International to perform inspections.
Be Part of What’s Next
This is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for ACCT International. We invite you to join our membership and be part of a global network shaping the future of our industry.