The 2023 PACE Seminar, held between Monday 10/30 and Thursday 11/2, is in the books.   This annual ride safety seminar is jointly sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association (PSSA) and the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks and Attractions (PAPA) Association.  The educational portion of the program is presented by members of the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO).

Seminar classes were held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Monroeville, PA.  One full day of instruction was conducted at KENNYWOOD Park where attendees were able to take an “up close look” at a dozen rides during the event.

PACE Seminar Coordinator Gary Chubb was assisted by Seminar Administration Manager Lisa Bartlebaugh (Bartlebaugh Amusements), Assistant Seminar Coordinator Mike Funyak (DelGrosso’s Park), and NAARSO Education Chairman John Hartman.  In addition Matt Palko from Kennywood coordinated the “Hands On” day at the park, and Yvonne Brown from the PA Bureau of Rides assisted with PA State paperwork and testing.  Richard “Dick” Knoebel assisted with getting sponsors for the event.

Instructors included John Hartman of Wagner Consulting, Ed LaSalle – Independent Inspector/Consultant, Tom Jones McGowen Allied Specialty Insurance, John Riggleman – retired from Universal Parks, ASTM F24 Committee, Joe Filoromo PA Bureau of Rides Inspector Supervisor, and Gary Chubb of GC Amusement Consulting, LLC.

Altogether 55 persons attended from a variety of amusement parks, traveling shows, and inspectors.  Traveling Shows represented included Bartlebaugh Amusements, Lynam’s Amusements, LAM Enterprises, Gambill Amusements, Houghton Enterprises, Huey’s Amusements, C&L Shows, and Majestic Midways.  Amusement Park attendees included Kennywood Park, Hersheypark, DelGrosso’s Park, Bushkill Park, Funland (Rehoboth Beach, DE).   Inspectors included representatives from The Connecticut State Police, West Virginia Dept of Labor, Pennsylvania Bureau of Rides, and Allegiant Safety Consulting along with several independent inspectors.

Classes included:  Pennsylvania Update, Eli Bridge Rides, Basic PLC and Ladder Logic, ASTM F770, Investigating Issues, Evacuation/Weather, Limited Specialties, Basic NDT/ASNT, Comprehensive Evaluation, Signage, Wire Rope, Basic OSHA, Culture of Safety, Inspection Tools, Ride Training, Life Safety Code 101, Preventative Maintenance, Waterslides & Play Structures, Midway Inspections, Fences – Steps – Rails, Accessibility, Risk Reduction in Go Karts, Personal Protective Equipment, Documentation & SOPS, Inspector Round Table along with the day at KENNYWOOD reviewing the 12 rides.

SEMINAR SPONSORS – KENNYWOOD Park, Amusement Today, A.R.M. USA, Chance Rides, Great Coasters International, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, International Rides Management, Larson International, Majestic Rides, McGowen Allied Specialty Insurance, Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Premier Rides, Ralph S Alberts Company, Inc. Rides 4U, Sally Dark Rides.