CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM,
RELAUNCHES WILL PROVIDE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE T
he Outdoor Amusement Business Association (OABA) announced the relaunch of the popular Circle of Excellence (COE) program. The COE program has al- lowed members to stand out from the competition by offering the results of an onsite visit that confirms an opera- tor’s adherence to a checklist of issues that are important to our customers. The program has been on a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
“Members who earn this three-year
COE designation have the opportunity to demonstrate through an indepen- dent onsite visit by an OABA consul- tant that they are operating in accor- dance with OABA standards,” said Greg Chiecko, OABA president & CEO. “The process and designation are the result of an onsite visit by OABA consultants with many years of industry experience and through the use of a comprehensive checklist for key issues. “We believe as it becomes better known this program will be part of the selection process for some venues and will give operators a real advantage when it comes to competing for business opportunities in the future,” said Chiecko.
The checklist covers issues such as op- erations including training, food and ride safety, staff sleeping accommodations, drug testing, labor, professional appear- ance of employees and crisis management planning.
“Customer service and safety have always been our top priority and the hall- mark of Eastern States Exposition — The Big E. The OABA’s Circle of Excellence program demonstrates our midway provider shares these values,” said Gene Cassidy, president and CEO of Eastern States Exposition. “We take pride in do- ing business with like-minded partners and we will require the designation in all future contracts.”
Operators must meet the following prerequisites prior to the audit: Comply with OABA’s 2021 Portable Workforce Housing Policy, perform pre-employment drug testing for 100% of employees and perform annual national background checks on all employees.
E
"This new program provides OABA standards that help im- prove our entire industry,” said industry veteran and Chair of the OABA Andy Deggeller, president of Deggeller Attractions. “That is something we can all be proud to support.” “Fairs are competing for the leisure time and money of guests with a huge variety of choices today. In order to continue to thrive, fairs must focus on excellence in every point of contact with the guests, including – and very impor- tantly – in mobile amusement operations. Operators with the Circle of Excellence designation, having completed the rigorous vetting processes, exemplify the standards necessary for today’s operation of state and county fairs. Incorporating that COE designation as part of the fair’s selecting and contract- ing of carnival operators should be a priority,” said President & CEO International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE), Marla Calico.
D
"The OABA’s Circle of Excellence program
demonstrates our midway provider
“As an insurance company that specializes in this industry, a COE designation will make a difference in our underwrit- ing,” said Drew Tewksbury, director of Sales & Marketing for McGowan Allied Specialty Insurance. “Any operator that meets the OABA requirements for desig- nation poses less of a risk for loss and gives us more confidence in providing coverage at a reduced rate.” "After 40 years of representing the
shares these values. We take pride in doing business
with like-minded partners and we will require the designation in all future contracts.." ~Gene Cassidy,
President and CEO, Eastern States Exposition
industry, I believe that operators will- ing to commit to this process will have tangible evidence to show auditors, regulators, and the courts that they have optimized guest experiences, risk mitigation, and operational compli- ance," said R. Wayne Pierce from Pierce Adventure Law. "Because we respect this strategic choice, we have long discounted our legal fees for Circle of Excellence members, and we look forward to validating this improved program."
OABA members can begin scheduling audits immediately,” said Chiecko. “The designation lasts for three years.” For additional information or to sched- ule an audit, members should contact
jeff.smith.oaba@
gmail.com.
JULY 2022 | OABA ShowTime Magazine 11
A
M
N
O
R
A
G
B
R
A
P
A
C
D
C
T E
R
I
O
A
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
