Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Bertucci. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry

Covid changed the value people placed outdoor recreation. Outdoor adventure changed from being something people could consider to something that helped people maintain sanity during a stressful time. We found that the idea of climbing in the trees in a controlled setting was a great relief for all who ventured up into the trees. Parents were especially grateful that we provided an outdoor escape for kids who were glued to screens. Kids discovered they really liked adventures in the trees, the feeling of accomplishment as they progressed from beginner to more difficult challenges. People recognized that climbing with family and friends was a bonding experience. They also created bonds with nature and enjoyed watching our parks change throughout the seasons. Covid had many negative ramifications, but it has positively impacted people’s desire to be outside, having adventures with people they care about.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been in the hospitality industry my entire career, working at ski areas and eventually owning a four-season resort in the Pocono Mountains. When the opportunity came to sell the property, my partners and I said, “What was the one thing we liked doing the most?” The aerial adventure park we had built and operated at the resort quickly came to the top of this list and the rest is history. We operate, build and manage Parks throughout the US branded as TreeTrails Adventures. Our parks feature courses for ages 4 and up that include zip lines, tree-to-tree obstacles, and racing ziplines. Our staff is what sets us apart. Dedicated people who genuinely love working in the trees and sharing that love with guests of all ages and abilities.

Guests arrive to the Park, check-in, get harnessed then go through a safety briefing. Their two-hour session begins after they become comfortable with their climbing equipment on our practice courses. After practicing, guests climb into our main tree platform, where they discover several tree-to-tree trails that are color coded by the degree of challenge they offer. Some guests just like to stay on the beginner courses closer to the ground, others progress to higher trails that are introduce higher levels of difficulty. Everyone choses their own challenge and sets their own pace. It is a great way to appreciate the beauty of the forest and get an active workout.

For some, the challenge of taking that first step off the platform is their biggest fear neutralized. . . walking on and through elements at height. Our staff is there every step of the way suppling helpful suggestions and encouragement. All of this gets even more fun when you climb at night.

We light up our parks for night climbing under the glow of fairy lights in the trees. It is magical.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Without question Covid.

We had to entirely reinvent how we did business. How to protect our employees and our guests. What we needed to do to create an environment that was giving guests the comfort of knowing they could almost continue with their everyday life in one small way – being outdoors.

Because of our operation, each guest in a harness, only three guests on any one element at a time which includes two platforms on trees and one connecting bridge or zipline, we could space out our guests into their own pods. Very limited opportunity for contact with anyone else. That comfort, the fresh air and sunshine, the natural beauty of the forest, provided much needed relief to the stresses of Covid.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

We focus on adding to our climbing experience with special events. Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Glow in the Park, July 4th, Haunted Climbs. This gives our customers even more reason to return for climbing fun. Many guests take advantage of our season passes, which provide unlimited opportunities to climb whenever the park is open. We’ve become their workout or the thing they do to unwind after work or after dinner. We also like to add new features every other year to again give customers a new reason to visit.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://treetrails.com/Trevose
• Instagram: TreeTrailsAdventuresPhoenixSportClub
• Facebook: TreeTrailsTrevose