A Passion for Adventure
AdventureSmith, Inc. is a leading consulting firm serving the zip line, aerial adventure park, and challenge course industry. Founded in 2000 by Michael R. Smith, an adventure-education professional with more than 30 years of experience in program design, risk management, and business development, the company helps adventure businesses be seen, be heard, and grow through proven strategies in marketing, training, and operations consulting.
Smith’s journey in adventure education began in 1994 as a counselor and wilderness guide, where he witnessed firsthand how well-designed adventure experiences can transform participants. That passion became the foundation for AdventureSmith, Inc., which has since evolved into a trusted partner for operators, insurers, and attorneys across North America.
As zip line canopy tours and aerial adventure parks emerged in the early 2000s, AdventureSmith, Inc. played a pivotal role in shaping industry standards—providing risk-management consulting, staff training, technical inspections, and marketing support to help operators launch, expand, and sustain successful businesses. The firm also co-founded and managed ArborTrek Canopy Adventures, a nationally recognized and award-winning zip line canopy tour and adventure park operator, until its sale in 2023.
Today, AdventureSmith, Inc. continues to combine real-world operational experience, market insight, and industry leadership to support adventure businesses from concept to maturity—and to provide expert witness, inspection, and compliance services that uphold the highest levels of safety and professional practice.
Why Work with AdventureSmith, Inc.?
market knowledge
Whether entering the industry or expanding an established operation, market intelligence is essential to making sound business decisions in the zip line, aerial adventure park, and challenge course sectors.
AdventureSmith, Inc. provides operators with actionable insight through detailed market analysis, feasibility reviews, and growth strategies based on real industry data—not guesswork. We track trends, vendor performance, pricing models, and consumer behavior to help clients identify opportunities, mitigate risk, and position their adventure businesses for long-term success. Our deep connections with manufacturers, insurers, and suppliers give clients an informed edge that few consulting firms can match.
Backed by more than three decades of field experience in designing, developing, and operating award-winning adventure parks, zip line canopy tours, and challenge courses, our team understands the industry from the ground up. Having served as operators, trainers, inspectors, and business consultants, we combine firsthand operational knowledge with comprehensive market data to deliver insight that is practical, proven, and immediately applicable. This balance of real-world experience and strategic market understanding enables AdventureSmith, Inc. to guide clients toward informed, sustainable growth.
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industry experience
With decades of hands-on experience facilitating, guiding, training, managing, designing, installing, and operating adventure businesses, our consultants bring unmatched technical and operational expertise to every engagement.
The AdventureSmith, Inc. team has spent years in the field—not behind a desk—building and running zip line canopy tours, aerial adventure parks, and traditional challenge courses across North America. We understand the realities operators face because we’ve lived them. Our approach blends practical experience, compliance awareness, and current industry standards to deliver consulting that is grounded, reliable, and relevant.
proven results
In the aerial adventure industry, results matter. Clients choose AdventureSmith, Inc. because we are not just consultants—we are operators, designers, inspectors, and business owners with a history of success in one of the world’s most demanding tourism markets.
Our projects and partnerships have earned national awards and top industry recognition, demonstrating our ability to turn operational insight into measurable outcomes. While no business journey is without its challenges, we leverage decades of learning—both wins and setbacks—to help clients improve safety, strengthen operations, and achieve profitable growth. Our track record speaks for itself: proven strategies, sustainable performance, and real-world results.
Consulting Services
Expert Witness
& Consultation
Retained by counsel in matters involving zip line brake failures, rider collisions, adventure park accidents, falls from height, residential/backyard ziplines, contract/throughput disputes and standards compliance.
Technical Inspections
& Operation Audits
Full site inspections, structural reviews, component compatibility checks, personal safety equipment inspections, risk management audits, ANSI/ACCT, ASTM, and PRCA compliance analysis, and ACCT Operation Reviews.
Staff Development
& Guide Training
Customized training programs for guides, facilitators, managers, and owners--covering operations, standards of care, technical skills, rescues, emergency action plans, and inspection--with testing and curriculum development.
Business Development
& Risk Mitigation
Zip line & aerial adventure park business consulting from start-up to strategic planning. Specializing in site feasibility reports, business plan development, program development, marketing, risk mitigation consulting, & coaching.
Lead Consultant Profile
Michael R. Smith, Adventure Park & Zip Line Expert
Consultant
Expert Witness
Inspector
Operation Reviewer
Trainer
Industry-leading business and operations consultant with more than 27 years of experience designing and developing award-winning aerial adventure parks and 31 years of experience delivering adventure-based tours and team and leadership development programming. Founder and president of AdventureSmith, Inc. and creator of ArborTrek Canopy Adventures. Certifications include: ACCT Level II Professional Inspector, ACCT Approved Operation Reviewer, ACCT Challenge Course Manager, and NAARSO Level II Inspector.
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Challenge Courses, Zip Lines, and Aerial Adventure Parks: A Historic Primer and Examination of Current Trends and Statistics