We've been designing and building experiential attractions since 1993: suspension bridges, towers, ziplines, canopy tours, and plenty of things that don't have a category name yet. Ropes courses and climbing walls are part of our story, but they're a chapter, not the whole book.
Today, ERi works across five connected areas: design, consulting, specialty construction, inspection, and training. We concept and design attractions from the ground up, analyze sites to find their highest and best use, review and improve other designers' work, serve as expert witnesses (who actually have real experience "in the field"), build the unusual and hard-to-reach things most contractors can't, inspect attractions to industry standards, and train the people who operate and maintain them.
If it spans, zips, swings, is climbable, or just makes a guest stop in wonder, that's our zone. And when you reach out, you'll be talking with a team who actually understands all aspects of project development and operations, not a salesperson or someone who's never spent time in a harness or running a site.
Real Questions, Real Answers
A few things people tend to ask before they pick up the phone.
What does ERi actually do? I thought you just built ropes courses and climbing walls.
Do you build everything you design, and design everything you build?
No, and we're okay with that.
We spent decades as the crew in the field, and that experience is baked into everything we draw. But we've learned that for general construction, our clients are almost always better served by a local general contractor: someone who knows the region's permitting, has relationships with local subcontractors, and can put local labor on the job. When we handle general construction ourselves, we're flying a crew in, housing them, and feeding them, and you're paying for all of it. That math rarely favors you.
We focus where we add value nobody else can: aerial work and specialty rigging, non-traditional construction techniques for sites with limited equipment access, unusual structures in challenging locations, and fabrication and procurement of specialty components. On any given project, our role looks like whatever makes sense. That might be building the specialized pieces ourselves, consulting with your GC's team on methods they haven't used before, or providing construction oversight to make sure the design intent survives contact with reality.
Already have a contractor you trust? Great. We're happy to design for their build and support them along the way.
We spent decades as the crew in the field, and that experience is baked into everything we draw. But we've learned that for general construction, our clients are almost always better served by a local general contractor: someone who knows the region's permitting, has relationships with local subcontractors, and can put local labor on the job. When we handle general construction ourselves, we're flying a crew in, housing them, and feeding them, and you're paying for all of it. That math rarely favors you.
We focus where we add value nobody else can: aerial work and specialty rigging, non-traditional construction techniques for sites with limited equipment access, unusual structures in challenging locations, and fabrication and procurement of specialty components. On any given project, our role looks like whatever makes sense. That might be building the specialized pieces ourselves, consulting with your GC's team on methods they haven't used before, or providing construction oversight to make sure the design intent survives contact with reality.
Already have a contractor you trust? Great. We're happy to design for their build and support them along the way.
What makes ERi different from other designers and vendors?
Short answer: We've built what we design, and we’ve operated what we’ve built.
Most design problems don't show up on paper. They show up in the field, as cost overruns, schedule blowouts, and maintenance or operation headaches that last the life of the attraction. Because we've spent decades fabricating and building these structures ourselves, we know what makes something harder or easier to build, and what will demand constant attention versus a simple routine task. That knowledge is rolled into every design we produce.
We've also reviewed designs by others that cost clients $1MM+ more than they should have, simply because the designer of the attraction never had to fabricate or build one. We offer design review as a service for exactly this reason. We really can help the entire team do better.
We design for the entire life of an attraction. This includes operations, staffing, maintenance, guest experience, and the realistic picture of who will come and how far they'll drive to get there. And we'll always be straight with you. If someone in our network is a better fit for your project, we'll tell you and make the introduction. Our priorities are the clients and the projects. Full stop.
Most design problems don't show up on paper. They show up in the field, as cost overruns, schedule blowouts, and maintenance or operation headaches that last the life of the attraction. Because we've spent decades fabricating and building these structures ourselves, we know what makes something harder or easier to build, and what will demand constant attention versus a simple routine task. That knowledge is rolled into every design we produce.
We've also reviewed designs by others that cost clients $1MM+ more than they should have, simply because the designer of the attraction never had to fabricate or build one. We offer design review as a service for exactly this reason. We really can help the entire team do better.
We design for the entire life of an attraction. This includes operations, staffing, maintenance, guest experience, and the realistic picture of who will come and how far they'll drive to get there. And we'll always be straight with you. If someone in our network is a better fit for your project, we'll tell you and make the introduction. Our priorities are the clients and the projects. Full stop.
You clearly build things, but how are you on the creative side?
Creating is the part we love most, and what we’re known for. It's why we've structured the company around design and consulting. Building loads of attractions is a great experience, but continuously fielding construction crews is time and energy intensive. We've made the decision that we want to be more targeted with what we do.
Bring us the big idea, the crazy idea, or the beautiful property you're not sure what to do with. We'll help you figure out what belongs there, through site analysis, highest-and-best-use studies, concept development, and visualizations that let you see the idea on your actual land before you commit real money to it.
And the creativity doesn't stop at opening day. We practice what we call continuous ideation: attractions have lifecycles, and when your site is ready for a refresh or a change-up, we help identify the possibilities and zero in on the best options for your site, your guests, and your budget. The best attractions evolve, and it's a privilege to keep imagining alongside our clients for years.
Bring us the big idea, the crazy idea, or the beautiful property you're not sure what to do with. We'll help you figure out what belongs there, through site analysis, highest-and-best-use studies, concept development, and visualizations that let you see the idea on your actual land before you commit real money to it.
And the creativity doesn't stop at opening day. We practice what we call continuous ideation: attractions have lifecycles, and when your site is ready for a refresh or a change-up, we help identify the possibilities and zero in on the best options for your site, your guests, and your budget. The best attractions evolve, and it's a privilege to keep imagining alongside our clients for years.
What does a typical project look like from concept to construction, and how long does it take?
Every project is different, but the shape is usually this:
Conversation → site visit → concept design → design development & engineering → permitting → fabrication & procurement → construction → commissioning & training.
A few honest notes on that sequence:
Yes, the site visit is really necessary. Terrain, access, sightlines, prevailing winds, soils, the feeling you get standing in the spot where guests will stand: none of it comes through in photos and satellite imagery. The site visit routinely changes the design for the better, and sometimes it saves a client from an expensive mistake before a single drawing exists.
You don't need anything ready before you call. No geotechnical surveys, no drawings, no business plan. Come with an idea and questions. We'll tell you what's needed and when it's actually needed.
Timelines: concept work typically takes 2 to 8 weeks and a full journey from design through opening commonly runs 12 to 24 months depending on complexity, permitting, and site conditions. [TEAM: please verify/supply realistic ranges.]
Can you fast-track? Often, yes: by overlapping phases, ordering long-lead materials early, and sequencing construction smartly. But we'll be straight with you: engineering, permitting, and anything touching safety doesn't get rushed. Not on our projects.
Conversation → site visit → concept design → design development & engineering → permitting → fabrication & procurement → construction → commissioning & training.
A few honest notes on that sequence:
Yes, the site visit is really necessary. Terrain, access, sightlines, prevailing winds, soils, the feeling you get standing in the spot where guests will stand: none of it comes through in photos and satellite imagery. The site visit routinely changes the design for the better, and sometimes it saves a client from an expensive mistake before a single drawing exists.
You don't need anything ready before you call. No geotechnical surveys, no drawings, no business plan. Come with an idea and questions. We'll tell you what's needed and when it's actually needed.
Timelines: concept work typically takes 2 to 8 weeks and a full journey from design through opening commonly runs 12 to 24 months depending on complexity, permitting, and site conditions. [TEAM: please verify/supply realistic ranges.]
Can you fast-track? Often, yes: by overlapping phases, ordering long-lead materials early, and sequencing construction smartly. But we'll be straight with you: engineering, permitting, and anything touching safety doesn't get rushed. Not on our projects.
What does something like this cost, and why is there a charge for concept design?
"How much does a bridge cost?" is a lot like "how much does a car cost?" There's a dependable commuter, there's a fully loaded truck, and there's a hand-built performance machine, and they're all cars. Span, site access, foundations, capacity, materials, and location can swing the answer just as widely. What we can do is give you realistic budget ranges early, before you fall in love with something your budget can't support. We'd much rather have that conversation on day one than when we're finalizing a design package. We think you would, too.
Why we charge for concept design: because it's real work by the most experienced people on our team: site analysis, construction-informed thinking, and creative development that you own. A thoughtful concept phase is also the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy. We've seen projects cost seven figures more than they should have because the concept was drawn by someone who'd never built one. Paying for good thinking up front protects everything you spend after.
Help making the numbers work: we can include financial modeling and projections in our scope of work, giving you realistic revenue and ROI analysis you can take to your lender, your investors, or your board.
And for the right project with the right client, we're open to creative structures: revenue share (short- or long-term) or equity in exchange for reduced fees. It has to be a genuinely good fit on both sides, but we're always willing to have that conversation.
Why we charge for concept design: because it's real work by the most experienced people on our team: site analysis, construction-informed thinking, and creative development that you own. A thoughtful concept phase is also the cheapest insurance you'll ever buy. We've seen projects cost seven figures more than they should have because the concept was drawn by someone who'd never built one. Paying for good thinking up front protects everything you spend after.
Help making the numbers work: we can include financial modeling and projections in our scope of work, giving you realistic revenue and ROI analysis you can take to your lender, your investors, or your board.
And for the right project with the right client, we're open to creative structures: revenue share (short- or long-term) or equity in exchange for reduced fees. It has to be a genuinely good fit on both sides, but we're always willing to have that conversation.
Where do you work?
Yes, our main office is on Maui. Yes, you can absolutely visit, and we’ll make sure you get some of the world’s best pineapple.
But beyond Maui, we work wherever our clients and their projects are. We're in the business of creating exceptional attractions for great sites and clients. Some projects are bigger, some are smaller, and our role differs from project to project. Over the years we've learned that it works better for us to filter and select by project and client - not geography.
If your project would genuinely be better served by someone else, whether that's a firm closer to you or a colleague whose specialty fits better, we'll say so and make the referral. We have a large network of friends in this industry, and our priorities are the client and the project, even when that means the project isn't ours.
But beyond Maui, we work wherever our clients and their projects are. We're in the business of creating exceptional attractions for great sites and clients. Some projects are bigger, some are smaller, and our role differs from project to project. Over the years we've learned that it works better for us to filter and select by project and client - not geography.
If your project would genuinely be better served by someone else, whether that's a firm closer to you or a colleague whose specialty fits better, we'll say so and make the referral. We have a large network of friends in this industry, and our priorities are the client and the project, even when that means the project isn't ours.
What are your credentials, and what standards do you follow?
We work within the ASTM F24 body of standards for amusement rides and devices, with particular depth in ASTM F2959 (aerial adventure courses) and related standards. Our inspectors are certified by ACCT International, and our team has extensive experience across the full ACCT International standards: design, performance, inspection, operations, and training.
For engineering, we work with licensed Professional Engineers who have extensive experience in non-traditional and cable-based structures. This is a niche discipline, and rather than force every project through a single license, we match the right PE to your specific project, structure type, and jurisdiction. You get a stamp from someone who genuinely knows this kind of structure, not a generalist seeing their first catenary.
We're happy to discuss standards, jurisdiction requirements, and compliance questions specific to your project. It's a conversation we enjoy more than most people expect.
For engineering, we work with licensed Professional Engineers who have extensive experience in non-traditional and cable-based structures. This is a niche discipline, and rather than force every project through a single license, we match the right PE to your specific project, structure type, and jurisdiction. You get a stamp from someone who genuinely knows this kind of structure, not a generalist seeing their first catenary.
We're happy to discuss standards, jurisdiction requirements, and compliance questions specific to your project. It's a conversation we enjoy more than most people expect.
Someone else designed or built my course. Can you work on it?
Absolutely. A meaningful share of our work is on attractions we didn't originally design or build.
That includes design review (a second set of construction-informed eyes on plans before you build them, often the highest-ROI money spent on a project), modifications and retrofits, remediation of problems that have surfaced, post-incident inspection, and operational reviews of how a site is actually running.
No awkwardness, no judgment. Attractions change hands, needs evolve, and sometimes you inherit something that needs love. We'll give you a clear-eyed assessment of what you have, what it needs, and the smartest path forward for your site and budget.
That includes design review (a second set of construction-informed eyes on plans before you build them, often the highest-ROI money spent on a project), modifications and retrofits, remediation of problems that have surfaced, post-incident inspection, and operational reviews of how a site is actually running.
No awkwardness, no judgment. Attractions change hands, needs evolve, and sometimes you inherit something that needs love. We'll give you a clear-eyed assessment of what you have, what it needs, and the smartest path forward for your site and budget.
Do you offer inspections, testing, training, or operational support?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Building or designing an attraction is the beginning of a relationship, not the end of one.
Inspections: Our ACCT-certified inspectors provide certified inspections: routine, periodic, and post-incident. Scheduling depends on season and location, and post-incident/time-sensitive legal needs get prioritized; reach out and we'll give you a realistic timeframe.
Testing: We do that. Complete zipline performance and brake system verifications, helical anchor proof testing or other load tests. We can also coordinate nondestructive testing (NDT) and other specialized evaluation when a structure or component calls for it.
Training: We offer training tracks for Aerial Adventure Operators and Maintenance Technicians, because the best-designed attraction in the world is only as good as the people running and caring for it.
Operations & management support: From operational reviews to ongoing management training and consulting, we help sites run safely, efficiently, and profitably for the long haul.
Inspections: Our ACCT-certified inspectors provide certified inspections: routine, periodic, and post-incident. Scheduling depends on season and location, and post-incident/time-sensitive legal needs get prioritized; reach out and we'll give you a realistic timeframe.
Testing: We do that. Complete zipline performance and brake system verifications, helical anchor proof testing or other load tests. We can also coordinate nondestructive testing (NDT) and other specialized evaluation when a structure or component calls for it.
Training: We offer training tracks for Aerial Adventure Operators and Maintenance Technicians, because the best-designed attraction in the world is only as good as the people running and caring for it.
Operations & management support: From operational reviews to ongoing management training and consulting, we help sites run safely, efficiently, and profitably for the long haul.
Have a question we didn't answer? Give us a holler to talk with a real person who is experienced with this work, loves talking about it, and is excited to hear your questions and ideas.