Every January, the American Bus Association (ABA) welcomes the travel and tour community to the industry’s premier business event, the ABA Annual Meeting and Marketplace. With more than 3,500 tour operators, suppliers, and exhibitors in attendance, this annual kickoff and one-stop-shop provides an opportunity to learn about new businesses and continue to grow existing relationships.

Representatives of Union Station Parking Garage (USPG) and USRC take part in this annual event for business opportunities, as well as to stay abreast of upcoming regulations that will affect the travel and tour industry and attend leading educational seminars that will help improve their contribution as a supplier to the community. In addition, the after-hours entertainment presents an opportunity to connect and market with old colleagues and make new contacts. This year, Nzinga Bryant, Vice President and Director of Finance and Administration, USRC; LaJuana Jones, Senior Project Manager, USPG; and Pedro Fonseca, Bus Deck Facilities Manager, USPG met with hundreds of tour operators and provided information about Union Station, including the transportation options, retail, restaurants, and marketing and parking opportunities with USPG. Additional information regarding the USPG Bus Deck Facility can be found at www.uspgllc.com. With bus parking being so limited within the District of Columbia, USPG wants to ensure that operators are aware they can park their buses at Union Station, plus participate in the voucher program that provides meals at selected restaurants within the station. Please visit www.unionstationdc.com/food-voucher-program for details about this initiative.

Ms. Jones participated in a new initiative at this year’s event – speed networking. She had 57 seven-minute meetings with specific operators to provide information about Union Station, Washington, DC’s primary multimodal transportation and retail facility. The Union Station representatives appreciated the feedback from the travel and tour community and look forward to taking part in this program again next year.

At this year’s ABA Annual Meeting and Marketplace in Charlotte, NC, there were:
• over 1,013 motor coach and tour operators in attendance,
• 303 motor coach and tour operator delegates who took speed networking appointments during the week,
• 208 sponsors,
• 345 associate service and product suppliers in attendance, and
• 62 associate product and service suppliers who had Marketplace exhibits.

Additionally, $25,085 was raised for the Isabella Santos Foundation through the ABA Gives Back fundraiser and more than $159,000 was raised for foundation scholarships at the live and silent auctions, as well as through the ABA Foundation’s Afterglow initiative.

The ABA Annual Meeting and Marketplace provides a great opportunity to showcase historic Washington Union Station and build lasting working relationships. The station team looks forward to next year’s event in Louisville, KY.

(Photo Credit: ABA Marketplace)