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- Category: Industry News
ABC Companies, a provider of motorcoach, transit, and specialty passenger transport equipment, announced that it will appoint Brenda Wordelman to senior vice president of national accounts. In the new role, Wordelman will oversee activities for key customer relationships throughout the United States and Canada. The move comes as part of the company’s strategic plans to expand support of its National Accounts portfolio. Wordelman has more than 25 years of executive experience, including an abundance of industry relationships, a deep understanding of marketing and communications, sales, and operations with a particular focus on key accounts throughout North America including Canada.
She has been active on key industry associations boards including the American Bus Association Board of Governors and the National Limo Association Board of Directors. Wordelman will report directly to ABC CEO Roman Cornell.
ABC Companies Senior VP National Accounts Brenda Wordelman
“Brenda brings a wealth of industry knowledge and a strong combination of leadership, product development and incomparable industry and customer-specific insight to the new role. Her first-hand experience leading through challenges and opportunities within our industry continues to accelerate ABC’s growth and leadership strategies,” said Cornell.
In other news, during a recent meeting in Belgium, Cornell and Van Hool CEO Filip Van Hool finalized details of continuing the existing long-term distribution agreement for Van Hool motorcoaches in the North American market through ABC Companies.
“It is amazing to see the synergies between the Cornell and Van Hool families,” said Cornell. “Both Fillip and I are the third generation of family-operated organizations that have embraced the approach of serving the customer first to create success that lasts. It is a great honor for both of us to carry on the traditions started by our grandparents and further solidified by our parents and their siblings ... The shared focus of the Cornell and Van Hool families has been the driving factor through some truly challenging times. Van Hool’s decision to take extraordinary measures to keep their plants running throughout the pandemic is a testament to their dedication to the North American market and customer base. Bold decisions like these allowed ABC to meet the needs of customers who added to their fleets even during the pandemic. This unique relationship allows Van Hool to focus on their core strength of engineering and building world-class motorcoaches, while the ABC team sells, markets, services, and supports the North American customer base, acting as an advocate for their needs.”
Van Hool CEO Filip Van Hool
Cornell further stated that over the past 24 months, ABC has grown their product portfolio, making electric versions of the Van Hool CX45 and TDX double deck, while vetting and bringing on several cutaway and passenger van suppliers. Further, building distribution partnerships with quality brands like Turtle Top, Frontrunner, Sunset, Coach & Equipment, and more has allowed them to reach new markets but also service existing customers with more vehicle options.
“With our current product portfolio, we can provide solutions for 8-81 passengers traveling across the country or town, and do so with ICE/combustion or zero emissions. We are proud of our expansion and growth as it allows us to better serve our markets and industries while bringing generations of dedication to our customers for years to come,” said Cornell.
Visit abc-companies.com for more information.
[01.26.24]
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- Category: Industry News
The Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) has adopted its new name as the Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) after members overwhelmingly approved the measure. The announcement was made on the association’s website earlier this month.
The 43-year-old association has grown from their roots as an Atlantic City-based organization for private bus companies—previously known as Atlantic City Bus Owner’s Association—and now boasts members from New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Maine. Their previous name change came in January 2004 when it became known as a statewide organization.
GNEMA’s President Tim Stout of Stout’s Transportation in Ewing, N.J., explained the move to Bus & Motorcoach News: “We are rebranding our name because our members that are part of our association are located throughout the Northeast, not just in the greater New Jersey region. It is similar to when the Atlantic City Bus Association members expanded into regions throughout the greater New Jersey area.” Stout has served as the association’s president since 2011.
In addition to the association’s advocacy and lobbying efforts on behalf of bus operators servicing the North Atlantic and beyond, they also hold several meetings and events during the year dedicated to industry education and networking. The next meeting will be their upcoming Spring Association Meeting this April 8-9 in Lahaska, Pa. (just north of Philadelphia), followed by their Fall Annual Meeting, scheduled for September17-19 at a to-be-determined location. The association will also host the American Bus Association’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) East meeting on November 13. Additional information is available about the events on their website at gnjma.com.
In the announcement, the association also noted that it would offer “benefits for members to align with their state, including providing significant influence when engaging with elected officials and politicians regarding our industry’s needs.”
The website currently remains unchanged at gnjma.com.
[01.23.24]
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- Category: Industry News
For last month's Benchmark & Best Practices column, we reached out to operators from around the world and asked what part of the CD/NLA Show has the most takeaway for their business. Hands down, the most popular response was the Affiliate Central Global Forum. Year after year business owners, decision-makers, and affiliate managers make this the most attended event at our show. In fact, in Orlando, more than 1,000 people took part in the forum.
“While I find all aspects of the show to be beneficial, we especially enjoy Affiliate Central as it has allowed us to expand our worldwide network by meeting potential affiliates in person. It’s a goldmine for anyone involved in or interested in affiliate marketing. The practical tips and expert advice shared here directly impact our marketing approach, helping us to optimize our affiliate campaigns and maximize ROI,” says Moe Bouayad of Crown Worldwide Transportation.
When we return to Vegas, look for our biggest Affiliate Central Global Forum to date. Sponsored by Volvo, this year’s event—held Tuesday, March 5 at 1:15 p.m.—will host upwards of 85 different companies, representing markets from around the world. You'll meet dozens of operators from all corners of the globe who are looking to expand their networks and exchange business with you. We provide the forum, you set the pace and conversation as you hop from table to table. This is an incredible opportunity to grow your company’s presence within the global marketplace. Don’t forget to bring those business cards and a killer elevator pitch! If you’re interested in exhibiting in the forum, a few tables/markets are still available. Contact Director of Events Jess Pavlow at jess@chauffeurdriven.com for more information.
“Participating in Affiliate Central has significantly expanded our network, fostering numerous partnership opportunities worldwide. They’ve also been a cornerstone for elevating our brand visibility across diverse markets. Attending trade shows allows us to stay at the forefront of industry trends while presenting our services to a broad audience. These experiences continually prove instrumental in our business growth and development,” says Andrew Tighe of RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation.
As Vegas is a favorite destination for our industry worldwide, you can anticipate a large representation of operators from overseas. In fact, the CD/NLA Show attracts business owners from every continent short of Antarctica. With that in mind, we’re proud to bring back the popular International Meet & Greet networking event to the show on Monday, March 4 at 5:45 p.m. Like our Affiliate Central, our International Meet & Greet remains one of the best-attended events in our lineup. The casual yet semi-structured setting is the perfect way to mingle with like-minded operators from across the pond—whatever pond that may be.
“An exceptional event with great presentations with quality content—and an incredible group of people attending. A lot of good business will be done as a result of these relationships,” says Vince Robinson of RCS of London.
As much of the country is battling record cold temps and snow, we can’t stop thinking of the hot action coming at the 2024 CD/NLA Show in Vegas on March 3-6 at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. With fewer than six weeks left to the industry event of the year, now’s the time to register. Simply click here to sign up. And while you’re at it, take advantage of our exclusive room block averaging just $152 per night.
Visit cdnlavegas.com for more information.
[01.23.24]