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The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be holding its first online Cyber Summit on Wednesday, October 26 from noon to 5 p.m. ET. The Summit is specifically designed for small businesses and will help introduce them to tools, tips, and resources to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure in addition to exploring new trends and challenges entrepreneurs are increasingly facing.
SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman has convened many of the industry’s top cybersecurity experts who will speak candidly about the security issues American businesses face in an increasingly online world, and will offer their solutions to mitigate risk.
“America's small businesses are pivoting to digital technologies and online strategies at historic rates to reach new customers and improve operational efficiencies, but that pivot has also exposed them to significant new threats from cyberattacks,” said Guzman. “Our SBA team has mobilized to support them against these potentially disruptive threats with cybersecurity resources and trainings across our resource partner networks, as well as through our recently launched Small Business Digital Alliance. Launching the SBA’s first annual Cybersecurity Summit will help us build on that work and ensure America's 33 million small businesses and innovative startups can pivot safely online and grow resilient businesses."
Registration is free and available by clicking here.
Visit sba.gov for more information.
[10.25.22]
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We’re just weeks from the biggest industry event of the fall, the 2022 CD/NLA Show. Not only are we thrilled to bring the show back to the Northeast this November 13-16, but we couldn’t be more excited to return to the banks on the Potomac at the beautiful Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center. Conveniently located just outside of D.C., our all-under-one-roof host property is right in the heart of the thriving National Harbor.
While we have four days of wall-to-wall networking, a bustling show floor, and electric nightlife planned for you, the heart of the CD/NLA Show remains our on-point and timely educational programming. Our Show Education Committee has been whittling down the list of topics for months now for the most well-rounded and timely spate of professional development around.
At our March Vegas Show and June Executive Retreat, attendees loved our highly interactive roundtables—especially the immediate feedback from what their industry colleagues are putting into practice—so we’ve amped up the game with daily sessions to get your blood pumping and primed for the rest of the day’s lineup. Designed to appeal to operators of all sizes and specialties, these three roundtable sessions will allow you to mix it up with your peers and gain good insights that are battle-tested and industry approved.
On Monday, we’ll kick it off at 8:00am for Extending the Life of Your Assets. It’s no secret that operators have had to keep their metal a little longer than usual, so come hear what your peers are doing to keep the wheels turning on equipment that normally would have been turned over by now—and be sure to share your own ideas for maintenance of older equipment.
Then on Tuesday morning at 8:30am, join us for Take the Worry Out of Your Insurance Renewal to explore tips and best practices for lowering your insurance premiums (with some help from the industry’s insurance professionals). This advice-oriented hybrid session will give you the opportunity to speak directly with reps of several of the largest insurance companies as well your fellow operators on how to best prepare for your renewals, keep your premiums reasonable, and more. This is one area where you can’t afford to cut corners.
Finally on Wednesday at 8:30am, Automation: How Operators Are Doing More With Less will offer discussion amongst peers on how you can use automation and technology to your advantage—without breaking the bank. Staffing remains one of the biggest challenges for most businesses this year, so operators will reveal how they are making it work with fewer employees, man-hours, and less paper pushing for a streamlined and efficient operation.
For our educational sessions, we’ve assembled a rock-star roster of topics and expert speakers from the industry and business world for the rest of our educational program. We’ll take a deep dive at your finances with Managing Finances With the Influx of Newfound Revenue as well as sales and marketing with Utilizing Your LinkedIn Account to Attract New Clientele, Creating and Controlling Your Networking Relationships, and Retail Sales: Marketing and Maximizing Your Smaller Metal. If shoring up your operations is in order, you won’t want to miss Managing and Integrating Remote Workers, Welcome to the New World of Obtaining a CDL, and FMCSA Update: What to Expect for 2023. Looking for some leadership advice? Also, add The Fundamentals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and our session from Sandler Sales Training to your calendar. If you’re looking to acquire a competitor or even planning on retiring someday, you’ll definitely want to attend Mergers, Acquisitions & Preparing for Big Opportunities: Take 2, where our speakers will tackle M&A from the financial, operational, and legal perspectives so you’re well prepared and achieve the best possible outcome for all parties involved.
Meanwhile, our discounted room block of $239/night is still in effect until November 1. Don’t miss out. Click here today to secure your accommodations at our special rate.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[10.19.22]
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- Category: Industry News
The Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA), which will mark its centennial in 2023, has produced a video to commemorate the occasion.
Founded in 1923, PBA is a nonprofit organization and one of the nation’s oldest associations dedicated to representing the business and governmental interests of private bus companies operating in Pennsylvania. The association has functioned without interruption and with an unrelenting commitment to the safety of the traveling public and the economic well-being of its member companies. The membership includes motorcoach operators, companies servicing the industry, and travel suppliers, all working together to build their businesses.
The video was created with help from association members, a treasure trove of archives from PBA (and the Bus Museum of Transportation), national partners, and KRR Photography, and is now available on PBA’s YouTube channel, PBA social media channels, and the website pabus.org.
The yearlong celebration was kicked off in State College during PBA’s Annual Conference. Smaller celebrations are planned throughout 2023 including during Spring Fling weekend at Bus Museum of Transportation in Hershey (June 9-10), PBA Marketplace in Morgantown (March 27-28), and PBA Annual Meeting & Conference in Jamestown, N.Y. (June 18-21).
PBA members shared their thoughts on PBA’s centennial milestone:
John Henry of the Martz Group: “Pennsylvania Bus creates a real sense of community within our industry. The information and networking PBA provides has helped further our company for generations. Our founder, Frank Martz, helped establish PBA and would be proud of its current leadership and value to our industry. Congratulations on celebrating 100 years!”
Alison Sherman of Klein Transportation and PBA Board member: “I have the pleasure of being the third generation from my family’s motorcoach company to serve on the board of PBA. This organization does amazing things through advocacy and by facilitating the connections that help us thrive as an industry and I am proud to be part of it.”
Sandy Borowsky of Starr Tours and PBA Board member: “Running a motorcoach and tour company these days is certainly no easy feat. That is why PBA is so important to us. Having an organization like PBA that provides support, information, and a connection to all our industry friends is critical to our success. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate PBAs 100th anniversary and looking forward to many more successful years.”
Some of the upcoming events in 2023 include:
- PBA’s Marketplace provides bus operators, tour planners and group leaders with the valuable opportunity to gain experience about exciting new attractions and explore favorite destinations for group travel. The date and location for 2023 Marketplace is March 27-28 in Morgantown, Pa., hosted by Pennsylvania’s Americana Region. Registration is open.
- PBA’s Annual Meeting is an industrywide event devoted to education, business interaction, and social networking. A key component of the event is highlighting the geographic area so that motorcoach operators will return with groups to enjoy a new travel opportunity. The date and location for 2023 Annual Meeting is June 18-21 in Jamestown, N.Y., hosted by Chautauqua Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.
- PBA’s Motorcoach Safety & Preparedness Workshop not only provides employees of motorcoach companies an opportunity to gain experience about safety-related issues, but it also establishes a working relationship with the enforcement community so that everyone involved in safety, work together. Communication to understanding safety measures is the key to providing motorcoach customers with the necessary assurances the industry demands.
Visit pabus.org or contact Executive Director Patricia Cowley at director@pabus.org for more information.
[10.18.22]