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- Category: Industry News
The latest Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) poll shows an increase in non-essential business travel continuing to rise in Europe. As such, the association has announced a number of in-person conferences and events as we head into the final quarter of 2021.
In addition to GBTA’s Annual Convention (November 17-19 in Orlando, Florida) a number of events, held across multiple European locations, are amongst the first face-to-face opportunities for industry colleagues to meet and collaborate in person. Education will continue to be a key component of each event with insightful keynotes from industry leaders and a range of panel discussions covering topical subject matter, each designed to spark interesting debate amongst specialists in their field, according to GBTA. Each event will also allow for numerous opportunities to network once again with peers, to rebuild and forge new business relationships.
According to the latest poll of GBTA members and stakeholders, 75 percent of European respondents expect that business travel will see a significant or moderate increase in the September to November 2021 time frame. This is supported by the latest results highlighting that more than seven in ten GBTA travel buyers felt their employees are ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to travel for business in the current environment.
The In-Person Events include:
September 16: GBTA France Masterclass at the Hôtel Le Méridien Etoile, Paris
November 9: GBTA Italy Conference in Milan
December 6-8: GBTA Europe conference in partnership with VDR in Berlin, Germany
“Following another disruptive year, I am delighted that we are once again able to host a number of in-person events for GBTA members throughout Europe. Safety and duty of care of course remain a priority and each of our events will have additional safety measures in place to ensure the well-being of delegates. Collaboration is perhaps more important than ever for the business travel industry, the return of in-person events will once again unite our industry to continue the safe return to business travel,” said Regional VP EMEA-GBTA Catherine Logan. “The multiple events across Europe will give delegates the opportunity to address the current industrywide challenges, as well as those specific to the individual regions and markets.”
“We are delighted to be able to return to in-person events and to be partnering with GBTA once again, to host the GBTA Europe Conference in partnership with VDR. Registration is now open, we look forward to welcoming you and giving the business travel community the opportunity to collaborate and network in a safe environment,” said VDR Executive Director Hans-Ingo Biehl.
Click here for more information and to register.
Visit gbta.org for more information about the association and its events.
[09.13.21]
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- Category: Industry News
The American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation recently released its second quarter 2021 Motorcoach Builder Survey, which showed that the industry is seeing some signs of life. Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers saw a significant increase over the same quarter in 2020, with 276.5 percent increase in sales, growing from 132 in 2020 to 497 in 2021.
ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso
The biggest jump in sales came from the 45-plus foot bus sales with an increase from 55 in 2020 to 307 sold in the same quarter in 2021. Bus sales for the 40-45 foot fell from 7 in 2020 down to 5 in 2021 and 30+ foot bus sales were up 3 from 2020. Pre-owned bus sales grew from 70 in the second quarter of 2020 to 182 in 2021, a 160 percent increase.
“While the uptick in sales this past quarter is encouraging, the fact is that we are still hundreds behind where sales were pre-pandemic,” said ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso. “The industry is trying to make ground from devastating losses suffered in 2020 and while the spring picked up and looked promising the Delta variant has once again slowed travel down and is hindering recovery. Tens of thousands of motorcoach company workers and suppliers are still furloughed and will continue to be until recovery moves forward, which may not happen until 2023.”
The ABA Foundation is the scholarship and research arm of the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. The largest nonprofit in motorcoach group travel, the ABAF distributes $100,000 a year in scholarships to industry families and invests in research to demonstrate the important role motorcoach transportation plays in society.
Visit buses.org/aba-foundation for more information.
[09.13.21]
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- Category: Industry News
Can you believe we’re just over a month away from the 2021 CD/NLA Show? Our first in-person event since 2020 hits the Gaylord Texan on October 10-13, located just outside Dallas, and frankly, we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve planned four days of networking, education, and, yes, fun at the first industry show to come to Texas, and can’t wait to see you there.
By now, you’re undoubtedly more than a little interested in the 2021 CD/NLA Show events and sessions, and who can blame you? But if there were only a simple and easy way to get the lowdown on the entire show and plan your time in Texas… Well, thanks to returning sponsor North Point Global Transportation Services, the show app is here! This app is your gateway to all of our show’s exhibitors, attendees, speakers, events, floor plans, social media, and so much more—in other words, everything you need to navigate the CD/NLA Show. Just head to your favorite app store and search for CD NLA Shows 2021 to download the newest version of our show app. It’s easy, free, and we’re adding new information every day!
Whether it’s a matter of finance or public relations, the changes in our industry have been innumerable since our last show; as a result, our slate of education, sponsored by FASTTRAK Cloud Technologies, is designed to address the shifts faced by the industry in the post-pandemic world. Take mergers & acquisitions, for instance: It’s fair to say that this has been a hot-button topic for many operators even preceding the shutdown. On Sunday, October 10, at 1:00 p.m., join Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders and Tim Rose of Dolphin Transportation, along with moderator and Show Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, for The Game Has Changed: Mergers & Acquisitions in a Post-Pandemic World, a timely and frank discussion of M&A geared toward all operators. Our panelists will discuss the reasoning behind buying or selling a company in the current market, along with the pros and cons. More importantly, these experts will look closely at M&A in COVID-changed economy with an emphasis on the numbers (i.e., business valuation before and after the virus) and the role grants and loans play when it comes to selling or buying. If you’re in the market to buy or sell an operation—or just curious about what’s involved—this is one session you’re not going to want to miss.
As your cars get back on the road and business has returned, it’s time to determine whether your house is in order—financially speaking, that is. Cash may be flowing again, but if you plan on sticking around for the long haul, your credit needs to be in tip-top shape. On Wednesday, October 13, at 9:00 a.m., presenter Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions and moderator Jason Sharenow offer Rebuilding Your Credit & A Look at Post-Pandemic Financing, which will provide valuable tactics on building and rebuilding one of your most important numbers. They give you solid-gold tips on how to gain the confidence of lenders and what you need to consider as you navigate through the new realities of the finance world.
Whether you’re a two-car operator or a 200-car business, leveraging your public relations power is beneficial. Particularly now, in a time of ambiguity and changing mandates, it is more important than ever before for operators to get out there with messaging that drives awareness and bookings. On Monday, October 11 at 8:30 a.m., join us for Get Your Business Back in Gear With PR and Social Media, a session built around the NLA’s recent On The Road Again campaign. Executive Vice President David Harrison of EVINS Communications and Curtis Gabriel Founder Simon Curtis will provide tips, information, and advice on how operators can maximize their public relations, marketing, and social media efforts in the marketplace (it’s ever-changing!). Learn how to share a story with the media, how to create email and social media content, and how to get started in online advertising. You won’t want to miss this primer that has something for everyone, from the small operator just starting out to the most experienced owners.
Once you have the app, you can schedule personal appointments with other app users, whether it’s having coffee with an affiliate or dinner with a vendor. Don’t forget that you can also customize your show agenda by saving events that you don’t want to miss and receive reminders.
As we get closer and closer to the 2021 CD/NLA Show, let’s give another thanks to the generous sponsors who help make the event a reality. Special thanks to our Title Sponsor Ford Lincoln Limousine & Livery, along with Buffalo Limousine, Lancer Insurance, BMW, Volvo, Chosen Payments, AJL International, ECS Transportation Group, Premier Transportation of Dallas, Premier Transportation Worldwide, and all of our affiliate and supporting sponsors.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[09.08.21]