Last month, the American Bus Association (ABA) alerted members to a conflict with the host venue for its 2021 Marketplace, the Baltimore Convention Center, which is being used as a medical facility through the end of June due to the pandemic. Although the association scouted additional locations to hold the event, it also polled members who made the ultimate decision: hold the convention virtually. The original dates of June 18-22, 2021, remain unchanged.
ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso
“While a number of respondents said they would love to see a live Marketplace, a majority said that a June meeting may be too soon to meet live, as vaccine rollout has been irregular at best,” said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso in an announcement to members. “Medical experts are stating that mass vaccination won’t happen until the summer. An overwhelming majority of ABA members said they would prefer to participate in a virtual ... Marketplace. Because ABA listens to our members, and your health and safety is our number one priority, we have chosen to follow your preference and hold a virtual Marketplace in 2021.”
Pantuso noted that the association is focused on making sure that the event has “a significant return on investment just as you would in person,” and that plans are currently in the works that would incorporate all the education and networking opportunities that attendees want. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks and months, with information available at marketplace.buses.org.
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[02.16.21]