The leading national motorcoach associations, the American Bus Association (ABA) and United Motorcoach Association (UMA), kicked off a busy spring last week when ABA held its Virtual Fly-In, while UMA hosts its first in-person Expo this week since the beginning of the pandemic.
ABA brought D.C. to the people—virtually—with its Fly-In, held on April 14. The day is usually a way for association members to meet with their elected representatives about issues affecting the industry, but the pandemic (as usual) had other ideas. The Fly-In was streamed and is still available for anyone to listen in here. Speakers included Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Acting FMCSA Administrator Meera Joshi, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Rep. David Price (D-N.C.), and Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).
Meanwhile, the UMA is excited about hosting its Motorcoach Expo at the Orlando Convention Center starting this Wednesday, April 21. The meeting represents more than just the first time the industry is getting together in person in a year; it’s also a celebration of the association’s 50th anniversary. There will also be special sessions, which can be attended virtually, including its Mechanic Training on April 23 at 10 a.m., hosted by Prevost’s Director Aftermarket Training, North America Robert Hitt (register here), and its virtual driver training hosted by Bob Crescenzo of Lancer Insurance on April 23 at 9 a.m. (register here). The full schedule of events is available at motorcoachexpo.com.
Operators in the mid-Atlantic region are also invited to the Spring Operators Meeting being held jointly by the Maryland Motorcoach Association (MMA) and the Virginia Motorcoach Association. The in-person meeting is scheduled for May 10-12 at Virginia Crossings in Glen Allen, Va. For more information, a tentative agenda, and to register for the event, click here.
If you have a meeting you’d like us to share with our readers, please email Editors Susan Rose or Rob Smentek at susan@chauffeurdriven.com or rob@chauffeurdriven.com.
[04.20.21]