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Archived Alerts

Hurricane Sandy Alert (Oct. 29, 2012)

ABA offices are reopened as of Oct. 31 following closure earlier in the week due to Hurricane Sandy.

Charlotte 2013: The Best Marketplace Yet (Oct. 18, 2012)

"We have just wrapped up an ABA Marketplace Focus Group meeting in Charlotte, and I want to assure you that we are once again working hard to bring you a great show," said ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso.

An Open Letter to Our ABA Members (Sept. 21, 2012)

ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso addresses recent discussions surrounding a joint industry show.

2013 Top 100 Events in North America Announced (Sept. 12, 2012)

The American Bus Association is pleased to announce that Gettysburg, Pennsylvania’s Reflections of History Event that will mark the 150th anniversary of the decisive Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 is ABA’s 2013 Top Event in the United States. The annual Calgary Stampede was named the 2013 Top Event in Canada.

With Less Than 120 Days to Go, ABA’s Marketplace Continues to Outpace 2012 Registration Levels and Reaffirms It Is Where Business Gets Done (Sept. 11, 2012)

Since April when Marketplace registration opened, travel and tourism professionals continue to give ABA’s Marketplace a huge vote of confidence with these higher-than-ever new registration numbers. September 2012 year-to-year comparisons show a strong 24% increase in the number of buyers registered.

ABA Wishes You a Happy Labor Day & Growth of Motorcoach Industry to be Featured on CBS News Sunday Morning on September 2 (Aug. 30, 2012)

As Americans celebrate Labor Day this weekend, the American Bus Association salutes the hundreds of thousands of hard-working people who work in the motorcoach, tourism and travel industry.

Also, CBS News Sunday Morning is scheduled to do an in-depth story concerning the strong growth of the motorcoach industry in recent years.

Charlotte Transit Notice for Democratic Convention & Border Crossing Change at Champlain, NY (Aug. 21, 2012)

ABA is defending the Charter Bus Regulation against a request from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) at the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. Within the last 24 hours, we’ve received this correspondence from CATS concerning additional transportation services related to the original request. Please contact CATS if you’re an owner/operator in the Charlotte area and possibly interested.

Also, with the expected volume of buses arriving at the Champlain, NY, crossing for this Friday morning, all charter traffic will be diverted to the truck processing facility starting early that morning. Officers and signage will be placed to guide buses through the border process.

ABA Protects the Charter Bus Rule and Tire Weight Limit Advisory Released (Aug. 16, 2012)

The American Bus Association filed with the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) its opposition to a request from the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) for an exemption from the FTA’s charter bus regulation. The charter bus regulation prohibits public transit agencies from doing work normally provided by private bus and motorcoach operators.

Also FMCSA has recently conducted investigations that show potential safety concerns related to double-deck buses that may overload tires outside the suggested weight limit. Under specific circumstances motorcoaches utilizing the double-deck design may be susceptible to exceeding the tire weight limit when loaded with passengers and luggage at full capacity.

ABA Mourns Loss of Jessica Ghawi, Daughter of Longtime ABA Member Sandy Phillips, and All Victims of Tragic Colorado Shooting (July 25, 2012)

ABA has been in contact with Sandy, and we have sent her our deepest condolences. The family is most appreciative of the prayers, thoughts, calls, emails and postings on Facebook and Twitter. People in the motorcoach, travel and tourism industry have a big heart, and you’ve shown it.

Tragic Shooting in Denver-Area Movie Theater Touches Industry (July 20, 2012)

A shooting spree at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado has left at least 12 people dead and several dozen other people injured. ABA is deeply saddened to report that among those who died was the daughter of longtime ABA Member Sandy Phillips of San Antonio, Texas. Ms. Jessica Ghawi, known professionally as Jessica Redfield, was 24.

Colorado Springs Open for Business After Wildfire (July 11, 2012)

Activities and attractions in Colorado Springs, Colorado, are open for business following a series of wildfires that threatened portions of the city several weeks ago. As of Tuesday evening, authorities report that the Waldo Canyon Fire has been 100% contained, and the wildfire smoke health advisory for El Paso County has been lifted.

Fraudulent Solicitation Targeting ABA Members (June 13, 2012)

Members should disregard any solicitations they have received in the mail from the "Fair Guide" or "Construct Data Publishers" seeking information for an "exhibitors directory" purportedly related to ABA's Marketplace event.

ABA Members Encouraged To Speak Out Against A Bad Bus Bill; Mica New Chairman Of Transportation & Infrastructure Committee; Motorcoach Council Needs Your Votes In Pepsi Challenge (Download Word Doc)

As Congress nears the end of its “lame duck” session, everyone in the motorcoach, tour and travel industry should be aware for the potential that S. 554 could still pass if tacked on to another bill. If S. 554 slips through on the back of another bill, science will lose to politics -- and it will force many small, mom-and-pop bus companies to go out of business without a public safety benefit. A bill to ensure government funding into the next year could be the vehicle proponents of S. 554 use to get that bill passed.

ABA Launches New Website

ABA launched a new website today that is so fresh in its look, feel, ease of use,
navigation, simplicity and presentation that the online name is virtually all that remains
the same: http://www.buses.org.

Marketplace Host Cities Announced For 2013, 2014

The American Bus Association (ABA) today announced that Marketplace 2013 will be held in Charlotte Jan. 9-13, 2013, and Marketplace 2014 will be in Nashville Jan. 17-21, 2014. The 2011 show is in Philadelphia Jan. 8-12; the 2012 event is in Grapevine, Texas Jan. 6-10, 2012.

Hancock County, MS Offering Operators Up To $1,500 To Bring In Groups Of 35 Or More By Nov. 1.

The Hancock County (Mississippi) Tourism Development Bureau has launched a new motorcoach tourism program that will pay qualified operators up to $1,500 to bring groups of 35 or more to the county.

ABA Mourns the Loss of Frank Montgomery III

Montgomery, President of Capital Trailways of Alabama and an ABA Board Member, died in an automobile accident on September 2, 2010.

Judge Rules in Favor of Operators, Finds Murray Amendment Unconstitutional

On June 9, 2010, Judge Huvelle of the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia ruled that the Murray Amendment, which prohibits the Federal Transit Administration from using any funds to enforce the charter rules against King County Metro in Seattle, is unconstitutional.

FMCSA Announces Intent to Ban Texting While Driving Commercial Motor Vehicles, Comments Due May 3, 2010

On April 1, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration [FMCSA] published a notice of proposed rulemaking [NPRM] entitled "Limiting the Use of Wireless Communication Devices"

FMCSA Publishes Final Rule on Electronic On-Board Recorders

On April 2, 2010, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a final rule entitled "Electronic On-Board Recorders for Hours of Service ". The rule becomes effective beginning on June 1, 2012.

FTA Sending Out Notices to Continue Charter Bus E-Mail Alerts For Operators

Many bus operators have recently received email notices from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) related to their registration status on the FTA's Charter Registration website. Per the federal regulations governing the charter bus rules (49 CFR 604.13[e]), bus operators seeking registration as a charter operator are required to provide updated contact and fleet information every 2 years. The FTA is now beginning the process of notifying operators of the update and re-registration requirement as operators approach their 2 year anniversary date on the website. These email messages have commonly been titled "Charter Service Registration Expiration."

GroupConnect Destination Marketing Webinar

GroupConnect is a membership benefit of American Bus Association & Ontario Motor Coach Association. Your associations have designed a mapping & quoting system for suppliers to receive RFQ's from tour operators with just a few clicks of the mouse. GroupConnect's RFQs have guaranteed delivery to your business e-mail address, which will lead to relevant, consistent and timely responses to your tour operator partners. The only way to receive Request for Quotes (RFQs) from participating operators is to have your e-mail address in the GroupConnect system!

GroupConnect Mapping & Routing Webinar

GroupConnect is a free membership benefit for all ABA & OMCA tour and motor coach operators. With the GroupConnect Mapping & Routing system, you will be able to view ALL association members along a specific route or destination. Need a restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee? Zoom in and click on Food Service Providers to view your choices. You then have the opportunity to send a Quick Quote request to those selected restaurants, all within a few clicks of the mouse. Other categories include accommodations, attractions, festivals & events, receptives, retail outlets, and schedule transportation.

GroupConnect Receptive Webinar

GroupConnect Tour Planning & Quoting Webinar

GroupConnect Travel Industry Chain/Management Company Webinar

GroupConnect Travel Industry Supplier Webinar

OMCA/ABA Joint Tour Operator Summit Rescheduled

Thanks to every ABA member who responded to the recent survey regarding the proposed joint tour operator summit between members of the Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) and ABA members. Given the overwhelming number of eager participants from both sides of the border expressing strong interest in attending the event, many of whom wanted the summit to take place earlier in the calendar year -- in late February or early March rather than April -- OMCA and ABA have decided that both associations can provide the best possible program for attendees by rescheduling the summit for earlier in the year in 2011.

Customizable Press Release Based On ABA Foundation Study

The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) recently announced the launch of a new online interactive tool offering state tourism offices and local CVBs & DMOs a new way to show the economic impact generated by the motorcoach travel and tour industry for each state and congressional district. The new data can be accessed by clickinghttp://www.guerrillaeconomics.biz/abafoundation.

Write Congress Urging Passage Of TRIP Pro-Tourism Bill

Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.) has just introduced a new bill that would provide $50 million worth of matching federal funds for U.S. attractions and destinations to market themselves to prospective tourists. ABA encourages all members to support its passage.

DHS Announces Over $11.5 Million Available For FY 2010 Bus Security Grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the availability of $11.52 million in intercity bus security grants. DHS has begun accepting applications for this latest round of security grant funding for the motorcoach industry through the government's grant solicitation website,www.grants.gov.

U.S. DOT Releases Motorcoach Safety Action Plan

The U.S. Department of Transportation this afternoon released its “Motorcoach Safety Action Plan,” which includes the need for more aggressive enforcement to get rogue operators off of the road, enhanced operator safety oversight, invigorated vehicle safety maintenance, and a focus on crash avoidance technologies as well as occupant protection.

ABA Offers TripBuilder EventMobile™ For Marketplace 2010

ABA is proud to offer a new, FREE member benefit for the Capital Region Marketplace Jan. 15-19, 2010 at the Gaylord National outside Washington, DC. ABA has forged a new partnership with TripBuilder EventMobile™ for Marketplace 2010 that will provide delegates with a free leading-edge tool using innovative mobile event trade show technology to make more efficient use of their time during the show.

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