Top 100 Events And Festivals

ABA's Top 100 Events in North America is an annual compendium of the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. Each spring, a committee of ABA-member motorcoach and tour operators selects the Top 100 Events for the subsequent year; the list is unveiled in September. Winners are chosen from hundreds of celebrations, festivals, fairs, commemorative events, and more that have been nominated by ABA members. From among the winners, ABA names the Number One Event for both the United States and Canada.

ABA launched the Top 100 program in 1982 to help motorcoach and tour operators plan itineraries.

Now in its 31st year, the Top 100 Events receive worldwide attention via the media--television, radio, and print--such as USA Today and CNN. ABA distributes some 10,000 copies of the Top 100 Events in North America magazine, featuring the winners, to all of its members and to thousands of travelers worldwide. For previous publications, please see Top 100 Archives and Marketing Information below.

Top 100 Events Nominations and Judging

ABA Members: Click here to access the online nomination form.
Non ABA Members: Email us at top100@buses.org for an ID and Password to nominate a event or festival.

Q: What is the Top 100 Events in North America?

The Top 100 Events in North America began in 1982 as a way for motorcoach and tour operators to incorporate new product into their itineraries every year. It has grown into one of the most sought after lists for travel professionals, motorcoach operators and the general public.

Q: What is the significance of an event being designated as a Top 100 Event in North America?

This honor gives an event and its community an important boost in visibility among professional motorcoach and tour planners. The event is recognized as a potential magnet for tourism dollars throughout the travel industry.

Q: How does the nominating process work?

In February, nominations are solicited via e-mail from those eligible to nominate. This year nominations will begin February 16, 2012.  The deadline for nominations for the 2013 Top 100 Events is May 7, 2012.

ABA Members: Click here to access the online nomination form.
Non ABA Members: Email us at top100@buses.org for an ID and Password to nominate a event or festival.

Q: Who can submit nominations for the Top 100 Events?

All current ABA members may submit nominations for free.  Non-members can submit one event for a nominal fee.

ABA Members: Click here to access the online nomination form.
Non ABA Members: Email us at top100@buses.org for an ID and Password to nominate a event or festival.

Q: How many events can each group nominate for 2013 Top 100 Events? 

Q: Does the event need to be an ABA member?

No, the event does not need to be an ABA member.

Q: What kinds of events are typically included in the Top 100 Events?

Festivals, fairs, celebrations, commemorative events, parades, exhibits, etc. are among the types of events that are nominated for the honor to be a Top 100. Contact ABA if you have questions about a particular event.

Q: Are there any events that are not eligible to be nominated for the Top 100 Events?

Yes.  Museum exhibitions are limited to rare, one-of-a-kind traveling exhibits thus excluding regular or rotating collections. Contact ABA if you have questions about a particular exhibit.

Q: Can an event that has already won in a previous year be nominated again?

Yes. Some annual events are such strong draws for motorcoach groups that they can win again.

Q: Is each Official State/Provincial Tourism Office that submits nominations guaranteed a winning event?

No. All Official State/Provincial Tourism Office nominations are guaranteed to be presented to the committee for review, but not guaranteed to win.

Q: Just what is the judging committee looking for in an event?

Remember! The judges are selected from ABA member motorcoach and tour operator companies—they are evaluating events strictly from a group tour and motorcoach perspective.  Here are some things to consider:

• Does the event have a history of drawing a lot of bus groups? How many?
• Is the event motorcoach friendly?
• How does the event treat bus drivers and group escorts—free admission? A dedicated driver area or hospitality lounge? Prize drawings for drivers bringing the most groups?
• Do you have dedicated parking areas for motorcoaches? Are they free?
• Are embark/disembark points close to the event entrance?
• Can nearby hotels accommodate a motorcoach group?
• Many bus groups are seniors—how does the event appeal to or accommodate seniors?
• Can the event handle passengers being dropped off 55 at a time?

Q: How are nominations submitted?

The nomination process is easy and completely online. Member nominators go to the online nomination survey and follow the online instructions. Please note, if you have a pop-up blocker enabled, it must be turned off to complete the nomination process.  The first information you enter is event contact information, but there is a detailed survey that pops up after the initial information is entered that you must complete in order for your nomination to be considered. Non-members should contact ABA at 800-283-2877 to be assigned a Company ID and Password in order to access the online nomination system.

ABA Members: Click here to access the online nomination form.
Non ABA Members: Email us at top100@buses.org for an ID and Password to nominate a event or festival.

Q: What information is required for each nomination?

Each nomination must have complete contact information and survey information. The complete, detailed event survey will pop up after the initial contact information is entered so please make sure your pop-up blockers are turned off when entering your nominations.  INCOMPLETE NOMINATIONS ARE INELIGIBLE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE JUDGES.

Q: Do all the components of a nomination need to be completed at the same time?

No. Nominations are considered active and are available for updating, replacing, deleting and forwarding during the entire nomination period which ends on May 7, 2012.

Q: Can I get help answering the survey questions from the event that I am nominating?

Yes. Many nominators complete the contact information for the event they are nominating and forward the survey directly to the event to fill out. In most cases, the event director has all the up-to-date information required for the survey. The nominator can review the survey at any time during the nomination period and make any changes if necessary. Be sure to contact the event and let them know that you are forwarding the survey to them and that it is due no later than May 7, 2012.

Q: Can I electronically submit a brochure or photo of the event that I am nominating?

No. Nominators cannot download electronic brochures and photos. The judges visually review the event by viewing the promotional website of the event which is provided by the nominator. Therefore, be sure to list the website in the description and the specific page that goes directly to the event’s information. Do not list a general website for the area since judges do not have time to navigate websites searching for a particular event. (Nominators can also send brochures to ABA at the address below by the May 7^th deadline; however, this is optional and not required for judging.)

Q: What is the deadline for the 2013 Top 100 Event nominations?

The deadline is May 7, 2012. This is when the nomination period officially closes.

Q: When does the judging take place?

Judging takes place in June and the results are published in the Top 100 Events in North American magazine which is distributed with the September/October issue of ABA’s Destinations Magazine.

Q: Additional questions?

Contact ABA at 800-283-2877 or email at Top100@buses.org.
American Bus Association
Attn: 2013 Top 100 Events
111 K Street NE
9^th Floor
Washington, DC 20002

2013 Top 100 Nomination Survey 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Judging Criteria

The judging committee considers these factors when reviewing an event:

1. Does the event have wide appeal to motorcoach and tour groups?

2. Is the event near other attractions that allows tour operators to create a package?

3. Does the event have adequate motorcoach parking and group accommodations?

4. Is the event worthy of media coverage and is it the finest that area has to offer groups?

Notification

Selected nominators and nominees will be confidentially notified via e-mail in the month of June to confirm all entry information for the Top 100 publication. Official notification will tentatively take place on August 31, 2012.

Top 100 Archives and Marketing Information

Top 100 Events in North America Magazine

The Top 100 Events are published in a full-color magazine which is distributed with the September/October issue in of ABA's Destinations Magazine. ABA distributes some 10,000 copies of the Top 100 Events in North America magazine, featuring the winners, to all of its members and to thousands of travelers worldwide.

We have organized and archived the past Top 100 Events from 1982 for both the United States and Canada as follows:

• Top 100 Events - United States - 1982- 2012
• Top 100 Events - Canada - 1982- 2012
• Top U.S. & Canadian Top 100 Events - Highest Honors Through 2012
• Top 100 Event Publications
• Top 100 Event Logos and Press Release Samples - 1999- 2012

Host Destination & Selection Committee

Each year, the Top 100 Selection Committee meets at a different host destination location, providing local CVBs, DMOs and attractions with the opportunity to showcase the meeting site and surrounding region to ABA member bus & tour operators.

The Top 100 Selection Committee is composed of 12-15 judges chosen from ABA-member motorcoach and tour operators. Judging takes place in May and June each year.

The 2013 Top 100 Selection Committee meeting will be held June 3-6, 2012 in Essex, Vermont.  ABA would like to thank Custom Tours, Inc., the Vermont Tourism Network and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, as well as The Essex -  Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa for hosting this upcoming meeting.

ABA member operators interested in serving on the Selection Committee should contact Vicki Osman at 800-283-2877 x 230 or vosman@buses.org.

2012 Top 100 Selection Committee

The 2012 Top 100 Selection Committee met in Knoxville, Tenn. June 5-8, 2011.

Thank you to all of our 2012 Top 100 Committee Hosts & Sponsor Partners.