Reprising her 2019 role as ABA Marketplace Chair, Kim Grzywacz of CIT Signature Transportation, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, shared center stage with her daughter, Danielle Wilkinson, as co-chair of ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno, Nev. Held Jan. 10–13, the four-day event included one-on-one business appointments, high-quality education sessions, engaging exhibits, and meaningful networking opportunities—all infused with the enthusiastic “sparkle” the mother-daughter duo brought to the association’s centennial celebration.

“I am grateful to the Visit Reno Tahoe team for hosting a fabulous marketplace,” says Grzywacz. “I was reminded, once again, that this event is a reunion bringing together amazingly fun and productive people. I am blessed to work with three of my adult children—and co-chairing this event with Danielle, watching her sparkle, was spectacular!”

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Yes, it was fun and games (entertainment, receptions, all-delegate events, purse raffle, and silent auction), but most importantly, ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe offered attendees the opportunity to learn, network, book business, and celebrate 100 years of motorcoach history. Here’s to the next 100 years of making an impact!

Wilkinson, 26, attended her first Marketplace in 2024 in Nashville and this year stepped into Reno ready to represent a new generation of industry leaders. Bringing a fresh, creative perspective, she shined on the Networking Floor—inviting both longtime attendees and first-time STAR delegates to describe Marketplace in a single word. Responses such as “connection,” “networking,” “educational,” “together,” “partnership,” “unexpected,” “fun,” and “community” captured the spirit of the event and reflect how Grzywacz and Wilkinson are helping set the tone for launching ABA’s next 100 years.

Thank you to the city of Reno Tahoe, President & CEO Mike Larragueta, Executive Director of Tourism Sales Art Jimenez, the dedicated team at the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, and to all sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, staff, and attendees who helped make Marketplace 2026 a tremendous success.

Mark your calendars for Feb. 6–9, 2027, when ABA heads to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for Marketplace. Hoping to extend your stay? Explore more of Alberta in the January/February issue of Destinations magazine. Then, be on the lookout for the May/June Destinations cover story (published in early June) for your invitation to explore Calgary’s unique attractions and experiences.

2026 Marketplace Totals

Are you wondering just how much business occurred at ABA’s 2026 Marketplace? Check out these statistics:

• 2,504 people attended the show.
• 762 motorcoach and tour operators were in attendance.
• 245 motorcoach and tour operator delegates took appointments all week.
• 36 appointments on average were prescheduled for each seller; 1,816 manual appointments were scheduled.
• 70,420 business appointment slots.
• 107 sponsors.

Also noteworthy:

• 308 associate service and product suppliers attended.
• 55 associate product and service suppliers and allied associations exhibited.
• Networking Floor offered 10 motorcoaches and 130 exhibitors.
• More than $105,775 raised for Foundation Scholarships at the Silent Auction, Purses for a Purpose, and Afterglow.

Members Recognized During ABA’s Marketplace

Congratulations to all the award winners recognized during ABA’s 2026 Marketplace in Reno Tahoe. For photos of the winners, as well as an album of Marketplace photos, visit abamarketplace.smugmug.com/2026-Marketplace-Reno.

BUSRide Good Stewardship Award

The BUSRide Good Stewardship Award honors an individual who has been and continues to be a “Good Steward” and leader in the industry.

Winner: Jack Kauffman, Timi’s Tours

Innovative Motorcoach Operator of the Year Award (Metro Magazine)

The Innovative Motorcoach Operator of the Year Award celebrates motorcoach operators who are on the cutting edge with everything from IT to sustainability.

Winner: Anchor Transportation (Nashville, Tenn.)

Patti Lloyd Lifetime Volunteer Service Award

The ABA Lifetime Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated dedication to the motorcoach, travel, and tourism industry through volunteer hours.

Winner: Jeffrey Goldwasser, Amaya-Astron Seating

MCI’s Leadership & Environmental Sustainability Award 

The Leadership & Environmental Sustainability Award recognizes motorcoach industry leaders for their investment in environmentally responsible equipment and adoption of green business practices.

Winner: Pacific Coachways

Motorcoach Driver of the Year Award

The Motorcoach Driver of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond in the performance of his or her duties as an over-the-road motorcoach driver, professionally executing safe motorcoach operation while providing the traveling public with the safest form of passenger transportation in the U.S.

Winner: Jose Retana, All Aboard America Holdings

Serendipity Magazine TODAY! Award

The Serendipity Magazine TODAY! Award is presented to a company or individual tour operator who uses creativity to grow business.

Winner: Terry Fischer (Transportation Charter Services, Polynesian Adventure, Royal Coach Tours)

ABA Advertiser of the Year Award

Destinations magazine’s Advertiser of the Year recognition highlights a partner whose consistent support strengthens industry storytelling, insight sharing, and connection across the marketplace ecosystem.

Winner: Visit Atlantic City

Wayne Chandler Spirit of Partnership Award 

The Wayne Chandler Spirit of Partnership Award recognizes an individual who creatively works within the group travel industry to build partnerships for the promotion of all tourism market segments and destinations.

Winner: Sandy Haines (posthumous), Myrtle Beach CVB; accepted by Lori Lampo, Visit Myrtle Beach

Women in Buses Award

The Women in Buses Award, sponsored by MCI, recognizes an individual or company who has directly affected the advancement and promotion of women within and among the motorcoach, tourism, and hospitality industries.

Winner: Chris Rackmyre, Maine Tour Connection

Women in Buses Operational Excellence Award

The Women in Buses Operational Excellence Award, presented by MCI, is given to an individual who displays excellence in service to their organization.

Winner: Savannah Fernandez, Star Shuttle and Charters.

Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award

One of the motorcoach industry’s highest safety honors, the Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award recognizes significant contributions to the profession of safety and leadership that elevate standards across the industry.

Winner: Chris Crean, Peter Pan Bus Lines

Next Era Leadership Council Disruptive Innovation Award

Awarded to an individual who displays leadership in technology, sustainability, and government advocacy in driving the motorcoach industry forward.

Winner: Kyle DeVivo, DATTCO & The Bus Network