ABA Staff In-Service Day Highlights Leadership and Industry Impact
Leadership and fun as the staff enters the ramp-up period to Marketplace 2026 in Reno and the Association's Centennial.
Recently, the staff of ABA held an “in-service day” to celebrate recent accolades, talk through new initiatives for members being rolled out next year, and hear from two organizational leaders who shared their perspectives on leadership, vision, and the critical role the motorcoach industry plays in the national travel economy. Featured speakers included Barry Biggar, CDME, President and CEO of Visit Fairfax, and Bill Torres, President and Owner of DC Trails, who each shared perspectives that connected the work of ABA with the broader travel and tourism landscape.
Biggar underscored how integral the Association’s leadership is to sustaining and growing the group travel sector. “The motorcoach industry is a cornerstone of America’s travel economy, and organizations like the American Bus Association ensure its continued strength and growth,” he said. He emphasized that ABA’s advocacy and guidance not only strengthen the industry but also directly benefit destinations such as Fairfax County, Virginia, where motorcoach travel brings vital visitor traffic and supports the local economy. Biggar noted that communities of all sizes depend on the group travel market, making ABA’s role in supporting operators, destinations, and the hospitality sector essential to the national tourism ecosystem.
Torres offered an inspiring reflection on leadership itself, framing it not as authority but as service. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge,” he said. Drawing on years of experience in the industry, as well as his service in the U.S. Marine Corps and as a D.C. police officer, Torres emphasized that effective leaders walk alongside their teams and step forward in times of challenge. He stressed the importance of desire and passion as the fuel for achievement, observing that “weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.”
Together, Biggar and Torres provided ABA staff with a reminder of the organization’s influence on both industry health and community vitality, while reinforcing the values of vision, service, and commitment that define strong leadership.
