Motorcoach Companies Helping Communities Devastated by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene has left widespread destruction, impacting thousands of families and communities along the Atlantic Coast. Now, more than ever, our efforts can make a difference. Several motorcoach companies are stepping up to provide essential support, supplies, and aid to help these communities recover. Join us in this relief effort by donating or volunteering.

How You Can Help

You can get involved in the following ways:

  • Monetary Donations: Financial contributions go directly toward providing essentials like food, water, and shelter for those affected. You can donate directly to local relief organizations.
  • Supply Donations: Essential items like bottled water, canned goods, hygiene products, blankets, and first aid supplies are urgently needed. Find local drop-off points where you can bring these much-needed supplies.
  • Volunteer: Consider volunteering your time to help distribute supplies or assist with rebuilding efforts. Local organizations and motorcoach companies are organizing efforts to transport volunteers and supplies to the affected areas.

 

ABA Press Releases

Make Your Mark on ABA’s Marketplace, Self Nominate to Request to Join a Subcommittee Today!

  • February 24, 2020
  • 5-min read

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Have you ever wondered how speakers are chosen for ABA's Marketplace? Do you have some ideas of what you would like to see different? Are you interested in seeing how Marketplace comes together?

We are looking for a few good men and women like you! Help us plan for ABA's Marketplace 2021 in Baltimore by nominating yourself to join a Marketplace Committee.

ABA looks to its membership for leadership in the most important functions of the association, including Marketplace.

If you want to have a hand in planning education at Marketplace, nominate for the Education Subcommittee. Join our Orientation Subcommittee and help newcomers get the most out of their Marketplace experience. Is there something you wish was in Resource Central to help you make it through your appointments? Then join our Resource Central Subcommittee. Are you the type of person who wants to be involved in the whole production of Marketplace? Nominate yourself for the Marketplace Advisory Committee!

You know the value of Marketplace and now you have the opportunity to get even more ROI out of it because you can help shape our next one!

Below is a list of Marketplace Subcomittees and responsibilities. Which one is right for you?

EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Education Subcommittee is responsible for creating, promoting and managing a well-balanced curriculum for the American Bus Marketplace. To fulfill this mission, seminar programming must be relevant, appeal to ABA’s diversified membership and satisfy the learning objectives of many career-levels, from novice to veteran.
To produce an Education program, subcommittee members develop topics ranging from personal development to business management, operations, sales and marketing. Members anticipate industry trends and emerging issues for potential development. In addition, the Education Subcommittee provides speaker recommendations to ABA staff.
This curriculum is an integral, value-sensitive Marketplace component, equal to the business appointment sessions. Ideally, every seminar should challenge thinking, enhance skill-sets, entertain, and compliment the professional and personal development of each delegate, and the Association as a whole.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Review past performance to identify subjects, scheduling, delivery and service improvement areas;
  • Stay abreast of industry and Marketplace changes;
  • Evaluate methods to advance the quality and relevance of the Education curriculum;
  • Communicate with the Subcommittee Chairman and Vice Chairman on a timely basis, completing assignments by the required deadlines;
  • Develop and staff the subcommittee volunteer and logistics schedule;
  • Manage the Education program during Marketplace week, overseeing the seminars and Education office;
  • Attend Marketplace as a full-week delegate;
  • Assist with the preparation of at least one professional speaker and/or serve on an idea exchange panel as a speaker;
  • Voluntarily serve a minimum of fifteen (15) hours at Marketplace in the education arena;
  • Attend onsite meeting in Baltimore (May date TBD). ABA will reimburse you up to $500 in expenses for this meeting.

ORIENTATION SUBCOMMITTEE
The Orientation Subcommittee serves to instruct and guide newcomers, called STAR delegates, during their first American Bus Marketplace. Subcommittee members cultivate communication, instruction and delivery methods to best service the new attendees, thereby providing an integral component to the Marketplace experience. This mission is achieved by operating the Orientation Center, conducting Marketplace Floor Tours and producing the STAR program.
The Orientation Center offers personalized counseling sessions performed by committee members and/or Marketplace volunteers. In a friendly member-to-member format, new attendees learn about Marketplace practices, Marketplace procedures, expectations and activities from industry veterans. STAR delegates also have the opportunity to tour the Marketplace floor before their appointment session and to broaden their ABA and industry insight in the specially designed STAR program. Throughout the week, subcommittee members also serve as Marketplace mentors aiding and guiding STAR delegates.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Review past performance to identify communication and service improvement areas;
  • Investigate service implementation methods with ABA staff;
  • Stay abreast of industry and Marketplace changes;
  • Perform Marketplace floor tours as scheduled;
  • Provide assistance and mentoring to STAR delegates during Marketplace week;
  • Evaluate methods to advance the quality and relevance of the Orientation Center curriculum;
  • Communicate with the Subcommittee Chairmen and Vice Chairman on a timely basis, completing assignments by the required deadlines;
  • Along with the Subcommittee Chairmen and Vice Chairman, develop and staff the subcommittee volunteer and logistics schedule;
  • Manage the Orientation Center during Marketplace week, overseeing the seminars and assisting in the set-up and breakdown of the Center;
  • Voluntarily serve a minimum of fifteen (15) hours in the Orientation Center;
  • Attend Marketplace as a full-week delegate;
  • Attend onsite meeting in Baltimore (Sept/October date TBD). ABA will reimburse you up to $500 in expenses for this meeting.

RESOURCE CENTRAL SUBCOMMITTEE
The Resource Central Subcommittee is responsible for delivering data, reference materials, and research information to members of the American Bus Association pre-Marketplace and onsite. The primary assignment of the Subcommittee is to develop and execute an onsite Resource Central, which includes appointment and business resources to assist delegates in Marketplace business and networking opportunities. Subcommittee members will focus on the research, technology and methodology of each category of membership and provide tools in these service centers to enhance the ability of members to conduct business.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Review past performance to detect delivery and service improvement areas;
Communicate with the Subcommittee Chairman and Vice Chairman on a timely basis, completing assignments by the required deadlines;
Identify all research and data needed in the Resource Central;
Help develop action plans for all primary responsibilities including: Reference -Buyer information, DMO leads, Supplier information and Industry statistics;
Stay abreast of industry and Marketplace changes;
Evaluate methods to advance the quality and relevance of the Resource Central materials;
Develop and staff the subcommittee volunteer and logistics schedule;
Manage the Resource Central during Marketplace week, assisting in set-up and breakdown of the Resource Central;
Voluntarily serve a minimum of fifteen (15) hours at Marketplace in Resource Central;
Attend Marketplace as a full-week delegate;
Attend onsite meeting in Baltimore (Sept/October date TBD). ABA will reimburse you up to $500 in expenses for this meeting.

MARKETPLACE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Marketplace Advisory Committee (MAC) and the ABA are responsible for the planning, promotion and execution of the ABA's Marketplace. Committee members and ABA staff, in support and mutual respect of each other, work closely throughout the year to produce this event, essential to the vitality of the Association. Subsequently, it is mandatory that all Marketplace Advisory Committee members attend Marketplace as full-week delegates.
The Marketplace Advisory Committee reflects the diversity of the American Bus Association. Committee members are term-appointed and include Marketplace related Subcommittee Chairs, Host City Representatives, Representatives for all membership categories and special ABA appointees.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Attend pre-convention committee meetings as requested in the Host City to review the past meeting, and develop programs and activities for the upcoming meeting;
  • Provide industry vision and leadership that anticipates and meets the goals of Marketplace delegates and ABA;
  • Evaluate past programs, events and activities, and implement sound operational improvements to further the growth, vitality and success of Marketplace;
  • Help to create enhanced learning, sponsorship, business and networking opportunities for attending delegates;
  • Identify new or enhanced Marketplace benefits and features, or programs that provide discernible value to members;
  • Develop new promotional strategies and communication methods to increase motorcoach and tour operator participation as well as overall attendance;
  • Demonstrate enthusiasm and professionalism towards the American Bus Marketplace, ABA and its members;
  • Attend Marketplace for the full-week and participate in all Marketplace functions and activities during Marketplace week;
  • Complete special projects or on-site tasks as deemed by the Marketplace Chairman or ABA staff;
  • Develop and submit a list of potential future subcommittee members for ABA’s review and approval. (Advisory Committee members are not allowed to solicit committee or subcommittee members without ABA’s approval);
  • Volunteer at the various service centers as assigned with a minimum commitment of 15 hours during Marketplace week;
  • Attend onsite meeting in Baltimore (Sept/October date TBD). ABA will reimburse you up to $500 in expenses for this meeting.

Help make Marketplace even better, sign up today!

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