News from the Women in Buses Council: August 2024
Don’t forget to register for MARKETPLACE and WOMEN IN BUSES DAY
Early bird registration Marketplace 2025 ends next Friday, September 13, and we look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia.
You can also sign up for Women in Buses Day (January 31, 2025)! A reminder that WIB Day is the day prior to the show opening (January 31). We had record attendance last year and nothing but positive comments. Of course we’ll have more information to share over the next few months, but we are planning another banner event. To sign up, complete and submit the “Optional Activities” registration form in your marketplace passport.
Nominations Now Open for the WOMEN IN BUSES AWARDS
Each year, Women in Buses honors two individuals or companies that contribute to the Women in Buses mission within the business lines that ABA members represent.
Please consider nominating someone you believe deserves these two esteemed awards, which will be presented at Women in Buses Day at Marketplace.
The Women in Buses Award recognizes an individual or company who has directly impacted the advancement and promotion of women within and among the motorcoach, tourism, and hospitality industries.
The Women in Buses Operational Excellence Award is presented to an individual who displays excellence in service to their organization. This includes customer operations, drivers, mechanics, sales, or any other impactful area in travel and tourism.
Nominations will be accepted through Friday, November 8, but please don’t wait.
Both awards will be presented by WIB’s sponsor, Motor Coach Industries. See the past WIB Award honorees.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Mary Barnes – Holiday Inn Express Virginia Beach
Toni Bastian, TMP – Visit Richmond, VA
Claudia Boissonneault – Excellence Charter
Jim Coggin, CTIS,CSTP – Visit Virginia Beach
Emily Grace – Mardi Gras World
Bill Huffman – Luray Caverns
Rachel Lett – Pashm Global
The WIB BOOK CLUB Is Back!
Last month, 11 WIB Council Members registered for the summer WIB Book Club. It’s been quite a few years since we have gathered members in this fashion. The club started with a dive into Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. The first sessions were incredibly engaging and insightful!
Our next title and meeting will be announced soon, so watch the WIB social media channels!
The WIB Calendar of Events
Wednesday, September 3, 2:00 pm ET
WIB’s Journey: What We’ve Achieved and Where We’re Headed
Presenters – Cam Morris, Hale Transportation and ABA Board of Directors, and Fred Ferguson, ABA President and CEO
Join us for what is sure to be an engaging and informative look at WIB’s past, present, and future. Hear about the development of one of ABA’s strongest councils from WIB founder Cam Morris. ABA President and CEO Fred Ferguson will share his thoughts on how our founding mission will continue its forward-looking momentum.
Wednesday, September 18 1:00 ET
Meet & Eat
The topics are up to you for this free-flowing, informal lunchtime chat.
Wednesday, October 2, 2:00 pm ET
Motorcoach 101
Are you new to the industry or just looking to enhance your knowledge of motor coaches? We have a series customized just for you. Join the Operations, Maintenance and Drivers Committee for a deep dive into the motorcoach world. We’ll kick the tires with our first webinar, Motorcoach 101. Industry experts from MCI will teach us the basics of the motorcoach and its features. This webinar is geared towards those looking to enhance their knowledge and help sell the motorcoach product for a tour or charter. Three more sessions will be offered in this series, both online and on the Marketplace show floor.
Connecting Through Conversations
The Next Round
The second set of matches have just been announced for Round Two of CTC. We hope all the participants have been enjoying their meetups. If you missed this second round and would like to participate in the final round of 2024 (November), you can sign up now. If you have questions about the CTC program, please contact Hannah Oliver.
Are You Following Our New LinkedIn Page?
To better reach and share Council news, events, and information, we created a Showcase page on LinkedIn under the ABA’s main company page. The WIB LinkedIn group page shut down on Friday, August 30. To make sure you’re following the latest information and to share our content to your peer network, please take a moment to follow the Women in Buses new page on LinkedIn.
WIB On the Road in the Big Apple
WIB went On the Road to the SYTA conference in New York in August. We had some good conversations and even picked up a few new members!
Let’s keep this bus moving. If you’re going to a conference or meeting that other WIB members attend, let’s plan an OTR. It’s quick, easy, and a lot of fun. Let us know, and we will help plan other OTR networking meetups.
Be on the lookout for announcements for OTR at the following upcoming events:
•October 20-22 Bus Association of New York Annual Meeting & Marketplace
•November 4-6 Ontario Motorcoach Association Marketplace
•November 14-16 National Tour Association Annual Conference
Milestone Moments
Bronwyn Wilson
International Motorcoach Group has bid farewell to their President, Bronwyn Wilson, after twelve incredibly successful years. Bronwyn leaves an incredible legacy as a leader and visionary in our industry. WIB honors you and all of your achievements as you inspire an incredible number of women in our industry.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Miller
WIB offers a hearty WELCOME BACK to Lizzy as she returns to the tourism industry after taking a few years to enjoy her growing family. She has accepted a Group Sales Manager and PR Specialist position at Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater (Lancaster, PA).
With over ten years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, she spent years honing her skills at both The Amish Village (Ronks, PA) and Elite Coach (Ephrata, PA). Lizzy is no stranger to many, and we are so lucky to have her return.
Do you know of an industry professional deserving of a shoutout? Send it to us for our MILESTONE MOMENTS!
Women in Buses thanks MCI for their continued support.
