News from the Women in Buses Council – July 2024
WE’RE MOVING! (Our LinkedIn Account)
To better reach and share Council news, events, and information, we have created a Showcase page on LinkedIn under the ABA’s main company page. As such, we’ll shut down the WIB LinkedIn group on August 30. Please take a moment to follow the Women in Buses new page on LinkedIn to make sure you’re following the latest information and to share our content with your peer network.
WIB ON THE ROAD KEEPS ROLLING ALONG
Over the past month we’ve had not one, but TWO WIB meetups. An impromptu meetup came after a group dinner at the New England Bus Association (NEBA) meeting last month. And last week WIB had a meetup at ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) meeting in Orlando.
The next scheduled On the Road will be at SYTA’s Conference in New York. ABA’s new President and CEO will also be at SYTA; be on the lookout for Fred!
Saturday, August 10 at 5:30 p.m. (between the last education session and the Youth Foundation Soiree)
Library Bar, inside the Sheraton
Cash bar
Reminder – bring yourself, a buddy, and your business cards!
Going to other travel conferences and meetings? Let us know and we can help plan other OTR networking meetups.
CONNECTING THROUGH CONVERSATIONS – WHAT MEMBERS ARE SAYING
This spring, we unveiled our newest initiative. Connecting Through Conversations is designed to expand networks to allow participants to know each other outside of Marketplace and worktime conversations. 60 WIB members participated in the inaugural session. Here’s what they shared with us via a survey.
• More than half did not know their conversation partners before their meeting. The others said they knew their match, but only in the professional setting.
• The top outcomes and most exciting aspects of their conversations were expanded networks and deeper connections.
• Nearly all rated their experience as “excellent” or “good” and look forward to the next matchup.
We are thrilled with the reception and the number of members who joined us for the first round. THANK YOU.
The Next Round
Our next match will be announced in August. If you are already enrolled in the program, you do not need to do anything. If you want to enroll, please register by Friday, August 9, 2024. If you have questions about the CTC program, please contact Hannah Oliver. Expect your next match email to arrive the week of August 19th!
OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
Kiara Davis, Visit Atlantic City
Claire Dunlap, Tour Cayuga County
Lee Glasco, Glasco Bus
Lucy Gussman, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
Sally Mazur, Greyhound
Louise O’Rourke, Historic Hudson Valley
Samantha Paraleo, Anderson Coach & Travel
Emily Senn, WorldStrides
Early bird registration for Marketplace 2025 ends September 13. Don’t forget to sign up for Women in Buses Day! We had record attendance last year and nothing but positive comments. To sign up, complete and submit the “Optional Activities” registration form.
IT’S AN “EVENT”-FULL MONTH!
Wednesday, August 3, 2:00 pm ET
Unlocking AI’s Potential in Travel: A Guide for Women Leaders
Presenter – Dan Flores, Head of Tourism, Satisfi Labs
Friday, August 9
Connecting Through Conversations – Registration Deadline
Sign up now
Saturday, August 10, 5:30 pm ET
WIB on the Road at SYTA
Library Bar, Sheraton Hotel (conference hotel)
Thursday, August 15, 12:30 pm ET
WIB Book Club – Discussion 1 of 2: Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
Our book club resumes with a fun summer read. To join in, please contact Christa McCusker.
Wednesday, August 21, 1:00 ET
Meet & Eat
The topics are up to you for this free-flowing, informal chat.
Thursday, August 29, 12:30 pm ET
WIB Book Club – Discussion 2 of 2: Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt
