As we welcome the new year, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Philadelphia for hosting ABA’s Marketplace 2025. Known as the “City of Brotherly Love,” Philadelphia provides the perfect backdrop for the vibrant connections and shared opportunities that Marketplace represents. The city’s rich history, cultural treasures, and hospitality make it an ideal destination for what promises to be another exceptional event.
Marketplace is more than just a gathering; it’s an invaluable opportunity to grow your business, expand your professional network, and stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry. Every interaction at Marketplace—whether on the business floor, during educational sessions, or at networking events—has the potential to spark new ideas, foster partnerships, and drive your business forward. I encourage each of you to take full advantage of this platform to connect, collaborate, and innovate.
In our last column, we launched ABA’s strategic planning process and invited you to contribute your thoughts and ideas through our member survey. The response was incredible. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your insights and suggestions.
Together, we can shape a bright future by connecting people with places and supporting the businesses that make these connections possible.
Submit your ideas through our member survey today.
This planning process is grounded in ABA’s core values: Service, Openness, Respect, and Trust. These principles are at the heart of everything we do and serve as the foundation for our vision for the future. Your input ensures that our plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our diverse membership, from motorcoach and charter bus operators to tour companies, travel destinations, and beyond.
For Marketplace 2025, we have provided several listening sessions to hear directly from you. These sessions allow candid conversations about your priorities and challenges, ensuring that your voice continues to shape our work. Additionally, we will engage with our board of directors to refine and enhance the plan, keeping member feedback at the forefront of our discussions.
Our goal is to finalize the strategic plan in the coming months and launch it in spring 2025. This plan will serve as a road map for the future, guiding ABA’s efforts to support your success, advocate for the industry, and strengthen the connections that make our community so unique.
As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism and gratitude. Together, we can shape a bright future by connecting people with places and supporting the businesses that make these connections possible. Whether it’s through motorcoach services, group travel, or tourism, our collective efforts create opportunities, foster relationships, and move America forward.
Thank you for your engagement and dedication to ABA. I look forward to seeing you in Philadelphia Feb 1–4 for Marketplace and continuing this journey together. Here’s to another year of connection, growth, and success.
Sincerely,
FRED FERGUSON
President & CEO
fferguson@buses.org
