Post-election message to ABA Membership

As we review the election results, it’s clear that change is on the horizon here in Washington. We will have new control of the executive branch once President-Elect Trump is sworn into office, new Republican control of the U.S. Senate and as of this morning, it’s too early to know the makeup of the U.S. House of Representatives. What I want you to know is that the American Bus Association team is well-positioned to champion our industry through it all. 

We’ve undertaken a major expansion of our government relations team to ensure we have the resources and expertise to navigate this new political landscape effectively. Most notably, we’ve hired our first-ever Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Government Relations, Callie Hoyt, a respected former Top Lobbyist recipient and well-known operator within the halls of Congress. With Callie on board, our government relations team will double in size, with balanced coverage of legislative, regulatory, research and political expertise across the team.  

We’re also investing in our advocacy agenda through the ABA Foundation. With a soon-to-be-placed dedicated staff member, the Foundation will expand its research and data delivery to underscore the importance of our industry and strengthen our advocacy efforts. This will allow us to communicate better the critical role our industry plays in supporting the economy, jobs, and the consumers who depend on the critical services you all provide, as well as support our broader initiative to build and sustain an engaged network of champions in Congress. 

As we develop our policy agenda, our first focus is on balancing the needs of our diverse membership, including motorcoach and charter bus operators, tour planners, and the broader travel and tourism sectors. We believe that what’s good for motorcoaches is good for the tourism industry—and vice versa. Our policy priorities will reflect this interconnectivity, advocating for a business environment that fosters growth and opportunity across all segments of the group travel industry.  

While we focus our efforts on the current makeup of the government, I want you to know that you can trust ABA to champion policies that support mobility, connections, and opportunity above all else. We’ll share more information in the coming weeks as the new Congress and Administration organize, and our policy agenda comes into focus.  

Thank you for your membership and trust in ABA. We’re excited to face the future with you as we work toward a more robust, vibrant group travel industry. 

Warm regards, 

Fred Ferguson 

President & CEO 
American Bus Association