A new United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Expo was launched in Orlando, Fla., in January as part of Travel Exchange, which brought together the UMA Expo with the National Tour Association’s Convention.

The intent of the co-located show was to provide operators with a more comprehensive understanding of the entire group tour and travel industry and help form partnerships and business relationships with everyone involved in the group travel industry.

With that, optimism filled the air as operators learned ways to improve their businesses and how they fit into the nation’s overall transportation plan, as well as got a chance to see the latest technologies on the show floor.

Fed oversight
Bill Bronrott, deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), spoke about the government’s increased oversight of the industry and its hope that it will help to improve the overall perception of the public at-large, during the “Legislative & Regulatory Update.”

Bronrott discussed the 24% increase in the number of inspections of motorcoaches from 28,915 in 2009 to 35,791 in 2012, resulting in putting 28 unsafe motorcoach operations out-of-service last year compared with zero in 2009.

He also spoke about some of the new changes coming down the turnpike as a result of the new transportation bill signed last summer by President Barack Obama — Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) – including a new safety ratings system, safety audits for new entrants within 120 days of receiving operating authority and a written examination that carriers must take to prove an understanding of federal rules.

Bronrott also discussed recent changes to the Safety Measurement System, the key component of the Compliance Safety Accountability program; the new “Safer Bus” app that enables consumers to review a company’s safety record before buying a ticket; and ongoing work to possibly revise and/or revamp the federal Hours of Service rules.

Later on during the session, UMA’s VP, industry relations, Ken Presley further discussed the impact of MAP-21 and told the audience that a final rule on seat belts is expected this year, possibly in March, which at this point will not require operators to retrofit the approximate 29,000 commercial buses currently on the road. The door has been left open, however, to possibly make retrofitting a requirement later on down the road.[PAGEBREAK]

Business tools
How to market your operation was a major focus of the education program, with Autumn Dipert-Brown of Dallas-based Dan Dipert Coaches leading one session that focused on how operations could best spread around their marketing dollars.

During her session, Dipert-Brown suggested spending 1% of your sales revenue on marketing and advertising, spreading resources across various mediums. She also suggested enrolling in the Motorcoach Marketing Council’s Parts Program, which enables operations to access a host of plug and play marketing materials online.

Switching gears, the “Getting Involved at the Local Level: Taking Full Advantage of the Highway Bill” session featured Ken Presley and Becky Weber of Prime Policy Group discussing the importance of getting to know your local, state and federal leaders and their staffs to discuss what your business does and how you’re invested in the community as well as to establish familiarity before you need their help.

Weber and Presley suggested reaching out to officials by sending a letter introducing yourself and your company, donating to their campaigns, attending city council meetings or inviting them to visit your business.
Presley added that laying this groundwork right now is also crucial because of a new provision in MAP-21 requiring public and private entities to work together to solve transportation issues around the nation, which opens up a huge business opportunity for operators.

The popular “Young Guns” roundtable took place on the show floor this year, as well as sessions focusing on topics including how to develop a succession plan; key components to effectively manage a worker’s compensation program; and how to manage passenger security in today’s media connected-world.

Show floor highlights
Aside from showcasing their latest products, several companies were also marking major milestones, including Radio Engineering Industries Inc. (REI), which  is celebrating its 75th year in business.

“We’ve always kept the customer first,” REI’s Executive VP Scott Hays told METRO Magazine about the company’s long-term success. “In our markets service is paramount; the customer expects it and revenue is generated off of providing good service to the end users, and so, we focus on it, and that will always be a staple with our company.”

Motor Coach Industries (MCI) held an event on the show floor to mark its 80th year, as well as celebrate recent milestones, including the redesign of its best-selling J4500 and the addition of the Setra brand.

“Even as we mark our 80th year, MCI continues to evolve with better looking, more reliable models, featuring advanced safety technologies and new interior designs and amenities that are attracting a new generation of riders,” said Patricia Ziska, MCI’s VP, sales and marketing, private sector.

Meanwhile, ABC Companies marked a couple of milestones as well, including celebrating its 25-year partnership with Van Hool and the sale of its 8,000th Van Hool coach, which was delivered to Vandalia Bus Lines in Caseyville, Ill.

Cummins unveiled its motorcoach engine lineup for 2013 — the ISL9 and ISX12 — which meet the 2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations as well as the 2014 U.S. Department of Transportation greenhouse gas and fuel-efficiency standards.[PAGEBREAK]Industry Awards
METRO Magazine’s Motorcoach Operator of the Year Award went to T. Ralph Young of the Asheville, N.C.-based Young Transportation.

The UMA Safety Leader of the Year Award went to June Bratcher of Daisy Charter & Shuttles of San Antonio, while Lamers Bus Lines Inc., of Green Bay, Wis., took home the Green Highway Award.

This year’s UMA Vision Award winner, small operator, was Tour West America of Phoenix, Ariz., with San Antonio-based Star Shuttle & Charter winning in the large operator category.

Next year’s Travel Exchange will be held in Los Angeles Feb. 16 to 20.