ABA touts record attendance at New York City networking event

The 2004 American Bus Marketplace, sponsored by the American Bus Association (ABA) and held Jan.16 to 21 in New York City, was the ABA’s largest event to date. Nearly 3,000 ABA delegates gathered at the Jacobs Javits Convention Center to network and build relationships with more than 500 motorcoach and tour operators. The Marketplace focused on individual appointments where North American motorcoach and tour owners and operators met with travel industry representatives to obtain information on destinations, attractions, lodging and restaurants. More than 80,000 appointments, a variety of educational seminars, 17 all-delegate network functions and sightseeing tours kept the delegates busy throughout the week. Social functions, including a show at the Rockefeller Center and a 10-show Broadway extravaganza, provided exciting entertainment and networking opportunities for attendees. While in New York, ABA president and CEO Peter J. Pantuso and other ABA delegates spoke with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg on various industry issues, including the importance of motorcoaches to tourism in the New York area, as well as, parking and idling issues. The next Marketplace will be held in Chicago, Feb. 5-10, 2005.