Springfield, Mass. to host ABA Top 100 committee

The American Bus Association's (ABA) Top 100 Site Selection Committee for 2011 Events will be meeting June 6 to 9, 2010, in Springfield, Mass., courtesy of the Springfield CVB and partners.

"We are grateful for Springfield's civic leadership, and that of its tourism partners, for their hospitality," said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso, CTIS. "This is the 29th annual meeting to decide ABA's Top 100 Events In North America, and destinations are critical to shaping this key guide for professional travel planners and the general public."

The annual list highlights the top fairs, festivals, parades, exhibits, theater and shows across North America. While the Top 100 Events are not ranked, ABA does highlight both the Top U.S. and Top Canadian Events for each year.

"The events that comprise the Top 100 winners each year have a commitment to motorcoach and group tours," Pantuso added. "That means earning the Top 100 designation can lead to significantly larger crowds and more tourism spending for each destination. It can also mean greater visibility for the host region around Springfield."

Studies from the ABA Foundation indicate a single motorcoach group of 55 travelers spending just one night at a destination can infuse that local economy with up to $11,660 in tourism dollars spent on lodging, meals, admissions, fees, shopping, souvenirs, services and local taxes. And, of course, events drawing large groups can create jobs.

The Top 100 list is chosen from more than 500 events expected to be nominated by state and provincial tourism officials, CVBS and Destination Marketing Organizations from across North America. A 17-member Selection Committee of tour operators will base its selections on the events' broad appeal, their accessibility to large groups arriving by motorcoach, and a variety of other criteria. The full 2010 Top 100 winners list is on http://www.buses.org/top100. The 2011 winners will be announced around Labor Day.