METRO Magazine sponsors a show each year for those of you who operate, maintain, buy, sell or lease buses, no matter what type of organization you work for. It’s called BusCon. This year it will be held at the Navy Pier in Chicago from Oct. 1 to 3. This is my special invitation to you to attend this year. You won’t be disappointed.

But don’t come to BusCon just because I’m asking you too. Come for the right reason, which is that you can’t afford not to be aware of the technological developments and equipment enhancements that are constantly going on in the bus industry.

The transportation industry is becoming more complex by the minute, what with technological advances, record-high fuel prices, increasing labor and equipment costs, and regulatory changes. If you’re not staying in tune with these changes, you’re probably wasting money and, on top of that, missing out on opportunities to improve your operation and your bottom line.

Get your money’s worth
This year’s BusCon will be larger than last year’s, which is saying a lot, considering how large and successful last year’s show was.

This year, we’re expecting more than 140 exhibitors, representing a full program of products and services. BusCon always features product launches, and this year will be no different. Expect to see some new models from the major bus manufacturers, as well as new components and accessories.

As usual, we’ll have the industry’s largest collection of bus models on the show floor, with the following manufacturers represented: ABC Companies, Ameritrans, Champion Bus, DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America, ElDorado National, Federal Coach, Glaval Bus, Goshen Coach, IC Corporation, Krystal Enterprises, MCI, NABI, Nova Bus, Prevost, Stallion Bus Industries, Starcraft Bus, Supreme Corp., Trident Industries and Turtle Top.

BusCon presents a great opportunity to inspect new bus models without feeling rushed or pressured. For those of you who haven’t attended BusCon, the show floor includes an array of buses, from small cutaway vehicles to 45-foot motorcoaches. You also have the ability to compare buses and ask key questions of the manufacturer representatives. If you bring your checkbook, you might even want to drive one home!

Advanced learning on tap
I like to think of BusCon as a grad school program in bus operations. It offers those who already understand the nuts and bolts of bus operations and management an opportunity to take their knowledge to a higher level. But it’s not nearly as tedious as sitting in a classroom!

Our slate of educational courses has something for everybody. We’ve got sessions on safety, operations, management, finance, maintenance, alternative fuels, engines and driver management. Our speakers are plucked from top organizations, public and private, to provide you with the latest and most accurate information.

We also offer an outstanding track of university transportation sessions, spearheaded by Sherry Lewis, transportation manager at UCLA. Sherry is plugged in to the concerns of college and university transportation folks and always coordinates a top-drawer track of educational opportunities.

I almost forgot to mention the networking opportunities. BusCon is a great place to compare notes with colleagues from around the country (and overseas as well). We offer organized networking receptions, such as the Krystal Kruise on the evening of Oct. 2 (Tuesday).

For more information about BusCon, visit www.busconexpo.com.