The American Bus Association made a successful return to live events when it held its ABA’s Marketplace in Grapevine, Texas, Jan. 8-11.

“It was time for the industry to get back to business and we wanted to ensure we did that in the safest way possible,” said Peter Pantuso, ABA president/CEO. “We instituted COVID protocols for all attendees with a mask mandate and requiring vaccine or negative COVID test verification to attend. The 1600+ attendees who attended were in high spirits and it was great to be able to give our members the opportunity to reconnect and kick off their business year with positive outcomes.”

ABA also hosted a COVID testing center onsite of the meeting.

ABA was able to provide attendees with networking and education sessions, as well as a business floor where more than 130 buyers were taking appointments to book 2022-23 tours.

A return to business meant that in addition to offering business appointments, Marketplace also hosted ABA’s Councils: African American Motorcoach Council; Bus Industry Safety Council, Bus Maintenance & Repair Council, Hispanic Motorcoach Council, School Bus Council and Women in Buses Council meetings and events, as well as Busworld North America educational programs and more than 50 additional education sessions throughout the week.