Members of the NTA and United Motorcoach Association (UMA) 2013 Task Force met in Providence, R.I., last month to work through details of their 2013 integrated event, including branding, scheduling, education, networking opportunities and hospitality functions.

"It was a very productive meeting," said NTA/UMA 2013 Task Force Chairman Michael Neustadt of Coach Tours Ltd. in Brookfield, Conn. "We discussed the nuances of each association's membership very thoughtfully and were able to firm up many of the key details to make sure our NTA-UMA event is useful, relevant and fun for everyone."

Made up of members from each association, the task force is meeting regularly by phone or in person, and collaborating on the combined activities of the event to ensure members of both associations get the maximum benefit.

At the meeting in Providence the group recommended for the associations to combine their evening events-UMA's Vision Awards and NTA's Gala Reception-to create a comingled networking opportunity for both the motorcoach operator and tour operator attendees.

The task force will continue to meet regularly, and more details about the 2013 event will be announced at NTA's Convention '11 in December and UMA's Motorcoach EXPO in February.