This message contains images. If you don't see images, click here to view. Click here to advertise in this news brief.   Mobile version   RSS   Subscribe   Unsubscribe   Archive   Media Kit Aug. 13, 2012 ABA News | Events | Find a Member | Discount of the Month | Trip Planning | Marketplace | Advocacy | Research     FEATURED NEWS Watch the new August edition of Motorcoach Travel News ABA    Share    Check out ABA's August edition of Motorcoach Travel News, with these stories and more: Jessica Ghawi, the daughter of much-beloved ABA member Sandy Phillips, was killed in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shootings. The family needs our thoughts and prayers during these difficult days. They have started a scholarship fund to remember Jessica, and ABA members are encouraged to donate. The National Transportation Safety Board harshly criticizes the driver of last year's deadly Sky Express accident in Virginia, and the NTSB says the company and government regulators also failed travelers. The new transportation law is going into effect. ABA will look at where the opportunities are for good companies to improve their businesses under this measure. ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso will join us. Marketplace 2013 is five months away, and ABA will tell you how, when it comes to growing your business, Marketplace is the first and best show to attend. A leading business/economics expert explains why. More 3-Point Seatbelt Retrofits from ABC Companies Upgrade your coach with retrofitted seating from ABC Companies. Offer your passengers added safety when you install stylish and comfortable seats complete with 3-point seatbelts. Select from National Seating or Amaya seats. Time out of service is minimal, with installation completed within 1-2 weeks of product delivery. Learn more.  INDUSTRY NEWS Rio Grande Scenic Railroad lends helping hand to Colorado's Flying W Ranch performers PRNewswire    Share    The Rio Grande Scenic Railroad has announced a special promotion to help Colorado's Flying W Ranch performers who lost their jobs and primary venue after the Waldo Canyon Fire. The railroad will make a $5 donation to the Wranglers for every coach, club or dome ticket purchased for trips out of La Veta and invite the Wranglers to perform at the railroad's performance venue in September. More FMCSA's 'Fit, Willing and Able' policy aims to increase safety Metro Magazine    Share    The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Fit, Willing and Able regulatory policy raises the safety bar for commercial truck and bus companies seeking operating authority by providing the specific criteria the agency considers when it grants, withholds, revokes or suspends a company's operating authority registration. More It is Satisfactory Only for ABA members BUSRide    Share    Public outcry rippled through the industry last year following the two horrific coach crashes involving the Sky Express and World Wide Tours motorcoach companies, prompting a number of proactive responses for a safer industry. Suggestions ranged from driver awareness training to stricter safety monitoring. The American Bus Association board of directors and staff moved to initiate a new and rather revolutionary program to supplant their anger for the bad name these rogue operations bring on the industry. More White House forum shines light on travel's economic impact Travel Market Report    Share    In a sign the travel industry is finally getting respect from the federal government, the White House Business Council recently welcomed top travel industry leaders to the first in a series of forums on economic competitiveness. "This was a chance for us to put a spotlight on our industry, and especially on our ability to grow jobs," Blain Rethmeier, senior vice president of public affairs for the U.S. Travel Association, said. More Charter Bus R Us scamming students in Maryland WINK-TV    Share    Call for Action is tracking down a charter bus company that took $18,000 from Ave Maria University, this time in Virginia. Now, a track team from Gaithersburg, Maryland, that thought it was headed to Duke University is just running out of patience. "They never came. Basically they just left us hanging," said Firebirds Club track team coach Stephen Leacock. More Recession taught the value of business travel The Boston Globe    Share    More than 6,500 business travel professionals were in Boston in July for the annual Global Business Travel Association convention, from buyers who manage travel for major corporations to travel technology firms to representatives from airlines, hotels and car rental companies. Katie Johnston spoke to Michael McCormick, executive director of the association, about the mistakes companies made during the recession and why so many business travelers are flying coach. More Surge in inbound travel expected to drive up US hotel prices Travel Market Report    Share    U.S. hotel rates are poised for a major jump that has nothing to do with business travel demand. The culprit is increased leisure demand from abroad, fueled largely by the new Visit USA campaign, Marriott Hotels & Resorts President and CEO Arne Sorenson said during a recent GBTA panel discussion in Boston. The U.S. has about 5 million hotel rooms and almost no new supply in the construction pipeline, Sorenson noted. More Adventure tour operators create new opportunities in the US Ethio Sports Tourism    Share    Eastern Mountain Sports has announced a partnership with Austin-Lehman Adventures to offer new adventure tour-related services to those intent on injecting some excitement into their holidays. Austin-Lehman Adventures is an outward-bound tour company and Eastern Mountain Sports is a sports emporium. The association between the two companies will see ALA becoming EMS' exclusive "adventure travel partner and purveyor." More Understand safety management and liability relationships BUSRide    Share    Matthew A. Daecher, president and CEO of Daecher Consulting Group writes: "When I discuss accident investigation and the ensuing results with companies or managers, I sometimes hear, 'Well, my driver wasn't cited, so it wasn't preventable.' Those who have been involved in any serious claim or litigation and held accountable to some extent even though their driver did not receive a citation will certainly chuckle at this statement, as I do." More Construction advisory: Impacts to 9/11 Memorial tour bus access ABA    Share    Urgent repairs to the retaining wall of New York's historic Trinity Church and burial ground are scheduled to begin Aug. 13. This work will proceed in two segments: North half of the block: projected August through October South half of the block: projected November through January As the contractors work on the retaining wall, they will establish work zones that include the adjacent sidewalk and curbside lane of Trinity Place. These work zones will be in place seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Absolutely no tour bus loading or unloading is permitted alongside the work zones. More Pennsylvania Department of Revenue questionnaire circulates among motor carriers ABA    Share    The Department of Revenue recently initiated a special project involving motor carriers to see if they owe Pennsylvania corporation taxes based on certain criteria. More Advertise here! To find out how to feature your company in the ABA eNewsletter and other advertising opportunities, Contact James DeBois at 469-420-2618. MORE Discover the unexpected in Jackson Your guests can satisfy their curiosities about life behind bars and discover art, culture, festivals, events, wineries, farms and the beauty of nature. MORE  ASSOCIATION NEWS Marketplace early bird rates end Wednesday — Last chance to save! ABA    Share    If you haven't registered yet for Marketplace 2013 in Charlotte, N.C., the time is now. Take advantage of special early bird discounts that can save your company up to $100 dollars off each attendee's registration. They say, "The early bird catches the worm," so don't let this one slip. The deal ends at 5 p.m. EDT Aug. 15. Call Ali Brewer at 1-800-283-2877 ext. 234 or register online now. American Bus Association partners with eVerifile to improve security, compliance with industry regulations Bloomberg Businessweek    Share    The American Bus Association has entered into a strategic partnership with eVerifile, a leading employment screening and workforce solutions company, to provide employee credentialing solutions to members. To ensure compliance with and proper implementation of new transportation safety regulations, eVerifile also will consult with the ABA on a number of regulatory requirements instituted by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada. Read president's letter to members Read the press release ABA welcomes new members ABA    Share    ABA warmly welcomes these new members who recently joined the association. Be sure to print and add these companies to your 2012 ABA Motorcoach Marketer. More More charter orders for 8 and a quarter! ABA    Share    All bus operator members of ABA have the option to participate in CharterBusConnect.com, a member benefit and wholly owned company of the ABA and the Ontario Motor Coach Association and the online member search engine for buses.org. If your company opted out of participating in CharterBusConnect.com, you are missing a great opportunity to market and advertise your business to qualified buyers of group transportation, plus the opportunity to receive quote requests. In our first year over 14,000 quote requests have been distributed to ABA and OMCA Bus Operator members. When you consider the small investment of $99 per year for an enhanced listing, CharterBusConnect.com is the best value available to reach your target market. That's only $8.25 per month, much cheaper than other advertising options. If you wish to take advantage of this member benefit and start receiving the quote requests generated by CharterBusConnect.com, please contact staff at 866-644-1664, ext. 201 or info@groupconnect.com. CharterBusConnect.com continues to grow and is providing ABA bus operators the opportunity to sell more charters. Don’t miss out. More   The Insider Colby Horton, Vice President of Publishing, 469.420.2601 Download media kit Ashley Whipple, Content Editor, 469.420.2642    Contribute news Dan Ronan, ABA Editor, 202.218.7220    Provide Feedback Matthew Cahill, ABA Associate Editor, 202.218.7206    Provide Feedback This edition of The Insider was sent to ##Email##. To unsubscribe, click here. Did someone forward this edition to you? Subscribe here -- it's free! Recent issues Aug. 13, 2012 Aug. 6, 2012 July 30, 2012 July 23, 2012 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063