American Bus Association

Members

The organization has four types of members:

Motorcoach Operators - Companies that own motorcoaches and provide privately contracted services such as charters, tours, sightseeing, scheduled service, airport express service, school bus service, and/or local receptive operations. (The membership does not include public transport bus services.)

Tour Operators - Companies that organize tours without owning equipment. They offer packaged travel by arranging transportation for hotels, attractions and other travel suppliers. Their tours are primarily to locations away from the company's hometown.

Travel Industry Members - Tourism-related companies and organizations that work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry. They include travel and tourism companies, convention and visitor bureaus, destination marketing organizations, accommodations, attractions, food service organizations, and tourism service professionals such as receptive operators who specialize in tour planning for a local area.

Associate Members - Manufacturers and suppliers of buses and bus-related products and services.

Mission statement

The American Bus Association represents the business concerns of both U.S. and Canadian privately owned motorcoach and tour operators. ABA represents the U.S. bus industry in Washington, DC, and supports the government affairs activities of its Canadian members and counterpart associations. ABA facilitates relationships between the North American motorcoach industry and all related segments of the travel and supplier industry. In addition, ABA creates awareness of the motorcoach industry among consumers in North America (USA, Canada and Mexico), and communicates publicly on important issues like motorcoach and highway safety.

Top 100 Events in North America

The ABA compiles an annual list of its selections as the best events for group travel in the United States and Canada. The events include celebrations, festivals, parades, fairs, exhibits, shows, commemorative events, etc. They are chosen by a committee of ABA-member motorcoach and tour operators from hundreds of events that have been nominated by ABA members. From among the winners, ABA names a Number One Event for the United States, and another one for Canada. The list and its members get worldwide publicity through television, radio, and print media.

The Top 100 Events for the coming year are published in a full-color Top 100 Events in North America magazine which is distributed with the September/October issue of ABA's Destinations magazine. ABA distributes the magazine to all its members and to thousands of travelers worldwide. ABA's Web site also lists the winners and has links directly to the events.

Some events, after many years of appearing on the Top 100 Events list, are granted permanent status as Internationally Known Events. They appear each year in a special category along with the Top 100 Events. Here is the current list of 34 Internationally Known Events:

Other major activities

For its members, the ABA provides networking and business development opportunities, government advocacy, and information about its industry. It works to connect members in several segments of the motorcoach, tour and travel community. For the traveling public, it works to assure safe, pleasant, and economical experiences when traveling by bus. Its specific activities include:

American Bus Marketplace. Holds this annual convention, which is a major event for the group travel industry. It is held in a different city each year, with a typical attendance of about 3,000 people. The meeting presents an annual opportunity for members of the group travel and motorcoach industry to build business relationships, view new products and services, learn about the latest industry trends, and develop personal networks. The Marketplace features a highly organized series of opportunities for attendees to meet face-to-face in prescheduled seven-minute appointments. Other Marketplace events include professional education seminars, exhibits provided by suppliers, and familiarization tours of attractions in the host city.

Bus Industry Safety Council. Sponsors this organization, whose mission is to develop and promote motorcoach safety. The 200-member council meets regularly to discuss issues and innovations in areas of safety, regulatory compliance, mechanics, technology and security.

Publications. Publishes Destinations magazine, an important glossy magazine in the tour and travel industry, and The Insider, a biweekly newsletter for members and others. Compiles and distributes The ABA Motorcoach Marketer, an annual member directory and travel guide.

Continuing education. Sponsors the Certified Travel Industry Specialist (CTIS) program, providing motorcoach and group travel professionals with industry-specific education and credentialing. The education is provided through correspondence courses at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis and attendance at specialized ABA educational seminars. Conducts webinars online, and educational talks and seminars at its annual Marketplace event.

Awards. Sponsors a Lifetime Achievement Award for individuals who have made major contributions to the motorcoach, tourism, and hospitality industry, and a Kaleidoscope Award for individuals or organizations that have directly impacted the advancement of diversity within the industry.

Code of Ethics. Sponsors a code of ethics for its members. The code was adopted to promote and maintain high standards of business and personal conduct. Its ten points cover general business integrity and several specific items of financial behavior.

Government Affairs. Represents the industry before elected officials and regulatory bodies. Monitors pertinent legislative and regulatory activity, and keeps members informed of developments in these areas. These activities have helped in securing Americans with Disabilities Act grants to assist coach operators in equipping coaches with wheelchair lifts, and Transportation Security Administration funds in support of industry efforts to improve security measures for drivers and passengers.

Affiliated organizations

The ABA sponsors the ABA Foundation, which funds research, scholarships, and internships related to its mission. It supports BUSPAC, a political action committee that works to advance the interests of the industry and the traveling public.

The ABA maintains strategic partnerships with about twenty other industry organizations and a similar number of state and provincial bus associations.