Stertil-Koni demonstrates their heavy-duty hydraulic vehicle lift on an ABC Companies motorcoach
Hundreds of members of the motorcoach industry, joined by 100-plus exhibitors and vendors, congregated in Orlando for the United Motorcoach Association (UMA)’s 2023 EXPO this past January 11-14. CD President Chris Weiss was among the attendees for the four-day event held at the Orange County Convention Center in the Sunshine State, which was also the location of the first in-person post-pandemic event in 2021.
L to R: Tyrone Cardwell of Integrity Limousine Service, Chris Weiss, David Bakare of Executive Coach Builders, and Denny Leinhos of Avant Garde Limousine & Coaches
The annual trade show, now in its sixth decade after marking its Golden Anniversary in 2019, is specifically geared for motorcoach operators throughout North America (and beyond!), featuring industry education, networking, regional association meetings, and laid-back events like its Opening Reception and show-floor lunches. There’s also a healthy dose of friendly competition as operators and their teams duke it out in the International Driver Competition (Prevost and Lancer Insurance sponsored) and the Maintenance Competition (sponsored by ABC Companies). The EXPO has crossover appeal for operators in our space who also run buses, and several were on hand either as attendees or exhibitors.
Cheers! CD President Chris Weiss (left) with Tom Holden of Transportation Advisors
L to R: Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions with Brian Myles
and Tim Tighe of Stertil-Koni USA
Making education a centerpiece, the EXPO offered more than a dozen sessions on everything from ELDs and preventative maintenance to understanding finances, taking advantage of tax breaks to save some much-needed cash, and the latest updates on the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The exhibit hall opened on Thursday afternoon and was packed with all of the products, services, and especially metal needed to run a coach company. Attendees also witnessed the unveiling of bus manufacturer Prevost’s next-generation H3-45, an all-new design of the company’s flagship vehicle. Following UMA, the H3-45 will hit the road for a months-long debut tour, including a stop at the 2023 CD/NLA Show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 5-8.
If you missed the event, UMA has produced a recap video, available here: shorturl.at/hFNOQ.
In 2024, the EXPO heads to Raleigh, N.C., February 4-7.
Visit uma.org for more information. [CD]