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The American Bus Association (ABA) Foundation recently released its second quarter 2021 Motorcoach Builder Survey, which showed that the industry is seeing some signs of life. Based on surveys of the major motorcoach manufacturers that sell vehicles in the United States and Canada, motorcoach sales from the participating manufacturers saw a significant increase over the same quarter in 2020, with 276.5 percent increase in sales, growing from 132 in 2020 to 497 in 2021.
ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso
The biggest jump in sales came from the 45-plus foot bus sales with an increase from 55 in 2020 to 307 sold in the same quarter in 2021. Bus sales for the 40-45 foot fell from 7 in 2020 down to 5 in 2021 and 30+ foot bus sales were up 3 from 2020. Pre-owned bus sales grew from 70 in the second quarter of 2020 to 182 in 2021, a 160 percent increase.
“While the uptick in sales this past quarter is encouraging, the fact is that we are still hundreds behind where sales were pre-pandemic,” said ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso. “The industry is trying to make ground from devastating losses suffered in 2020 and while the spring picked up and looked promising the Delta variant has once again slowed travel down and is hindering recovery. Tens of thousands of motorcoach company workers and suppliers are still furloughed and will continue to be until recovery moves forward, which may not happen until 2023.”
The ABA Foundation is the scholarship and research arm of the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. The largest nonprofit in motorcoach group travel, the ABAF distributes $100,000 a year in scholarships to industry families and invests in research to demonstrate the important role motorcoach transportation plays in society.
Visit buses.org/aba-foundation for more information.
[09.13.21]
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Can you believe we’re just over a month away from the 2021 CD/NLA Show? Our first in-person event since 2020 hits the Gaylord Texan on October 10-13, located just outside Dallas, and frankly, we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve planned four days of networking, education, and, yes, fun at the first industry show to come to Texas, and can’t wait to see you there.
By now, you’re undoubtedly more than a little interested in the 2021 CD/NLA Show events and sessions, and who can blame you? But if there were only a simple and easy way to get the lowdown on the entire show and plan your time in Texas… Well, thanks to returning sponsor North Point Global Transportation Services, the show app is here! This app is your gateway to all of our show’s exhibitors, attendees, speakers, events, floor plans, social media, and so much more—in other words, everything you need to navigate the CD/NLA Show. Just head to your favorite app store and search for CD NLA Shows 2021 to download the newest version of our show app. It’s easy, free, and we’re adding new information every day!
Whether it’s a matter of finance or public relations, the changes in our industry have been innumerable since our last show; as a result, our slate of education, sponsored by FASTTRAK Cloud Technologies, is designed to address the shifts faced by the industry in the post-pandemic world. Take mergers & acquisitions, for instance: It’s fair to say that this has been a hot-button topic for many operators even preceding the shutdown. On Sunday, October 10, at 1:00 p.m., join Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders and Tim Rose of Dolphin Transportation, along with moderator and Show Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, for The Game Has Changed: Mergers & Acquisitions in a Post-Pandemic World, a timely and frank discussion of M&A geared toward all operators. Our panelists will discuss the reasoning behind buying or selling a company in the current market, along with the pros and cons. More importantly, these experts will look closely at M&A in COVID-changed economy with an emphasis on the numbers (i.e., business valuation before and after the virus) and the role grants and loans play when it comes to selling or buying. If you’re in the market to buy or sell an operation—or just curious about what’s involved—this is one session you’re not going to want to miss.
As your cars get back on the road and business has returned, it’s time to determine whether your house is in order—financially speaking, that is. Cash may be flowing again, but if you plan on sticking around for the long haul, your credit needs to be in tip-top shape. On Wednesday, October 13, at 9:00 a.m., presenter Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions and moderator Jason Sharenow offer Rebuilding Your Credit & A Look at Post-Pandemic Financing, which will provide valuable tactics on building and rebuilding one of your most important numbers. They give you solid-gold tips on how to gain the confidence of lenders and what you need to consider as you navigate through the new realities of the finance world.
Whether you’re a two-car operator or a 200-car business, leveraging your public relations power is beneficial. Particularly now, in a time of ambiguity and changing mandates, it is more important than ever before for operators to get out there with messaging that drives awareness and bookings. On Monday, October 11 at 8:30 a.m., join us for Get Your Business Back in Gear With PR and Social Media, a session built around the NLA’s recent On The Road Again campaign. Executive Vice President David Harrison of EVINS Communications and Curtis Gabriel Founder Simon Curtis will provide tips, information, and advice on how operators can maximize their public relations, marketing, and social media efforts in the marketplace (it’s ever-changing!). Learn how to share a story with the media, how to create email and social media content, and how to get started in online advertising. You won’t want to miss this primer that has something for everyone, from the small operator just starting out to the most experienced owners.
Once you have the app, you can schedule personal appointments with other app users, whether it’s having coffee with an affiliate or dinner with a vendor. Don’t forget that you can also customize your show agenda by saving events that you don’t want to miss and receive reminders.
As we get closer and closer to the 2021 CD/NLA Show, let’s give another thanks to the generous sponsors who help make the event a reality. Special thanks to our Title Sponsor Ford Lincoln Limousine & Livery, along with Buffalo Limousine, Lancer Insurance, BMW, Volvo, Chosen Payments, AJL International, ECS Transportation Group, Premier Transportation of Dallas, Premier Transportation Worldwide, and all of our affiliate and supporting sponsors.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[09.08.21]
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- Category: Industry News
Life is better at the beach, as Californians say, and those words rang true for more than 200 transportation professionals who attended the Greater California Livery Association’s (GCLA’s) two-day Expo in Redondo Beach August 30-31.
The Expo was designed to be an association fundraiser and an outreach program for members and non-members, and included networking events, educational sessions, and exhibits.
The event featured an all-star lineup of industry luminaries and was supported by 30 event sponsors and exhibitors (see the full list here). Educational sessions included digital sales training, pricing strategies, sustainability learning, motorcoach recovery strategies, a motivational keynote, and a 2022 Super Bowl Planning Session (Los Angeles).
Patrick O’Brien of O'Brien Law and GCLA Member at Counsel (at mic) speaking at the event
NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide also attended the event, where he shared updates about the NLA and the upcoming CD/NLA Show in October in Dallas. He also hosted a presentation called Pricing Strategies You Need to Implement Today.
“The GCLA Expo was a first-class event in every way,” said Derrick Stafford of Elegant Image Limousine.
Platinum Sponsorship Ford/Lincoln partnered with South Bay Ford to debut the new 2022 Aviator. BMW also showcased its 2022 new fleet vehicles, while GMC/Motor City brought a 2022 Yukon Denali and Cadillac, working with Acton/SoCal Penske, displayed its Escalade ESV.
GCLA Fundraising Team hosted a Sports Trivia Night, which attracted more than 70 people and raised an extra $2,000 for the GCLA Advocacy Fund. The association gave special thanks to Tammy Carlyle of Action Worldwide, Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments, and Jim Luff of Chosen Payments for their hard work.
“This event was a much-needed shot in the arm for California operators. It was exceptional and I was thrilled to be a part of it!” said Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[09.08.21]