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ABA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

Help ABA give a warm welcome to these new members who recently joined the Association.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Webinar | Dec. 14
2-3 p.m. ET

Webinar | Dec. 20
2-3 p.m. ET

ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace
Cleveland | Jan. 14-17, 2017

Click here for a list of more ABA events.
December 12, 2016 - Issue 360
 ABANews


Sounds Good: ABA Members to Pay Lower ASCAP/BMI Rates
ABA

ABA negotiated a discount for association members with the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and with Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI) in 2002. These two organizations, ASCAP and BMI, protect about 98 percent of the music industry from copyright fraud or infringement. Every business is required to obtain ASCAP and BMI licenses to play music as part of a performance, for customer entertainment, or as part of the music rights on movies. The rates are $27.14 per coach per year for ASCAP and $27.25 per coach per year for BMI for current ABA members. 




Inauguration Protesters Barred from National Mall, Other D.C. Sites
CNN

Activists planning the Women's March on Washington and those protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump won't be able to do so near some of D.C.'s most iconic monuments. 




Green Spirit? Nominations Now Open for This ABA Award (Sponsored by MCI)
ABA

ABA and Motor Coach Industries (MCI) annually recognize motorcoach industry leaders for their investments in environmentally responsible equipment and the adoption of green business practices. The award will be presented during ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace in Cleveland to the motorcoach operator that demonstrates the greatest commitment to environmental stewardship in all areas of its business and community. The Green Spirit Award is based on three aspects of a company's operations: administrative, maintenance, and equipment and facility practices. The deadline to submit nominations is Dec. 19.



Travel Showcase


Long Live Rock

Relive wild times and make new memories while you immerse yourself in over 50 years of rock and roll grit and glory on the shores of Lake Erie. Get up close and personal with the rebels, the icons, the originals - experience the music you love on a whole new level.
It's Island Time in Galveston

The siren song of breaking waves draws visitors to Galveston Island's beaches generation after generation. Warm breezes and year-round temperate seas complement the city's rich historic districts, unique attractions, and bustling shops. Galveston's relaxed island atmosphere is only 50 minutes from Houston, yet a world away in spirit. Contact us today for special incentives.  

Say Yes to TSA PreCheck with Marketplace Appointment
ABA

ABA has teamed up with MorphoTrust USA to offer all ABA Annual Meeting & Marketplace attendees the opportunity to sign up for the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) PreCheck trusted traveler program! MorphoTrust will have an RV on the show floor that will facilitate the enrollment process for attendees. You must complete the application process before you come to Marketplace. For more information, click here.


Check Out the Hispanic Motorcoach Council at ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace! 
ABA

The American Bus Association's Hispanic Motorcoach Council (HMC) will convene at the 2017 ABA Annual Meeting & Marketplace in Cleveland for its fourth Winter Meeting on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. This is an open meeting that will serve as an introduction to the work of HMC for all interested ABA members who work with or have an interest in the Hispanic business community in the motorcoach industry, and it will give attendees an opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest. Click here to view the agenda and register for the meeting.


Housing Deadline This Friday; Please Book Now
ABA

Just a quick reminder about securing housing for ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace. If you have not secured your housing, click here. Using the online system will give you real-time hotel availability for your dates. Both the Westin (contemporary hotel) and the Renaissance (historic-feel property) currently have availability for all dates.

For housing questions, call (216) 875-6621 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday ET or email housing@destinationcle.org.

Featured Companies
   
On top of industry-leading coaches, MCI offers free standard shipping, (no-minimum)  on parts, plus the MCI Companion App with one-touch calling technical assistance, and more.
The adventure of a lifetime awaits in Niagara Falls USA. With a variety of things to do, adventure comes naturally to the entire region.

Get Tips on Marketplace Appointments; Learn More Here
ABA

Appointment-takers will receive their appointment schedules at 12 p.m. on Dec. 16 via email. Manual scheduling will be open until Dec. 22 at 12 p.m. ET. Click here for tips.


Marketplace App: Download Day Is Dec. 16
ABA

Download this year's improved app from the Apple Store or Google Play by searching "ABA Marketplace" starting Dec. 16. Check out these exciting features: 
  • Interactive floor map
  • Attendee lists with company profiles
  • Expanded search functions
  • Personalized appointment schedule
  • Appointment change and cancellation options
  • Delegate-to-delegate messaging
  • Personalized hot-lead list
  • Note-taking capabilities
  • Event, transportation, and education schedules
  • Delegate additions and cancellations
  • Sponsor listing/sponsor ad space
Sponsored Content

Want to Go Up in Business? Take ABA's "Elevator Speech" Webinar
ABA

Join us for a session of the Marketplace Webinar Series: What Do You Do and Why Should I Care? When somebody asks you what you do for a living, how do you answer? Do you babble out the first answer that comes to mind, or do you have an engaging response that will have people literally begging for more information? This interactive presentation will provide you with the tools necessary to create a powerful 30-second elevator speech that will grab the attention of the listener, engage them in conversation about your product or service, and encourage them to want to do more business with you.


Participating in Dine Around in Cleveland? Send ABA Your Information!
ABA

Hey all travel industry suppliers! If you are hosting a Dine Around in Cleveland on Saturday night during ABA's Annual Meeting & Marketplace, please let ABA know. We can help coordinate transportation and answer attendee questions. Just send your location and other information to Brooke Abner at babner@buses.org.

 ABANews
ABA Members Give Back

Industry businesses in Branson, Mo., know what it feels like when disaster strikes, so when they heard about fellow ABA members in need, a team led by Tish Knudsen of the SIX show jumped in to help. Shown at left is a picture of the load of goods heading to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tenn.

When our friends in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville, and Sevier County were asked  how the travel and tourism family at large can help, they overwhelmingly said, "We are open for business. Please come visit!" Read more here

Sponsored Content
YourWorld


Safety Data Sheets: Know the Facts to Keep Workers Safe, Avoid Fines
ABA

All motorcoach operators must be up to speed with GHS, the Globally Harmonized System of the Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. We offer information to help your company stay in compliance with current regulations and, more important, provide a safer workplace for employees.


Lobbyists: Learn How to Work Effectively with Them

Linda Morris is the executive director of the Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Central Motorcoach Associations. She works closely with lobbyists and offers advice on how to use their services.


Featured Companies

 
Our world-class city is steeped in history and home to vibrant arts and culture, tax-free shopping, and incredible dining. Let us help craft your trip to the City of Brotherly Love.

  mostviewed
  Top articles from ABA's Bus Bulletin. Click here to sign up! 


FMCSA Establishes National Training Standards for New Drivers
FMCSA

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced a final rule establishing comprehensive national minimum training standards for entry-level commercial truck and bus operators seeking to obtain a commercial driver's license or certain endorsements. The standards established in the rule address the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles and also establish minimum qualifications for entities and individuals who provide entry-level driver training. The entry-level driver training final rule retains many of the consensus recommendations of a negotiated rulemaking committee comprising 25 stakeholders and FMCSA representatives.




Congress: New Leadership at Senate EPW Committee; House T&I Gets New Staff Chief
AASHTO

News agencies report that Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) confirmed he will chair the Environment and Public Works Committee when the new Senate takes office in January. EPW is the principal Senate committee that designs legislation for highway and waterway transportation. It is currently chaired by James Inhofe (R-Okla.), who was term-limited in that role. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will be the EPW minority's new ranking member, replacing retiring member Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). In the House, Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) continues as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that has broad jurisdiction over all modal legislation. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) also continues as ranking T&I member. Shuster recently announced he had promoted Matt Sturges to be the committee's staff director. Sturges has been deputy director since September 2014.