NOVEMBER 13, 2018
Two days left! UMA election ballots are due to be postmarked and returned no later than November 15, 2018.
SAVE! Nov. 19 is the cut-off date for discounted EXPO registration. Learn more and register today at www.motorcoachexpo.com.
Driver wellness is focus of education session
at 2018 Safety Management Seminar
Just as important as vehicle maintenance, the safety of a motorcoach fleet relies on the health of the people you put behind the wheel. A session at the 2018 Safety Management Seminar will help attendees focus on ways to address driver wellness. "The Bus Athlete" will be an hour-long session presented by Mark Everest, president and CEO of Occupational Athletics on Thursday, December 6 from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

The Safety Management Seminar will take place December 5-6, 2018 in Ashburn, VA at the National Transportation Safety Board Training Center, which is located near Dulles International Airport.

Everest will address the concern of longevity of drivers due to the sedentary nature of commercial driving. Because companies tend to focus mostly on driving and vehicle safety, they often shortchange driver wellness, overlooking how it can prolong driver service and positively affect recruiting and retention. Attendees will learn what how a wellness program can co-exist side-by-side with a safety program.
Mark Everest will present "The Bus Athlete," a session dedicated to the importance of promoting driver wellness.
IS IT LEGIT?

How to vet requests from
the US Census Bureau
in an age of internet scams
ALEXANDRIA, VA - We frequently receive calls here at UMA regarding the legitimacy of written requests for surveys from the U.S. Department of Commerce/U.S. Census Bureau. In an era of rampant fraud courtesy of the internet, it is very wise to exercise caution. The Department of Commerce provides some items you can use to verify if a solicitation is legitimate.

  • Ensure the Web address provided in the letter is a "census.gov" domain.
  • Correspondence will contain reporting instructions and a toll-free number for survey assistance.
  • On the log-in screen, a warning message should be present stating the respondent is accessing a U.S. Government computer.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports they routinely measure the economy through its business surveys and censuses and these are an important tool for policymakers. The Bureau conducts more than 60 monthly, quarterly, annual and periodic surveys and censuses throughout the year. While participation in some surveys is voluntary, many of the surveys mandate participation under federal law.

If your company is selected to participate in a survey or census, you will receive an invitation through mail, email or fax. The invitation will provide the instructions, and credentials required to complete the survey.

The U.S. Census Bureau assures your response is confidential.
UMA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
First class service will connect central Oregon and Portland

Just in time for the holidays, UMA member Northwest Navigator has announced that a new daily scheduled service connecting central Oregon with Portland will launch this week.

First Class service will provide passengers an "unparalleled” experience traveling between the Central Oregon area and Portland aboard a luxurious full-sized Prevost Motorcoach.

"Since our expansion into central Oregon six years ago, we have been planning this service," said Roxanne Gillis, the company’s founding owner. "Connecting Portland and the Central Oregon area with a luxury service has been a dream of ours for a very long time and our entire organization is passionate about this launch." 

MCI hosts members of IMG at Vehicle Innovation Center
Motor Coach Industries  (MCI), a U.S. subsidiary of NFI Group Inc., recently hosted members from the International Motorcoach Group (IMG) at MCI's new Vehicle Innovation Center (VIC) in Anniston, AL.

Located on New Flyer of America’s manufacturing campus, the VIC features a lab and education center dedicated to exploring developments in propulsion, vehicle connectivity, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and design for future buses and coaches. IMG members are the first private sector transportation operators to visit the  VIC  which opened last October.

The three-day exploration covered MCI’s deployment of ADAS systems, vehicle connectivity through telematics, and the battery-electric platform coming to MCI models in 2020.
Nominations for operator awards closing soon
Time is running out for the opportunity to nominate an industry colleague for recognition at the 2019
UMA Motorcoach EXPO. The deadlines for the following awards are coming up soon.  Click the links below to get more information for any of these awards programs.

EXPO exhibitor webinar: Top tips for engagement
This week! Calling all exhibitors and would-be exhibitors! UMA is hosting a video conference for our 2019 exhibitors to learn what's new for our 2019 Motorcoach EXPO. Join us to learn some exhibiting best practices and get the answers to any basic questions you might have. Exhibitors will hear from Show Manager David Petrillo who will share important tips to maximize engagement at EXPO and ensure a successful show.

Date : Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - NEW DATE!
Time : 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Code:  131 377 317

Call in to:  US: 1 669 900 6833 or 1 646 876 9923
Use the Meeting ID:   131 377 317

Bus & Motorcoach News is mailed twice monthly to all UMA members. In addition, it's available online 24/7 at www.busandmotorcoachnews.com and by email, on a schedule you choose! Invite everyone on your staff to stay informed about the industry by signing up for email updates from  Bus & Motorcoach News .  Sign up here. You can choose daily or weekly updates! Below is a sampling of what's in our latest digital and print editions.
Customers want adventure travel —and will pay for it
Bus & Motorcoach News | October 30, 2018

LAS VEGAS — Adventure travel is on the rise, and so is the age of those who want to pump some adrenaline into their vacations. These adventurous travelers are willing to open their wallets wider for one-week or longer trips, according to a recent survey of travel agents. More than half said their clients were willing to spend $2,000 to $5,000 per person on adventure trips.
John Lovell, president of Travel Leaders Network and Leisure Group, says there is growing interest in “authentic, transformational and exciting” travel experiences.


China tariffs may affect some bus companies' bottom lines
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Richard Stoff | November 6, 2018

North American motorcoach manufacturers may feel some effects from the Trump tariffs on Chinese imports, while China-based bus builder CHTC will be hit especially hard, industry executives said. Meanwhile, all motorcoach operators could feel the pinch of higher tire and component prices.

The Trump Administration has announced three rounds of tariffs on Chinese goods, saying they are needed to protect national security and intellectual property rights. The largest list, covering $200 billion of imports, imposed a 10 percent tariff on Sept. 24. That tariff will become 25 percent on Jan. 1.

The tariffs cover thousands of components and final products, ranging from frog legs to manure spreaders to “airplanes and other powered aircraft.” Transportation parts and vehicles are thoroughly targeted—bicycles, motorcycles, tractors, rail locomotives, helicopters, spacecraft, all sorts of water vessels and “motor vehicles to transport persons.”

2019 Motorcoach EXPO
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Meet some of the local wildlife when you attend EXPO! Chandler Kamenesh (pictured with a very large gator) will be in the exhibit hall to introduce attendees to baby alligators, a truly unique way to experience some of Florida's most famous residents! Chandler and his fun little animal friends will be in the exhibit hall on Tuesday, Jan. 7 th  from 10 AM -1 PM and again on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM.
Operators are encouraged to register by Nov. 19 for the last chance to save on the event that will shape your business in 2019: Motorcoach EXPO.
MEMBER RESOURCES

Show your professionalism on your website, printed materials and in your BusRates profile

UMA Members are given the opportunity to use the UMA logo on any of their promotional material. Two formats of the logo are available - one for use with printed material and one for use on your website with web-based products. The logo can be added to your stationery, business cards, and promotional material to proudly display your membership with the United Motorcoach Association.  Get details on the UMA website in the members-only section.

And did you know that UMA members on Busrates.com get special treatment for their profile to make it stand out, and can use the UMA logo on their listing to show their professionalism? It's another way UMA membership helps your business stay on top.

Please contact us at 1.800.424.8262 should you experience any difficulties in downloading the image files. A UMA staff member will be happy to assist you. Similarly, email Julie Ryder at  jryder@uma.org  and you can receive the artwork via email.

Motorcoach Industry Calendar


NOVEMBER 2018
  • 14 Webinar for EXPO Exhibitors: Learn Top Tips to Maximize Engagement, 2-3 p.m. ET  https://zoom.us/join
  • 15 UMA Election ballots must be postmarked and returned!

DECEMBER 2018

JANUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019
  • 26 PBA Board Meeting – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Investing in the Motorcoach Industry: Increasing your ROI seminar, Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Drivers & Employees of Distinction Awards Program – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 27 PBA Marketplace Group Leader Show, Wyndham York, York, PA

JUNE 2019
  • 18-21 PBA Annual Meeting, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ (Hosted by Atlantic City/MeetAC)
  • 21 PBA Board Meeting, Atlantic City http://pabus.org/

AUGUST 2019
  • 6-9 IMG Strategic Alliance Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 14 PBA Safety & Preparedness Workshop, York Springs, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 14-18 NAMO Annual Conference & Marketplace – Springfield, MO  http://www.namo-coaches.org/
YOU ARE UMA
Remember, as a UMA member you have the power of discounts on the best products and services, access to relevant education, targeted professional resources, and colleagues all over the map. Remember to consult your member directory when you need help on the road, access to more vehicles to meet demand, or services out of your area. We are UMA! Want to find other members to do business with? Use the online directory.

Reach the UMA staff by calling (703) 838-2929 or by email at info@uma.org. We love to hear from our members!