3/29/2023
Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA) held their ever-popular Group Leader Marketplace March 27-28 in Berks County. The PBA team, the Pennsylvania's Americana Region Visitors Bureau, the Holiday Inn Morgantown and the Classic Auto Mall collaborated to deliver a successful event. The partners showcased Berks County's many tourism assets and attractions to PBA member tour operators and tour bus companies as the host location and hotel.
In total, over 600 Group Leaders on 17 Motorcoaches plus four Tour Companies visited over 100 travel and tourism booths, who showcased their offerings. The Pennsylvania’s Americana Region was selected for the many FAM tour opportunities for the groups. The area is a popular destination for motorcoach groups and is easily accessible to both Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.
During the two-day event, PBA held their Board of Director’s meeting, a Tourism Seminar facilitated by Lois Stoltzfus, a lively networking reception, an award presentation, Dine-Around night, a breakfast briefing, and the main event: Marketplace.
The networking reception welcomed all registered guests prior to Dine-Around night. The event featured PBA’s annual Driver & Employee of Distinction Awards, a magic show by Magic & Wonder, local area vendors offering samplings of beer, wine, food and a special 100th Anniversary cake and cupcakes.
PBA has been holding Marketplace for over 25 years in destinations across Pennsylvania. The event brings travel suppliers together with motorcoach operators and group tour leaders looking for new and exciting destinations to visit.
At the breakfast briefing, Patricia Cowley, PBA’s executive director, announced the Board’s selection of the winning bid for the 2024 Marketplace. The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau will host the event and utilize the Nittany Sports Arena for the tradeshow.
PBA, a non-profit trade association, is always seeking to provide venues for their motorcoach members to promote group travel with various functions each year including Marketplace, and are actively involved in legislative issues, assisting their members with various industry concerns.
PBA is currently accepting bids for 2025 events. If you are interested in submitting a bid, please click the links below to download the specs from the PBA website. The deadline to submit, for each event, is January 1, 2024.
For additional information, please contact:
Pennsylvania Bus Association
Patricia Cowley 717-236-9042
