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Renewal Time is Here!
Reminder! Invoices for renewal were emailed in August and are due today. You can pay online by logging into your Member Portal.
Also, is your member profile accurate? We are starting to prepare the 2025 Membership Directory for print. To make sure your member profile is accurate, we kindly ask you to review it promptly and make updates by October 15.
- All Members, ensure all your information is current.
- Operators, also make sure your vehicle count is current in your member profile including your Tour & Charter Rep contacts.
Login to the Member Portal (You must first be listed as a contact in your company's member profile and have created a user account) to get a copy of your invoice, if needed, and review/update your member profile.
View the instructions on how to update your profile. Please contact us if you need assistance.
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Art Henry Tours Joins PBA
Art Henry Tours is a receptive operator that specializes in southern destinations. Based in Nashville, they plan trips all throughout the south, as well as out west and even a few international destinations. Give them a call today...a minute with them can save you hours!
Contact James Murphy at 615-386-9301 or james@arthenry.com.
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The Front Porch Tea Room and Gathering Place Joins PBA
Built in 1869 by the sheriff of York County, Samual Ruby, The Front Porch Tea Room and Gathering Place is a 2 1/2 story log home with lots of charm and history.
Surrounded by large old trees and flower gardens with an expansive front porch, they invite you to step back in time and leave the hustle and bustle of the modern world behind. As you enjoy a fresh cup of their brewed aromatic tea, you will return to another era, where ladies wore fashionable hats, and manners and civility were a way of life. You will be treated to an unforgettable multiple course relaxing meal. Don’t be in a hurry. Take time to browse through their rooms filled with antiques, gifts, tea items, and handmade crafts.
Worried that a tea room might not be your "cup of tea?" Don't be! Although they promise to treat you like royalty, they have a laid-back atmosphere. They treat every customer like a friend, and encourage everyone, man, woman, or child, to come give them a try. There is always something new each month at the Front Porch. Come watch the seasons change inside and out with them.
Contact Daneen Collier at 717-755-7510 or frontporchtearoom@gmail.com.
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Susquehanna Trailways a Behind-the-Scenes Player at Little League World Series
Every summer, as the crack of the bat echoes across Williamsport, Pennsylvania, a fleet of buses pulls up to transport young athletes from around the world to the stage of their dreams.
Behind those buses is PBA Member Susquehanna Trailways, a company that has been ensuring the smooth flow of the Little League World Series for over four decades.
What began in the 1980s as a small-scale operation — transferring teams to and from airports for a seven-day event — has grown with the tournament. Now, the World Series spans 10 days and features 20 teams, some arriving a week in advance. The logistical demands have expanded significantly, and Susquehanna has met those challenges every step of the way. Read more...
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Prevost 100th Anniversary Celebration Culminates in Sainte-Claire
Thousands of Prevost employees, customers, suppliers, government officials and local dignitaries celebrated the 100th anniversary of PBA Member, Prevost. The gathering took place on September 14th in Sainte-Claire, the small town where Eugène Prévost founded the company in 1924.
“The success of Prevost is due to our committed employees and loyal customers – many of whom have been with us for generations,” said Prevost and Volvo Group Canada President François Tremblay. “The anniversary is an opportunity to recognize them while honoring the legacy of Eugène Prévost.” Read the press release. View photos.
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Destination Niagara CEO Receives State Tourism Award for Leadership
John Percy, president and CEO of PBA Member Destination Niagara USA, was recently honored with the 2024 New York State Tourism Excellence Award for Excellence in Leadership: Career/Lifetime Achievement by the New York State Tourism Industry Association. The award, presented at a ceremony on Sept. 12 at the Canfield Casino in Saratoga Springs recognizes Percy’s leadership, contributions to the tourism industry, and lasting impact on the Niagara County community and beyond. Read more...
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The Bus Network Hosting Webinar Series
PBA Member, The Bus Network (TBN) has rapidly become the most innovative and dynamic software on the market for group transportation companies. With frequent updates and new releases, it's quickly outpacing the competition and emerging as the only solution that can truly future-proof your sales and operations. The first of the series, scheduled for noon CDT on Thursday, Oct. 10, will explore the latest features, share best practices, and demonstrate how to unlock the full potential of TBN for your business. Register!
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Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center Has New Owner
PBA Member, Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center, an iconic destination in the heart of the Catskills, has officially been sold by the Passante Family and Paul Carlucci to Fay Hospitality Catskills LLC. The transaction marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beloved resort, which has been a premier vacation and conference destination for over five decades.
Villa Roma, known for its family-friendly atmosphere, year-round activities, and conference facilities, has been a cornerstone of the Catskills tourism industry since it first opened its doors. The resort offers a wide range of amenities including golf, skiing, an indoor pool, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options, all set against the beautiful backdrop of the Catskills mountains. Read the press release.
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PBA at ABA Marketplace in PHL!!
As you may be aware, the ABA Marketplace will be in Philly February 1-4, 2025…in our home state! PBA secured a booth and we are looking for volunteers. If you are interested, please sign-up below.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/iUuQMpZ
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!
Note: SignUp does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Pattie Cowley and she can sign you up manually.
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Find a PBA Operator!
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with someone searching for a PBA operator in your area? Visit our new webpage that simplifies the process of locating our operator members. Our online directory is now complemented by this convenient visual tool, providing a quick and easy way to locate PBA operators in a region. Be sure to check out our webpage for a seamless operator search experience!
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PBA Member Testimonials - We Would Love Yours!
Read what some Members have to say about what PBA Membership means to them! We would love your testimonial too, click here to submit yours.
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Be Prepared to BUY or SELL - Industry M&A Update Webinar Held
On September 24th, PBA hosted a webinar, facilitated by Ken Lucci, of PBA Member DrivingTransactions.com, that demystified the process of how to prepare your business to be either a successful buyer or well-prepared seller with an effective exit plan. Discussions surrounded the current market, valuation criteria and M&A activity in the motorcoach sector, how to overcome challenges and to be well prepared for either eventuality. Here is a link to the presentation. Access the presentation via your Member Portal by logging in. You must a contact in your member profile to log in. Contact us if you need assistance.
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Monday, March 24 will be set-up day for exhibitors, a Best Practices Roundtable discussion for Marketplace attendees, PBA’s Board of Director meeting and an evening reception for all!
Tuesday, March 25 will start with the breakfast meeting followed by the main event; our Group Leader Marketplace at Spooky Nook located at 75 Champ Blvd. Manheim, PA.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your destination by securing your booth with early bird pricing ($100 discount!) - but hurry, this offer expires on October 31 (see pricing note)!
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Pricing Note: Early bird registration ends October 31, save $100 off your booth! If you attended our 2024 Annual Conference in Ithaca, NY this year, the special pricing promo code for $100 off your booth will be active starting November 1, 2024. The value is $100 off your booth, so don’t forget to apply the code if registering after October 31.
Thank you to our Current Marketplace Sponsors!
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Annual Conference June 16-19, 2025
Save the Dates!
The 2025 Annual Conference will be hosted by Visit Richmond! We will be experiencing the area with FAMS, Dine-Around Night and Opening & Closing venues at area partners.
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Interested in Hosting a 2026 PBA Event?
Please visit our 2026 event pages for a copy of the bid specs. The submission deadline is 1/1/25.
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Read the below testimonial from our 2023 Annual Conference host Andrew Nixon, Executive Director of PBA Member, Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau:
“Hosting the 2023 PBA Annual Conference has been a truly fulfilling opportunity for our area. The event allowed us to demonstrate how well we can host a corporate sales function while also giving the wonderful Pennsylvania tour operator members of PBA a chance to experience our region first-hand.
Working with PBA’s staff and members to bring their Annual Conference to Chautauqua County, NY has been one of the most beneficial things we could have done in terms of developing tour operator relationships”.
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INDUSTRY AND COMMONWEALTH NEWS | |
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Biden-Harris Administration Awards Millions to Improve State Commercial Driver’s License Programs
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced more than $140 million in grants to states and educational institutions through the agency’s High Priority (HP) and Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) grants. Funding through these grant programs will help advance states’ technological capabilities and improve the national commercial driver’s license (CDL) program. Read more...
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Treasury Rule Would Expand Tax Credits for EV Chargers
The Biden administration is moving to clarify how homeowners and businesses can receive lucrative tax credits for installing electric vehicle chargers. A rule proposed Sept. 18 by the Treasury Department would make credits worth up to $1,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses available for each EV charger that is installed. If finalized, the new rule would be especially valuable to businesses that plan to install multiple chargers and would be eligible for significant credits to offset the expense. Read more...
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Spending Deal Averts a Possible Federal Shutdown and Funds the Government into December
Congressional leaders announced an agreement on a short-term spending bill that will fund federal agencies for about three months, averting a possible partial government shutdown when the new budget year begins Oct. 1 and pushing final decisions until after the November election. Read more...
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New Bill Could Allow Small Businesses to Lock in Diesel Prices and Other Commodity Costs
A new bill introduced in the Senate aims to protect small businesses from volatile commodity prices by allowing them to lock in a set price, with gas and diesel prices explicitly included in the proposed legislation. Read more...
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TSA's Surface Division Cybersecurity Awareness Month Webinar
TSA invites you to participate in a virtual Cybersecurity Webinar for all surface transportation stakeholders on October 8th from 1:00-2:30 pm EDT with guest speakers from the National Cybersecurity Alliance and TSA's Artificial Intelligence office. Topics on our agenda this year focus on enhancing and reinforcing cybersecurity awareness and how preparedness and protection affect behavior via a gamified presentation. Read more...
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TSA Proposes Moving REAL ID Compliance for Domestic Fliers to 2027
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed delaying enforcement of the REAL ID requirement for passengers of domestic airlines to give travelers two more years to update to REAL ID-compliant identifications. The proposal is open for comments until Oct. 15, 2024. Read more...
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2024 CVSA Roadcheck Results Reveal Thousands of Vehicle and Driver Violations
Commercial motor vehicle enforcement parked more than 13,000 vehicles and nearly 3,000 drivers with violations in May's enforcement campaign. Read more...
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CATL Launches Ultra-High-Energy-Density EV Bus Battery That Lasts Nearly 1 Million Miles
CATL launched its newest battery, the Tianxing Bus version, opening a new era for buses. With “the highest energy density in the bus industry,” CATL claims its new EV battery can last 15 years and 1.5 million kilometers (932,000 miles). Read more...
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Time Is Running Out for Pennsylvania Lawmakers to Secure Long-Term Funding for Public Transportation
Without additional state aid, the agency warns it will be forced to slash services, despite short-term financial help, cost-cutting measures, and a proposed fare increase. During a recent hearing, SEPTA board chairman Ken Lawrence Jr. emphasized that these cuts would have lasting negative impacts on both riders and the regional economy. Governor Josh Shapiro proposed increasing state sales-tax allocations to the Public Transportation Trust Fund, which would have provided $160 million more for SEPTA. However, lawmakers demand that any new mass transit funding be tied to highway and bridge infrastructure spending, creating an impasse. Though $80.5 million in short-term aid was approved in July, long-term funding remains uncertain. Read more...
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Court Takes ‘Naked Ballots’ Case Over Pennsylvania Mail-In Voting
Pennsylvania’s highest court said it will consider whether counties must accept provisional ballots cast on election day at polling places by voters whose mail-in ballots lacked secrecy envelopes or were rejected for other flaws. Read more...
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PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Construction, Maintenance Services
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is accepting construction and maintenance services feedback through an online survey. The public can take the survey through October 22. Read more...
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Roundabouts Continue Reducing Injuries and Crashes in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that at locations where traditional intersections were replaced with roundabouts, crashes involving injuries were reduced by 51 percent and the total number of crashes were reduced by 7 percent. During the 20-year review period, there have been two fatalities at roundabouts on state routes. “Roundabouts have proven to be an irreplaceable tool in reducing crashes at intersections," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Given the dramatic increase in safety and traffic flow, PennDOT will continue evaluating intersections for roundabouts." Read more...
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Port Workers in Philadelphia and Across the East and Gulf Coasts Go on Strike
Docks in Philadelphia and all along the East Coast and Gulf Coast have ground to a halt as dockworkers strike for the first time in nearly 50 years. Read more...
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Carnival Cruise Line Open to Potential Expansion in Philadelphia
With Norwegian Cruise Line scheduled to start bringing ships to Philadelphia in 2026, another major operator might be eyeing the city for a potential expansion. Carnival Cruise Line President and Philadelphia native Christine Duffy said the company sees a chance to add the city to its destinations. Read more...
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American Bus Association Foundation Releases Q2 2024 Motorcoach Builders Results
The American Bus Association Foundation reported a 37% increase in motorcoach sales for Q2 2024 compared to 2023, with 480 new and 78 pre-owned buses sold. Private sector purchases rose by nearly 60%, indicating a strong post-pandemic recovery for the motorcoach industry. Read more...
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ICYMI
Alerts, Invitations, Press Releases, and more are sent out to our Members as needed. Here are the emails we sent out since last GoNews below.
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PBA maintains active Social Media Platforms. In addition to the emailed communications we send to you, we actively share information to our platforms. We encourage you to LIKE US, FOLLOW US and ENGAGE with us! #pabus | | | | |
