June 16-19, 2025!
Registration is officially open for the PBA Annual Conference, scheduled for June 16-19, 2025!
The 2025 Annual Conference is hosted by Visit Richmond in Glen Allen, VA. While we will be experiencing the area with FAMS, Dine-Around Night and Opening & Closing venues at area partners, the meetings will be held at Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center.
The beautiful, renovated Virginia Crossings Hotel & Conference Center rests on 20 acres of open green space, with a campus featuring English gardens and Colonial architecture.
Our conference theme is "Timeless Journeys: Bridging History and Horizons Through Motorcoach Travel". This theme honors Richmond’s legacy as a city steeped in history while celebrating the motorcoach industry's vital role in connecting travelers to the past and creating pathways to new destinations.
The multi-day event welcomes motorcoach operators, tour planners, associate members, and travel supplier members to Network, Educate and Showcase to increase business opportunities.
REGISTER!
To receive Member pricing, you must be recognized by the member portal, identified by your email or you can login to the system. Not a Member, join today and get Member pricing! View pricing.
A 2025 Annual Conference Sponsorship is a great way to promote your organization! There are many opportunities in which you can choose, from sponsoring a session, meal or placing an advertisement in the meeting program.
Diamond Level Sponsorships include 2 full conference registrations and Platinum Level Sponsorships include 1 full conference registration! View all the available sponsorships and then when registering, select it on your registration form. View the Advertising Guidelines. The deadline to submit your ad/artwork is May 9, 2025.
VIEW THE FULL SCHEDULE!
FUN FAMS!
Our host, Visit Richmond put together four (4) amazing FAMs for you to experience. There is a $25 fee for each FAM, that will be reimbursed if you register and attend. View the experiences.
Visit Richmond WELCOME!
Step into "Timeless Journeys: Bridging History and Horizons Through Motorcoach Travel" with an unforgettable BBQ Picnic at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
KICK-THE-TIRES HAPPY HOUR!
Visit with bus manufacturers to learn what's new in their models while enjoying a cold beverage!
DINE-AROUND!
View the restaurant listing from Visit Richmond, to help narrow down your search.
INDUSTRY EXPO!
This is an opportunity for bus manufacturers and all vendors serving the motorcoach industry to have one-on-one time with PBA Operator members to showcase their products, services, and to network.
SALES RETREAT! NEW FORMAT!
This event provides unlimited business opportunities between PBA’s motorcoach and tour operator members and travel suppliers at the Annual Conference! In a speed-dating style, the operators have a table and the travel suppliers will be divided into group A and B so that everyone has time to visit with the operators. The Sales Retreat has a new format, no more waiting! There are two sessions, with a goal for increased business opportunities for everyone.
CLOSING EVENT!
Join us for an evening of futuristic fun with food, live music, access to museum exhibitions and more at the Science Museum of Virginia.
EDUCATION!
Learn and get inspired with our Keynote Speaker Dr. Jon Kedrowski and educational session presenters Christian Riddell, CEO of The Bus Network (TBN) and Toni Bastian, Director of Accessibility & Tourism Sales for Visit Richmond, our conference host.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Jon Kedrowski will show you how to approach life's storms with an "Everest Ready" mindset in "How to Be Everest Ready".
When going through adversity, do you or your business wait for things to get better, or do you take control of your situation and set yourself up for success when the situation improves? Try an "Everest Ready" mindset and you'll learn to see adversity as an opportunity, not a barrier.
In this inspirational presentation, Dr. Jon Kedrowski distills his mountain-tested techniques for being creative and staying prepared to pursue BIG goals you have in life and business. He shares practical methods of how to:
- Increase your own and your team's productivity by staying focused on what's in your control.
- Break seemingly insurmountable goals into smaller, SMART goals.
- Look for new opportunities in the face of difficulties.
- Focusing on what you can control and not wasting energy on what you can't.
- Leadership and teamwork.
- Managing risks in high pressure environments to ultimately “Climb Your Everest”.
Toni Bastian: Designing Accessible Travel: Inclusive Tours for Aging and Disabled Travelers
Toni is the Director of Accessibility & Tourism Sales for Visit Richmond, our conference host. Toni will help you discover insights on accommodating the aging population and individuals with disabilities in group travel. By designing accessible spaces and offering disability etiquette training for drivers, guides, and your entire team, we can create richer, more meaningful travel experiences. Whether you are a tour operator, a destination, or an attraction, prioritizing accessibility ensures inclusivity, boosts customer satisfaction, and fosters loyalty among travelers.
Christian Riddell: Artificial Intelligence Developments and Strategies
Christian Riddell has spent 20 years in the motorcoach industry, starting as a driver and dispatcher, later leading the Motorcoach Marketing Council, and now shaking things up as CEO of The Bus Network (TBN), the industry’s top innovator in motorcoach software. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming every aspect of our lives and businesses. From Google’s generative AI advancements to Tesla’s plans to compete in the group travel market, the motorcoach industry is witnessing unprecedented changes at a rapid pace. In this session, we’ll explore recent developments and provide actionable strategies to reclaim lost traffic, boost direct bookings, and future-proof your business in this evolving AI-driven landscape.
Industry Updates
Ken Presley, United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Legislative and Regulatory Affairs VP, Industry Relations & COO
Ken's duties include representing the Nation’s bus and motorcoach industry before Congress and the many regulatory agencies that oversee the industry; consults with members regarding legislative, regulatory compliance and business issues, and assists in the development of national and state policies. He has served as the committee chair for the Bus Industry Safety Council’s Government Activities Review Committee, Co-chair of the Trailways National Marketing Committee, a member of the Charter Bus Negotiated Rulemaking Advisory Council, the Entry Level Driver Training Advisory Committee, and Highway and Motor Carrier Sector Coordinating Council (Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection).
Lew Myers, American Bus Association (ABA) Director of Research, Policy and Impact
Lew's focus is on expanding the impact and reach of the ABA Foundation, ABA’s philanthropic arm. He leads the Foundation’s research initiatives, secures funding through grants, sponsorships, and donations, and communicates the Foundation’s impact across media channels and among key stakeholders. Additionally, Lewis works closely with the ABA Government Relations team to support the organization’s policy agenda through targeted outreach, educational briefings, and strategic advocacy campaigns.
SPECIAL HOTEL RATES are being provided by our host hotel, Virginia Crossings Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton.
Reserve your hotel room at our special discounted rate of $149.00/night by calling 804-727-1400 ext. 0 or book online by clicking the above button. Cut-off date: June 1, 2025. If booking online, you must adjust the dates of your stay from the pre-populated dates.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- April 25, 2025: Last day to use Marketplace Promo Code
- May 2, 2025: Sponsorships close
- May 9, 2025: Directory & Sponsor ad/artwork/logos are due.
- May 9, 2025: Last day to cancel for a refund.
- June 1, 2025: Hotel Cut-off at 12:00PM EST.
- June 1, 2025: Registration closes
THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS!
