Annual Meeting

Each year, usually mid-June, the Association conducts its major business and educational meeting which is devoted to learning, communication of ideas, social interaction and recreation. Annual Meeting has, as its tradition, the involvement of supplier and bus operator members and the families of both. A key characteristic of the yearly event is its informality and relaxed atmosphere.

2011 Annual Meeting
Niagara Falls, NY
Wrap Up

Niagara USA ordered beautiful weather for the PBA Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls, NY……a fantastic time was had by all annual meeting attendees! John Percy and his team at the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation planned many enjoyable functions including FAM trips, receptions, dinners and hospitality suites. Our fourth annual Industry Expo gave our bus manufacturers and industry suppliers an opportunity to showcase their buses and product/services to our numerous bus operators in attendance. The Sales Retreat was a great opportunity for the bus operator member Tour Planners and Travel Suppliers to have one-on-one time to drum up new business opportunities. In addition to the various networking opportunities, there were educational programs and official business during the General Membership Meeting.

The meeting kicked off on Tuesday afternoon with the a Taste of Niagara FAM followed by a Reception and Dinner at The Top of the Falls Restaurant sponsored by Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation, Maid of the Mist, and Niagara Falls Sate Park, after which NTCC had arranged for fireworks! The night concluded with a hospitality suite sponsored by Quality Inn Niagara Falls and Peace Bridge Duty Free Shop Inc.

Wednesday morning began with a Power Walk sponsored by Arcola Bus Sales, then breakfast sponsored by Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, followed by separate education sessions for operators and travel suppliers. The operators received a presentation on PDF CSA: How to Work wit the Basics to Improve Highway Safety from Tim Cotter of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a presentation by Joseph Osterman of JS Eastman Enterprises, LLC on PDF Using CSA as a Business Tool, and an PDF update on ABA from Clyde Hart. The Travel Suppliers started their morning with a panel discussion from the perspective of the supplier, motorcoach operator, customers, receptives and CVBs (participants included – John Percy, Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation; Linda Mauzy, Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands; Julie Clark, Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA; Jennifer Deitzer, Bedore Tours; Joe Manella, Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel; and Kate Scaglione, Horizon Club Tours) followed by a presentation from Jan H. vanHarssel, Ed.D of the Niagara University Tourism Department. The Industry Supplier Expo was an opportunity to eat-and-meet, after which attendees had their choice of the Wet and Wild (Jet Boat Tour) or Wet but not so Wild (The Park Tour) – both groups had a wonderfully wet time! The evening events which were all sponsored by Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel began with a Reception featuring Native Dancers, followed by Dinner and a hospitality suite.

Thursday morning started off with breakfast sponsored by the Sheraton at the Falls followed by the General Membership Meeting and presentations for operators from the PDF U.S. and Canada Customs & Border Protection and a presentation on PDF How CSA WIll Affect Your Operations from Ken Presley of UMA. The Travel Supplier enjoyed a presentation on PDF Behind Curb Appeal from Joseph Osterman of JS Eastman Enterprises, LLC. The FAM trips for the day included Somewhere in Time (History Tour) and Niagara Treasures (Its Free Tour). The evening's Reception and Dinner were hosted by Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises which concluded with a cruise down the Erie Canal. The evening concluded with a hospitality suite with door prizes sponsored by Duty Free Americas.

Friday closed the meeting with a breakfast sponsored by VisitRochester, the Sales Retreat, and a box lunch to go sponsored by the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel.

PBA would like to thank the many sponsors which helped make the meeting possible. We appreciate their commitment to the Association.