Join PBA - Benefits of Membership

 

      Governmental Affairs

The primary purpose of the Association from its founding in 1923 has been and will continue to be the maintaining of a viable presence in the legislative and regulatory process which impact so greatly upon our industry and consequently upon the quality and cost of service our operators provide for the traveling public.  Philosophically, a sound governmental relations posture is the basis upon which all other Association activities have been established.  While the PBA concentrates most of its attention upon governmental matters at the State level, we do cooperate with the American Bus Association and United Motorcoach Association in promoting or impeding legislation and regulations at the National level, which similarly affect the bus transportation industry.  PBA has a contract lobbyist located in Harrisburg, PA.

BOPAC

To compliment the governmental affair program, the Association established the Bus Owners Political Action Committee (BOPAC). Limited to involvements in state legislative elections, the PAC operates within sate guidelines and reporting requirements. BOPAC has and will continue to further PBA's legislative efforts through the careful utilization of our financial resources.

 

   Marketing to the Bus Industry Seminar

Held just prior to Marketplace each year, this seminar provides an eight-hour course of study uniquely designed to educate travel destination and attraction personnel by imparting special insights into marketing their area or entity to the motorcoach industry.  This unique course includes a bus trip to a motorcoach operation to see first hand the day-to-day operations of the bus company.  This program has been well received particularly by those new to the industry and those needing a refresher course.

 

Marketplace:  A Group Leader Show

PBA continues to direct considerable time, effort, and resources to the promotion of travel and tourism both on an intrastate and interstate basis.  Each spring, the Association conducts a travel marketplace whereby a broad range of destinations, hotels, attractions and travel promotion agencies are featured in an exposition setting.  While this scenario affords an opportunity for bus operators and their tour and charter personnel to establish contact with destination representatives, the basic purpose of the PBA Marketplace is to bring group leaders or end customers in contact with representatives of the travel-hospitality industry.  It is the most expansive travel motorcoach marketplace of its kind in the country today.  More importantly, it has become a proven business stimulant for both PBA Operators and our Supplier Members who participate in the activity.  ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES:  The Marketplace Directory, which is circulated to the group leaders and bus operators attending Marketplace, accepts advertising.  Advertising information is circulated to all PBA supplier members and is available on our web-site.

 

    Annual Meeting:  2009 Poconos, PA

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.  Attendees are evenly divided between Supplier and Operator Members.  The Annual Meeting has, as its tradition, the involvement of bus owners, their top-level management people and the families of both.  A key characteristic of the yearly event is its informality and relaxed atmosphere.  SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:  Sponsorship opportunities are available at all PBA Annual Meetings and is generally coordinated by the hosting site.   Past sites for PBA’s annual meetings include the following:

 

   2008     Atlantic City, NJ

   2007     Ocean City, MD

   2006     Pigeon Forge, TN

   2005     Dover, DE

   2004     Lake George, NY

   2003     Deep Creek Lake, MD (West MD, PA, WV)

   2002     Williamsburg, VA

   2001     Branson, Missouri

   2000     Nashville, TN

   1999     Niagara Falls, Ontario

   1998     Biloxi, Miss

   1997     1000 Islands, NY

   1996     Pigeon Forge, TN

   1995     Norfolk, VA

   1994     Portland, ME

   1993     Ocean City, MD

   1992     Myrtle Beach, SC

   1991     North Falmouth, MASS

   1990     Hilton Head, SC

   1989     Ottawa, Ontario

   1988     Toronto

   1987     Sturbridge, MA

   1986     Williamsburg, VA

   1985     Lake Harmony, PA

   1984     Poconos

 

   Sales Retreat (In conjunction with Annual Meeting)

Held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting, this event provides an opportunity for hospitality suppliers to meet one-on-one with bus company tour and charter representatives in 7-15-minute sessions.  In the past, this event was held in conjunction with a Winter Meeting which has been discontinued.

 

  Awards Program

This program honors our bus operators' drivers and employees who have an exception performance record and service to their employer.  In 2008 PBA added Associate of the Year, Travel Supplier Member of the Year, and Operator of the Year Awards.  This Awards Program will be held in conjunction with Marketplace the evening before the event.  SPONSORHIP OPPORTUNITIES Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event and are coordinated through PBA.

 

 Bus ALERT

Bus ALERT is a periodic bulletin, which reports upon legislative and regulatory matters at the State and National levels. It is primarily intended for Operator Members although on occasion it may be circulated to the entire membership when an issue affects upon Associate and Travel Supplier Members providing buses or bus services or the travel/hospitality industry. 

   Bus Digest

This is PBA’s Newsletter which is published five times a year (February, May, July, September and November).  Circulation of 750 includes the full membership of the Pennsylvania Bus Association and agencies and firms doing business with PBA.  ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES PBA accepts advertising in the Bus Digest.

 

Membership Directory

A highly reliable reference tool, the Membership Directory includes expanded listings of our Operator Member personnel along with descriptive information on Associate and Supplier Member products and services.  In addition, it includes a comprehensive outline of Association programs and priorities.  The Membership Directory is a joint venture by PBA and Naylor Publications who handles all the advertising opportunities.  The Membership Directory is scheduled for publication in January on an annual basis with an October 1 copy deadline.  ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES PBA accepts advertising in the Membership Directory which is coordinated through Naylor Publications with their advertising effort beginning the summer prior to the publication.

 

Committees

Member involvement in PBA is critical to provide direction to the Board of Directors and staff.  PBA has revitalized our many committees including Budget, Bylaws, Membership, Member Services, Events, and Legislative.  We invite interested members to join a committee and become part of the planning process at PBA.  Good ideas and new directions come out of people in an industry that work together.