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Dear Members and Friends,
Are you ready for an unforgettable experience at the PBA 2024 Annual Conference, hosted by Visit Ithaca in beautiful Ithaca, NY June 17-20, 2024?
The multi-day event welcomes motorcoach operators, tour planners, associate members, and travel supplier members to Network, Educate and Showcase to increase business opportunities.
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The countdown is on, and now is the time to reserve your spot and ensure you don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. Join us for a few days filled with learning, networking, and fun! We have an amazing agenda planned for you, view the schedule! Secure your spot now before it's too late! Registration closes May 24th!
While we will be experiencing the area with FAMS, Dine-Around Night and Opening & Closing events at area partners, the meetings will be held at Hotel Ithaca.
The beautiful, renovated Hotel Ithaca is located in the heart of downtown Ithaca and is less than 1 mile from both Cornell University and Ithaca College. Hotel reservations must be made before the cut-off date, May 17th.
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IMPORTANT DEADLINES
May 3, 2024: Sponsorships close
May 10, 2024: Directory & Sponsor ad/artwork/logos are due.
May 17, 2024: Hotel Cut-off
May 24, 2024: Registration closes
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REGISTER!
Registrations are rolling in! We hope to see yours come through!
Note, to receive Member pricing, you must be recognized by the member portal, identified by your email or you can login to the system.
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SPONSORSHIPS CLOSE THIS FRIDAY, MAY 3!
Sponsorships yield some nice benefits to increase your visibility while supporting our mission. We have (1) Diamond and (1) Silver Sponsorship still available, listed below. Supporter Sponsorships & Program Ads are unlimited! If you are interested in one of these sponsorships, you can select it on your registration form.
Diamond: Keynote Speaker
Silver: PBA Registration Booth
View the benefits of each sponsor level and then when registering, select it on your registration form. Diamond and Platinum sponsorships receive two complimentary conference registrations as a sponsor benefit!
May 3rd is the sponsor registration deadline and the deadline for submitting your artwork, ad, or logo is May 10th.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CURRENT SPONSORS! | |
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SPECIAL HOTEL RATES
To reserve your hotel room at our host hotel, Hotel Ithaca with our special discounted rate at $149/night, please click here to book online. The cut-off date is May 17, 2024.
To reserve your room at our over-flow hotel, Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown with our special discounted rate at $169/night, please click here to book online. The cut-off date is May 17, 2024.
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DINE-AROUND!
Peruse a few favorite restaurants from the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau, to help narrow down your search.
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KICK-THE-TIRES HAPPY HOUR!
Visit with bus manufacturers to learn what's new in their models while enjoying a cold beverage!
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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.
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SALES RETREAT!
A time for motorcoach company tour planners to meet one-on-one with travel suppliers in a fun speed-dating event! The Sales Retreat has two sessions, with a goal for increased business opportunities for everyone.
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EDUCATION!
Learn and get inspired with our Keynote Speaker Taylor Scott and presenters Josiah Brown and Nicole Boyer. Peter Pantuso will present industry updates with the latest information on legislative concerns and regulatory updates.
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Keynote Speaker Taylor Scott's message "Six Virtues of Leading with Hospitality", which are to Connect, Strive for Self-Mastery, Serve, Engage, Coach, and Inspire; all very simple, yet not always easy for those of us who've accepted the challenge of inspiring and influencing others, as leaders.
Taylor is a best-selling author, inspirational keynote speaker, and organizational development consultant. Through his books, workshops, keynotes, and one on one coaching, he inspires audiences at Fortune 500 companies, Universities, and community organizations nationwide to become their best, deliver their best, and experience the best life possible. Taylor leverages his personal experiences and twenty years working in the hospitality industry for Disney Parks and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels and Resorts, Wynn Resorts, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas to connect with and inspire leaders at all levels. Learn more about Taylor.
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Peter Pantuso: ABA Industry Update
Peter is President and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA). As CEO he is responsible for the Association’s day-to-day operations, in addition to his role at ABA, he also serves as President of the National Bus Traffic Association and of the ABA Foundation.
Peter will provide industry updates with the latest information on legislative concerns and regulatory updates. Peter is retiring later this year, so we will be sure to wish him well while he is visiting us!
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Scott Michael: UMA Industry Update
Scott Michael is the President & CEO of the United Motorcoach Association (UMA), the essential resource for education and advocacy in the professional bus and motorcoach industry, giving our members the tools to build successful businesses. He leads UMA to protect and promote the interests and welfare of privately owned common carriers of passengers by motorcoach.
Prior to joining UMA in 2021, Scott was President & CEO of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). Like the motorcoach industry, the moving industry consists of thousands of smaller, family businesses, where their passion for their work was magnified by the deep connection they felt to their company.
A graduate of Princeton University, Scott lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and three daughters.
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Josiah Brown: Future Proofing for Tomorrow’s Traveler
Josiah Brown is the founder the New York’s Best Experiences brand and campaign. For over 20 years Josiah has been involved in the work to win first time visitors to New York State and then trade them around the state’s 11 beautiful vacation regions. This work has earned him the nickname of the “New York Sherpa”. He won that badge from traveling over 800,000 miles by car extensively across New York State and 47 states of America.
The “New York Sherpa” will dissect the current group travel marketplace and how to evolve for the next generation of customers. Each generation is unique but also amazingly similar in how they are drawn to group travel. Learn how to chase attention and engagement as we transition from a “Demand” driven industry to a “Supply” driven industry.
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Nicole Boyer: Everything is Better Together!
Growing up a very shy introvert, sales was never a career path that crossed Nicole Boyer's mind once. But life took her on a path where her entire professional career has been in sales, and she has absolutely loved it. She'll never be the loudest one in the room, but has had huge success crushing sales goals, nonetheless. With almost two decades of sales experience under her belt, the Ginger Sales Ninja's ultimate goal is to help more people be authentic in the sales process (and just in life!).
Nicole will discuss how to work together and create partnerships that will lead to mutual success. She will use real examples from across the industry, including how you can create valuable collaborations. Let's extend our hospitality to our neighbors...and maybe even those "competitors!"
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If you have any questions, please give me a call or send me an email. We look forward to seeing you!
Thank you!
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Patricia Cowley
Executive Director
Telephone: 717-236-9042
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