NOVEMBER 6, 2018


It's that time of year! Reminder: UMA election ballots are due to be postmarked and returned no later than November 15, 2018.
The Future of the Motorcoach Industry:
UMA announces 40 under 45 roundtable at EXPO
Nominate a future leader for this new leadership opportunity
As the bus and motorcoach industry continues to see younger operators and managers integrate into leadership roles, UMA is facilitating a roundtable program that will allow this new generation of leaders to connect both at EXPO and throughout the year. The purpose of the program is to facilitate better connections for young leaders, so they can learn from each other, build a national network of support and identify trends in the industry through their eyes. 

UMA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner stated “We at UMA are so excited for this new program that will allow our newest generation of leaders for the bus and motorcoach industry to connect, share ideas and trends and serve as one of our thinktanks for the future of our industry.”
 
The initial meeting for the roundtable will be held on Monday, January 7 during UMA’s Motorcoach EXPO in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. During the course of the roundtable meeting, the group will hold facilitated discussions about industry trends and challenges they are facing along with solutions they have discovered. Additionally, the group will be determining how they want to connect and see the roundtable develop for the future, both virtually and in-person.
If you would like to nominate someone to the 40 Under 45 Bus & Motorcoach Industry Roundtable, requirements are:
  • Must have been a manager or operator at a bus or motorcoach company for at least one year
  • Should be under 45 years of age (exceptions can be made if someone is close in age)
  • Is willing to serve and participate at their own expense (or on behalf of their company)
 
Please send nominations or questions to UMA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner via e-mail at  stetschner@uma.org  by December 15.
WORKFORCE
Employees Want More Choices in When and Where They Work: Survey

Companies need to offer the right incentives if they want to attract and retain top talent, but a new survey finds they may be focusing on the wrong benefits.

According to research from global staffing firm Robert Half, flexible work schedules (88 percent of workers surveyed), a compressed workweek (66 percent) and the ability to telecommute (55 percent) are the most desired nonmonetary perks. However, while many companies said they offer flexible work schedules (62 percent), far fewer offer shorter workweeks (17 percent) or remote work options (14 percent).

There was less of a disconnect when it came to monetary motivators: Workers surveyed said annual or biannual bonuses are their most desired incentive (77 percent) when considering job offers, followed by profit-sharing plans and sign-on bonuses (tied at 49 percent). On the employer side, 44 percent of those surveyed said they offer annual or biannual bonuses, while 33 percent offer profit-sharing plans and only 19 percent offer sign-on bonuses.

The survey was developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. It includes responses from more than 1,500 workers and more than 600 human resources managers in North America.

Help METRO celebrate innovation in our industry!
Nominations due no later than November 20

METRO Magazine  is now accepting submissions for its 2019 UMA Operator of the Year and ABA Innovative Operator awards, which will be presented at UMA Motorcoach Expo and ABA Marketplace, respectively.

Metro is looking for operators who stand above and beyond both in their service area as well as the industry. Submissions are now being accepted through Nov. 20.

For more info, contact Alex Roman at  alex.roman@bobit.com , or call (310) 533-2589.
The Safety Management Seminar sells out every year. Secure your spot. Attendance is limited to 150. Don't miss out!
Safety Management Seminar agenda is set
Dec. 5 -6, 2018, NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA
UMA Members: $295
Non-Members: $465
​ The Safety Management Seminar features "how-to" applications of risk management to show you how to eliminate as much risk as possible. This must-attend event is for anyone who manages safety and compliance for motorcoach fleet operations. Sessions will focus on the industry's most pressing needs and provide take-away information that attendees can put into practice ASAP.
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Know an environmental leader?
Nominate an operator for recognition

The Environmental Leadership Award, originally introduced at the 2008 UMA Motorcoach EXPO as the Green Highway Award, is sponsored by Motor Coach Industries each year. The award was revised this year to support the next level of effort in environmental leadership. Nominations for this award are being accepted through November 26.


Nominations must be received by Nov. 26 . Please fax completed nomination forms to 703.838.2950 or email Carrington Blake at cblake@uma.org. 
BUS4NY Coalition forms to address myriad issues impacting buses operating in NYC
From an avalanche of tickets to inadequate parking, private bus companies feel like they are under siege as the cost of operating in New York City climbs higher and higher.

With discussions about “Congestion Pricing” looming and recent studies – such as FixNYC – reflecting a rise in anti-bus sentiment, BUS4NYC , has formed. It's a new coalition of industry leaders, owners and operators meeting these issues head-on with a public and government education and engagement platform based on pricing (fees, congestion pricing), parity (treating private buses fairly), and parking (self-explanatory).
 
BUS4NYC is looking for input from interested parties. Contact George Lence george@nicholaslence.com or Patrick Condren pcondren@verizon.net for more information.

EXPO exhibitor webinar: Top tips for engagement
This week! Calling all exhibitors and would-be exhibitors! UMA is hosting a video conference for our 2019 exhibitors to learn what's new for our 2019 Motorcoach EXPO. Join us to learn some exhibiting best practices, and get the answers to any basic questions you might have. Exhibitors will hear from our Show Manager, David Petrillo, on some tips to maximize engagement at EXPO and ensure a successful show.

Date : Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - NEW DATE!
Time : 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Code:  131 377 317

Call in to:  US: 1 669 900 6833 or 1 646 876 9923
Use the Meeting ID:   131 377 317

Bus & Motorcoach News is mailed twice monthly to all UMA members. In addition, it's available online 24/7 at www.busandmotorcoachnews.com and by email, on a schedule you choose! Invite everyone on your staff to stay informed about the industry by signing up for email updates from  Bus & Motorcoach News .  Sign up here. You can choose daily or weekly updates! Below is a sampling of what's in our latest digital and print editions.
From bread deliveries to charters:
Arrow Stage Lines celebrates 90 years of success
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Matt Poe | November 6, 2018

NORFOLK, Neb.—In 1928, Carl Busskohl started transporting mail and bread from Norfolk, Nebraska, to Sioux City, Iowa, and back in his Buick touring car.

Not long after, the locals were asking to ride in the empty seats and Carl realized he could charge a fee (25 cents, one way) for the trip. That realization resulted in the birth of Arrow Stage Lines.

Today, 90 years later, Arrow operates nationwide with 210 motorcoaches and 35 mid-size/mini-coaches out of locations in 12 cities spread across seven states.

“My great-grandfather put a lot of hard work in the business,” says Alex Busskohl, corporate operations and marketing specialist for the company. “He did a lot of people-moving during the Great Depression years focusing on line-run routes and military moves. That’s basically how he got this thing started.”
Recruiting: Time for a new 'model' for our driver force
Bus & Motorcoach News | by Debbie Curitis | November 2, 2018

When the highest profile image of a bus driver is The Honeymooners‘ Jackie Gleason, it’s perhaps time for a new public role model, says Rob Swarthout of Swarthout Coaches in Ithaca, N.Y.

The popular show about the short-tempered driver for the fictional Gotham Bus Company in New York City went off the air in 1956—before most of the parents of today’s largest generation in the workforce were born. But the challenge in recruiting the millennial generation to motorcoach careers goes well beyond image.

According to the Pew Research Center, millennials (with an estimated population of 83 million) have now surpassed baby boomers as the largest generation in the workforce. Among the challenges in reaching that worker pool is constraints placed by regulatory agencies and insurance companies.


2019 Motorcoach EXPO
The future of the motorcoach industry!
INNOVATE - EDUCATE - CELEBRATE
Meet some of the local wildlife when you attend EXPO! Chandler Kamenesh (pictured with a very large gator) will be in the exhibit hall to introduce attendees to baby alligators, a truly unique way to experience some of Florida's most famous residents! Chandler and his fun little animal friends will be in the exhibit hall on Tuesday, Jan. 7 th  from 10 AM -1 PM and again on Wednesday morning from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM.
Operators are encouraged to register by Nov. 19 for the last chance to save on the event that will shape your business in 2019: Motorcoach EXPO.
MEMBER RESOURCES

Simplify vehicle inspections with WhipAround & get a member discount

Whip Around is a mobile app that handles daily vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) on smartphones through a mobile app. The company is based in Auckland, New Zealand, but the product’s acceptance in the U.S. has resulted in a North American headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., for sales, marketing and customer service staff. UMa members get a ten percent discount on this fast-growing, time saving technology. Find out more!


Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association hosts annual driver safety meeting this week in Atlantic City

The Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association is gearing up for their annual safety event that will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 7, in Atlantic City at the Tropicana. Get the details.

This annual session is geared specifically for drivers and is always well-attended with excellent educational content, a delicious lunch, great camaraderie and giveaways from their casino partners. 

Bob Crescenzo, VP of Loss Control at Lancer Insurance, will share his insights with a focus on communication skills and best ways to manage the responsibilities of driving, telematics, passengers and the office!  

Pre-registration isn't required, but it is appreciated.   Register online here.
Motorcoach Industry Calendar


NOVEMBER 2018
  • 7 GNJMA Annual Driver Safety Meeting at Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, NJ http://www.gnjma.com/
  • 14 Webinar for EXPO Exhibitors: Learn Top Tips to Maximize Engagement, 2-3 p.m. ET  https://zoom.us/join
  • 15 UMA Election ballots must be postmarked and returned!

DECEMBER 2018

JANUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019
  • 26 PBA Board Meeting – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Investing in the Motorcoach Industry: Increasing your ROI seminar, Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 26 PBA Drivers & Employees of Distinction Awards Program – Wyndham York, York, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 27 PBA Marketplace Group Leader Show, Wyndham York, York, PA

JUNE 2019
  • 18-21 PBA Annual Meeting, Resorts Casino, Atlantic City, NJ (Hosted by Atlantic City/MeetAC)
  • 21 PBA Board Meeting, Atlantic City http://pabus.org/

AUGUST 2019
  • 6-9 IMG Strategic Alliance Meeting, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  • 14 PBA Safety & Preparedness Workshop, York Springs, PA http://pabus.org/
  • 14-18 NAMO Annual Conference & Marketplace – Springfield, MO  http://www.namo-coaches.org/
YOU ARE UMA
Remember, as a UMA member you have the power of discounts on the best products and services, access to relevant education, targeted professional resources, and colleagues all over the map. Remember to consult your member directory when you need help on the road, access to more vehicles to meet demand, or services out of your area. We are UMA! Want to find other members to do business with? Use the online directory.

Reach the UMA staff by calling (703) 838-2929 or by email at info@uma.org. We love to hear from our members!