Plan Your Visit

Come Ready for Calgary

Your guide to getting ready for Calgary. Find travel details, important dates, schedule links, first-timer resources, and downloads to help you arrive prepared.

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Travel

Plan your Trip to Calgary

Discover Calgary

Flying into Calgary? A valid U.S. passport book is required. Airlines will not board you without one.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada. Have your hotel confirmation and event registration handy. You may not be asked, but it keeps things moving.

Download Passports, Entry & Currency Guide

Calgary Marriott Downtown
Rate | $294–354 CAD (~$212–255 USD)

Delta Calgary Marriott
Rate | $293 CAD (~$211 USD)

Fairmont Palliser
Rates | $278–314 CAD (~$199–226 USD)

Hyatt Regency Calgary
Rate | $313 CAD (~$225 USD)

The Westin Calgary
Rates | $260–342 CAD (~$187–246 USD)

Reserve My Room

Maritz is the official housing provider for ABA Marketplace 2027. Other offers are not approved and may be invalid or nonrefundable. Please report any unauthorized solicitations to your organization or to Maritz.

Special negotiated rates are offered through the housing bureau until January 11, 2027.

ABA strongly encourages all Marketplace attendees to book their accommodations at one of the official 2027 Marketplace host hotels. ABA assumes significant financial risk when contracting guest room blocks for Marketplace. When delegates choose to stay outside the official room block, it increases this risk and may lead to reduced room availability and higher hotel and registration rates in future years.

To help protect the long-term success and affordability of Marketplace, attendees who reserve accommodations outside the official host hotels will be assessed an additional $300 fee following the event.

If your company maintains a formal travel policy that restricts hotel selection, please forward documentation of that policy to meetings@buses.org for review.

Calgary-area attendees who prefer to commute to the event are exempt from this policy.

All housing accommodations and cancellations must be coordinated through the ABA housing bureau. ABA is not responsible for housing cancellations.

Housing Help
Email Customer Service
Call Customer Service toll-free at 864-699-5189
Customer Service Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ET, Monday–Friday

U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Canada. You do need to show proof of citizenship and identity at the border.

For air travel, bring a valid U.S. passport book. A passport card may only be used at land and sea border crossings. A driver’s license alone, birth certificate alone or expired passport is not accepted for air travel.

Travel with a valid U.S. passport. ABA recommends six or more months of remaining validity as a buffer.

Before traveling:

  • Check your passport expiration date.

  • Notify your bank and credit-card companies that you are traveling to Canada.

  • Check for foreign transaction fees.

  • Choose Canadian dollars when using an ATM.

  • Keep your hotel confirmation and event registration handy.

When asked the purpose of your visit, say that you are attending ABA Marketplace.

Download Passports, Entry & Currency Guide

During Marketplace, complimentary shuttles will run from the host hotels to Marketplace evening events.

Marketplace will take place at:

BMO Centre
1912 Flores Ladue Parade SE
Calgary, Alberta T2G 2W1
Canada

Shipping booth materials and samples into Canada can be as simple as shipping within the United States. Freeman’s transportation and customs-clearance team is available to provide estimates and assistance.

Before shipping, have your information ready, including a detailed manifest of the items being shipped and the required Canadian customs or commercial invoice. Freeman can facilitate brokerage for materials entering and leaving Canada, or exhibitors may use another carrier. Always bring tracking information onsite.

Plan for your carrier to arrive in the final destination city at least three business days before move-in. Duties, taxes and customs-clearance fees must be prepaid. Shipments sent collect will not be accepted.

Do not ship: organics, food, plants, cannabis products, alcohol, firearms, tobacco, personal items or hazardous materials.

Exhibitor Kits, including warehouse and show-site dates, will be available October 28. Freeman services for Canadian events are invoiced in Canadian dollars. Alberta purchases and rentals are also subject to applicable taxes, including 5% GST.

For estimates and assistance, contact Freeman Exhibitor Transportation and Customs Clearance Services at 1-877-478-1113 or exhibitrans.canada@freeman.com.

Download Customs & Transportation Guide

Coach move-in is scheduled for 8:00 AM–6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 3.

To access the BMO Centre loading facilities, enter Stampede Park from the north at the corner of 12 Avenue and Stampede Trail SE. Turn west onto 13 Avenue and continue into the loading area.

Coach move-out begins at 4:45 PM on Tuesday, February 9. Coaches may move out once the Networking Floor has been cleared to provide access to the loading docks.

ABA will provide carpet in the coach display area. Any additional services or décor, including electrical service or furniture, must be ordered and paid for by the exhibitor. Exhibitor Kits will be available October 28, 2026.

For vehicles crossing the border, transporting the coach on a carrier is identified as the simplest option and allows it to enter on a temporary basis. Coaches driven across the border require the appropriate clearances, Alberta permits or IRP, fuel-tax compliance, valid Canadian insurance and correct driver credentials. Passenger use is not permitted.

Download Coach Display Guide

Know What’s Ahead

Explore the full Calgary schedule, including appointments, education sessions, Networking Floor hours, receptions, meals, and special events. Start mapping out how you’ll spend your week.

View Schedule

Delegate Pathways

Find Your Pathway

Every delegate arrives in Calgary with a different goal. Delegate Pathways match your registration type and role to the appointments, sessions, and events worth prioritizing. Find your pathway below, then download it for a day-by-day guide to maximizing your time onsite.

Registration Types | Charter & Tour Bus Operators, Tour Operators, Tour Planners

Event Role(s) | Appointment-taker, Rotation

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Secure new business opportunities, maximize ROI per appointment, and build profitable tour itineraries.

  • Fill Your Pipeline in 3 Days | 150 pre-scheduled, high-quality appointments designed to maximize business development opportunities in a concentrated timeframe
  • Who You’ll Meet at Marketplace | More than a thousand reliable partners at destinations, hotels, attractions
  • Turn Appointments into Revenue | Turn conversations into new and exclusive packaging opportunities to bring back to your tour and charter division and increase sales

Pre-Marketplace | Build your online profiles and make your appointment requests and control the match-making process based on your interests and priorities.

Smart Add-Ons | Pre-FAM Tours where you can experience Alberta.

Download the Revenue-Driven Operator Pathway

Registration Types | DMOs/CVBs, Attractions, Hotels, Receptive Operators, Charter Operators

Event Role(s) | Appointment-taker, Business Floor Delegate

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Generate qualified group bookings and build long-term relationships with operators and buyers.

  • Meet Qualified Buyers Face-to-Face | Connect face-to-face with qualified buyers and operators actively sourcing destinations, experiences, and group travel opportunities.
  • Position Your Destination for Success | Optimizing online profile for branding and differentiation
  • Get in Front of Decision-Makers | Access appointment schedules that convert

Pre-Marketplace | Build your online profiles including photos, videos and information sheets. Make certain to include how you are group-ready from driver policies to ease of parking and exclusive group experiences.

Smart Add-Ons | Volunteer onsite and experience the new ROI – Return on Involvement. It is like a 2-hour appointment!

Download the Destination Seller Pathway

Registration Types | Exhibitors, service and hardware suppliers

Event Role(s) | Exhibitors, technology providers, service partners, equipment manufacturers, & industry suppliers

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Generate qualified leads, strengthen brand visibility, and build relationships with key industry buyers.

  • Reach the Operators Who Need You | Direct access to operators and decision-makers increases visibility, strengthens relationships, and accelerates the sales pipeline.
  • Turn Visibility into Leads | Targeted exposure and strategic engagement opportunities help convert visibility into qualified leads and measurable ROI.
  • More Than a Booth—A Platform | Integrated engagement beyond the exhibit floor drives more ROI such as speaking opportunities and demos.

Pre-Marketplace | To be successful, engage audiences before arrival through targeted marketing campaigns, appointment-setting, sponsorship promotions, and coordinated onsite activations.

Smart Add-Ons | Volunteer onsite and experience the new ROI – Return on Involvement. It is like a 2-hour appointment!

Download the Exhibitor / Solution Provider Pathway

Registration Types | Operators prioritizing relationships over structured appointments

Event Role(s) | Bus and Tour Operator Representative

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Build meaningful relationships and strengthen industry connections.

  • Where the Industry Connects | Marketplace creates opportunities for authentic conversations and informal networking through receptions, social events, lounges, and shared experiences.
  • The People You Need to Meet | Face-to-face interactions help you build trust, strengthen partnerships, and create lasting professional relationships.
  • Events Designed Just for You | Exclusive events and targeted meetups connect attendees with peers who share your common interests and business goals.

Pre-Marketplace | Review the attendee list and make your own list of the Who’s Who you want to engage.

Smart Add-Ons | Be in the room with key policy players and leadership at the BusPAC Reception.

Download the Relationship Builder Pathway

Two pathways for the delegates who shape the industry beyond the Business Floor.

Which pathway is yours?

  • The Thought Leader is for executives, board members, speakers, media, advocates, and policy leaders focused on advocacy, visibility, and the future of the industry.
  • Safety & Maintenance Professionals is for safety directors, operations leaders, maintenance managers, and compliance professionals focused on fleet safety, compliance, and regulatory standards.

 

The Thought Leader

Registration Types | Industry executives, speakers, board members, media professionals, advocates, and policy leaders

Event Role(s) | Representatives, board members, speakers, media, government officials

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Shape the industry and build visibility

  • Join the Conversation Shaping the Industry | Participate in strategic conversations addressing the future of the industry, emerging trends, advocacy priorities, and operational challenges.
  • Amplify Your Voice | Drive the association’s mission with influence and visibility
  • Your Platform at Marketplace | Roundtables, educational sessions and networking events allow you opportunities to learn and lead

Pre-Marketplace | Before you are onsite, engage in virtual education, association investor meetings and fly-ins designed to bring together those shaping the industry for discussions and action.

Smart Add-Ons | Learn more about the Driving Force Council and how its mission of workforce development, education and training can help you reach your company’s business goals.

Download the Thought Leader Pathway

 

Safety & Maintenance Professionals

Registration Types | Safety directors, operations leaders, maintenance managers, compliance professionals

Event Role(s) | Bus Operators, Representatives, Exhibitors, Speakers, Government

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Improve fleet safety performance and compliance

  • Address Key Challenges | Participate in educational sessions focused on safety and compliance and peer networking and idea sharing
  • Discover Innovative Solutions | Exposure to emerging technologies and hands-on solutions
  • Benchmark Against Industry Standards | Engage in regulatory and compliance education sessions and best practice discussions

Pre-Marketplace | Attend the BISC/BusMARC Summer Summit, regional BISC presentations and read councils’ outreach.

Smart Add-Ons | Expand your involvement beyond regulatory and agency work. Consider getting more involved in advocacy and start with the BusPAC Reception on Monday night.

Download the Safety & Maintenance Pathway

Two pathways open to every registration type. Which one fits depends on how you want to spend your week.

Which pathway is yours?

  • The Efficiency Seeker is for time-conscious delegates who want to pack the most appointments, connections, and ROI into the fewest hours.
  • The Experience Seeker is for delegates who want the full Marketplace experience: the destination, the events, and the people, alongside business outcomes.

 

The Efficiency Seeker (Power User)

Registration Types | Time-conscious attendees focused on maximizing productivity, appointments, and ROI

Event Role(s) | All roles

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Maximize productivity, connections, and ROI in the most efficient way possible.

  • You’re in Control | By selecting your event role designed to deliver your primary goal, your guided schedule highlights events to prioritize to streamline your experience
  • Results in 24 Hours | Seamless logistics and scheduling of appointment types all in one day allows you to achieve a year’s worth of sales calls efficiently
  • All Together | With education, appointments, exhibits, and networking centralized in one location, attendees can move efficiently between activities and maximize every minute onsite.

Pre-Marketplace | You will be able to download the Marketplace app to build your own schedule, receive notifications and access real-time attendee and exhibit information.

Smart Add-Ons | There are a variety of events & activities daily including 3 days of appointments, but each day has a focus: Saturday = Networking, Sunday = Safety, Monday = Policy & Advocacy, Tuesday = Maintenance.

Download the Efficiency Seeker Pathway

 

The Experience Seeker

Registration Types | Delegates who value connection, inspiration, and the overall Marketplace experience alongside business outcomes

Event Role(s) | All roles

Primary Goal at Marketplace | Be inspired, entertained, and immersed

  • More Than a Marketplace | Marketplace is more than appointments and ROI — it is an opportunity to experience a new destination, build meaningful connections, and discover fresh ideas shaping the industry.
  • Unlock Exclusive Moments | Memorable moments, local flavor, and “only at Marketplace” experiences
  • Plan Your Experience | There’s always something happening at Marketplace — planning ahead helps attendees make the most of every opportunity.

Pre-Marketplace | You will be able to download the Marketplace app to build your own schedule and receive notifications for your all-inclusive access.

Smart Add-Ons | Volunteer onsite and see how Marketplace functions behind the curtain for a new experience.

Download the Experience Seeker Pathway

Important Dates

Mark Your Calendar

  • Aug. 5

    Tour Registration Opens

  • Sep. 15

    Early-Bird Registration Ends

  • Sep. 22

    Research Databases Open

  • Oct. 6

    Appointment Requests Start

  • Jan. 5

    Appointment Requests Due

  • Jan. 15

    Appointment Schedules Live

First Timers

New to Marketplace?

Start Here.

Download First Timer Packet

STAR is an exclusive ABA designation given to first-time Marketplace attendees.

Visit the Marketplace Delegate Depot to learn the do’s and don’ts of Marketplace and participate in the STAR Program. Meet one-on-one with an experienced Marketplace delegate through the Ambassador Program and participate in a Floor Tour of the Marketplace Networking and Business Floors.

STAR delegates are also encouraged to research potential clients, attend Education Seminars, carry plenty of business cards, ask questions, and use meal functions and social events as networking opportunities.

Download STAR First Timer Packet

My Marketplace Passport is your individualized account of your Marketplace event registration. After registration, use it to confirm registration details, make updates, volunteer, conduct research and make appointment requests.

Your Passport also provides access to your company profiles, research databases, message center, appointment schedule and transportation information.

Your login and password are included with your registration confirmation.

Go to Marketplace Passport

Marketplace offers seven-minute prescheduled appointments where motorcoach and tour operator Buyers obtain information and create business relationships with travel industry Sellers. These one-to-one appointments are the core of Marketplace week.

Buyer Appointment-Takers remain at individual booths while Seller Appointment-Takers walk the Business Floor and move from Buyer to Buyer for their appointments.

Learn More About Appointments

The Marketplace Networking Floor is open to all delegates throughout Marketplace. Visit with vendors and sponsors, use the Marketplace Delegate Depot and enjoy refreshments in the lounge.

Meal functions and social events also provide opportunities to meet new contacts and learn more from colleagues throughout the industry.

Coming Soon

Marketplace Education Seminars feature professional speakers covering relevant topics including operations, marketing, sales and personal development.

The educational program offers topics that apply to different businesses and experience levels.

Coming Soon

Marketplace Resources

Build Your Momentum Early, Registration Is Open

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