MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR MARKETPLACE

Congratulations on your Marketplace registration! We can’t wait to see you in Reno.

ACCESS YOUR ‘MY MARKETPLACE PASSPORT’

Once you receive your individual registration confirmation (within 5 business days), log into My Marketplace Passport using your unique email address and password. You can reset your password if necessary. Note: Check your spam filter for the password reset if it does not come into your inbox.

Passport Link: Button in top right of every website page

Your My Event Passport contains all of the information and access for your Marketplace experience. Verify and/or update any necessary information.

CREATE/VERIFY YOUR ONLINE PROFILES

Your online profiles are your business’s opportunity to share information, features and benefits to build business relationships. Your online profile information is a part of your My Marketplace Passport.

Update/Verify Your Marketplace Survey

Your Marketplace Survey is combined with your membership profile to create your organization’s entry in the research databases. The information is what the system uses to make recommended matches during the appointment research and request process.

Upload Resources

Upload unlimited PDFs, images and videos. These resources will be a part of your organization’s profile in the research databases beginning September 9, 2025.

CREATE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE

Your registration includes multiple programs so you can create your own Marketplace experience. Sign up for optional activities including tours, meetings and fundraisers on your My Marketplace Passport.

DMOs

PRE-MARKETPLACE CAUCUS LEADER CHECKLIST

PLAN YOUR PRE-MARKETPLACE CAUCUS

• Get a list of members from your state through your ABA Passport.
• Plan your program agenda.
• Confirm your caucus speakers. ABA will be happy to help you locate an operator in your area to speak at your caucus.
• Put together packets of materials to be distributed at your caucus.

SET UP AN IN-STATE MENTORING PROGRAM

• Ask for volunteers to serve as a mentor to your first-time state delegates.
• Pair each first-time delegate with an experienced Marketplace attendee.
• Ask the mentor to call the first-time delegate to answer any questions they may have.
• Make sure both the mentor and the first-time attendee know that there is information on the ABA website, www.buses.org/marketplace, specifically designed to help first-time delegates prepare for Marketplace. All delegates should use this site when preparing for Marketplace.

KEEP YOUR DELEGATES IN THE LOOP

• Send your delegates a list of your prescheduled appointments to help them prepare their targeted “hot list” for on-site contacts.
• Send your delegates your schedule for the week: when you are volunteering for ABA, when you may be working at a state or sponsor booth, when you will be taking a city tour, etc.
• Reconfirm the on-site caucus times with your delegates. State/provincial Leaders are responsible for on-site caucuses set up (time and location).
• If you are planning a state dine-around function, confirm these invitations and plans with your attendees.
• If you are sponsoring a booth or function, ask your delegates to volunteer and confirm the work schedule with them.

LET YOUR DELEGATES HELP YOU PREPARE FOR MARKETPLACE

• Collect your delegates’ recommendations on their top five clients with whom they are doing group tour business. Give this list to your delegates so they can request appointments with these operators.

PLANNING YOUR WEEK

DEVELOP YOUR WEEK’S SCHEDULE

• Block out the days you have appointments.
• If you are a first-time delegate, make sure you go through the Orientation process.
• Mark the times for the breakfasts, luncheons, dinners and evening events that you will attend.
• Select the education seminars that you would like to attend and pencil them into your itinerary.
• Attend a sightseeing tour on Saturday.
• Block out time to do research in the Marketplace Delegate Depot on the companies who you will be meeting with during your appointments.
• Target those companies you would like to meet with and attempt to schedule an appointment with them.
• If you do not have a mutual appointment time available to meet, try to schedule a meeting outside the Marketplace floor.
• Make reservations for the dine-around.
• Schedule some time to volunteer for ABA to meet new friends and get better acquainted with Marketplace.
• Follow ABA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to get the latest updates.

TIPS FOR SURVIVING MARKETPLACE WEEK

• Schedule some down time for yourself to regroup and relax.
• Food and drinks are also available on the Marketplace Networking Floor.
• Be sure to get enough sleep prior to your appointment session.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Socializing and meeting new contacts is a large piece of the power of Marketplace. Many valuable contacts are made outside of the business floor at social functions and events.
• Balancing your schedule between networking and adequate rest will be your biggest challenge during the week.

HOW TO MAKE MORE CONTACTS

WALK THE MARKETPLACE BUSINESS FLOOR

The Marketplace Business Floor will be open to all Appointment-Takers and Business Floor Seller delegates for the entire Marketplace week. Appointment-Takers and Business Floor delegates can access the Business Floor all day Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday regardless of when they have pre-scheduled appointments and/or when their segment session (DMO, Lodging, Attraction, Receptives, Charter Operator, Associate, Allied Associations) is scheduled.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO FILL OPEN APPOINTMENTS

Sellers and Buyers are encouraged to sit together at meal functions and learn more about each other. Remember, meal functions are a great opportunity to make long-term contacts and meet new people.

Identify new ABA Motorcoach and Tour Operator members attending Marketplace. Many of these new companies will not have prescheduled appointments and will be looking to develop their programs. They could be important clients for future business.

It is encouraged that you do homework prior to your arrival at Marketplace. You may also visit the Marketplace Service Center and do your homework. Search the Motorcoach and Tour Operator Database, review the Buyer’s Profile form, and research operators using their websites. These tools will provide more information on the Buyers and help you conduct a great appointment.

SPONSOR AT MARKETPLACE

The Marketplace sponsorship program is tailor-made to give your organization big name recognition with hundreds of bus and tour owners and operators throughout North America who plan tours for millions of passengers each year. Through a Marketplace sponsorship, you can make valuable contacts that will lead to profitable business with the very people who make the decisions.

From contract to post-Marketplace follow-up, ABA staff will work directly with you to create the perfect sponsorship to meet your unique needs, because flexibility is the key to making your sponsorship successful and effective. With our varied sponsorship levels, you decide how much exposure you need. You not only get what you pay for, but you also only pay for what you want. This means more value for your dollar, and you can’t put a price on that.

Whether you are a longtime Marketplace sponsor or considering sponsoring for the very first time, you won’t be disappointed. ABA is committed to making sure sponsors get the best possible attention and visibility. A Marketplace sponsorship is your key to success in the group tour market.

Check out the list of sponsor benefits and the listing of your competitors already sponsoring at www.buses.org/marketplace so you don’t miss your piece of the business.

APPOINTMENT SAMPLE QUESTIONS

OPEN PROBES

• After reviewing your profile online, I still have some questions that I need answered to assist in bringing your tours into our (area, region, attraction, property, etc.).
• What specific types of tours does your company bring into our region?
• What percentage are public tours or preformed tours?
• Would you describe what your customers’ expectations are when they go on one of your tours?
• Why do your customers purchase your product(s)?
• What types of activities or sites do your customers really rave about?
• How does your company market its products? (i.e., directly to customers, to other operators, through travel agencies, others, explain: _____________)
• How would your company include our product(s)/destination(s) in your tours?
• What companies are your major competitors?
• Would your company be interested in using a receptive operator or step-on guide in our region for your tour?
• How many coaches would you be bringing into our area for a tour? A series tour? What season(s)?
• If you do not have coaches of your own, what coach company do you charter from?
• What category of hotels are you looking to work with?
• What are your major concerns in choosing a working relationship with a supplier?
• What hotels have you used successfully in the past and why were they successful?
• How do you prefer to book your space with hotels? Directly? Regional office? National office?
• Within your office, who manages to choose your tour products?
• Is there more than one person making the choice? Or is your staff responsible for a geographical region or type of product line?

CLOSED PROBES

• How would you classify your business? (tour operator, motorcoach operator, wholesaler, international inbound/outbound operator)
• Does your company publish a catalogue? How often? (Annually? Quarterly? When?)
• Do you list which hotels, restaurants, sites, or activities that are included within your published tour products?
• Would you consider non-contracted hotels for preformed tours or ad-hoc groups?
• When you bring your tours to our region (destination) what type(s) of transportation do you use for your itinerary? (Motorcoach only, intermodal? Other, explain: ________)
• Do you include meals with your tour programs? Are any meals arranged at the hotel?
• Do your clients have special menu needs to be considered?
• Are meals planned as a banquet function, coupon basis or other style?
• Do you mind if I work with others in providing follow-up information to you for your tours?

EVALUATION

Complete an evaluation online at www.buses.org/marketplace. This will help us find areas for improvement as well as develop new tools to make your future Marketplace experiences even more profitable.

BUSINESS FOLLOW UP

It is key to carry the energy and excitement of Marketplace back to your company and put it into action. Don’t let all your hard work and business connections fall on the To Do List. Make your follow-ups a priority!

Budget for the next Marketplace so you can build your business relationships for long-term sales success.

Follow up on the appointments during your business sessions.

Contact delegates that you met during networking sessions.

Keep your company’s profile updated to reflect all current products and services.

Research and contact operators/sellers throughout the year using the My Member Search function in My ABA.

Review new members listed in the ABA Insider for new business prospects throughout the year.

Nominate yourself to serve on a leadership committee. This is a great networking and business development opportunity.

Sponsor an ABA meeting or event outside of Marketplace to keep your name in front of the buyers.

Purchase ad space in one of the ABA publications to extend your reach.