Schedule

Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Lunch On Your Own

12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Meeting

1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Executive Committee Meeting & Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location | Dallas 3-4

Registration Open
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine Registration Desk

Trailways Open House Reception
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location | Center Prefunction Area

Invitation Only

Registration Open
Vendor Displays
7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine Prefunction Area, Grapevine Reg Desk

Breakfast and Meeting
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Speed Dating Session
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location | Grapevine B

Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Meeting
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Break & Vendor Displays
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine Prefunction Area

Dinner
6:00 p.m.
Location | Escondido 1-2

Meeting

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

General Session
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7

Networking Break
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.|
Location | Ft. Worth Foyer

Breakout Sessions
3:15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Locations | Ft. Worth 5-7, Austin 1-3

Reception
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location | Ft. Worth Foyer

Breakfast
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Registration Open
8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine Registration Desk

Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Awards Luncheon
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine A

Solutions to Tackling the Nationwide Driver Shortage
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Moderator | Erin Ducharme
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Presented by The Driving Force

1001 | Using Technology to Increase Revenue & Mitigate Risk for Group Travel
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Speaker | Bud Geissler
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | GroupCollect

1002 | The Mindset of a Sales Warrior
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Speaker | Jason Forrest
Location | Austin 1-3
Sponsor | Le Mars, Iowa-Ice Cream Capital of the World

1003 | How to Understand What Others Want
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Brian Parsley
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Visit Williamsburg

1004 | Get Found on Google! Strategies to Get More Customers from Search Engines
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Chris Cheetham-West
Location | Austin 1-3
Sponsor | Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

1005 | Creating Urgency
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | Jason Forrest
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Le Mars, Iowa-Ice Cream Capital of the World

The nationwide driver shortage is worse than ever before.  The Women in Buses Council formed the Driving Force with leading industry experts to tackle this problem.  Join us for an education session where you will learn what the Driving Force has worked on for the past year as well as tools and tricks to help you recruit and retain your most valuable assets, drivers.  We will also feature an operator panel to discuss the current climate and hear success stories.

We are welcoming 2022 with you and we could not be more excited to host you at the ABA Opening Night Reception! Let us wine and dine you with tastes of Alabama cuisine, live music from one of our own, Lamont Landers Band, and southern hospitality at its finest! Alabama has so much to offer from the Gulf Coast to the Northern canyons, from the beach to the moon, and everything in between! See you Saturday night, Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. 

Perry's Steakhouse & Grille

Continuous trolley service between the Gaylord Texan and downtown Grapevine

List of Grapevine Restaurants and Urban Wine Tasting Rooms/Craft Brew Trail Locations

Map of Grapevine Restaurants

This evening, get out and discover Historic Downtown Grapevine!  The Grapevine Visitor Shuttle will be running non-stop routes between the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Group Tour Lobby and Historic Downtown Grapevine from 6:30 – 10:30 p.m.  You’ll find live entertainment in many Grapevine restaurants along Main Street, along with a variety of cuisines!

After dinner, be sure to visit the Gaylord Texan Resort’s Glass Cactus Night Club, offering the perfect viewing point for our special Fireworks Show taking place at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Grapevine!  The Glass Cactus is free to all guests staying at the Gaylord Texan Resort ($12 cover if staying elsewhere).  Enjoy music, dancing or just catch-up with your ABA friends.  This event is cash bar. 

The theme of this year’s breakfast is gratefulness as we are all thankful to see our industry come back to life after the challenges we have all experienced.

We will celebrate Tennessee’s southern gospel roots with a performance by the acclaimed McCrary Sisters – daughters of the legendary Fairfield Four. The McCrary Sisters sing a unique style of gospel. Influenced by classic soul, Americana, blues and R&B, these sisters bring an indescribable joy to singing. The Sisters are part of the "house band" at the Americana Music Honors & Awards and provided backing vocals for the song "Choctaw County Affair" on Carrie Underwood's 2015 album, Storyteller and "Do Right By Me" on Margo Price's 2017 album All American Made.

BW1 | The State of the North American Motorcoach Market
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Location | Dallas 5-7

BW2 | Understanding the Customer Journey from Booking to Drop Off: Session 1
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location | Austin 4-6
Pre-registration and Fee Required

BW3 | Effective and Efficient Cleaning and Sanitizing Buses and Coaches (Joint Session with BISC)
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location | Dallas 5-7
Sponsored by Salus Product Group, LLC

2001 | Making Grassroots Advocacy Work for You
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Moderator | Suzanne Rhode
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | BusPAC

2002 | Micro-Presentations: Tighten Your Talk to Maximize Impact
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Lisa Braithwaite
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | New Hampshire Travel and Tourism
Handout

2003 | What Are You Really Saying to a Customer?
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Brian Parsley
Location | Austin 1-3
Sponsor | Visit Williamsburg

2004 | Networking Works: Build Relationships to Build Your
Business
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Lisa Braithwaite
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | New Hampshire Travel and Tourism
Handout

2005 | Web Pages for Results: Learn What Actually Gets Sales
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Chris Cheetham-West
Location | Austin 1-3
Sponsor | Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

2006 | The New Traveler – What Matters Now and What Doesn’t
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | Gini Trask
Location | Austin 1-3
Sponsor | Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

It has been a long time since we have been together so let’s celebrate at the Sunday lunch! Come catch up and eat with old friends and new colleagues as we listen to the amazing voice of Blair Robinson from the Texas Music Project; hear from Peter Pantuso on where we are heading in a post-pandemic world; meet the amazing Audrey Powers who oversees all New Shepard flight operations, vehicle maintenance, and launch, landing, and ground support infrastructure for Blue Origin; find out who will receive the inaugural Wayne Chandler Award and hear from our lunch sponsor Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Derek Lloyd. You won’t want to miss this event as it will be truly out of this world.

The Betterez User Group is back at ABA Marketplace 2022!  This year we're having two sessions to give Operators more of an opportunity to attend given a packed Marketplace agenda.  During these sessions we'll provide a Betterez company and SaaS feature-set update, take your feedback on desired new features and Support processes, and do some networking.  We hope you'll join one of the sessions, there's lots to share as travel and transportation bounces back!

Bus Industry Safety Council Breakout Sessions

BW3 | Effective and Efficient Cleaning and Sanitizing Buses and Coaches (Joint Session with Busworld)
3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location | Dallas 5-7

DC Caucus
Location | Grapevine 3-4

Michigan Caucus
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7

Virginia Caucus
Location | Austin 1-3

Put me in Coach!  Team Texas invites you to be part of our team at Globe Life Field, Home of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.  Get out of the stands and take the field where you can experience the rush of game day from a whole, new level.  See how your baseball skills stack up with fun baseball activities on the field or simply dance the night away in the outfield.  Whatever you do, don’t strike out and miss this event!         

Louisiana Caucus
Location | Austin 1-3

Maryland Caucus
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7

Massachusetts Caucus
Location | Dallas 1-2

Learn the differences between the many types of brokers in the bus industry. We will categorize brokers based on the qualities and characteristics. Examples of each will be provided while discussing pros and cons of each type. The goal will be to have more informed conversations about these industry players.

3001 | Not Your Grandma’s Group Travel (Group Travel for the Next Generation)
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speaker | Gini Trask
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Las Vegas Convention &
Visitors Authority

3002 | Critical Thinking Skills
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Adam White
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Rhode Island Tourism Division/Commerce Corporation

3003 | Come Join the Clubhouse: How Live Content is Key to Building a
Successful Business
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Heather Lutze
Location | Austin 1-3

3005 | Drug & Alcohol Testing: Reasonable Suspicion
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Dale Tidwell, JJ Keller
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

3006 | The Power of Resilience: Bouncing Back After Crisis, Challenge, Change
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Adam White
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Rhode Island Tourism Division/Commerce Corporation

3007 | QR Codes are Back Baby! How They Will Forever Change the Marketing World
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Heather Lutze
Location | Austin 1-3

3008 | FMCSA Update
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Loretta Bitner, FMCSA
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

CANCELLED | 3010 | Be At Your Best Every Day: 5 Principles to Consistent Sales Success
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | David Fellman
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Visit Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau
Handouts

3011 | Preparing to get New Hires on the Road and Up to Speed: The Realities of the Motorcoach Industry
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | Jeff Brown, Idaho National Labaratory & Greg Hendricks, Salt Lake Express
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

3012 | TSA Update
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | Melvin Carraway
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

BW5 | Understanding the Customer Journey from Booking to Drop Off: Session 2
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location | Austin 4-6
Pre-registration and Fee Required

BW6 | Advanced Driver Assistance & Autonomous Driving Solutions for Motorcoaches (Joint Session with BISC)
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location | Dallas 5-7

BW 7 | How Green Can the Motorcoach Industry Go? (Joint Session with BISC)
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location | Dallas 5-7

Bus Industry Safety Council Breakout Sessions
11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location | Grapevine 1-2, Grapevine 3-4, Dallas 5-7
Sponsored by ABC Companies

BW 6 | Advanced Driver Assistance & Autonomous Driving Solutions for Motorcoaches (Joint Session with Busworld)
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Moderator | Pam Martinez, DATTCO/BISC
Location | Dallas 5-7

3005 | Drug & Alcohol Testing: Reasonable Suspicion
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Dale Tidwell, JJ Keller
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

3008 | FMCSA Update
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Loretta Bitner, FMCSA
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

BW7 | How Green Can the Motorcoach Industry Go? (Joint Session with Busworld)
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Jan Deman, BusWorld Foundation
Location | Dallas 5-7

3011 | Preparing to get New Hires on the Road and Up to Speed: The Realities of the Motorcoach Industry
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speakers | Jeff Brown, Idaho National Labaratory & Greg Hendricks, Salt Lake Express
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

3012 | TSA Update
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Speaker | David Cooper, TSA
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | ABC Companies
There is a lot for operators to consider before they buy or implement aftermarket components for essential safety systems. Learn more about the performance thresholds for aftermarket equipment, before you make your next purchase. In addition, take home a few tips on how better to maintain your in-use equipment to improve efficiency.

12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Bridgestone Mobility Solutions
With much of America’s motorcoach operations grounded for the past several months during the COVID-19 outbreak, fleet managers are eager to get back to work. But what does that look like in a world where buses have been sitting idle for 90-days or more?

Fleet management software systems that ensure vehicle efficiency, compliance, maintenance and safety are built to mainly monitor a fleet that is in motion – not one that is grounded. As the nation reopens from the coronavirus lock down, fleets need to move forward with a fresh outlook and new focus on maintenance standards.

During this session, we will look into tire maintenance best practices. How to adjust for anticipated air leakage, potential sidewall deterioration, any rebalancing or reseating recommendations.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Temsa
You're happily driving along when suddenly your Check Engine light comes on or the dash display lights up with an error message. Panic sets in. Is the engine going to blow up or is this just an annoying code that will go away? Many of the latest systems have the ability to display Diagnostic Trouble Codes, or DTCs. If not immediately available, a code reader can plug into the diagnostic port to retrieve them. Heavy duty diesel engines now can communicate all kinds of useful information, much of which also can be used to perform diagnostics or even modify/improve performance en route. The latest transmissions can display fault codes via the transmission shift control panel. This J1939 buss is used by the chassis manufacturer and also interfaces with various chassis elements, such as antilock braking systems, traction control, headlights and other accessories. Find out how to navigate these systems and what it all means!

4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Amaya-Astron

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Motor Coach Industries
There is a lot for operators to consider before they consider changing their HVAC setup, the type of filters they use or their preventative maintenance program in this new COVID-19 reality. Learn more about the performance thresholds for this equipment and what might work best for you as you get back to full-time operations. Plus don't let improper battery maintenance, keep you from putting your best foot forward. During this session, learn how to avoid battery drain, tips to improve battery health and how to jump start your operations.  As we begin to restart things again, we don't want to see you stuck with any maintenance problems at the side of the road. In addition, take home a few tips on how to better maintain your in-use equipment to improve efficiency and performance.

Group Sales Box Office’s Best of Broadway returns to Marketplace featuring live performances from an all-star lineup of Broadway shows!  You won’t want to miss the most anticipated revival of the season so, put your worries aside and be entertained by the very Best of Broadway, on Monday, January 10^th at 12:30pm in the Texas ballroom.

The Betterez User Group is back at ABA Marketplace 2022!  This year we're having two sessions to give Operators more of an opportunity to attend given a packed Marketplace agenda.  During these sessions we'll provide a Betterez company and SaaS feature-set update, take your feedback on desired new features and Support processes, and do some networking.  We hope you'll join one of the sessions, there's lots to share as travel and transportation bounces back!

List of Grapevine Restaurants and Urban Wine Tasting Rooms/Craft Brew Trail Locations

Map of Grapevine Restaurants

6:30 p.m. - 12:15 a.m.
Shuttle service between the Gaylord Texan and downtown Grapevine.

Shuttles leave from the Group Tour Lobby

Benefits ABA Foundation Scholarship Program

Bus Industry Safety Council Breakout Sessions
9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location | Grapevine 1-2, Grapevine 3-4
Sponsored by ABC Companies

4002 | OSHA Overview: Regular Reporting and Future Compliance
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speakers | Dave Bolen, Academy Bus & Jeff Petrunak, Daecher Consulting Group
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4003 | NTSB Update
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speaker |
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4006 | Safety Director 101
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speakers | Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies & Jeff Marley, Lancer Insurance
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4007 | The Dangers of Speeding and How to Prevent it
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speakers | Gary Catapano, MAGTEC Products Inc. & Dr. Judy Agnew, Aubrey Daniels International
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4008 | Safety Director 101
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speakers | Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies & Jeff Marley, Lancer Insurance
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4009 | Drug & Alcohol Testing: Reasonable Suspicion, Role Playing & Mock Scenarios
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Moderators | Pam Martinez, DATTCO & Dave Bolen, Academy Bus
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4001 | Rev Up Your Revenue: Build Your Resilient-Driven
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speaker | Mj Callaway
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Handout

4002 | OSHA Overview
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speaker | Dave Bolen, Academy Bus & Jeff Petrunak, Daecher Consulting Group
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4003 | NTSB Update
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Speaker | Michael S. Fox
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

SESSION CANCELLED | 4004 | Rules of Engagement: A Guide to Better Communication-and Better Relationships with Everyone who is Important to Your Business
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | David Fellman
Location | Ft. Worth 5-7
Sponsor | Visit Beaufort-Port Royal Convention & Visitors Bureau
Handouts

4005 | Power Team: Grow Your Business with Your Circle of Influence
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Mj Callaway
Location | Austin 1-3
Handout 1
Handout 2

4006 | Safety Director 101
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies & Jeff Marley, Lancer Insurance
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4007 | The Dangers of Speeding and How to Prevent It
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Speaker | Gary Catapano, MAGTEC Products Inc. & Dr. Judy Agnew, Aubrey Daniels International
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4008 | Safety Director 101
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies & Jeff Marley, Lancer Insurance
Location | Grapevine 3-4
Sponsor | ABC Companies

4009 | Reasonable Suspicion Mock Scenarios
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Speaker | Pam Martinez, DATTCO & Dave Bolen, Academy Bus
Location | Grapevine 1-2
Sponsor | ABC Companies

Session Recaps

Human Trafficking Update: Busing on the Lookout

Uplift Technology: The ROI, Impact, Experience of ADAS on Motorcoach Operations

Booths must be removed by Wed., Jan. 12 at Noon.

We know you heard it through the grapevine that Detroit is hosting the 2023 ABA Convention. So move and groove to the magical Motown sound at the 2022 ABA closing party. We’ll be dancing in the streets because ain’t no mountain high enough to keep us from sharing what’s going on in Detroit. We can’t help ourselves, and we want to celebrate with you at our Motown-inspired party. Will you be there? It would be a shame if you missed this.

Join your fellow ABA member musicians for an unforgettable end to the 2022 Marketplace week. You won’t regret it!

9:30 p.m. - 12:45 a.m.
Trolley service between the Gaylord Texan and downtown Grapevine.

Trolley leaves from the Group Tour Lobby.