2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO

Join us at UMA’s Motorcoach EXPO 2024, Feb. 4-7!

Come to Raleigh, NC. to enjoy networking with industry colleagues, visiting with top industry suppliers who can help your business, and learning ways to grow and thrive in 2024 and beyond.

Expect a trade show floor with motorcoaches by a dozen OEMs, and the kind of products and services you’re searching for. This is the bus and motorcoach trade show that is focused on showcasing the best of the private motorcoach industry in North America under one roof.

IMG Maintenance and Safety Forum (M&SF) February 2-4, 2024

Sunday, February 4th 

Transportation from RDU airport  Terminal 2 to Sheraton, Marriott, and Residence Inn 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM on the hour
10:30 AM – 5:00 PM Registration Open Main Lobby
1:00 PM – 2:45 PM Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association Board Meeting 202
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM UMA State Association Summit, Sponsored by PC Management Services, LLC and VB Group Marketing & Event Resources 402
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM UMA Welcome Celebration– All UMA Attendees invited! Sponsored by Prevost, TEMSA, Motor Coach Industries, ABC Companies, REI, Budget Truck and Auto, SARDO, Lancer Insurance, Daimler Coaches North America, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operation, Auxilior Capital Kings Entertainment, Transportation Provided from Marriott, Sheraton and Convention Center

Monday, February 5th
7:30 AM – 6:45 PM Registration Open Main Lobby
7:30 AM – 8:30 AM UMA Continental Breakfast Outside Ballroom BC
8:00 AM – 9:45 AM UMA EXPO Opening with UMA’s Active Member Meeting and Legislative and Regulatory Update, Sponsored by RLI Insurance Company Ballroom BC
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM UMA Maintenance Interchange 402
9:45 AM – 10:00 AM AM Break Outside Ballroom BC
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
  Psst…but that’s not where he made his money – from bus and motorcoach company operator to entrepreneur and investor. For some owners, their bus and motorcoach company are a means to an end. Instead of constantly plowing profits and cash flow back into their company, they choose to at least invest some cash in other interests. Real estate? Stocks? Another small business? The bus business becomes the cash generator – cash to invest outside the business. This important session identifies methods for using your motorcoach company to diversify your financial holdings – be they large or small.   Presenter: Jim McCann 305 AB
  What is AI and can I get vaccinated for it? – You read about it, and it sounds a little scary, but will it affect your company. Most certainly, and like all advancements in technology, it is not long before we say, “We should have seen it coming.” This session will discuss where AI is headed, where the motorcoach industry will likely use it most, and how you can put it to work today to get ahead of the competition.  Presenter: Chris Riddell    306 A
  Isn’t there anything I can do about my insurance premiums? You bet there are, and we have the expert panel on hand that will share tips with you to take control and manage your insurance program Panelists: Andrea Vidmar, National Interstate; Brandi Mazur, RLI; Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance 306 B
   User Group – Initek 306 C
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM UMA Associate/Travel Partner Membership Meeting UMA Booth 615
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM NAMO Board Meeting 304
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
     
  “The world is your oyster” – the paraphrased Shakespeare quote is certainly appropriate in today’s bus and motorcoach market. Has there ever been as many opportunities to discover “pearls” and diversify success since economic deregulation in 1982? What are the opportunities and how is the best way to discover them in your market?  Presenters: Brian Antolin and Dave Hall 306 A
  Meet the new regulators – a series of recent retirements at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration bring some new faces to the industry. They’re anxious to talk about their initial goals and hear your concerns. Moderator: John Grzywacz 306 B
  Lines of numbers, reading and understanding financial statements, Part 1 – your accountant has been printing these off for you for years. She says they look good (sometimes okay) and I am always able to secure financing for my coaches. But knowing the subtleties of your financial statement is essential to valuing a business and determining its financial strengths and/or weakness. Your ability to quickly analyze financial statements and understand how to shore your own up may well determine your future. Presenter: Tracy Fickett 306 C
 
12:30 PM – 2:05 PM UMA Luncheon with Keynote, Luncheon Sponsored by BusRates.com, Keynote Sponsored by Prevost Ballroom BC
2:15 PM – 3:10 PM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
    305 AB
  New Opportunities or incompatible business risk? PART 1 – You made it, your business survived COVID, at least so far. Like many, you may be seeing more business than ever and the marketplace is creating opportunities that may be tempting. Are the opportunities a good fot for your company? Can you rise to meet the challenges? Does it change your risk profile. This workshop session will provide the tools to help you prepare and evaluate new opportunities. Presenter: BOB CRESCENZO 306 A
  What’s he looking for anyhow? The insurance guy called and wanted to schedule a time to visit. You’re busy, really busy, but he is insisting so you schedule the visit. The significance of this meeting is often overlooked and missed opportunities. Preparing for this meeting is essential and this session discusses how to make it successful and work for you. Presenter: Dan Tomlinson    306 B
  The Next Step – and it’s a big one. You have worked hard and navigated many pitfalls, but you are increasingly thinking about travel and spending more time with the grandchildren. Is your daughter and/or general manager ready to take over and buy you out. Is this the best option? Is there financing available? What are the tax considerations? This session talks about when to start the discussion and recommendations on preparing for “the day”.    Presenter: Jim McCann   306 C
2:15 PM – 3:10 PM Membership Committee Meeting 302 C
3:15 PM – 4:10 PM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
  Sleep Hygiene & Disorders Management – Part 2. According to the National Sleep Foundation, between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with insomnia. 2% – 9% of adults are affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With those statistics in mind, it is essential motorcoach company management put drivers that are well rested to avoid the worst crashes. This session discusses management’s role using proven methods. Presenter: Rodolfo Giacoman 305 AB
  Yeah, we work with those guys – but do we really know them. Many of us have worked with them for years. Logistics service providers afford unique services to their clients, often long before they call a charter bus company. Conventions, rallies, Olympics, political party conventions, and the occasional hurricane evacuation distinguish these players from the typical broker getting between you and your customers. This session will discuss upcoming events and the current migrant transportation debacle.  Presenter: Mike Moulton 306 A
  What is the future of motorcoach propulsion?  Okay, you’re right, it’s getting a little confusing out there and while the environmentalists want to move away from diesel, the alternatives are not altogether clear. Battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell electric, ammonia, hydrogen, hydrogen/diesel combination may offer an array of options, but what is the criteria for choosing. Our industry panel will provide some insight into where things are headed.”  Panelist: Robert Hitt, Brian Nelson, Randy Wilcox 306 B
  User Group – Distinctive Systems 306 C
3: 15 PM First Time Attendee EXPO Hall Tour Outside Hall B
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM Sneak Preview Ribbon Cutting Outside Hall B
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM UMA EXPO Exhibit Hall Sneak Preview Hall AB
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Sneak Preview After Party and Dinner, Sponsored by Prevost, TEMSA, Motor Coach Industries, ABC Companies

Wear your favorite team’s jersey to celebrate like a champion!

 Hall AB

Tuesday, February 6th
Morning UMA International Driver Competition, Sponsored by Lancer Insurance Company, and Prevost  
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration Open Main Lobby
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast Outside 305-306
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
  WORKSHOP: Lines of numbers, reading and understanding financial statements, Part 2 – Yesterday, we reviewed the basics and some of the intricacies of the financial statement. Today, our workshop will take a look at sample financial statements and determine the strengths and weakness of the sample companies. Presenter: Peter Shelbo   305 AB
     
  Magic Boxes – Safety technology is evolving quickly, and safety advocates are lobbying legislators and regulators on every level to mandate them on every motorcoach. What are these devices? Do they reduce crashes? What do they cost? What is the best way to adopt them? Can they be installed in your existing fleet? This session will sort it all out and assist you on making acquisition plans in the near future. Presenter: Mike McDonal    306 B
  Belts, Pulleys, and Cooling…Oh my! – Nothing frustrates the entire system -customers, drivers, dispatch, technicians, etc. – than a breakdown. Along with the heartburn, customers may not return, impairs driver recruiting, and technicians find themselves working late and missing family activities. So, what are some of the steps we can take to minimize breakdowns and analyze preemptive costs demonstrating effectiveness. Join in this panel discussion with some of the industry’s most respected experts. Moderator: Keving Whitworth and panelists: Gene Wordekemper, Louis Hotard, and Scott Greteman     306 C
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Education Committee Meeting  302 C
9:30 AM – 9:45 AM AM Break Outside 305-306
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM National Association of Motorcoach Operators Semi-Annual Members Meeting 402
9:45 AM – 10:45 AM UMA Concurrent Education Sessions  
  Workshop: New Opportunities or incompatible business risk? PART 2 – You made it, your business survived COVID, at least so far. Like many, you may be seeing more business than ever, and the marketplace is creating opportunities that may be tempting. Are the opportunities a good for for your company? Can you rise to meet the challenges? Does it change your risk profile. This workshop session will provide the tools to help you prepare and evaluate new opportunities. Presenter: BOB CRESCENZO 305 AB
 

Madison Avenue has moved –It was not long ago that marketing you company was limited, and fewer choices made marketing decisions somewhat easy. Spend a little money and get some traction, spend a little more and more business flowed. That was then and today’s consumers are all over the place and reaching them is challenging and expensive. Do you hire or add a salesperson, another yellow page ad, newspapers, periodicals, internet, direct mail, sponsorships, is just part of a list that will take you money with limited or positive results. This informative session will help you determine a plan of action and where best to spend limited dollars.

 306 A
 

Those persistent violations that keep popping up on inspections – Back by popular demand! What is the top driver/vehicle violations? Why do they persist and what can be done to mitigate those disastrous out-of-service orders and fines. This session identifies the top violations and why from CVSA’s Roadside Inspection Specialist. Presenter: Jeremy Disbrow

 306 B
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM UMA EXPO Exhibit Hall Open Hall AB
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM UMA Maintenance Competition, Sponsored by ABC Companies and Stertil-Koni Booth # 925
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marketing Committee Meeting 302 C
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Lunch in the Exhibit Hall Hall AB
3:30 PM Environmental Leadership Award MCI Booth
6:30 PM

 

6:30 PM

7:00 PM

 UMA Awards Gala

 

     Reception

     Dinner

 Ballroom BC

Wednesday, February 7th

Transportation from Convention Center, Sheraton, Marriott, Residence Inn to RDU airport 12:00 – 5:00 PM every 30 minutes
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration Open Main Lobby
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Risk Management Commitee Meeting 302 C
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

L& R Committee Meeting

 302 C
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM UMA EXPO Exhibit Hall Open Hall AB
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Brunch in the Exhibit Hall, Sponsored by National Interstate Insurance  Hall AB
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM New Member Appreciation Affair UMA Booth
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM CVSA Level 1 Inspection booth 925
Schedule as of 1/26/23 – Does not reflect all 2024 Sponsorships / Subject to Change

 

Sponsorships are available, please contact info@uma.org