ABA Announces Enhanced One-Day Exhibit Show For Marketplace 2009 Will Be “The Product Pavilion”

May 28, 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Eron Shosteck
Phone: 202-218-7220

WASHINGTON -- The American Bus Association today announced that the one-day, one-stop exhibit show designed for product and service providers which debuted as The MARKET at Marketplace 2008 in Virginia Beach will be enhanced for Marketplace 2009 in Charlotte January 7-12 and renamed "The Product Pavilion."

Marketplace is the first major travel and bus trade show of 2009. The extra business trade show component tailored to meet the needs of all motorcoach operator and associate members is scheduled to take place Sunday, Jan. 11, from 12-6 pm in Charlotte, NC.

"We asked motorcoach operators who already attended The MARKET how we could make it more valuable for them, and we listened intently to their feedback," ABA President & CEO Peter J. Pantuso said. "Many told us they love taking advantage of a venue where they can see the latest technological innovations in equipment featuring leading-edge products from suppliers, and learn about how to increase charters and tours under one roof at the same time. But we wanted to give them more."

As a result, Marketplace 2009 will include a more robust one-day, one-stop show-within-a-show, including more educational seminars on safety, environmental issues, equipment and maintenance issues, expanded floor space, and timing aimed at attracting peak delegate attendance.

"With so many enhancements to The Product Pavilion being introduced in only its second year as part of the main event, we felt it deserved a distinct identity that reflected its added value to all ABA members," Pantuso added.

ABA solicited candid comments from travel and associate members in addition to operators to ensure all member segments would get value out of the added benefit offered by The Product Pavilion.

"Travel members said they wanted to see even more operators at one time, and associate members said they wanted to showcase their products," Pantuso said. "The Product Pavilion is custom-tailored to be a magnet for both bus operators and business suppliers by featuring a variety of exhibits and educational opportunities."

The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1000 motorcoach owner and tour company members in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services. Another 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.