2023 Winter BISC
Meeting | Feb. 4-6, 2023 | 9 AM - 5:30 PM ET
The Bus Industry Safety Council is your forum to address the latest safety and compliance topics that affect motorcoach operations.
Register:
All Bus Operators use the “Buyer Representative” registration option, all Suppliers and Vendors use the “Seller Representative” registration option. Government Employees should self-select that option. Select the BISC meeting or BusMARC meeting or BusWorld meeting as activities if you.plan to attend those sessions, to ensure that we get accurate counts, have enough materials, and can ensure comfortable distancing for all participants.
Housing:
Link to ABA Marketplace Hotel Block
Must be registered to reserve a room. All Bus Operators & Government Employees use the “Buyer” housing option, all Suppliers and Vendors use the “Seller” housing option.
BISC Meetings Include:
- Presentations on the topics that matter, such as the latest with entry level driver training, COVID-19 rules, drug and alcohol clearinghouse, DOT drug testing and other regulatory, security, maintenance, and compliance topics.
- Top speakers. Administrators of FMCSA, TSA, and NTSB Board members have all spoken at recent BISC meetings.
- Open access to the Marketplace exhibit floor, featuring products, vendors, services, and new-coach exhibits
- Education seminars and limitless networking opportunities
- Fun Marketplace evening events
- Co-located with the Bus Maintenance & Repair Council meetings, floor education displays
Session Evaluations:
Did you attend a BISC-BusMARC-BusWorld meeting session? Please tell us what you think. Your input helps us plan future sessions and gauge the success of the meeting.
Click here for a session survey.
Schedule:
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | Location |
| Fri., Jan. 27 | 1 pm | BISC-BusMARC Orientation Webinar
Click here to view the recorded session |
Webinar |
| Date |
Time |
Session/Activity |
Location |
| Fri., Feb. 3 | 4 pm – 6 pm |
Small Fleet Operator Welcome & Orientation Session Description: Get a feel for who and what the American Bus Association has to offer smaller operators with their operational and day to day needs. Check out tools and resources, including the Bus Industry Safety Council and the Bus Maintenance and Repair Council are, learn when they meet, what they discuss and how you can get involved. The mission of the BISC and BusMARC is about improving motorcoach safety and ensuring that your bus is ready to travel safely down the road. If you are a safety, compliance or maintenance professional, this is where you need to be. |
320 |
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | Location |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 9 am – 10:30 am |
BISC-BusMARC Opening General Session Session Overview Awards Presentations: Keynote Speaker: David Strickland, General Motors, Vice President – Global Regulatory Affairs and Transportation Technology Policy Keynote Address: What's Next in the Evolution of Electric Vehicles and Infrastructure, Challenges to Commercial Motor Vehicle Applications
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320 |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 10:30 am – 11 am |
Break |
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| Sat., Feb. 4 | 11 am – 5:30 pm |
Safety & Maintenance Education Sessions The sessons put together by BISC & BusMARC and brought to you by ABC Companies have been integrated into the overall ABA Marketplace education schedule and can be found by going to 16 sessions as part of the following tracks:
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| Sat., Feb. 4 | 11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK FMCSA Update Speaker: Danielle Smith/Peter Chandler, FMCSA Description: In this session, get a sense of what new regulations the Agency has put in place for 2023 and get an opportunity to directly address our regulators as they set out the top priorities for the Agency in the coming year. So many items to review, from the implementation of the Electronic Logging Devices, Entry Level Driver Training, Drug & Alcohol Testing, new Interpretive Guidance, to the emergence of remote compliance reviews. Stay up to date on the future direction of our industry’s enforcement. |
320 |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 12 pm – 1:30 pm | LUNCH | |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK Safety Director 101: Pre-Employment Screening, Driver Qualification Queries Speaker: Greg Hendricks, Salt Lake Express Description: Finding the next generation of drivers is a concern for many operators, particularly when the feds, your state, country or school district may have differing requirements. Get a rundown of how to conduct the pre-employment screening process and what resources are available to you. Also learn about the types of documentation you should be using for the driver qualification process and some best practices to get a driver up to speed on how you want things done at your company. How and when should you be running your queries of the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse? Utilizing this new blueprint for success may help your business and help you find the drivers that you desire. |
320 |
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Sat., Feb. 4 |
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK What to Do When Stopped By Law Enforcement Speaker: Harold Moroknek, Marshall Dennehey Description: There is a lot for operators to consider when they are stopped by law enforcement. What documents should they have at the ready? What information might they need on their passengers? Who is their first call? What kind of things should they agree to show law enforcement? Take home a few tips on how better to prepare your drivers and maintain your records to ensure a smooth visit when pulled over. Click here to download the presentation |
312AB |
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Sat., Feb. 4 |
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK NTSB Update Speaker: Mike Fox, National Transportation Safety Board Description: The National Transportation Safety Board is one of the agencies that initiatives a post-accident investigation following a fatal accident and makes recommendations to the industry as well as the government on what steps can be taken to avoid similar accidents in the future. What lessons can we learn from recent fatal motorcoach and school bus crashes? Find out at the next presentation by the NTSB. – Session Replaced – ABA Government Affairs Update: What's Really Going on in Washington Speaker: Suzanne Rohde, American Bus Association What’s going on in Washington? A time-honored question, that has become even more pressing after the recent election. Find out what is next up on the legislative agenda, items of interest for the motorcoach industry, and which key committees to keep a keen eye one. Also, learn which regulations are on the near horizon as well as anticipated down the road. Find out how you can get involved and stay informed. ABA’s government affairs experts will keep you in the know! |
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1:30 pm – 2:30 pm |
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| Sat., Feb. 4 | 2:30 pm – 3:00 pm | Break | |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK Driver Health & Wellness: Navigating Driver Injury Prevention, Helping Driver's to Implement Best Practices Speaker: Bob Perry, Health in Transportation Description: Health in Transportation's Bob Perry will share with attendees the secret to reducing driver turnover; how driver health impacts every department for a carrier; the importance of investing in the drivers you know today before hiring the next unknown drivers of tomorrow; as well as share findings from an insightful University of Alabama School of Nursing program evaluation on Fit To Pass for CDL drivers. You won't want to miss the engaging conversation. |
320 |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK Telematics for Maintenance Speaker: Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies & Ben Kopp, Coach USA Description: Learn more about a new generation of tools that can assist bus operators in improving performance in key areas such as fuel mileage, maintenance, safety, on-time performance and human factors, and ultimately profitability. While some companies already measure performance internally they may be missing key areas where improvements can have a direct impact to the bottom line. Get an understanding of how a virtual benchmarking platform that is accessible 24/7 and completely anonymous works, as well as how to monetize your maintenance program. Click here to download the presentation |
313AB |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK Turning Your Safety Department into a Profit Center Speaker: Brian Parker, National Interstate Description: Your employees are the engine that powers your company. If you have a well maintained, high performance team, it can endure challenges, go the distance, and help you stay ahead of the competition. A poor performing team can hold you back and cause you to lose profits. Years of experience have shown that many companies suffering from production and profitability issues also suffer from a lagging safety department, leading to lax maintenance, unsafe driving behaviors, crashes, injuries and insurance claims. Conversely, the most productive and profitable operations have a sparkling safety culture. So let’s turn your safety culture into a profit center. |
312AB |
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Sat., Feb. 4 |
4 pm – 4:30 pm | Break | |
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Sat., Feb. 4 |
4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK
OSHA Training: All Hazards Training, Hazard Recognition Speaker: Jeff Petrunak, Daecher Consulting Group Description: Workplace safety and OSHA regulatory compliance are aspects of the typical safety program that, quite frankly, need to get more focus in the transportation industry. Because most of the focus of industry safety programs are geared towards over-the-road safety, fleet maintenance, and driver management, companies often fall short in the areas of workplace safety and OSHA compliance, increasing the chance of employee injuries and exposing themselves to possible enforcement fines. |
320 |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK Safety Director 101: Driver Dispatching & Scheduling Speaker: Jeff Shanker, Black Tie Transportation Description: Drivers are the life blood of every transportation company. Understanding how to manage them, monitor their hours, assist with routing, planing an itinerary to accomodate replacement drivers or driver change outs, managing your part time drivers, and much much more. Learn how to avoid turnover by preparing your drivers for what it is like to drive professionally. We will discuss how to inform your new hires, in a positive way, about being away from home, long hours, breakdowns, accidents, upset passengers, being on call, and dealing with family emergencies when on the road. This basic role in motorcoach operations is a must-see for every new safety director. |
312AB |
| Sat., Feb. 4 | 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | EPA Update
Speaker: Amy Kopin, Environmental Protection Agency Learn more about the new Heavy Duty Engine Emissions Final Rule! The EPA recently finalized new, stronger standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year 2027 by reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from heavy-duty gasoline and diesel engines. They also were codifying some targeted provisions to help ensure that CMV owners can efficiently maintain emissions performance over the operational life of the engine, including: enhanced communication with operators, updated diagnostic requirements, a revised inducement (engine derate) policy for SCR- based aftertreatment systems, and improved access to service information. Learn more about this final rule and the implementation schedule to come and how it might impact your business. |
313AB |
| Date | Time | Session/Activity | Location |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 7:45 am – 8:45 am | Operator Breakfast | |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 9:30 am – 6:00 pm |
Safety Education Sessions The sessons put together by BISC and brought to you by ABC Companies have been integrated into the overall ABA Marketplace education schedule and can be found by going to 16 sessions as part of the following tracks:
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
9:30 am – 10:30 am |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK The Building Blocks of Safety Culture, How Do I Stack Them? Speaker: Salvatore Caccavale, Martz Group Description: Workplace Safety is something every company – no matter size or industry – should not take lightly. To be effective, safety requires Management to commit to an established workplace safety process and Employees to commit to personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of everyone around them. When those two commitments are honored, a company can build a culture of workplace safety. In this session the speaker will focus on: Establish clear goals for your workplace safety program; Define responsibilities that will be the backbone of your safety culture and Build trust between management and employees – an essential step in getting buy-in from every level of your company. |
312AB |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
9:30 am – 10:30 am | MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK
Creative Solutions to Battling Supply Chain Issues, Finding Parts Speaker: Panel Description: The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic have altered company purchasing habits and how people do business around the world in all industries. One of the most heavily impacted industries is warehousing and logistics. The explosive demand for eCommerce coupled with labor shortages, driver shortages, increased fuel costs and antiquated infrastructure all play a role in major delays. The motorcoach industry and its parts supply chain have also been similarly impacted by shortages and delays. Innovative operators have been working on coming up with creative solutions to alleviate supply chain issues in concert with their vendors and other suppliers. In this group discussion, find out what is causing some of these supply chain issues and what motorcoach companies are doing to stay a step ahead. |
313AB |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am | MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS TRACK SESSIONS
Training for Motorcoach Emergencies Speaker: Panel Description: Highway driving for motorcoach and bus drivers may appear to be less stressful than other driving situations but is, in fact, deceptively complex. What all should a driver do, when the vehicle breaksdown? What should a driver do after an accident? How should a driver direct passengers to disembark? Who should a driver call first after an accident? |
320 |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 9:30 am – 10:30 am | BUSWORLD SESSION
Trends and Evolutions in the Insurance of Motorcoaches and School Buses Speaker: Bob Crescenzo, Lancer Insurance & Andrea Vidmar, National Interstate Insurance Description: Keynote presentations by Lancer and National Interstate on their vision on matters related to insuring motorcoach and school bus operations (vehicles, passengers, staff, depot, etc.), followed by an open discussion with the attendees. |
310AB |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 10:30 am – 11:00 am | Break | |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK #4006: Safety Director 201: Driver Skills Course Evaluations & Remedial Training/Driver Monitoring/Re-Training Speaker: Greg Hendricks, Salt Lake Express Description: This is another offering in a new series of sessions, specially designed for brand new fleet managers, safety directors, transportation professionals and even company owners. This session should help you understand the basics of what goes into a monitoring a fleet. After this session, you should be well on your way to being more in control of your operations. |
320 |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 11 am – 12 pm |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK The Inside Scoop of What's Really Going on with DOT Drug & Alcohol Testing and Compliance Speaker: Matt Maglio Description: The drug and alcohol clearinghouse is now 3 years old. What are some of the things that operators are seeing has been successful with its implementation, where are there still some struggles or blind spots in the system? Find out how some operators are also coping with differing testing rules across multiple DOT agencies. With additional tools and data now available, how are they now setting themselves up for success and keeping their employees informed as additional changes occur. |
313AB |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 11 am – 12 pm | MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK
Review of a New OOS Inspection Bulletin Speaker: Danielle Smith, FMCSA Description: Each year, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) reviews, modifies and publishes new North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. The North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria (OOSC) is the pass-fail criteria for safety inspections. The purpose of the criteria is to identify critical safety violations. Those violations can render the driver, vehicle and/or motor carrier out of service until the condition(s) or violation(s) are corrected or repaired. Find out about the latest changes to the criteria, and what to look out for before your next inspection. A new one under consideration is a draft inspection bulletin for emergency exits. |
312AB |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 11 am – 12 pm |
BUSWORLD SESSION Lessons Learned from Aviation & Presentation of the International Transportation Industry Chamber Speaker: Kunal Shah, American Airlines & Richard Velasquez, Southwest Airlines Description: This panel will bring together experts from the aviation industry to elaborate on key points, concepts, and lessons learned from the industry’s transformation, modernization, and adaptation to customer trends. A 360-degree customer view caters to preferences across the whole journey, which gradually creates new business opportunities and room for innovation around topics like loyalty, rewards programs, dynamic ticket pricing, and more. And as the industry adjusts post-pandemic, the new normal for passengers means these processes should be seamless, contactless, hassle-free, and health-risk-free. |
310AB |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm |
Lunch |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
2:30 pm – 3:00 pm |
Break | |
| Sun., Feb. 5 | 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | BUSWORLD SESSION Infotainment Systems and Ancillary Revenue in Public Transit and Motorcoach Operations Speaker: Pierre Gourdain, Flixbus & Marc Lulic, Endava Description: Join this session to explore the world of infotainment from hardware to software, as well as the countless opportunities, new business models, and revenue streams created by the smart use of ancillary revenue streams. Customers worldwide are used to prime levels of entertainment and connectivity and expect access to their preferred modes of entertainment in transit as well. We will look at trends from other industries and how modern experiences allow for quicker time to market and fewer required investments to wow travellers on their trip from A to B. |
310AB |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK TSA Updates Speaker: Ben Currier, Transportation Security Administration Description: With more and more vehicle-involved terror attacks happening around the world, eliminating soft targets and boosting preparedness is key. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has some best practices and guidance to help you better prepare your motorcoach operations for an unexpected emergency and how to respond. They also have some timely updates on the Surface Transportation Security Training Rule, Cyber Security preparedness, critical resources and key intelligence to help you prepare for the months ahead. Have you done a BASE Assessment recently? Hear how you can get one requested and start improving your security posture today! |
312AB |
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Sun., Feb. 5 |
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm |
MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK Fleet Management 101: How to Purchase a Bus Speaker: Panel Description: This is another offering in a new series of sessions, specially designed for brand new fleet managers, safety directors, transportation professionals and even company owners. This session should help you understand the basics of what goes into a updating your fleet and acquiring new or used motorcoaches. After this session, you should be well on your way to being more in control of your operations. This session will be hands on and geared towards small fleet operators. |
313AB |
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Sun., Feb. 5
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3 pm – 4 pm |
MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK Driving Force: Part 1, Always Be Recruiting Speaker: Panel Description: ABA's Driving Force is a program designed by members involved with Women in Buses to tackle the nationwide motorcoach driver shortage by providing industry operators tools and tips to recruit and retain their most valuable asset: Drivers. Driving Force recently completed a driver shortage survey, whose results they will share. They also have a host of new toolkits as well as upcoming events to help empower operators to put their best foot forward when recruiting new drivers. |
320 |
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Sun., Feb. 5
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4 pm – 4:30 pm | Break | |
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Sun., Feb. 5
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4:30 pm – 6 pm |
BISC-BusMARC Closing General Session Session Recaps Mentor Office Hours |
320 |
| Mon., Feb. 6 | 9 am – 3 pm | BUSMARC Site Visits | |
| Mon., Feb. 6 | All Day | Additional BusWorld Education Sessions | |
| Tues., Feb. 7 | All Day | Additional BusWorld Education Sessions |
