2024 Winter BusMARC

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Time

Session/Activity

Navigating Tailored Affordable Healthcare Benefits Options

Presented by Healthy Halo

Getting the Most from ABA's Transportation Quote Member Benefit

Presented by The Bus Network

Emerging Technology in the Motorcoach Market

Presented by Saucon Technologies

Going Further with Distinctive Systems

Presented by Distinctive Systems

BISC-BusMARC Opening General Session

Session Overview

Awards Presentations:
* ABA Motorcoach Driver of the Year
* Norm Littler Memorial Safety Award

Keynote Speaker: Spencer Tenney, Tenney Group, President & CEO

Keynote Address: How Safety Performance and Maintenance History Influence Company Valuations in Mergers and Acquisitions

In this brief session, Spencer Tenney, President & CEO of Tenney Group will address what’s driving bus M&A in 2024, the role of safety and maintenance in business valuation, and best practices for building and protecting business value. 

Networking Break

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:

• MOTORCOACH SAFETY
• MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
• MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS
• MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE

Click here for Education Sessions

MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK

FMCSA Update

Speaker: Cliff Willey, FMCSA

Description: In this session, get a sense of what new regulations the Agency has put in place for 2024 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. 
 

MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK

Elements and Uses of a DVIR, No Defects and Beyond

Speaker: Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies

Description: Current safety regulations require drivers employed by motor carriers to prepare a written report (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report – DVIR) at the completion of each day's work, on each vehicle operated, that lists any defect or deficiency discovered by or reported to the driver which would affect the safety of operation of the vehicle or result in its mechanical breakdown as outlined in 49 CFR 396.11. This report must be submitted to the employing motor carrier so that repairs can be made. Recent changes to the regulations no longer require drivers to file the DVIR, if there are no vehicle defects to report. Find out if you are doing your DVIR properly, what elements it covers, and what to do with the data that you generate.            
 

Sun., Jan. 14

11 am – 12 pm

MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS TRACK

Record Retention for Motor Vehicle Accidents, What to Keep & For How Long

Speaker: Harold Moroknek, Marshall Dennehey

Description: Motorcoach Operators have a lot of different types of records to keep track of and retain. Driver Qualification, vehicle maintenance, drug and alcohol testing, and hours of service. All of these types of records have different record retention periods per the regulations. What about accidents? Find out some best practices to not only keep you in compliance, but aid in your response to legal action if you ever need it.

Virtual Presentation

Tire Safety Analysis

Presented by Bridgestone Fleet Care

Sun., Jan. 14

Noon – 3 pm

LUNCH: ALL DELEGATE LUNCH & ABA ANNUAL MEETING

Sun., Jan. 14

3 pm – 4 pm

MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK

Driver Incentive Programs, Going Beyond Compensation: Getting Creative with Seasonal Driving Arrangements, Driver Perks

Speaker: Panel – Jack Kaufmann, Matt Maglio, Jeff Shanker

Description: Finding and keeping drivers is the number one concern for many operators, particularly when the Feds, your state, country or school district may have differing requirements. Learn from your fellow operators a few tools and techniques that they use to attract new drivers, as well as how they reward good performances. Are there unique approaches to recruiting that you could be taking? How are you helping drivers cope with the mental health of the job and 55 ready-made critics as well as in this post-COVID-19 environment? What is a new blueprint for success to help you find the drivers that you desire? Don't have one, start creating one today!

Sun., Jan. 14

MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK

Safety Director 101: Pre-Employment Screening, Driver Qualification Queries and CDL & Compliance Requirements for Non-Drivers

Speaker: Mike McDonal, Saucon Technologies and Dan Tomlinson, Lancer Insurance

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.

Sun., Jan. 14

MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK

How to Implement a Safety Management System

Speaker: Sal Caccavale, Martz Group

Description: A safety management system (SMS) is a program for promoting safety and reducing risk to employees at work. It is implemented by an organization to identify, assess, and control hazards to employees and the public.  Effective safety management systems prevent injuries, process failures, and improve long-term profitability of the companies that implement them.  Whether you want to build safety into your business from the ground up or want to improve processes that have been in place, this session will introduce the framework of a safety management system and how it lays out the safety responsibilities for each level of the organization.

Behind the Wheel with Temsa

Presented by Temsa North America

Exhibit Floor

Sun., Jan. 14

Sun., Jan. 14

OSHA Training: Job Safety Analysis

Speaker: Sal Caccavale, Martz Group

Description: A Key Component of a Successful Safety Process, this session will focus on the basics of performing a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) which is a proven process for controlling operating hazards.  The presenter will go through a step-by-step overview of the process and define the participants’ role in making it an effective safety tool. Through hands-on exercises, participants will learn how to develop and manage a JSA program for your organization. The result will be efficient procedures that help to reduce personal injuries and operating costs. This session is designed for anyone involved in operations, safety and maintenance that needs to know how to perform JSA’s of new and existing job tasks. 

MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK

National Weather Service Tools for Routing & Scheduling

Speaker: Colm Lynch, Coach USA/Megabus

Description: Embark on a journey to discover how harnessing the power of National Weather Service products can strategically minimize weather-related service disruptions in the bus and coach industry. Learn practical strategies to safeguard assets, ensure employee safety, and mitigate customer impact by incorporating reliable weather visuals and data into both operational and commercial planning. This presentation will arm you with actionable insights, enhancing timely decision-making and bolstering the reliability and communication of service disruptions during adverse weather events.

Open

Take a Seat with Amaya

Presented by Amaya Astron

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:

• MOTORCOACH SAFETY
• MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS
• MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS
• MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE

Click here for Education Sessions

Mon., Jan. 15

MOTORCOACH SAFETY SESSION TRACK

Human Trafficking: Defining Successful Interventions and Integration into Driver Training

Speaker: Lexi Higgins, Busing on the Lookout

Description: Modern-day slavery—or human trafficking—is a global problem in which people are illegally bought and sold for forced labor or commercial sex. Through the use of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception or the abuse of power, traffickers prey upon their victims’ vulnerabilities—such as their youth, condition of poverty, migration status or dreams of love and opportunity—while profiting off of their exploitation. Human trafficking poses a significant challenge to businesses who are committed to legal and socially responsible operations. This is true for ABA Member companies, whether motorcoach operators or manufacturers and for destinations such as hotels, casinos and tourist attractions. Recognizing that we all have a role to play in helping to end human trafficking, ABA Members have joined the fight to combat this heinous crime and are already making an extraordinary impact. Join this session to learn about human trafficking and how you can be part of the solution.

Mon., Jan. 15

Crisis Communications: What to Do In Case of Emergency

Speaker: Melanie Hinton, American Bus Association

Description: Unfortunately accidents do sometimes happen. Learn how to instruct passengers how to safely and efficiently exit the motorcoach in case of emergency and how to deal with the media and worried family members. A passenger safety briefing should be recorded and played before each and every trip. Learn about who should respond to the scene and who should direct traffic in the office. Find out about the harm that “No Comment” can cause. Even responding to accidents comes down to preparation. Learn from one of the best at handling crisis response!
 

FEMA Update

Speaker: Kerry Thomas, Federal Emergency Management Agency

Description: Motorcoach operators face a variety of security risks on a daily basis due to our precious cargo, flexible operational profiles and diverse operating environments. As a result of the annual intercity bus security grants, more and more operators are developing security plans and doing security assessments, but evaluating risk and quantifying that risk could be the missing link in our industry’s security preparedness. This session will preview a new tool to help you better evaluate the security profile of your operations.
 

On the Road with ABC & Van Hool

Presented by ABC Companies

Mon., Jan. 15

MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK

CVSA Safety Update: New OOS Criteria Changes, Safety Bulletins and Points of Emphasis for Enforcement in 2024

Speaker: Jeremy Disbrow, CVSA

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.
 

MOTORCOACH REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE SESSION TRACK

Driver Pre-Employment Screening: Utilizing the PSP

Speaker: Yvonne Glover, NIC Federal

Description: Everyone is always looking for an edge in getting drivers screened and prepared to get on the road. The Pre-employment Screening Program (PSP) can be a great tool to help you get those new drivers ready to get behind the wheel as they provide access to driver violation data and crash history. This session will offer you some education on what PSP is, how carriers and drivers can access the data, and answer lots of the questions that you may have as you restart operations and resuming your driver qualification activities.  Also, did you know, an FMCSA study has showed that motor carriers using PSP to screen new hires lowered their crash rate by 8% and out-of-service rates by 17%, on average, compared to those that do not use PSP?

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!
 

Up to Speed with MCI

Presented by Motor Coach Industries

Mon., Jan. 15

Lunch: “Best of Broadway” Lunch

What’s Going on In the World of Regulations, A Preview of 2024: An ABA Government Affairs Update

Speaker: Suzanne Rohde, American Bus Association

Description: What’s going on in Washington? A time-honored question, that has become even more pressing as we approach the end of an administration and approach another election year. Find out what is next up on the legislative and regulatory agendas, items of interest for the motorcoach industry, and which key activities to keep a keen eye on. Find out how you can get involved and stay informed. ABA’s government affairs experts will keep you in the know!

Mon., Jan. 15

MOTORCOACH MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS SESSION TRACK

Drug & Alcohol – Legalization of Marijuana and Cannabinoids, Oral Testing

Speaker: Mark Szyperski, On Your Mark Transportation

Description: With the legalization of Marijuana in many states for both medical and recreational use, and the emergency of the use of Cannabidiol (CBD Oil), navigating drug use in the transportation sector has become an ongoing issue. These products are easily available. Some of these products can be bought from individuals, in stores, online etc. This program will give an overview of the legalization of Marijuana, and use of Cannabidiol Products. This will include discussion on the issues that operators are facing in regard to this ensuring compliance. ln addition, find out about the final rule that amends the USDOT's drug testing program to include oral fluid testing as an alternative to urine specimen drug testing. This additional methodology for drug testing will give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests, and provide a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the drug testing program.

Prepared by Jeff Waxman, Illinois Department of Transportation
 

Mon., Jan. 15

MOTORCOACH INNOVATIONS SESSION TRACK

Driving Force: Employee Recruiting for 2024 and Beyond

Speaker: Panel – James Blain, Erin Ducharme, Adam Hall, Mike McDonal, Brent Maitland, Pam Martinez

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. 
 

All New in 2024

Presented by Prevost

Mon., Jan. 15

Mon., Jan. 15

BISC-BusMARC Closing General Session

Session Recaps & Key Takeaways

Mentor Office Hours

Closing Keynote: An Update on the Bus & Truck Maintenance Study

Andrew Krum, Group Leader, 
Division of Freight, Transit, & Heavy Vehicle Safety
Human Factors & Advanced System Testing
Viriginia Tech Transportation Institute

Tues., Jan. 16 

Visit #1: Dreamliner Luxury Coaches
7471 Old Hickory Blvd.
Whites Creek, TN 37189

* Facility Tour & Operational Discussion
* Educational Session

Depart 11:30 am

Visit #2: Prevost Service Center
800 S. Cartwright St.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

* Lunch is included, courtesy of Prevost
* Transportation provided by Gray Line of Tennessee

* Facility Tour & Operational Discussion
* Educational Session

Depart 3:00 pm return to Convention Center