The United Motorcoach Association announced the 2021 UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Orlando, Florida, will be held April 21-25, 2021.
These new dates, seven weeks later than the original schedule, are expected to benefit attendance. UMA Motorcoach EXPO is the largest and most comprehensive trade show exclusively serving North America’s bus and motorcoach industry.
The date shift, based on strong feedback from members, will enable more participants to have access to vaccines and, hopefully, many companies will have access to federal relief funding.
“The members have spoken,” said UMA EXPO Chair Scott Riccio during the Jan. 14 UMA Town Hall, adding that “72% feel it is a good idea.”
Better hotel rates
When it comes to best practices for healthy meetings, Riccio said, “We all play a role here. You will be expected to abide by the practices we set forth based on state, local and CDC guidelines.”
Fortunately, hotel rates will remain affordable, and rates at the Hyatt are even going to be lower than they were before, so there are a great many positives with the new dates. The hotels are amenable to the change and will work with registered guests to make new arrangements.
“The convention center and the hotels have been super to work with,” Riccio said. “This opportunity came to us a little over a week ago. It took us a few days to decide how we would do it, and we decided to poll our members. Basically, this decision is being made because the members have spoken.”
EXPO deadline extended
The new dates for the 2021 UMA Motorcoach EXPO fall on the same days of the week, Wednesday through Sunday, as the original dates. With the new dates came more good news, the deadline to get the $100 member discount has been extended by three weeks, to Feb. 5.
For operators who registered for the original dates and cannot attend on the new dates, UMA is offering full refunds upon request.
Already, registrants hail from more than 30 U.S. states and Canada, and UMA’s trade show floor has more than 70 companies signed up to exhibit. The Orange County Convention Center, which is the host facility, is well-positioned to accommodate the show and is designated a Global Biorisk Advisory Council Star Facility.
“These new dates allow seven more weeks for more people to have a chance to become vaccinated and for companies to, hopefully, receive some federal economic relief,” UMA President and CEO Larry Killingsworth said in announcing the change. “I am also happy to report that UMA’s affordable hotel room block prices will remain the same, with family-friendly rates starting at $99 per night.”
The rate at the Rosen Plaza Hotel is $99 per night, and the Rosen Centre Hotel Orlando — the host hotel — is $119 per night. The Hyatt Regency Orlando just announced it is dropping nightly rates to $139 from $189. All of the hotels reserved for the UMA EXPO are connected to the convention center, which will make walking there quick and easy.
‘A successful event’
Surf Expo was recently held in Orlando, drawing nearly 4,000 people. Protocols included temperature checks and reminding people of the need for social distancing and wearing masks.
The gathering was a stunning success, and UMA EXPO is going to follow many of the protocols that multi-day event had in place, explained Amy Stalknecht, who is part of UMA’s organizing team.
“They are looking forward to having us, and we’re looking forward to going and making it a successful event,” said Stalknecht. “Orlando has shown that they can do meetings safely, and we are looking forward to being one of the leaders of a 2021 event. Everyone has to do their part, but this is such a great group that I don’t foresee this being an issue.”
