By Victor Parra
President & CEO
United Motorcoach Assn.

Wow!

Its hard to believe that a year has gone by and another Motorcoach Expo is upon us. It seems like just yesterday we were honoring some very exceptional folks in our industry at the annual Visions Awards Banquet in Las Vegas people like Frank Henry, Steve Haddad, Dave Bolen and other notable motorcoach professionals.

Well, here we are again, ready to begin another chapter in the life of the motorcoach industry . . . and things are looking rosier every day. We seem to have made our way through some challenging times and started building a solid foundation for our industry.

Now its time to turn our attention our time, our energy and our talents to the future. Its time to chart a path for long-term success, a path that will lead to sustained growth and profitability.

But, building a Road to Success wont be easy. In this past year, new roadblocks have emerged, impeding our quest to capitalize on the increase in group travel -- not least of which has been the exorbitant rise in the cost of fuel.

Additionally, weve seen competition stiffen, a rise in lowballing, and an increase in pricing wars. On top of all that, the transit industry seems to have stepped up its encroachment into the private-sector charter bus arena (most of it illegal, I might add!).

This means that as you begin making your expansion plans, understanding and managing these hurdles will be paramount to ensuring that your Road to Success actually gets you there and doesnt lead you down a dead end street.

The good news is that the Motorcoach Expo educational program -- laid out by the UMA Meetings and Marketing Committees -- will provide you with plenty of knowledge, insights and information needed to chart a profitable path. A path tailored to the unique features of your company. That includes the services you provide (and will provide in the future), the markets you currently serve (and will serve in the future) and the market conditions you currently operate within (regardless of how they may change in the future). And, of course, the Expo floor will feature the newest and best equipment and services to help you succeed with your business.

Here are a just a few of the newest elements weve added to EXPO 2006 to help you build your Road to Success:

n New Business Opportunities and Analysis
n Developing packaged travel
n Managing fuel costs
n 2007 Engine Emission Requirements
n Easy-to-use market research techniques
n Special sessions for small operators
n Buying pre-owned vs. new: Understanding replacement costs
n Special sessions for school bus operators

And, well continue with our Maintenance Interchange (now 8 years running!), plus another session from UMA 20 Group moderator Duane Spader.

Of course, well hold our annual Vision Awards Banquet, complete with sumptuous dinning, great entertainment and fun dancing. Well wrap up the evening with what has now become a UMA tradition cordials, desert and cigars!

Your future is waiting for you. Make sure you to take the right path. Come to Expo 2006 and discover your Road to Success!