Founded in 2012, the Motorcoach Marketing Council was created with a single purpose in mind: to increase motorcoach ridership in North America. Since its inception, the council has taken on many faces and forms, and enjoyed a long history of support from manufacturers, industry associations, operators and vendors.
“The council is really lucky to have an industry that cares so much,” said Executive Director Christian Riddell. “From a board of volunteer operators to the professionals who really shape this industry (i.e., the presidents and leaders of the top associations and manufacturers), these people are invested in this organization’s success and have helped shape the council into what it is today. They are unwavering in their commitment to help this industry grow.
Today, the council is again transforming itself by moving in a direction that the board feels is in the best interest of the council and the industry as a whole—becoming part of the United Motorcoach Association and operating under its umbrella.
“Since April, we have known that we needed to find a single partner to work with to help move our objectives forward. Though built on the concept of ‘by the industry, for the industry,’ we realized that the council needed an entity that could put the necessary horsepower behind the tools, trainings and resources we’ve worked so hard to create to drive them deeper into this industry than ever before,” said Jeff Rogers, current president of the Motorcoach Marketing Council.
“We are very proud of where we are and what we have created. Because many of us have used the council’s materials in our own businesses, we know that the tools actually work. We also know that it is going to take an organization with more resources than we currently have to help us move forward,” he added.
In May of 2018, the Motorcoach Marketing Council sent out an RFP seeking an organization or company interested in partnering with the council. The hope was to merge with an association that had the reach and resources necessary to continue the council’s important work. Though many companies expressed interest, one submission stood out above the rest, and the Motorcoach Marketing Council was pleased to announce that they will be officially transitioning to become part of the United Motorcoach Association (UMA).
Stacy Tetschner, president and CEO of UMA, had this to say about the upcoming move: “I have been nothing but impressed with what the council has been doing since I have started at the United Motorcoach Association. They’ve built great tools and done so much to support the industry, and our board was thrilled to learn that there might be an opportunity to create a relationship with the Motorcoach Marketing Council. We’re so happy that we’ll get to have that chance!”
The United Motorcoach Association has long supported the council and contributed to its work. Their commitment to the council’s mission, and the passion they have for helping operators become better marketers, has helped the council get where it is today.
UMA will be transitioning the council’s resources over the coming months and expects to have made a full transition by the end of 2018.
“We are very excited about this new opportunity,” said Tetschner. “We see a future that is stronger together. UMA has believed in the mission of the council from the beginning, and marketing the council’s tools is something that needs attention and resources. As an association, we’re committed to carrying the council’s vision into the future.”
For additional information about this transition or its timing, please contact the Motorcoach Marketing Council at info@gomotorcoach.org.
