Event at UMA Expo has silent, live action

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Motorcoach Marketing Council raised more than $21,000 at a pair of auctions conducted during UMA Motorcoach Expo here in February.

The nonprofit industry promotion organization conducted its second annual Silent Auction and first-time Live Auction during Expo.

The money raised will help fund the councils consumer education outreach and promotion campaign designed to communicate the luxury amenities, conveniences and ecological attributes of motorcoach travel.

Operators and vendors alike bid on a host of travel and golf packages, plus collectibles, parts and electronics during the auctions.

Highlights included a full group tour of the "North of Boston" region of northeast Massachusetts won by Platinum Tours of Montpelier, Va., as well as a custom-wrapped model coach, donated by Motor Coach Industries, won by Elvin Michael of Executive Coach in Lancaster, Pa. Both prizes were awarded during rounds of bidding at the live auction.

The auctions, whose primary sponsor was the United Motorcoach Association, included the participation of more than 85 donor companies and dozens of Expo attendees who bid on the items.

Donor companies included ABC Companies, Amerisearch, Awash Systems, Bridgestone, Chempace, Lancer Insurance, MCI, National Interstate Insurance, Prevost, RBS, REI, Saucon Technologies, Spader Business Management, Translite Enterprises, Turbo Images, University of Vermont, and a wide range of destinations, hotels, CVBs and others.

The council will reprise the auctions in January at the NTA Annual Convention and UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange in Orlando, Fla., where attendees and exhibitors from both conventions will be able to bid.

The council is already seeking donations for next years event. For more information, go to www.motorcoachcouncil.org/involved.

To learn about the councils North American outreach campaign, "Bus & Coach. The Smart Move," go to http://www.GoMotorcoach.org.