Following the celebration of its 100th anniversary last year, the Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA) sought new ways to elevate its annual conference held June 17-20.
This year, the event was held in Ithaca, New York, a location renowned for its towering hills, picturesque gorges and waterfalls. Hotel Ithaca provided an ideal setting for industry professionals to reconnect and gain fresh perspectives.
During the conference, the PBA General Membership Meeting was held, where members voted on the 2024 slate of candidates. The membership voted to accept the slate as presented by the nominating committee, resulting in the election of the following directors being elected for a two-year term:
Operator Members (Term June 2024 – June 2026)
- John Bailey, Bailey Coach
- Jonathan Berzas, Fullington Trailways
- Sandy Borowsky, Starr Bus Charter & Tours
- Amy Brooks, Susquehanna Trailways
- Todd Campbell, Campbell Bus
- Nelson Floyd, Perkiomen Tours
- Jim JeBran, Trans-Bridge Lines Inc.
- Douglas Rydbom, Premiere #1 Limousine
- Alison Sherman, Klein Transportation
- Tammy Wolf-Baker, Wolf’s Bus Lines
Supplier/Associate Member (Term June 2024 – June 2026)
- Travel Supplier: Margo DeRouchie, Pennsylvania Americana Region
Officer Positions (Term June 2024 – June 2026)
- Chair: Tammy Wolf-Baker
- Vice-Chair: Doug Rydbom
- Treasurer: Brian Kurtz
Wolf-Baker was reelected for a second two-year term as PBA Chair and Rydbom moved up to Vice-Chair from Treasurer. Margo DeRouchie was elected as a Travel Supplier Representative.
The conference kicked off with a series of familiarization (FAM) tours, culminating in an opening reception sponsored by the host city. Attendees enjoyed an evening of shuffleboard, cornhole, live music, networking and delicious food and libations.
Visit Atlantic City, a perennial favorite, hosted a lively hospitality suite outdoors. The evening featured duck races, prizes and late-night entertainment.
The first day featured a range of business sessions after a guided early morning Power Walk. The day began with a membership meeting, followed by a keynote address from Danielle Adams-Wiltshire on “Leading with Hospitality,” the theme of the annual conference. National industry updates were provided by Peter Pantuso, President/CEO of the American Bus Association and Scott Michael, President/CEO of the United Motorcoach Association. The afternoon featured the annual Industry Expo for vendors and operators, a travel supplier roundtable discussion, and the Kick-the-Tires happy hour and bus display. The local dine-around event followed.
After another Power Walk, the second day’s session focused on sales, with Nicole Boyer (The Ginger Sales Ninja) discussing why “Everything is Better Together,” and Josiah Brown (The NY Sherpa) offering strategies for “Future Proofing for Tomorrow’s Traveler.” The afternoon annual Sales Retreat sessions preceded the closing event at the La Tourelle, with live music, dinner, mingling, giveaways and more.
The conference closed Thursday with Rock Yoga in the morning followed by two additional FAM tours.
Next year’s conference will head south to Richmond, Virginia, June 16-19.
