POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa. — More than 200 bus and motorcoach industry leaders gathered this week at Kalahari Resort for the Pennsylvania Bus Association’s Annual Conference, combining education, networking and business development.
The conference opened Monday with familiarization tours that gave attendees a chance to explore the Pocono Mountains, including visits to the historic town of Jim Thorpe, scenic rail excursions and local farms.
Business sessions began Tuesday with the transition of association leadership as outgoing Chair Tammy Wolf-Baker passed the gavel to new Chair Doug Rydbom. In his remarks, Rydbom emphasized the importance of state-level tort reform advocacy, particularly in Harrisburg.
Keynote speaker Jamie Cooperstein, who also presented at last year’s United Motorcoach Association Sales Summit, discussed sales strategies. Attendees also received a regulatory update from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and heard industry updates from the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association.
Operators and vendors participated in one-on-one marketplace appointments, while travel suppliers met in roundtable discussions.
Wednesday’s schedule featured operator sales retreat sessions with travel partners, a vendor workshop, vendor-operator roundtable discussions and a bus display. The day concludes with a reception at Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark at Camelback Resort.
The conference wraps up Thursday with additional familiarization tours before attendees look ahead to next year’s PBA Annual Conference in York.
