The 2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO in Oklahoma City promises an exciting lineup of events, exhibits, and networking opportunities. A dedicated team of reporters and social media influencers will be on hand to bring you the highlights.
Leading industry publications such as Busline Magazine, BUSRide, METRO Magazine, and National Bus Trader will provide in-depth coverage.
As the editor of Bus & Motorcoach News, I will be covering this key annual event, providing in-depth insights into the latest industry trends from Thursday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 23.
The Terrapin Blue video and photography team, led by Ryan and Jill Kelly, will return to produce dynamic coverage of the event.
Ryan and Jill Kelly love coming to this show and providing media coverage because not only do they get to tell the story of a great organization, but they also get to see their friends and people who have helped build their business over the last 20 years.
“I love this industry because I love the family business. I know the drivers. I know the safety team. I’ve ridden their buses. It’s the family, the core nucleus of how a bus company operates, that makes me stay in this industry,” said Ryan, who does video work. With a touch of humor, he added: “Because if you’re crazy enough to own a bus company, I’m crazy enough to work for you.”
Beyond the personal relationships and family dynamics that define so much of the motorcoach world, Ryan believes that bus travel has a critical role in the future.
“I think we’ve reached a pinnacle point in the future of the bus movement,” he said. “Group travel is important — not just from an environmental standpoint but also from a socialization standpoint. Bus travel is going to be very important moving forward. It’s essential.”
His wife, Jill, who takes the photos, draws inspiration from the people she meets at UMA.
“I get excited about coming to UMA because I love seeing new faces and the young faces coming up into the industry,” Jill said. “After many years of seeing all the standard operating players, it’s so fun to see this next generation coming in, and I get to see them at the show. It’s really fun.”
European journalists Magne Håheim and Tom Terjesen are returning to cover EXPO for the Norwegian bus-focused publication Bussmagasinet. They have a very popular website and YouTube channel.
Popular industry YouTuber and bus enthusiast James Wang will again share the EXPO experience with his audience. This year, he will be joined by Albert Lua, who also covers the bus industry on his channel.
This year will feature expanded coverage from industry social media influencers who are also bus drivers. Along with Wang and Lua, the team includes the return of Rachel “Rai” Greenwell, Jack Kaufman, Braden Lewis, and Sean O’Meara. Follow their coverage using the hashtags #UMA, #UMAEXPO, and #UMAEXPO2025.
Sean O’Meara: Canadian motorcoach connoisseur Sean O’Meara shares his passion for the motorcoach industry on Instagram (@shamrksean) and YouTube (Shamrock Sean). A longtime industry advocate, O’Meara was the spokesperson for the “Why I Drive” recruitment campaign launched by ABC Companies in 2019. He grew up around charter vehicles and limousines and believes his path in the industry was inevitable.
“My parents drove part-time to make ends meet and instilled in me the value of top-tier, white-glove service,” O’Meara said. “I use social media to break down barriers in the seated coach and entertainer coach markets and help rebrand trustworthy operators. After weathering the pandemic as a small-business owner, I am thrilled to be back in the industry that, quite literally, helped save my life,”
He is eager to continue representing the Canadian motorcoach industry at EXPO and to inject his signature dynamism across North America.
“Since being involved with EXPO, my career and life trajectories have taken unprecedented turns,”O’Meara said. “I am now in operations overseeing a fleet of 170 vehicles ranging from vans to motorcoaches, have the support of the charter market to reinvigorate my small business outside of my full-time job, and still get to keep my relevancy in a specific sector by working through request in the entertainer markets.
“I am able to focus my home time on my daughter and set the example for her that anything is possible if you follow your heart, even when it doesn’t make sense to your peers.”
He also says he has found “a great therapy” by preserving a fully seated 1982 MCI MC9. O’Meara is grateful for his platform at EXPO.
“That, coupled with my enthusiasm for the good old days, has allowed me to bridge a gap between generations of drivers and inspire young operators to find the driver’s seat with the support of the veteran drivers and carriers who historically have faced age-based barriers in recruiting.
“With the help of Rachel Greenwell, we continue to promote a healthy lifestyle for drivers of all ages.”
James Wang: James Wang has built a devoted following with his YouTube channel Motorcoach World, as well as his presence on Patreon and Facebook. As the CEO and owner of Peoria Charter in Illinois, Wang has used his social media influence to attract an influx of job applicants eager to work for his company.
Wang’s passion for buses dates back to his childhood in China.
“Since the age of 2, I’ve been mimicking the sounds of buses passing my house. My parents thought it was just a phase, but my love for buses never faded,” said Wang. “Today, I share my passion with the world through YouTube. I’ve turned my hobby into my career, and I truly believe I have the best job in the world.”
Wang looks forward to EXPO each year.
“It’s an event packed with brand-new buses, the latest accessories, and, most importantly, the bus nuts, geeks, and enthusiasts who make this industry special,” he said.
Rachel “Rai” Greenwell: Rachel Greenwell, a driver for Eagle Christian Tours in Rome, Georgia, shares her experiences behind the wheel through humorous social media skits. With more than 16,000 followers on TikTok (@motorcoachlife), she also posts on Facebook (raigreenwell), Instagram (@motorcoach_life), and YouTube (MotorcoachLife).
“My goal is to educate people about our industry using humor. I also want to attract people who never thought about doing this for a living.
I love traveling, meeting people, and making others smile,” she said. “Driving a motorcoach gives me a sense of being on top of the world. As a woman in this industry, it’s rewarding to make a lasting impression.”
For the third year in a row, Greenwell will bring her signature humor and storytelling to EXPO’s social media coverage.
“I can’t wait to meet the people who support my content and make new connections. Attending the UMA Expo gives you a glimpse into what puts it all together and how so many vendors are continually making the industry better.” she said.
Jack Kaufman and Braden Lewis: Jack Kaufman and Braden Lewis, known as the “Bus Brothers,” are teaming up again to cover EXPO. They share updates with the Facebook group Motorcoach Operators, which boasts more than 8,000 members. Kaufman also posts content on TikTok (@JustJK95).
Jack Kaufman is an entrepreneur with a passion for group travel and exceptional customer experiences. As co-owner and Vice President of Timi’s Tours, he has built a thriving motorcoach and tour company known for its commitment to safety, reliability, and top-tier service.
In addition to the transportation industry, Jack gained valuable experience in emergency services, which instilled in him a deep understanding of preparedness, risk management, and quick decision-making—skills that now translate into his approach to business operations. He also owns the Muddy Water Café in Moweaqua, Illinois.
With a hands-on approach and a drive for continuous improvement, Jack is focused on elevating the group travel experience while fostering strong connections with customers and communities.
“I love innovation and watching the industry evolve with the latest technology,” Kaufman said.
Braden Lewis, a recent college graduate at just 22, has already built an extensive career in the motorcoach business. He represents the fourth generation at Lewis Coaches in New Orleans.
“Rumor has it I was born on a bus, and I’ve been around our family’s coaches since before I could walk. I love the thrill of operating a large vehicle full of happy passengers,” Lewis said.
Lewis remains dedicated to ensuring the survival of his family business and the industry at large.
“I’m excited to be at EXPO to connect with industry leaders, promote motorcoach careers to young people, and help address staffing shortages,” he said.
Albert Lua: New this year to the team covering EXPO is Albert Lua, who is supporting Wang while also gathering content for his YouTube channel.
Lua makes driving videos filmed with a camera mounted on his hat.
“Most of the content I post is sort of point-of-view driving or kind of day in the life,” Lua said. “I don’t talk in most of my videos. I just let you experience what the life is like — the different kinds of lives you can live as a bus driver.”
Lua joined Peoria Charter in 2019 as a luggage loader while attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in December 2022. Now a full-time lead programmer, he maintains the company’s in-house software, managing operations such as maintenance, dispatch, and ticketing.
The bus aficionado drives on weekends or during peak times and still finds the experience thrilling.
“Every time I drive, it’s cool,” he said. “I get to drive such a big vehicle and safely transport 56 people to wherever they need to go.”
This is Lua’s second EXPO. Last year, a highlight for Lua was seeing Prevost’s H5-60 articulated bus.
“I didn’t think I would ever see one in my life,” he said. “I had only seen pictures. It was really special.”
Whether you’re attending this year’s 2025 UMA Motorcoach EXPO or tracking the fun virtually, you’ll be able to experience and learn from these dedicated reporters and influencers. Be sure to follow their coverage and engage with the conversation using #UMA25, #UMADrives25 #VisitOKC
