LAS VEGAS - A first-ever summit of representatives from state motorcoach organizations resulted in a better-than-expected turnout and an airing of issues that are frustrating coach operators across the U.S. and Canada.

The State Association Summit was organized by the United Motorcoach Association and its Legislative and Regulatory Committee, and conducted one day before the start of Motorcoach Expo 2005 here last month.

UMA President and CEO Victor Parra and Senior Vice President for Government and Industry Relations Norman Littler said the catalyst for the summit was the growing realization that the greatest governmental threat to private bus operators today "is from the states, not from Washington, D.C."

During the past three years, said Parra, states have been seeking to boost their revenues by taxing and increasing fees paid by private businesses, including private motorcoach operators. Littler had a label for the trend: "Death by a thousand taxes."

Parra, Littler and UMA board member Godfrey Lebron, chairman of the association legislative and regulatory committee, said they put out the call for the summit because they wanted representatives from state coach associations to hear directly from their peers and share information that could help each other.

In addition, Littler explained a "listserv" the association has launched to provide leaders of state associations with timely information about government actions that may affect their members.

A listserv is a computer program that automatically sends messages to multiple e-mail addresses on a subscriber list. When someone subscribes, the listserv will automatically add the address and distribute future e-mail messages to that address along with all the others on the list. The term looks like it's missing an "e", but that's how it's spelled.

Much of the summit was devoted to attendees introducing themselves and reporting on critical issues they are facing. By the time everyone spoke, there was a long list of shared problems and a consensus that future summits were warranted.

At least 27 state, provincial, regional and national associations were represented at the gathering.

Among common problems identified by attendees were these:
· Public school districts using their school buses for charters
· Airport access issues
· Soaring registration fees
· Charters and other unfair competition from public transit agencies
· Efforts by local governments to regulate operations
· Parking and parking fees in large cities
· For-profit charters offered by churches
· Sales taxes on charter bus service
· Absence of bus inspections in 24 states
· Canadian border issues
· Corporate taxes in New Jersey and Virginia
· Joint and several liability
· Climbing roadway tolls
· Elimination of exemptions
· Money hungry state legislators
· Shared-ride services turning into full-blown charters

Attendees also shared thoughts on ways to strengthen their associations, and to become more adept at dealing with political issues.

Linda Morris of Morris Meeting Management in Gladys, Va., which provides staffing for six state motorcoach associations, said the key to a strong and growing state association is fostering a dynamic committee structure . "Active committees is how associations will thrive, instead of just survive," she said.

Romain Girard of the Quebec Bus Owners Association said his association works hard to build consumer awareness of its members services, including managing a Web site that promotes Quebec operators.

Two attendees said it was vital to build relationships with state and local politicians. Another attendee echoed that sentiment, saying you never know when you're going to have to call on a state legislator for help and waiting until there is a crisis is too late to try to establish a relationship.

Another attendee said that same advice should apply to state and local regulators, who probably don't understand the nuances of the coach industry.

Chuck Andrews of WorldStrides in Luray, Va., the student travel organization, delivered a similar message. He urged the state association leaders to "make sure your members know their legislators in their area. If you know them on a first-name basis, it helps enormously," he said.

Dave Bolen of New World Tours in Virginia offered something of a reverse spin. He said state associations should attempt to help the national coach associations by aiding them in gaining access to key members of the U.S. Senate and House.

Steve Haddad of Carl R. Bieber Tourways in Pennsylvania said that when he testified before a legislative committee last year in New Jersey he was surprised by how unaware the legislators were of the impact of the coach industry in the Garden State.
Of course, New Jersey has almost as much bus traffic as any state in the nation and has one of the highest concentrations of motorcoaches.

"We need to educate the people making these decisions" about how much money the coach industry is bringing, said Haddad.

At the end of the session, those attending the summit elected Linda Morris to represent them as a "state voice" on the UMA Legislative and Regulatory Committee. During the next two years, she will report at least twice annually on state issues.