Thank you, United Motorcoach Association.

It seems like yesterday we started our company. Yet, within a few months, Magic Carpet Ride (Treasure Coast Motor Coach) will celebrate its first five years in business.

Starting with one coach, today we operate five, plus a minibus. "My how time flies when youre having fun."

A note of appreciation to everyone who has provided help and guidance to us these past years: To equipment salesmen; third-party vendors/suppliers; fellow operators in business and even those who are not; national and state organizations; regulatory officials, and many others -- thank you.

A special thanks to the United Motorcoach Association, which through its membership program provides valuable information to new operators with its "New Operators Guide" and "Operating Ratio" studies. These were invaluable and an indispensable source of information early on. Joining the UMA is without question one of the smartest moves I made.

Starting a business takes a considerable amount of planning and effort. To establish a viable business generally takes three to five years. I would add that just being in the charter motorcoach business (or any business for that matter) for five years does not guarantee success.

One who does not keep up with ever-changing regulations and a host of other issues, might find the business heading down the tube. It is comforting to know that we can rely on assistance made available to members from associations such as the United Motorcoach Association to meet the challenges of our industry.

For those who are fortunate enough to have been brought up in a family business, or have gained their knowledge working with someone in the business, the learning curve is an incline.

For those of us who must start from scratch, the curve is much steeper. Every operator, whether they are just starting out, or those already in the business, should consider joining their state and national associations.

The benefits of belonging far outweigh the costs.

George Childers
Magic Carpet Ride
Vero Beach, Fla.
www.magiccarpetride.travel