ORLANDO, Fla. -- Efficiently maintaining buses to operate at peak performance, plus strict adherence to safety rules, is paramount to every successful motorcoach operation.

With that as a foundation, the United Motorcoach Association is carving out a special "maintenance shop" niche on the show floor of UMA Motorcoach Expo 2013 here in January.

"Ninety-six percent of UMA Expo attendees are directly involved in the purchasing decisions for their maintenance shops," notes UMA Meetings and Operations Coordinator Amanda Zimmerman.

The Expo 2013 "Maintenance Shop Pavilion" will consist of booths, displays and demonstrations of products and services that will enable the hundreds of motorcoach company owners, managers, maintenance supervisors and mechanics attending the show to find solutions for improving their shop operations.

Maintenance personnel, as well as motorcoach company owners and managers with a strong interest in shop operations, always have been integral to Expo through their attendance at the annual Expo Maintenance Interchange or participation in the Expo Maintenance Competition.

In addition, hundreds of shop supervisors and mechanics have attended Expo to learn the latest trends and best practices through specific education tracks and networking opportunities.

Now, they'll be able to see specific maintenance products and services at the Maintenance Shop Pavilion.

"As director of general operations, one of my primary responsibilities is keeping my coaches running. I am very eager to visit the Maintenance Shop Pavilion at this coming UMA Expo to see all the products and services I need in my shop," said Edward N. Mason Jr. of First Priority Trailways in District Heights, Md.

And, in a comment directed to potential Expo exhibitors, Mason added: "If you have products or services to keep my coaches running smoothly, safely and cleanly I want to see you there."

Next years Expo again will feature motorcoach safety inspection demonstrations conducted on the Expo show floor by state enforcement personnel.

UMA Motorcoach Expo 2013 at Travel Exchange will be Jan. 20-24.

The event will mark the first co-location of UMA Expo with the Annual Meeting of the NTA (formerly the National Tour Association).

With the show roughly five months away, UMA reports motorcoach operator registration "is tracking well ahead of last year.

"We're already at nearly 50 percent of our total operator attendance goal," said UMA Meetings and Operations Manager Maggie Masterson. "Exhibit space is going fast, as well."

UMA says its not too early for Expo exhibitors to start promoting their participation in the show.

To assist exhibiting companies make the most of their participation, UMA and its trade show partners have compiled a variety of marketing and promotional tools available to exhibitors (many at no cost).

The "Exhibitor Marketing Kit" can be found at www.motorcoachexpo.com. The kit includes information on marketing opportunities, promotional and hospitality opportunities, editorial and advertising opportunities, and sponsorship opportunities, as well as who to contact to take advantage of the possibilities.

"You've confirmed your exhibit space, now it's time to take advantage of these opportunities to help your company stand out, increase your brand recognition and drive traffic to your booth at UMA Motorcoach Expo at Travel Exchange," said Masterson.

For information on exhibiting at Expo, contact Scott Groves at (866) 287-3976, or email uma@naylor.com.