The United Motorcoach Association and the National Tour Association announced last month they plan to begin co-locating their annual business meetings -- the NTA Annual Convention and the UMA Motorcoach Expo, during the first quarter of 2013.

Last January, near the conclusion of UMA Motorcoach Expo 2009, the two organizations announced they were exploring the possibility of co-locating their annual events.

Following months of due diligence, Lisa Simon, CTP, NTA president, said, "We had many details to resolve but when your bottom line goal is to bring your members convenient and more affordable access to more business, it was easy for both the NTA and UMA leadership to make it happen."

"This partnership brings together the resources and brand power of two highly successful events to provide an even better experience for our attendees -- from UMA operators to NTA travel packagers, not to mention hotels, attractions, destinations, restaurants and all those who service the dynamic group travel market -- everyone will benefit," said UMA President and CEO Victor S. Parra.

NTA and UMA entered into a strategic partnership in late 2007, resulting in collaborative work at each associations annual event. UMA has managed the motorcoach exhibits at the NTA convention, and NTA has helped develop the Destinations and Attractions aisle at UMA Motorcoach Expo.

Fully integrating the associations two main business events takes the collaboration to a new level, with the goal of bringing more value and expanded opportunities for business to NTA and UMA members.

NTAs 3,000 members represent 48 countries. The business mix of its 700 tour company members is diverse, and motorcoach travel is an integral part of their business.

"Collaboration with UMA brings NTAs diversity in touch with the more than 1,100 UMA members located across North America, offering more than 850 charter and tour bus operators who provide transportation services in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico," said Simon.

What the collaboration means to UMA members is "more value, more opportunities, and more business contacts," added UMA Chairman Godfrey LeBron.

In the coming months, NTA and UMA will work to solidify details, including the specific date and location, said Parra.

The World Religious Travel Association, which last month co-located its 2009 World Religious Travel Expo for the first time with NTAs Convention in Reno, also will continue its cooperative effort with NTA. This will bring three associations together for the inaugural event in 2013.