TAMPA, Fla. Motorcoach Expo 2006 will feature a series of hard-hitting educational seminars designed to help coach company owners and managers develop specific strategies to make their operations more successful.
The two days of workshops and panel discussions will operate on the premise that no two companies are alike and that what makes one company perform better may not work for another.
So, the "Solution Sessions" at Expo 2006 will focus on helping companies find their own particular "Road to Success." Sessions will direct owners and operators to look closely inside their companies and to focus on the individual characteristics - culture, values, markets, financials, equipment and customers - that make them unique.
By determining their companys strengths, weaknesses and needs, operators can use the Expo seminars and discussions to begin charting their own path to success. Heres the Solution Sessions scheduled for Expo 06:

Thursday, Jan. 19

910 a.m. New Business Opportunities Analysis
Should you pursue a new business opportunity or continue with the tried and true? Learn how to identify, develop and capitalize on new business opportunities. A panel of motorcoach industry executives will present a model financial analysis and risk assessment, demonstrating how to take into account changes to current business cost structures, revenue sources, markets and the like. Learn how to make better and smarter decisions for the future of your business.

1010:45 a.m. Legislative and Regulatory Update
An expert in government and industry relations will address the current legislative and regulatory environment and how these issues impact the coach industry, at both the federal and state levels. Topics may include:
· Update on ADA rules that go into effect for 2006-07.
· Explanation of the new federal highway reauthorization legislation and a discussion of the rulemaking called for in the new law.
· Presentations from U.S. Small Business Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Concurrent Morning Sessions

11 a.m.Noon. Marketing and Sales: Easy-to-Use Market Research Techniques
Get focused on your companys unique market and successfully meet the demands of your customers. In this exceptional session, learn how to better understand your particular market, your customers changing needs and changes in the market that may lead to new opportunities. Discover straightforward market research techniques that are easy to use for everyone.

11 a.m.Noon. Finance: Developing/Implementing a Business Plan for Small Operators
Specially designed for small motorcoach companies. A panel of owners of small companies will discuss how they developed their own all-inclusive business plans. Find out what components were successful and what elements did not work. From the experiences of others, learn how to develop your own business plan to chart a successful course for your company.

11 a.m.Noon. Operations: Managing Fuel Costs
Diesel fuel prices skyrocketed during 2005 and are expected to remain above historic levels for the foreseeable future. How are successful operators managing their fuel costs and what steps should all operators be taking to get the most out of their fuel dollars? A must-attend session for any operator interested in protecting the bottom line.

Noon1:45 p.m. Operator Luncheon: Leadership Lessons
Steve Farber, former vice president of The Tom Peters Company, will speak on the concept of LEAP, a lesson in "extreme leadership." Geared to business leaders at any organizational level, this session will help you lead your company down the road to success. Find out what it means to take the Radical LEAP into leadership by cultivating love, generating energy, inspiring audacity, and providing proof.

Concurrent Afternoon Sessions

23 p.m. Marketing and Sales: Follow-up on Lessons in Leadership - Practical Applications If you enjoyed Steve Farbers after-lunch presentation and want to learn more, this session takes a look at real-world applications of LEAP. Leadership is the foundation of a strong company and essential to the success of any business. Learn new ways to lead your company to a bright future.

24:15 p.m. Finance: What Worked in the Past May Not Work in the Future.
Changing your business practices does not mean you have to change corporate principles and values. Popular returning speaker Duane Spader discusses how to make changes to build a consensus within your management team and move your company forward -- profitably.

24:15 p.m. Operations: Driver Regs/Employment Law
In this presentation, an industry expert discusses driver regulations. Then, get all the basics on hiring, firing and everything in-between for small-and-midsize operators from a leading labor and employment attorney.

3:154:15 p.m. Marketing and Sales: Developing an Easy-to-Implement Marketing Plan
Specially designed for small motorcoach companies. Want to develop a marketing plan that fits your company? Learn how to take your companys unique characteristics and situation into account to develop and implement a best-fit marketing plan for success.

Friday, Jan. 20

Concurrent Morning Sessions

8:309:30 a.m. Marketing: Developing Packaged Travel
Is packaged travel right for your company? Hear from other operators about the ins and outs of packaged travel. Learn how to work with tour operators to create win-win business relationships and develop the right product for your company. And, decide how much of your product mix should include packaged travel.

8:309:30 a.m. Finance: Building a Strong School Bus Business
Is your school bus business as strong as you want it to be? This informative session will focus on effective strategies for marketing your school bus business, working with school-district clients, and the programs you should have in place to make your school bus business more successful.

8:309:30 a.m. Operations: 2007 Engine Requirements
The 2007 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requirements for diesel engine emissions are a growing concern for the entire industry. The changes will affect important decisions your company will have to make. A panel composed of representatives of the engine manufacturers and OEMs will discuss the new requirements. Engine and OEM representatives will answer questions.

9:3010:30 a.m. Marketing and Sales: Selling Group Travel
Want to learn the best way to find group leaders? Need help with pricing strategies? Learn from a panel of industry leaders who successfully sell group travel. Discover how they do it, plus suggestions for marketing, pricing and customer development.

9:3010:30 a.m. Finance: Buying Coaches Understanding Replacement Costs
This valuable session provides a financial assessment of purchasing a pre-owned versus a new coach. A must-attend session for coach operators to learn about many of the variables that factor into the buying decision. For example, how to gauge customer requirements? Build a plan that is right for your company by taking your market into account and assessing the costs and benefits of buying a new or a pre-owned coach.

9:3010:30 a.m. Operations: How to Obtain School District Contracts
Faced with the challenge of winning school district customers? This seminar will provide you with helpful tips and guidelines on "getting in the door," negotiating contracts with school officials, and building "win-win" relationships with school district customers.