Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Who should attend Marketplace?
Company Owners; Charter/Tour Planners; Outside Sales Agents; Group Tour Specialists/Group Sales Managers; Sales and Marketing Representatives; Outbound Receptives.
When should I arrive and how long should I stay?
You should plan to arrive in Charlotte on Wednesday, January 7 and stay with us all week to take advantage of the endless networking opportunities.
-
- When do I need to return my registration form?
As soon as possible. Marketplace is first-come, first-served and sessions fill within days of the initial mailing on July 11. Online registration will be open:
Monday, July 14: DMO, Buyers, Associate Delegates
Tuesday, July 15: Lodging Delegates
Wednesday, July 16: Attraction/LRO Delegates
- If I've never attended Marketplace before, what should I do?
Throughout the year ABA sends all first-time delegates, or STAR delegates, newcomer information.
Read More About STAR Delegates »
How are the appointments scheduled?
Appointments are prioritized and scheduled in order of the appointment code assigned to you on the date you return your registration form (not the date you return your requests).
Read More About the Prescheduling Process »
- Why do appointments only last seven minutes?
A polished sales presentation can be made in 7 minutes or less. The one-on-one appointments open doors for future business.
Read More About Appointment Sessions »
- What are Rotation Delegates?
Rotation delegates are additional members of Buyer companies attending Marketplace, but not with scheduled appointments.
Read More About Rotation Delegates »
- What other networking opportunities does ABA offer other than appointments?
ABA offers 16 all-delegate-sponsored events - in addition to an Operator-to-Operator Reception - for maximizing the opportunity for Buyers and Sellers to meet.
- What are the State/Provincial Caucuses?
One of the most important ways of making additional contacts during Marketplace is to attend your state caucus. Caucus is a state/provincial meeting conducted by your local Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for distribution of motorcoach and tour operator leads generated during their marketplace. The local DMO will have already laid the groundwork for selling your location, and with this information you can try to obtain an appointment during mating session or meet with the motorcoach and/or tour operator during a social function. Caucuses will be held after the DMO appointment sessions on Saturday, Jan. 10. This is a great source for sales leads and also gives you the opportunity to network with other delegates from your location. Remember, you always sell the destination first and that attractions put heads in beds, beds don’t put heads in attractions. Your state and local DMOs can be the best friend you have at Marketplace.
- What is a Dine Around?
A DINE-AROUND is an evening event planned, organized and hosted by individual supplier companies, a group of suppliers or a DMO/regional organization where selected buyer/operators are invited out to dinner for informal networking. Held on evenings where there are no conflicting ABA events, this is an opportunity to suppliers to "wine and dine" clients to thank them for their business or to create new relationships for future business. The Dine-Around evening can also be used as an opportunity to relax and network with friends and colleagues, and enjoy all that the ABA Host City has to offer!
Supplier companies or individuals interested in organizing a Dine-Around are
encouraged to contact their local DMO representative for assistance. The ABA
Host City Booth also provides information on local restaurants that would be
ideal venues for a Dine-Around. Because Buyer/Operator schedules tend to be
quite booked, suppliers are encouraged to contact them in advance to invite
them to Dine-Around events.
-
- Where does Resource Central obtain its data and information?
The searchable online database available on-site at the Resource Central and prior to Marketplace in your Passport, includes information such as the types of tours operators' offer, the destinations they travel to, and much more. This information is supplied to ABA with the annual membership profile form.
Read More About Resource Central »
Registration Questions
When does registration begin?
Marketplace registration begins on Monday, July 14th at noon ET for DMO, Associate and Buyer delegates. Lodging delegates begin to register online at noon ET on July 15. Attraction and Local Receptive Operator delegates start their registration at noon ET on July 16.
ABA member companies may use the on-line registration program to register.
What is my company ID and Password?
Company Number (00000)
Password
This number is used to register your company/organization for an event such as Marketplace. The Company Number is assigned to your company/organization and not an individual. The Primary Contact for your company/organization is given this number and password.
Member Number (ex: 00000.0, 00000.1, 00000.2)
Password
This number is used to access My ABA and record an individual’s contact information and committee history. The number is assigned to an individual and is a personal number. Each representative from your company/organization is given a unique member number. When a representative leaves your company/organization, you may contact ABA to deactivate the person’s member number.
Delegate Number (ex: 00000.0, 00000.1, 00000.2)
Password
This number is the same is the Member Number but is used to access the Marketplace Passport for registered Marketplace delegates. The number is assigned to an individual and is a personal number. Each delegate from your company/organization is given a unique delegate number. If a delegate is transferred to another delegate, the new delegate will receive a new delegate number and password to access the registration/scheduling information.
If you do not have you company ID and Password, contact us at meetingsdept@buses.org.
How can I get a copy of my invoice?
A copy of the paid or unpaid invoice will be sent to the registration contact when your registration is processed. ALL invoices must be paid prior to scheduling appointments on November 21, 2008.
How can I add additional delegates to my registration?
If you company has already submitted a Marketplace registration and you would like to add additional delegates, complete a hard copy of the registration form and fax or mail it to ABA. The new delegate will be given the company's original registration date.
When can I access my Marketplace Passport?
You will be able to access your Marketplace Passport when you receive a confirmation of your registration. This confirmation will be sent within two weeks of your submission confirmation.
How can I sign up for Foundation Events?
You may select Foundation Events as part of your on-line registration.
If you have already submitted your registration and would like to add Foundation Events, complete a hard copy of the Foundation Events form and fax or mail it to ABA.
How can I request changes to my registration?
To request a registration change such as a dietary request or special badge request, e-mail ABA at meetingsdept@buses.org.
How can I request a name change?
To request a name change, e-mail ABA at meetingsdept@buses.org. There is no charge for a name change.
If I need to cancel a delegate or my company?
All cancellations must be made in writing. You may submit them via e-mail to meetingsdept@buses.org or fax.
Refunds for appointment-taking delegates: A refund will be granted with a $100 cancellation fee per delegate if written requests are received within 30 days of registration confirmation and before Sept. 24, 2008. Written requests may be faxed or e-mailed. A 50% refund will be granted if written requests are received prior to Sept. 24, 2008. No refunds will be granted after Sept. 24, 2008. Appointments, the Marketplace Passport and Marketplace services are not available to cancelled delegates.
Refunds for observer/rotation and guest delegates: There will be no cancellation fee if written requests are received within 30 days of registration. After 30 days, there will be a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be granted after Sept. 24, 2008.
No refunds will be given for on-site cancellations, late arrivals, unused services, unattended events or early departure. It is your responsibility to submit your cancellation request early enough so that it is received in the ABA office by the above dates.
All cancellation requests will be sent a cancellation verification via email which must be responded to in writing by the cancelling delegate or representative from the company. When the cancellation verification is received by ABA the registration will be cancelled and a cancellation confirmation will be sent to the delegate. Appointments, the Marketplace Passport and Marketplace services are then no longer available to cancelled delegate(s). Delegates are respoonsible for cancelling their own housing and transportation reservations.
Any request for an exemption to the above policy must be made in writing (letter or email) and submitted to ABA for consideration.
|
