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About MarketplaceThe American Bus Marketplace is the premier business event for the group travel industry. The appointments are the core of the show; which allow Buyers and Sellers to meet face-to-face in prescheduled seven-minute appointments. In addition to the quality appointments, Marketplace offers professional education seminars and numerous networking opportunities. Additionally, the Product Pavilion, offers operators the opportunity to view the industry’s latest products and services. Associate members can now showcase their products and services on the exhibit floor to the more than 320 operator companies who attend Marketplace. With the addition of the Product Pavilion, Marketplace is a one-stop shop for the group travel and motorcoach industry to build business relationships, conduct one-to-one business appointments, view the newest products and services, learn about the latest trends and industry information, and network - all resulting in providing our members with a greater return on investment. Buyers who are bus owners and tour operators, come to meet with Sellers who are travel industry representatives from destination marketing organizations (cities, areas, states), attractions, restaurants, receptive operators, hotels and associate service suppliers. These business sessions allow Buyers and Sellers to plan trip itineraries for motorcoach group travel throughout the US and Canada. Sellers attend Marketplace to sell their destination, attraction, restaurant etc to motorcoach and tour operators. Sellers also network with their peers in the group travel industry. Buyers attend Marketplace to learn more about new destinations, to meet personally with people with whom they conduct business, and to socialize with other Buyers. Marketplace week runs from Friday through Tuesday evening. The show is held annually, usually in January, in a different North American city each year. The Business Sessions, or Appointment Sessions, are conducted and are the core of Marketplace. The appointment sessions are held on the Marketplace Business Floor, which is a secured area. Only delegates belonging to the group that are taking appointments during that particular session are allowed on the Business Floor. Delegates are assigned different colored badges depending on their business type grouping. These colors determine access to the Business Floor where appointments are conducted. The color and design change every year. All Buyers have access to the Business Floor at any time. Associates who are not registered as appointment-taking delegates do not have access to the Business Floor. There are 6 appointment sessions for a total of 174 appointments. Buyers have a maximum of 174 appointments, as they take appointments throughout the week with each of the Seller groups. Sellers have a maximum of 58 appointments. These 58 appointments are scheduled in 2 out of the 6 sessions. The primary group (DMO, Lodging, Attraction, Receptive Operator/Tour Planner) the company belongs to determines which of the 2 sessions are assigned. The Marketplace Business Floor consists of 8x8 booths where Buyers sit. Each booth contains a 6’ table and 2 chairs inside the booth, an outside chair for the Seller to sit in, and an ID sign giving the Buyer company name, location and attendee number.
ABA carefully monitors the number of Seller Appointment-Taking delegates allowed based on the number of Buyer Appointment-Taking delegates registered. By maintaining a near one-to-one ratio in each session, ABA offers quality appointments for all delegates. Education seminars, luncheons, city tours, opening and closing celebrations, and evening events are on-going activities throughout Marketplace week and are open to all registered delegates and a valuable part of the Marketplace experience.
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