October Update


[PerFirstLastName], MARKETPLACE CAN'T WAIT THIS YEAR....
 
Marketplace appointment requests can not wait until after Thansgiving this year or you will miss out!  The Marketplace Research Databases opened on Monday, Sept. 15.  You are able to review and research all of the companies attending Marketplace.  There are links from the online profiles directly to company websites to assist in your research.  Don't forget to research yourself and make updates to be certain your company is positioned to get the most out of your Marketplace investment.

On Wednesday, Sept. 24 the appointment request portion of the Passport was activated.  NEW in 2009!  You will be able to print and/or export only the profiles of the companies you have requested.

Tips for Requesting Appointments
Buyers should make requests for all three appointment sessions.  Sellers will make requests for their session only.
Use the list of companies who have requested your organization to make mutual requests.
Multiple appointment-taking delegates from the same company should not duplicate requests.
Appointments are not scheduled based on the order the appointment requests are received.  They are scheduled based on the date your Marketplace registration was sent to ABA.


Other Assignments for the Marketplace To Do List
1.  Access your Marketplace Passport and verify all of your registration information.  This includes registration type, delegate role, contact information, special needs and event registrations.
2.  Secure your housing reservations at one of the host hotels.  If you have already secured your housing, check your arrival and departure dates once you have finalized your travel plans. 
3.  Sign up for Sightseeing Tours (all delegates) and FAMs (operators only).
4.  Mark your calendars with the Marketplace Deadlines - note the earlier deadline for appointment requests than in years past due to the January meeting dates.
5.  Make certain your invoices are paid for Marketplace prior to November 14. 
6.  Look for the Marketplace Save the Date emails for information about the limitless networking events included in your registration fee.
 

All Delegate Information

 

Strike Out Breast Cancer Bowling Event

 

Polish up your bowling shoes and join us for a late evening event at the Bowling Lanes as we unite to raise money for Carolinas Breast Friend's Pink House. The Marketplace tradition of giving back to the host city continues in Charlotte.

 

When: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009: 10:00 PM - Close

Where: Strike City Bowling Alley

Benefits: Benefits Carolinas Breast Friends

Established in November 2003 by Kristy Adams-Ebel, CBF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to uniting and helping women with breast cancer in all stages of survival. The organization centers around those who want to create a social and educational outlet for women united in a sisterhood of survival and hope.

Participation Options:

At the Strike Out Breast Cancer event you can bowl or just watch the action in the alleys! Strike City will provide food and drink options for purchase with a percentage of the proceeds also going to Marketplace Gives Back.

 

Bowler: Includes bowling fee, shoe rental, pink wrist band and chance for prizes.

          Sign up as a Team of 4: $400

          Sign up as an individual: $100

Observer - Come and watch the action at the alley: $10

Donor - Bowling is not my game, but I still want to strike out breast cancer. 

Registration:

First come, first registered! Participation fees can be invoiced to your company.  Download the registration/donor form. 

Want to Raise More Funds?

Purchase the Official Marketplace Strike Out Breast Cancer T-shirt through the ABA Store.

Encourage your friends, colleagues and/or family to become Strike Out Breast Cancer donors.

Make side wagers with other teams which benefits Carolinas Breast Friends.

Participate in other Marketplace Gives Back fund raising activities onsite at the Galleria Showcase and Host City booth!


Volunteer - It is Like a 3-Hour Appointment!
Get ready to Market YOURSELF at Marketplace.  Volunteering is a great way to network and make business connections.  Signing up to volunteer is like signing up for a 3-Hour Appointment! Volunteer information including the fax back sign up form are available at http://aba.teameventmanagement.com/2009/volunteer.html.

Travel By Motorcoach..the Greenest Way to Travel - Bus Operators Requested
We have received a handful of requests for motorcoach transportation to or from Charlotte.  If you are an operator planning to bring a coach to Marketplace and are near or can make a stop in the following locations to pick up delegate(s) please contact us at vosman@buses.org as soon as possible for the delegate(s) contact information.

Richmond VA
Norfolk VA
Chicago IL
South Bend IN (4 delegates)
Pittsburgh PA
Memphis TN (2 delegates)
Rosendale NY


Have you made your travel arrangements for Marketplace?  If not and you are interested in taking a motorcoach to and/or from Charlotte please contact us at meetingsdept@buses.org.  Please include your name, phone number, email, city pick up location, date of preferred departure and date of preferred arrival back home.  We will then send the compiled listing to local operators to see if a ride share program can be created based on demand. 
  • Delegates will pay $125 per seat to Join the Ride. ($100 to the operator for operating costs, $25 to the American  

    • Bus Foundation - once operating costs have been met $125 to the American Bus Foundation)

  • Cargo space may also be purchased upon availability: $100 for large display, $50 for small display
    •  
     
    Another Transportation Option - Jet Blue
    Delegates will receive a 5% discount of the lowest available fare by booking online!  Please go to www.jetblue.com/promo.  Our code is ABAMKPL2009.  All travel must be booked online.  Any flight can be chosen as long as it arrives at the Charlotte airport no more than two days before the start of the convention and departs no more than two days after the end of the convention.

     

     

    Travel Industry Breakfast Sponsorship for Operators
    ABA's generous sponsors make all of the Marketplace networking opportunities possible. More than 200 travel industry members spend hundreds and thousands of dollars to feed and entertain the operators and entice us to do business with them.    

     

    Based on the popular feedback from our delegates at Marketplace 2008 we again want to give back by hosting a continental breakfast on Saturday morning for the Marketplace Sellers.  The operator members of the 2009 Marketplace Advisory Committee are asking your help with this important and innovative sponsorship. The MAC operators are asking every operator company who attends Marketplace to donate $25 per buyer delegate towards this important sponsorship, so that we can thank the Sellers who help make our Marketplace week productive and successful.

     

    We hope that you find this small expense important too. Please participate by filling out the donwloadable form and sending it to ABA.   Downloadable Travel Industry Breakfast Sponsorship Form

     

     

    Additional Sponsorships
    If you are looking for a great way to get your name out in front of hundreds of operators then a Marketplace sponsorship is for you!  Being a Marketplace sponsor is a great way for you to be in the spotlight and also network with the operators.  There are still sponsorships available to fit any budget.  If you are interested in a sponsorship, please contact Jana Fields at 859-269-0670.

     

     

    ABA Foundation Auctions
    ABA Foundation Auctions will give you the opportunity to promote and display your destination to hundreds of motorcoach tour and travel buyers at Marketplace 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina from January 7-11. One example of new ways we are bringing the more than 3,000 Marketplace delegates to donors is by offering a LIVE Auction. All donations will be included in the ABA Foundation Auction Catalogue with some donor options including a 300 word description to promote your donation and destination. We are offering internet exposure with description, logo and company link. In addition, we will feature donations over a certain value in exclusive articles in the ABA Insider, including your company/destination link. In expanding our promotional options, we are working to create the best opportunities for your success at Marketplace while helping the ABA Foundation raise money to support the motorcoach travel and tour industry.  Auction Contribution Form

     

     

    Housing
    There are 8 host hotels with all delegates (Buyers, Sellers, BISC and Board members) being able to select from any of the 8 properties.  Check out the website regularly for housing updates.

    Sightseeing Tours

    Sightseeing registration is now open.  View the 10 sightseeing tours for Friday, Jan. 9.
    Sponsored by Visit Charlotte
     

    FAM  Tours (Operators Only)

    FAM registration is now open.
    Sunday, January 4 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

    Arrival into Charlotte for FAMs is 10:00 AM on Jan. 4

    Complimentary transportation from the airport to the hotel and hotel rooms for Jan. 3 are available.

    1. Moon Pies and Magnolia's: Wilmington, Duplin County & Onslow County
    2. Clubs, Cubs and Grub: Pinehurst, Asheboro & Lexington
    3. Sassy, Savory & Just Plain Fun: Asheville & Cherokee
    4. Corners of the High Country: Boone/Blowing Rock, Valdese & Ashe Counties
    5. It's Better in the Middle...of North Carolina: Greensboro, High Point, Winston Salem & Mt. Airy
    6. Hollywood & Vine..a Sample of Glamour, Gardens and Great Wines: Smithfield, Durham, Fayetteville & Roanoke Rapids
    7. Hot Air, Hickory Wood and Hospitality: Statesville & Hickory*

    *Arrival into Charlotte for this FAM is 10:00 AM on Jan. 6

    FAM materials are now available for Operators only.

    Sponsored by North Carolina Divison of Tourism, Film and Sports Development

    Invoicing

    ABA offers the convenience to all registering companies to be invoiced for their Marketplace fees.  Invoice payment is due within 30 days.  All invoices must be paid for appointment requests to be scheduled on Nov. 14, 2008. 
     

    Membership Dues

    All delegates must be representatives of ABA member organizations whose dues and all other outstanding monies due ABA or its agents have been paid in full. ABA members who have not paid 2008 AND 2009 dues will be unable to participate in Marketplace. The member organization also will not be eligible to attend Marketplace 2010.  Travel and Associates dues were sent at the end of September via mail.  Invoices can be paid online at My ABA.

     


    Important Dates

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    Buyers

    Buyer Information = Quality Appointment Sessions

     

    The Resource Central Subcommittee wants to make your appointments successful and productive at Marketplace.  Please provide us with the materials Marketplace Sellers need to research your company so that your return on investment is higher.

     

    2008 Resource Central Statistics

    78% of Marketplace Operator Companies provided a Buyer Survey, up-to-date profile sheet and/or marketing collateral.

     

    3799 delegates utilized the information in Resource Central.

     

    32% of delegates used the on-site operator library.

     

    How important are operators to the success of Resource Central?  Up-to-date company profiles, tour catalogs and/or other collateral are the most requested item in the service center.


    Providing your company information in the ABA Marketplace Resource Central - Your Office Space at Marketplace, sponsored by New York State, allows more productive, targeted business opportunities in your 7-minute appointments. 

     

    Please provide:

    ·         Tour Catalogs

    ·         Flyers

    ·         Brochures

    ·         Any other materials you may have to showcase your company and areas you may travel to.


    Please mail 2 copies of each of your materials directly to:

    Vicki Osman

    American Bus Association

    700 13th Street NW, Suite 575

    Washington, DC   20005

     

    We thank you in advance for participating!


    Buyer Appointment Sessions:

    Buyer Resources

     

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    DMO's

    DMO Appointment Sessions:

    DMO Mating Session:

    Caucus Date:


    DMO Representative Meeting:
     
    Seller Resources

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    Hoteliers

    Lodging Appointment Sessions:

    Lodging Mating Session:

    Lodging Representative Meeting:

     

    Seller Resources

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    Attractions/Local Receptives

    Attraction/Local Receptive Operators/Others Appointment Sessions:

    Attraction/LRO/Other Mating Session:

    Attraction Representative Meeting:

    Local Receptive Operator Representative Meeting:

    Seller Resources

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    Associates

    Associate Menu of Options:

    Associates will again have several opportunities for their participation at Marketplace:

    The ABA Product Pavilion provides you direct access with operators who have a proven track record of purchasing your product.  With 370 buyers from more than 200 companies already registered to attend, the Product Pavilion will bring your results.

    Look at who is ready to do business with you!
    Sample List of Buyer Companies for Product Pavilion Thru July 23

    Associate Resources

     

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