November Update


[PerFirstLastName], LUCKY SEVEN!
 
SEVEN KEY TO DO ITEMS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR MARKETPLACE INVESTMENT. 
 
TIMING IS CRITICAL THIS YEAR, YOU CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE TO THINK ABOUT MARKETPLACE, IT IS ACTION TIME.
 
  1. There are ONLY SEVEN days left to make your appointment requests for Marketplace 2009!  Check the delegate appointment category in your Passport, is it correct?  Delegates can be listed as DMO, Lodging, Attractions/LRO/Other, Buyers and Associates.  This category determines when you have appointments on the floor.  It can not be changed after appointments are run!  Check out the Quality Appointment Guide for step-by-step directions and tips.
  2. Buyers - You have SEVEN appointment sessions (2 for DMO, 2 for Lodging and 3 for Attractions/LRO/Other).  Make certain you request appointments in each of the categories (DMO, Lodging, Attractions/LRO/Other).  If you do not submit appointment requests, your book will be filled only with seller requests.  Make certain you get to see who you want to do business with.
  3. Do you have an outstanding Marketplace invoice?  Invoice payment is due in SEVEN days (Nov. 14) to ensure scheduling of your appointments.  You can view and make payments for any outstanding invoices in My ABA/My Investments at www.buses.org.
  4. SEVEN FAM Tours and eleven Sightseeing Tours are available for registrations.  Deadline to register is is in SEVEN days, Nov. 14.
  5. SEVENTY + sponsors are helping to make Marketplace a success, check out the list and remember it is not too late to become a sponsor.  Freeman Decorating Kits for sponsor booths are now available.
  6. SEVEN areas at Marketplace need your help as a volunteer.  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.
  7. SEVEN ways to give back at Marketplace!
 

All Delegate Information

 

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.


Caucuses

Caucus locations have been secured for Friday evening OR Saturday morning.  To view when (or if) your state or province is having an onsite caucus please click here.

 

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.  Additional Seller rooms have been just added to the housing block, so you can check again if the hotel of your choice has availability now.  Check out the website regularly for housing updates.

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
  • September 15 - Noon ET: Research Databases are Live
  • September 24 - Noon ET: Appointment Requests are Live
  • November 14 - 5:00 PM ET: Appointment Requests Due
  • November 21 - 9:00 AM ET : Appointments Schedules Available and Manual Scheduling Begins
  • December 4 - Noon ET: Manual Scheduling Ends until Marketplace Opens
  • January 7 - Noon ET: Marketplace Opens

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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:

  • Thursday Afternoon: January 8 (DMOs)
  • Friday Morning: January 9 (DMOs)
  • Saturday: January 10 (Hoteliers)
  • Sunday Morning: January 11 (Attraction/LRO/Other)
  • Monday: January 12 (Attraction/LRO/Other)
Buyer Resources

 

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DMO's

DMO Appointment Sessions:

DMO Mating Session:


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 600 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!
Check out the list of buyers in your Passport under the Buyer Research database.

Associate Resources

 

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Remember to update My ABA to ensure your information is up to date.

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