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UMA Affiliations
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michele Nosko
mnosko@uma.org
UMA, NTA Make Progress Toward 2013 Event
ALEXANDRIA, VA; LEXINGTON, KY, Aug. 24, 2011—Members of the NTA/UMA 2013 Task Force met in Providence, R.I. on July 31 to work through details of their 2013 integrated event, including branding, scheduling, education, networking opportunities and hospitality functions.
“It was a very productive meeting,” said NTA/UMA 2013 Task Force Chairman Michael Neustadt of Coach Tours Ltd. in Brookfield, Conn. “We discussed the nuances of each association’s membership very thoughtfully and were able to firm up many of the key details to make sure our NTA-UMA event is useful, relevant and fun for everyone.”
Besides Neustadt, whose company is a member of both UMA and NTA, the task force is made up of members from each association. Meeting regularly by phone or in person, the group has collaborated on the combined activities of the event to ensure members of both associations get the maximum benefit.
At the meeting in Providence the group recommended for the associations to combine their evening events—UMA’s Vision Awards and NTA’s Gala Reception—to create a comingled networking opportunity for both the motorcoach operator and tour operator attendees.
“Not only will the business and networking events be great for all attendees, but we’ll have a chance to learn more, too,” said NTA’s Chairman and CEO Cathy Greteman of Star Destinations in Iowa. “The task force recommended to open all education sessions to both NTA and UMA members so we can build a better understanding of the unique dynamics of the tour and motorcoach businesses.”
“A lot of progress was made toward creating an overall event benefitting every attendee, while ensuring that the core values and essence of NTA’s and UMA’s respective events is maintained,” said UMA’s Chairman of the Board Tom Ready of Ready Bus Lines in Minnesota.
Members of the joint task force who met in Providence were Chairman Michael Nuestadt; UMA members Larry Hundt, Tom Ready and Tim Wayland; NTA members Audrey Bialas, Cathy Greteman and Jim Reddekopp Jr.; UMA staff Victor Parra and Maggie Masterson; and NTA staff Lisa Simon and Lee Carter. The inaugural event is scheduled for January 19-23, 2013 in Orlando, Florida.
The task force will continue to meet regularly, and more details about the 2013 event will be announced at NTA’s Convention ’11 in December and UMA’s Motorcoach EXPO in February.
About NTA
Now celebrating its 60th year, NTA is the leading business-building association for travel professionals interested in the North American market—inbound, outbound and within the continent. Our buyer members are tour operators who buy and package travel product from around the world. Our seller members are destination marketing organizations and tour suppliers from the U.S., Canada and more than 40 countries. For more information, see www.NTAonline.com.
About UMA
The United Motorcoach Association is North America’s largest association for operators of motorcoach companies providing charter, tour and regular route services. Founded in 1971, UMA is comprised of over 900 professional bus and motorcoach companies who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico, and more than 250 supplier, manufacturer, and travel partner members. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its members with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations. More information can be obtained by visiting www.uma.org.
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