CLEVELAND (July 24, 2014) – The American
Bus Association (ABA) is pleased to announce Cleveland, Ohio will host the
ABA's annual Marketplace, to be held January 14-17, 2017 at the FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland. The ABA's Marketplace is the motorcoach, travel and tourism
industry's premier event.
ABA members
attending Marketplace produce substantial economic impact for the host city.
When ABA held its 2013 Marketplace in Charlotte, North Carolina officials said
the direct economic impact in lodging, entertainment, food and other activities
was seven million dollars. Additionally, previous host cities have seen a
15-20% increase in motorcoach and group travel related tourism after
Marketplace, because of increased awareness of the city by the travel and
tourism industry. It is anticipated that the 2017 Marketplace will result in
more than eight thousand hotel room nights by the 3,500 members who will
attend.
A single
motorcoach visit to the region can generate as much as $11,660 for the local
economy in lodging, meals and other spending. In 2012, motorcoaches were
responsible for nearly 650 million passenger trips, and many of those group
tours are booked at Marketplace. During the 2014 Marketplace in Nashville, the
3,500 members in Nashville generated nearly $130 million dollars in total
business, that's nearly $89,000 per company.
"The
American Bus Association is thrilled when we can bring new cities into the ABA
Marketplace family," said President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso, CTIS. "Cleveland
will be a fantastic host city. We know our members will have a great time,
visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the city's many other attractions,
and, of course, generating tens of millions of dollars' worth of travel and
tourism business for Cleveland."
"The ABA's
Marketplace is the Super Bowl for travel and tourism - and the City of
Cleveland is honored to be able to host an event of this magnitude in January
of 2017," said David Gilbert, President and CEO of Destination Cleveland (CVB).
"Much like the group tour industry, Cleveland is experiencing a rebirth with
nearly $3 billion in visitor-related infrastructure developments that have
enhanced the overall visitor experience. With that said, we are excited to
introduce our city's attractions, restaurants, and accommodations to the 3,500
members of ABA, while showcasing Cleveland as a top group tour destination,"
said Gilbert.
Here's what
some of our delegates are saying about ABA's Marketplace.
"At
Marketplace we make lots of connections, talking with other tour operators,
networking with destinations and finding new places to take our tours. It's
great to talk to people face-to-face, to meet them for the first time and get
to know them, and put a face to the voice," said Brian Whitaker, Vice
President, Chicagoland Transportation Solutions.
"We have a
lot of customers that we do business with on a regular basis. Marketplace gives
us a chance to discover what's going on, understand the regulation of things
and learn other information we can bring back to the garage, apply to the
business, and educate the drivers about the compliance necessities. They get to
learn it firsthand." Scott Riccio, President/Owner, NorthEast Trailways,
Lewiston, Maine.
"We keep
coming back because it's good for our hotels. ABA's bus and tour operators
bring a lot of business to all of our hotels. ABA is just a great
organization." Jayne Russell, Worldwide Sales Manager, Best Western
International, Phoenix, Arizona.
The ABA's
2015 Marketplace will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, January 10th-13th. The
2016 Marketplace is scheduled for January 9th-12th in Louisville, Kentucky.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION
The American
Bus Association (ABA) is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry,
with more than 1,000 motorcoach and tour company members in the United States
and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express,
special operations and contract services. Another 2,800 members are travel and
tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in
partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.
ABOUT Destination CLEVELAND
Destination
Cleveland is Cleveland's convention and visitors bureau. This private
non-profit organization's mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate
community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel.
Cleveland welcomes nearly 16 million visitors annually. For more information,
visit www.thisiscleveland.com.
CONTACT ABA COMMUNICATIONS
Dan Ronan, Senior Director of Communications
Office: 202.218.7220
Mobile: 469.583.7070
Email: dronan@buses.org