NTA and UMA to Co-locate in 2013
November 4, 2009
Contact: For Immediate Release
November 4, 2009
NTA:
Madeline Vied
madeline.vied@ntastaff.com
859.226.4275
800.682.8886
UMA:
Michele Nosko
mnosko@uma.org
703.838.2929
800.424.8262
NTA and UMA to Co-locate in 2013
ALEXANDRIA, VA./ LEXINGTON, Ky. – The National Tour Association and the United Motorcoach Association announce their plan to co-locate their two annual business events—the NTA Convention and the UMA Motorcoach Expo. NTA and UMA will introduce the first collaborative event in the first quarter of 2013.
Earlier this year, NTA and UMA said the organizations were exploring the possibility of co-locating their annual events. Following months of due diligence, Lisa Simon, CTP, NTA president, said, "We had many details to resolve, but when your bottom line goal is to bring your members convenient and more affordable access to more business, it was easy for both the NTA and UMA leadership to make it happen."
"This partnership brings together the resources and brand power of two highly successful events to provide an even better experience for our attendees—from UMA’s operators to NTA’s travel packagers, not to mention hotels, attractions, destinations, restaurants and all those who service the dynamic group travel market-everyone will benefit," commented UMA President and CEO Victor S. Parra.
NTA and UMA first entered into a strategic partnership in late 2007 resulting in collaborative work at each associations’ annual event. Since then, UMA has managed the motorcoach exhibits at NTA’s Convention and NTA has developed the Destinations and Attractions aisle at UMA’s Motorcoach Expo.
Fully integrating the association’s two main business events takes this collaboration to a new level and brings even more value and expanded opportunities for business to NTA and UMA members.
Each association and its respective membership bring mutually beneficial strengths and expertise to the partnership. NTA’s 3,000 members represent 48 countries. The business mix of its 700 tour company members is very diverse, and motorcoach travel is an integral part of their business. The collaboration with UMA brings NTA’s diversity in touch with the more than 1,100 UMA members located across North America, offering more than 850 charter and tour bus operators who provide transportation services in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico.
In the coming months, NTA and UMA will work to solidify certain details including the specific date and location.
The World Religious Travel Association, which is co-locating its 2009 World Religious Travel Expo for the first time with NTA’s Convention in Reno, Nov. 14-18, also will continue this cooperative effort with NTA. This will bring three associations together for the inaugural event in 2013.
The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA strives to provide value for its members by advancing the packaged travel industry through its advocacy efforts and progressive leadership. Connecting its members through business development, government relations, professional development and research, NTA has remained committed to serving its members with integrity and quality service since its founding in 1951. Today, the NTA membership represents 48 countries, and includes tour and travel packagers of all types. To learn more about the most important destination for packaged travel professionals, please visit www.NTAonline.com.
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 1,150 members located all across North America, with more than 900 charter and tour bus operator members who provide transportation services in all fifty states, Canada and Mexico. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, UMA is dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the entire motorcoach industry and providing its member with programs and services to enhance the success of their operations. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.uma.org/.
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