2010 VMA Annual Convention
September 12-15, 2010
Doubletree Charlottesville, Charlottesville, VA
Charlottesville CVB Website: www.pursuecharlottesville.com/
Doubletree Website: www.charlottesville.doubletree.com/
Charlottesville Albemarle CVB, Monticello-Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Prevost
ABC Companies, American Bus Association, Daimler Buses North America
Georgia Department of Economic Development, Lancer Insurance Company
Luzerne Convention and Visitors Bureau, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Motor Coach Industries, MyrtleBeachHotels.com
Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Sardo Bus and Coach Upholstery, Service Insurance Agency, United Motorcoach Association
Sunday, September 12
3:00 – 6:00 Registration
Registration Bags sponsored by Lancer Insurance Company and Service Insurance Agency
Badges sponsored by Sardo Bus and Coach Upholstery
Pocket Schedules sponsored by United Motorcoach Association
Programs sponsored by Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau
Notepads sponsored by MyrtleBeachHotels.com
4:00 – 6:00 Board of Directors Meeting
6:30 Board Coaches for Welcome Event
Transportation provided by Daimler Buses North America and Motor Coach Industries
7:00 – 9:00 Welcome Event at Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard
This special dinner event is sponsored for operators and open to associates at a fee of $20. Please see page 4 for more details.
Facility host and wine sponsored by Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard
10:00 Hospitality
DJ services provided by Philip Magaldi, VMA Life Member
Monday, September 13
7:30 – 5:00 Registration
7:45 Board Coaches for Golf Tournament
Transportation provided by Daimler Buses North America
8:30 – 3:00 Golf Tournament at Meadowcreek Golf Course
Coordinators: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
Chuck Andrews, WorldStrides
Beverage cart sponsored by Service Insurance Agency
Golf Awards sponsored by WorldStrides
Golfers will be competing for the first annual James M. Counselman golf award in memory of Jim Counselman, who loved the game and played annually at VMA’s golf tournament. Members are encouraged to play and take advantage of the networking opportunity, no matter what your golf skill level may be.
8:15 Board Coach for Familiarization Tour I
Transportation provided by ABC Companies
8:45 Board Coach for Familiarization Tour II
Transportation provided by Motor Coach Industries
Familiarization Tours (Please see tour descriptions on page 5.)
9:00 – 3:00 Tour I - Heritage
9:30 – 3:00 Tour II - Historic Downtown
3:30 – 4:15 New Member/First Timer Orientation Session
Moderator: Kimberly Cox, Staff
4:30 – 6:00 Associate Session
Moderator: Linda Morris, Staff
Tier Pricing
Presenter: David Sorge, Music Road Hospitality
Customer Service
Presenter: Roni Stevens, New World Tours
Importance of Group Market
Presenter: Carol Torricelli, Virginia Tourism Corporation
4:30 – 6:00 Operator Session (Reports and Election)
Presiding: Robbie Quick, VMA President
Introductions: Scott Merriman, Scenic America
Industry Updates:
American Bus Association
Presenter: Peter Pantuso, ABA
United Motorcoach Association
Presenter: Vic Parra, UMA
6:15 Board Coaches for Ice Breaker Event
Transportation provided by ABC Companies, Daimler Buses North America,
Motor Coach Industries, and Prevost
Group Photo will be taken prior to or during the Ice Breaker Event. The exact location will be announced later.
6:30 Ice Breaker Event at Monticello’s New Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center and Smith Education Center
Sponsored by Monticello/Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc. and Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau
9:45 – 12:00 Hospitality
Coaches will drop members and their guests in downtown Charlottesville to experience and enjoy the University ambience emanating from the unique taverns and restaurants. Those who are more inclined to enjoy a quiet snack and beverage are invited to wind down in VMA’s hospitality at the hotel. Networking is the point and options are good!
Hospitality co-sponsored by Luzerne Convention and Visitors Bureau and Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs
DJ services provided by Philip Magaldi, VMA Life Member
Tuesday, September 14
7:30 – 5:00 Registration
7:30 – 9:00 Networking Breakfast
Operators, please eat early so you are ready for the 8:30 coach sales market place.
Sponsored by Motor Coach Industries and United Motorcoach Association
8:30 – 10:15 Market Place I: Coach Sales
Operators will visit each coach for a 7-minute presentation by coach representatives. Operators who visit each coach will be eligible for two $500 fuel cards, sponsored by Georgia Department of Economic Development - Tourism Division.
9:15 – 10:15 Associate Session: Virtual Way to Connect to Motorcoach Operators
Presenter: Jennifer Powers, GroupConnect.com
10:30 – 12:30 Market Place II Assigned Associates
Operators should be seated by 10:25 and ready to conduct business promptly at 10:30. All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.
Operator Market Place Binders sponsored by Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism
Refreshments sponsored by American Bus Association
10:30 – 12:30 Market Place III Assigned Associates
Group Leaders should be seated by 10:25 and ready to conduct business promptly at 10:30. All members participating in Market Place must adhere to the 5-minute maximum time limit per visit.
Group Leader Market Place Binders sponsored by Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Associates are reminded NOT to ask Group Leaders for their contact information.
12:30 Board Coaches for Lunch at Holiday Inn University Area & Conference Center
Transportation provided by ABC Companies, Daimler Buses North America, Motor Coach Industries, and Prevost
1:00 – 2:30 Group Leader Lunch
(All members and guests may participate. This is a networking opportunity.)
Entertainment: A Visit by Thomas Jefferson
Portrayal: Rob Coles
Lunch for member attendees partially sponsored by Daimler Buses North America
Lunch for group leaders sponsored by Holiday Inn University Area & Conference Center
Entertainment provided by Rob Coles, Thomas Jefferson Historical Interpreter
3:00 – 5:00 Market Place IV Assigned Associates
Operators should be seated by 2:55 and ready to conduct business promptly at 3:00.
3:00 – 5:00 Market Place V Assigned Associates
Group Leaders should be seated by 2:55 and ready to conduct business promptly at 3:00.
6:30 – 7:30 Gala Reception
Sponsored by Chesapeake Conventions & Tourism, 2011 Annual Meeting Host
7:30 – 10:00 Awards Dinner and Board Installation
Dinner partially sponsored by Prevost
VMA’s Got Talent!
Master of Ceremonies: Roni Stevens, New World Tours
DJ: Chris Harrower, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre
Please see registration insert to sign up to participate in this event.
Wednesday, September 15
8:00 – 9:00 Networking Breakfast
Take this opportunity to visit with operators you may have missed in market place. You may seal a deal!
Partially sponsored by ABC Companies
9:30 Leave hotel for Operator Event at WorldStrides
Operator transportation is on your own.
10:00 - 11:00 Board Meeting (All operator members may attend.)
11:00 - 12:00 WorldStrides Tour
12:15 Lunch and depart
Lunch sponsored by WorldStrides
Shipments for VMA’s Convention (door prizes, gifts, etc.) should arrive at the Doubletree on September 10.
Shipments should be addressed as follows:
Hold for Arrival: Kimberly Cox, September 12-15, VMA
Doubletree Charlottesville
990 Hilton Heights Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
GETTING THERE!
Charlottesville Albemarle Airport
Web: www.gocho.com
Distance: 4 miles from Doubletree
Complimentary Shuttle:
Advance Shuttle Reservations:
434-973-2121 or call from courtesy phone in baggage claim area
Charlottesville is also easy to travel to by Greyhound Bus or Amtrak train (CVS station), including daily direct routes (Crescent, Cardinal and Northeast Regional) to New York City’s Penn Station and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Please visit www.greyhound.com or www.amtrak.com for more information.
VMA Annual Convention Photos are available here.
VMA Operators Retreat Photos are available here.
VMA 2012 Convention RFP
Click Here Email Kimberly about Convention RFP Information
Click here for RFP Information