Vma Media Center |
Press ReleasesVirginia Motorcoach Association’s new Board of Directors announced amid Centennial Celebration at joint regional meeting RICHMOND, VA — September 15, 2023 — Virginia Motorcoach Association (VMA) appointed new members to the Board of Directors at its recent Board Meeting. The meeting took place during a joint regional convention with the North Carolina Motorcoach Association (NCMA) and the Motorcoach Association of South Carolina (MCASC) at Harrah’s Casino and Resort in Cherokee, NC, August 22-25, 2023, where VMA members had the opportunity to celebrate their association’s Centennial with many industry friends. VMA’s four officers, serving a two-year term (2023-2025), are:
Our Operator Directors serving three-year terms:
Formally thanked by VMA for their service as they step down from the board are Jason Quick, Quick’s Bus Company, Staunton, VA; Jimmy Hall, Venture Tours, Virginia Beach, VA; and Patrick Laffan, Regional Sales Manager, Daimler Coaches North America. One of the oldest motorcoach associations in the nation, VMA was founded October 27, 1923, when bus owners of the state held its first convention in Richmond with more than 100 companies from every section of Virginia present. At the end of the year, the 200-plus member VMA will be hosting its biggest bash of the century at the Downtown Hilton, Richmond, VA. On December 11 – 13, 2023, plan to join them for a series of events that will include A 100th Anniversary Gala that will be held, December 12, 2023. The 3 days of meetings include an exclusive Group Travel Expo, and Operations & Maintenance Retreat book-ending a formal evening of dining, dancing, and awards. Motorcoach operators from neighboring state associations are welcome to join in. ABOUT THE VIRGINIA MOTORCOACH ASSOCIATION (VMA) Established in 1923, the Virginia Motorcoach Association represents Virginia’s motorcoach operators, travel planners and trade partners in matters at the state level. VMA works to promote the motorcoach tour and charter industry, highlighting the achievements by its members and their contributions towards the economies of Virginia and throughout North America. VMA also advocates for safe motorcoach travel on our highways, supporting just and proper laws regulating the motorcoach industry that protect its members from encroachments, discrimination, improper interference and inequitable taxation. VMA’s annual meeting and sponsored seminars throughout the year offer educational benefits, a marketplace for professional tour planners and group leaders and a casual social setting for developing business relationships that last for years. Learn more at vamotorcoach.com. | MESSAGE FROM VMA PRESIDENT, RODDY MITCHELL
I’d like to thank those VMA members who were able to attend the UMA Fly-In and meet with our House and Senate representatives. I know many of us were unable to leave our businesses to attend, and next year we hope to have many more participants! Building a strong relationship with our state and national representatives is a must-do for our business. With so many lobbyists vying for special projects and new regulations, it’s even more important that we build a bridge between us and those that vote on our behalf. Happy 100th, VMA! I hope you have been enjoying the Congratulatory videos from our industry partners on our social media platforms. If you haven’t seen them, please find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to view. Keep watching for more messages and certainly, if you would like to send a video message from your organization, please contact our Directorship team at vicki@vbgmarketing.com. Be a part of our celebration! As announced, we have partnered with Naylor to produce a 100th Anniversary booklet. As it does include a membership directory, it’s important that to note that you must be a member in good standing to be included. We’d greatly appreciate if you could confirm your membership renewal and that your directory listing information is fully correct and all desired contacts are included. Please review your listing on our website at: https://vamotorcoach.com/directory. Log In is required in order to view team member details. All updates must be received by June 1st. Finally,I’d like to remind you all that elections for our Board of Directors and member recognition nominations will be announced soon. I encourage you all to please consider joining the Board or at the very least participating on a committee. This association is for our members and its future is guided by our members. It’s a great place for newer members to learn more about the industry as well as a wonderful opportunity for our more experienced veterans to mentor the next generation of leaders. Thank you to all that have participated over the years. We have lasted for these 100 years thanks to your generous commitments. Yours, VMA NewsletterThe VMA Newsletter is published regularly to communicate up-to-date information about the Association’s day-to-day operations, meeting information, directory changes, news from National Associations and other industry supportive agencies, member spotlights, and other information. Associate members are invited to advertise in the newsletter which offsets the cost of publication, shows support of the Association, and gets the attention of Operator members. Please contact us to learn more about advertising opportunities Media Center Archives VMA Membership DirectoryThe VMA Membership Directory is published annually to provide a list of all Operator, Tour Operator, and Associate members. Associate members are invited to advertise in the Directory, which makes it possible to publish a full color, professional directory to all members as well as to place Associates’ services at the fingertips of all Operators. |
I hope this month finds you all enjoying the Spring Tourism season and I wish you all a very happy Spring!