(Virginia Beach, Va., January 2008) – Virginia Beach, a premier meetings destination, is hosting the 2008 American Bus Association (ABA) Marketplace from February 2–7, 2008 at the new $202.5 million Virginia Beach Convention Center. More than 3,000 travel and group tour industry representatives from the United States and Canada are arriving in Virginia Beach to conduct the industry’s leading travel show. With a host of exciting activities planned – including sightseeing tours, evening extravaganzas and charity events – the 2008 ABA Marketplace is destined to be a huge success. The following story ideas are designed to help journalists before and during the ABA week of events. For interview requests, stop by the media booth or call (757) 437-2001. For more information and images, please visit www.vbpressroom.com, www.vbfun.com/aba or www.buses.org. New images will be added to the Virginia Beach pressroom every day of ABA Marketplace.

Importance of ABA to a City: The American Bus Association represents approximately 1,000 motorcoach and tour companies in the United States and Canada. Its members operate charter, tour, regular route, airport express, special operations and contract services (commuter, school, transit). Another 2,800 member organizations represent the travel and tourism industry and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry. In the past, the ABA has met in top destinations including Chicago, New York City and Grapevine, Texas. It is expected that more than 3,000 travel industry professionals from across North America will descend on Virginia Beach during the ABA Marketplace in February. Already, more than 104,700 appointments are scheduled during the ABA Marketplace.

ABA Creating Positive Economic Impact in Hampton Roads: According to a report by George Washington University, just one overnight visit by a motorcoach group can yield between $5,000 and $11,000 in the local economy. Therefore, Virginia Beach and the entire region can expect a huge economic boost as it hosts this national convention with more than 3,000 attendees. With more than 11,500 hotel room nights and over $5 million in spending, the ABA 2008 Marketplace will create a large positive impact on the local economy. As a result of ABA Marketplace meeting in Virginia Beach, group tour business will increase by 10–30% in future years.

Give Back Program: When ABA becomes part of a community, they are committed to giving back to the community. To do that, four ABA tour bus operators are sponsoring buses to transport underserved students. On February 5, James Hurst Elementary School students who are part of the Virginia Aquarium Ocean Odyssey grant program, will go to the Aquarium's Bay Lab teaching facility in Virginia Beach. Ocean Odyssey serves 415 students in 20 5th–grade classes from Portsmouth public elementary schools. These students will participate in a 2–hour program, which involves Exotic Aquatics, a hands–on program about invasive species. Students will practice classification, mapping, and problem–solving skills; meet examples of invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay; and explore the Bay shoreline – something many of these students have never done. The Exotic Aquatics is just one segment of Ocean Odyssey, a year–long grant program made possible by the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation. The Portsmouth schools were selected based on student need for Virginia Standards of Learning–based enrichment in science. Thanks to the ABA Give Back Program, Newport News Booker T. Washington Middle School's magnet program for marine science will visit the Aquarium February 6 and 7. These underserved students will have their tickets paid for by the Virginia Aquarium Foundation Access Program.

Freezin' for a Reason: ABA Attendees Take the Plunge: Who says swimming in the Atlantic is limited to the summer months? In Virginia Beach, the ocean is open year–round and the chilly waters of the mid– Atlantic are beckoning ABA attendees to brave the cold. The ABA Polar Plunge will take place on February 3, challenging swimsuit–donning thrill–seekers to jump into the Atlantic to help raise money for the American Cancer Society in memory of Daisy Cohan, a Virginia Beach CVB staff member. Already, over $6,100 has been raised for the cause. This chilling event, which hopes to gain the participation of 100 plungers, will take place at the oceanfront at 42nd street outside the Cavalier Hotel.

Educational Outreach Program: Approximately 66 students from universities throughout the state – including Hampton University, Norfolk State University, Virginia State University, Old Dominion University, North Carolina Central University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore – are participating in the 2008 ABA Educational Outreach program on Wednesday, February 6, sponsored by the ABA Diversity Committee. A panel of industry experts will teach students about the group travel and tourism industry. In addition, they will have the option of attending one of two educational seminars entitled "Communicating with Excellence" and "Cruisin' Through Life at 35 MPH." At an industry luncheon, the students also will network with the industry leaders. More than 115 ABA member companies have agreed to participate in this special program by agreeing to consider these students for possible internships and full–time employment. Panel participants include: Peter Pantuso, ABA President and CEO; James B. Ricketts, Virginia Beach CVB CEO; Al Hutchinson, Virginia Beach CVB Vice President of Convention Sales; Lynne Lochen, Portsmouth CVB Director; Donna Allen, Norfolk CVB Vice President of Sales; and Irving Harris, COO of ProTran.

"Honoring the Military" Breakfast: The Virginia Beach CVB is hosting a breakfast showcasing the military and its significance to the Hampton Roads area on Sunday, February 3 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The opening ceremony will include music from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Band from Fort Monroe and a presentation of the colors by the U.S. Color Guard that will post and retire the flags. A brief presentation from ABA President and CEO Peter Pantuso will include a recap of ABA achievements in the last year as well as where the ABA is headed for 2008. Speakers from the U.S. Defense Department will awe the crowd as they share stories of their military experience and explain more about the "Why We Serve" program. Approximately 50 representatives from the Hampton Roads–based military personnel also will be in attendance.

Community Volunteers: Volunteers are the backbone of a national convention, and one of the keys to delivering success. An estimated 400–500 volunteers will give their time and talents to the ABA Marketplace to welcome the delegates, assisting with hospitality, transportation and sightseeing activities – just to name a few of the myriad of opportunities. The community volunteers are vital to showcasing Virginia Beach's time–honored Southern hospitality, and providing customer service that is second to none. Additional volunteers are needed – those interested can sign up online at www.vbfun.com/aba. Currently (as of January 15), there are 368 volunteers signed up for 1465 shifts. The shifts average 4 hours.

Leadership Panel: On Monday, February 4, industry leaders will discuss topics most important to the group travel industry such as the present and future challenges facing the group travel industry as well as how to better market motorcoach travel from the perspectives of both operators and destinations. Other topics include how to take advantage of the eco–friendliness of motorcoach tourism and travel in the current ecologically–minded culture, and other critical business issues facing everyone in the motorcoach, tour and travel community. ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso will serve as moderator and the confirmed panelists are Jim Ricketts, Virginia Beach CVB CEO; Lynn Clements, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Executive Director; Gwen Elmore, Fun Tours Inc. President; and Dave Bolen, New World Tours of Bristow President.

Places to Go, People to See – ABA Sightseeing Tours: Virginia Beach and its surrounding cities in the Hampton Roads area offer ABA visitors exciting attractions, stylish shopping, fascinating history and tranquil escapes to nature. ABA Marketplace attendees will have the unique opportunity to embark on 15 different sightseeing tours throughout Hampton Roads, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Hampton. Scheduled tours include exciting whale–watching boat trips, kayaking and biking, historic homes, spooky ghost tours, military excursions, cruising the Elizabeth River, shopping at the unique boutiques, as well as strolling through the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, the Virginia Air & Space Center, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. With over 1,300 reservations for the sightseeing tours, many of the tours are already fully booked.

Experience the Flavor of Virginia Beach during Culinary Dine Arounds: From Chesapeake Bay crab cakes and fresh rockfish to local favorites such as she crab soup, the taste of Coastal Cuisine explodes in Virginia Beach's restaurants. ABA Marketplace attendees will please their palate during two culinary dine–around evenings, featuring a choice of 27 of Virginia Beach's finest restaurants, from cosmopolitan oceanfront dining to hip and eclectic eateries serving the region's seafood specialties. During the Marketplace event, a culinary booth will be set up for cooking demonstrations, menus and reservation assistance for local restaurants. At the dine around booth on the Marketplace floor, attendees will be able to experience some of the local cuisine, from scallops prepared by the Surf Club Ocean Grill to Warm Apple Bread Pudding from Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant to Purple Cow Milk Shakes from the Purple Cow Restaurant, there will be something for everyone. Virginia Beach delivers on delectable flavors, and with agriculture as one of Virginia Beach's top three industries, fresh seafood is combined with the freshest produce equaling a taste unique only to Virginia Beach.

Evening Events Entertain at Virginia Beach's Cavalier Hotel, Town Center and Norfolk: After the meetings are done, it's time to let loose. Virginia Beach and Norfolk are rolling out the red carpet during evening events designed to overwhelm the ABA attendees with elegance, sophistication and Southern–style fun. On Saturday, February 2, the groovy beats of two local bands, Butter and The Rhondels, will rock the Cavalier Beach Club. During the Beach Party, sandcastle displays, fresh seafood and fireworks are sure to awe the crowd.

On Monday, February 4, Virginia Beach presents the "Edge of Chic" evening event at Town Center. The new Sandler Center for the Performing Arts will showcase two AERO shows, and attendees are invited to sample the delights of Guadalajara, McCormick & Schmick's, Keagan's Irish Pub and Gordon Biersch; and the new Westin Hotel ballroom is open for dancing. On Wednesday, February 6, Norfolk hosts the ABA delegates with its themed event, "The Reason the Mermaid Came Ashore." Featuring a sampling of 15 different city restaurants, live entertainment and harbor cruises, the festivities are set within the Nauticus maritime museum campus that includes the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center. Docked at Half Moone, the Spirit of Norfolk opens its doors for food, drinks and fun throughout the evening. Nearby, the Victory Rover will play host to delegates as well, and also set off for two harbor cruises during the night.

Economic Impact Created from Private Parties: With more than 15 private parties planned for ABA, from board member dinners and CVB gatherings to ballroom events and Superbowl parties, more than $500,000 in revenue will hit the shores of Virginia Beach in February. Events will be held throughout the city at area hotels and restaurants, including the Virginia Beach Town Center.

Navigating the Way – ABA Transportation: Coordinating transportation for 3,000 convention attendees to navigate throughout the Hampton Roads area is truly a challenge. The Virginia Beach CVB spent the last couple years in planning to ensure the transportation plan is streamlined and executed flawlessly. Nine motorcoach companies from as far as Baltimore will make their way to Virginia Beach to provide transportation for the ABA Marketplace attendees with the use of up to 100 coaches. Transportation to and from Norfolk International Airport, area hotels, the Virginia Beach Convention Center and evening events will be provided by motorcoaches and mini–coaches. Streamlined operation will provide for minimal congestion throughout the city during the event.

Setting the Stage – A Convention from Behind the Scenes: More than 13,900 meals – a combination of served meals, buffets and receptions – will be served at the Convention Center during the 2008 ABA. Approximately 11,000 chairs and 1,100 tables to set up, lighting to be staged, food to be prepared for more than 3500 guests – 2008 ABA Marketplace is an event of epic proportions. Like setting the stage for a theatrical performance, coordinating the logistics at the Convention Center calls for a dedicated staff of trained professionals to efficiently and flawlessly pull it all together. Leaving no detail overlooked, the Convention Center operations department and sub–contractors, along with help from at–risk youth from the Commonwealth Challenge, will work feverishly to set–up and tear down meeting rooms, the tradeshow floor, exhibition areas, as well as the ballroom to accommodate 12 different meal events and meetings. From food deliveries and table set–up to cleaning crews and tear–down staff, the Virginia Beach Convention Center team is ready for ABA.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION AND ABA MARKETPLACE:
The American Bus Association is the trade organization of the intercity bus industry with more than 1,000 motorcoach owner 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 2,600 members are travel and tourism organizations and suppliers of bus products and services who work in partnership with the North American motorcoach industry.

The American Bus Marketplace is the premier business event for the group travel industry. The appointments are the core of the show; which allow Buyers and Sellers to meet face–to–face in prescheduled seven–minute appointments. In addition to the quality appointments, Marketplace offers professional education seminars and numerous networking opportunities.

The newest show component, the MARKET at Marketplace, offers operators the opportunity to view the industry's latest products and services. Associate members can now showcase their products and services on the exhibit floor to the more than 320 operator companies who attend Marketplace. With the addition of The MARKET, Marketplace is a one–stop shop for the group travel and motorcoach industry to build business relationships, conduct one–to–one business appointments, view the newest products and services, learn about the latest trends and industry information, and network – all resulting in providing members with a greater return on investment.

Buyers who are bus owners and tour operators, come to meet with Sellers who are travel industry representatives from destination marketing organizations (cities, areas, states), attractions, restaurants, receptive operators, hotels and associate service suppliers. These business sessions allow Buyers and Sellers to plan trip itineraries for motorcoach group travel throughout the US and Canada.

Sellers attend Marketplace to sell their destination, attraction, restaurant etc to motorcoach and tour operators. Sellers also network with their peers in the group travel industry.

Buyers attend Marketplace to learn more about new destinations, to meet personally with people with whom they conduct business, and to socialize with other Buyers.

Marketplace week runs from Saturday through Thursday evening. The show is held annually, usually in February, in a different North American city each year.

The Virginia Beach CVB invites meeting planners to "Bring it to the Beach!" Virginia Beach is four hours southeast of Washington, D.C. by car and within a day's drive or less from two–thirds of the U.S. population. For the latest information and project updates on the new Virginia Beach Convention Center, visit www.vbmeetings.com. Media information and digital images are available at www.vbpressroom.com.