Nearly 3,000 delegates attended the 2004 American Bus Marketplace in New York, New York, earlier this month, sending the 2004 show to the highest attendance for Marketplace to date. The 3,000 attendees were a 25 percent increase over the 2003 show in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2004 Marketplace occurred at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, Jan. 16 � 21, with Doug Anderson, president, Anderson Coach and Travel, Greenville, Penn., serving as event chairman.

The event was filled with record-breaking numbers, starting with the frigid weather outside. Temperatures dipped to below-freezing, but inside the Javits Center, the show was HOT! More than 600 operators registered for the show, the highest ever at Marketplace. In addition, this year saw more first-time participants, with numbers reaching well over 100. And, more sponsors supported this year�s event than ever in the past.

The main focus of Marketplace is a series of 7-minute appointments between sellers of travel � hotels, restaurants, destinations and attractions, and buyers of travel, or operators, likened to �speed dating�. Peter J. Pantuso, president and CEO, American Bus Association, said, the formula of creating a near one-to-one ratio between delegate groups is what defines the high quality of business that has come to be associated with Marketplace.

�Continuous seven-minute, one-on-one Marketplace appointments allow delegates to plan a year�s worth of business in one efficient, well-organized week. The appointments result in the development of new tour and charter itineraries for motorcoach tours across the United States and Canada and deliver economic growth to those destinations that succeed in selling themselves to the operator-buyers on site.� This year, delegates participated in more than 80,000 appointments, resulting in more than $35 million worth of group travel business being written on the floor and hundreds of millions of dollars in future business being written long after the show has ended.

New York put the shine on the Big Apple for Marketplace delegates with exciting and amazing entertainment at a variety of stunning venues. The week began with pre FAM tours and a fantastic kickoff reception hosted by New York at the American Museum of Natural History. More than 1,500 delegates joined Barbara Gunn, senior vice president of the museum, Cristyne Nicholas, president and CEO, NYC & Co., and New York State Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Brian Akley as they welcomed ABA to New York. The following night New York dazzled delegates with a show at Rockefeller Center that included skating champion Jo Jo Starbuck at the ice skating rink, the Rockettes, music and backstage tours to Radio City Music Hall and the NBC Experience.

Monday night was a night to remember when ABA delegates were treated to a 10-show Broadway Extravaganza by ABA Board Member and Group Sales Box Office CEO, Ronnie Lee. The show included some of Broadway's newest shows, as well as long-time favorites, and featured film-star Hugh Jackman, currently starring on stage in 'The Boy from Oz.� Finally, Chicago gave delegates an amazing preview to the 2005 Marketplace in Chicago with a jaw-dropping show from the Blue Man Group.

While in New York, ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso, Cristyne Nicholas Tom Lewis, President, Grayline, New York Sightseeing; and Ron Eyre, ABA Vice Chairman and president, Eyre Bus Lines met with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff and Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshel. The ABA delegation spoke with the Mayor on a number of industry issues, including the significance of motorcoaches to tourism in the New York area, parking and idling issues, and Marketplace.

Despite the cold, the 2004 American Bus Marketplace was a hot success! Delegates said their business appointments were productive, the entertainment was great and the city and state of New York were the best ever! The 2005 Marketplace will be February 5 � 10 in Chicago, Illinois

### Media Contact: Lori Levy +1 800-283-2877 llevy@buses.org