Operators Lead Panels At Annual Motorcoach Meeting

Lower Yard Costs: Tom Holden (L), general manager of Rose Chauffeured Transportation, and Tony Simon, COO of Reston Limousine & Travel Services, spoke on a motorcoach operator panel that advised attendees how to save money and increase revenue. (Photo by Tom Halligan)

Lower Yard Costs: Tom Holden (L), general manager of Rose Chauffeured Transportation, and Tony Simon, COO of Reston Limousine & Travel Services, spoke on a motorcoach operator panel that advised attendees how to save money and increase revenue. (Photo by Tom Halligan)

COLUMBIA, S.C.— Motorcoach safety, technology, regulations, governmental affairs and increasing revenue were top issues addressed at this week’s annual regional meeting of three Southeast motorcoach associations — the Motorcoach Association of South Carolina, North Carolina Motorcoach Association and the Virginia Motorcoach Association — that gathered here for education, business, networking marketplace, social events and outings.

Limousine operators who are heavy into the motorcoach business attended and participated on panel discussions throughout the event, which began Aug 19 and concludes Aug. 22. Tom Holden, general manager, Rose Chauffeured Transportation (Pinehill, N.C) and Tony Simon, chief operating officer, Reston Limousine &Travel Services (Reston, Va.) sat on a panel that advised attendees how to save money and increase revenue on operations. Stephen Story, president, James River Transportation (Richmond, Va.) also attended the annual meeting that drew hundreds of tour bus operators, vendors, destination travel executives and guests.

In fact, Holden and Story will be well equipped to share the most up-to-date information on motorcoach regulations, safety and business during their motorcoach session at LCT-NLA Show East Nov. 8-10 at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City. One of the main discussion points at the conference was a lively debate about raising prices because of the additional costs associated with outfitting motorcoaches with WiFi, monitors, power outlets and other technologies. There were other sessions that addressed driver training, cutting-edge technologies being incorporated into motorcoach, and a liability clinic. Make sure to check the October issue of LCT for more detailed information on the panel sessions.