PBA announces new board members at annual conference

After celebrating its 100th anniversary last year, the Pennsylvania Bus Association (PBA) looked for new ways to enhance its annual conference held June 17-20.

This year the event took place at Ithaca, New York, a a place renowned for its imposing hills and picturesque gorges. The Ithaca Hotel provides an ideal setting for industry professionals to reconnect and gain new perspectives.

During the conference, the general meeting of the members of the PBA was held, during which the members voted on the list of candidates for 2024. All members of the board of directors whose term of office was expiring, except two, wished to continue to sit. Members voted in favor of the slate as presented by the Nominating Committee, resulting in the election of the following directors:

Operator members (term June 2024 – June 2026)

John Bailey, Bailey’s trainer
Jonathan Berzas, Fullington Trails
Sandy Borowsky, Starr Charter and Bus Tours
Amy Brooks, Susquehanna Trails
Todd Campbell, Campbell Bus
Nelson Floyd, Perkiomen Tours
Jim JeBran, Trans-Bridge Lines Inc.
Douglas Rydbom, First #1 Limousine
Alison Sherman, Klein Transport
Tammy Wolf-Baker, Wolf Bus Lines

Supplier/Associate Member (mandate June 2024 – June 2026)

Trip Provider: Margo DeRouchie, Pennsylvania Americana Region

Officer positions (term from June 2024 to June 2026)

President: Tammy Wolf-Baker
Vice President: Doug Rydbom
Treasurer: Brian Kurtz

Wolf-Baker was re-elected to a second two-year term as PBA president and Rydbom moved from treasurer to vice president.

The newly elected PBA Board of Directors.

The conference began with a series of familiarization tours (FAM), culminating with an opening reception sponsored by the host city. Attendees enjoyed an evening of shuffleboard and live music.

Atlantic City, a perennial favorite, hosted a bustling hospitality suite under the hotel’s portico. The evening included duck races and nightly entertainment.

The first day was marked by a series of working sessions. The day began with a members meeting, followed by a keynote address from Danielle Adams-Wiltshire on “Leading with Hospitality.” National industry updates were provided by Peter Pantuso, president and CEO of the American Bus Association and Scott Michael, president and CEO of the United Motorcoach Association. The afternoon featured an exhibition, travel supplier roundtable and bus display, leading to a local catering event.

The second day’s session focused on sales, with Nicole Boyer explaining why “Everything is better together” and Josiah Brown offering strategies for “Future-proofing tomorrow’s traveler.” The afternoon sales retreat preceded the closing event at the Earth Museum, with additional tours from FAM.

Next year’s conference will head south to Richmond, Virginia.