In an era when many conventions and events are being canceled, the Midwest Bus & Motorcoach Association decided to stick with its planned annual gathering.
The good news is that, not only was the July event a success, but turnout was better than
expected, with 53 attendees, including 20 operating members and nine vendors, according to
Cherie Hime, the regional association’s Executive Director.
Planned long before the global pandemic disrupted the industry, the 2020 convention was held
in Bettendorf, Iowa, on July 27-28, at the Isle Casino and Waterfront Convention Center.
CDC protocols
Hime credits the hotel for following social distancing protocols and guidelines from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention. Seatings and tables were spaced apart, and hand sanitizer
was readily available. MBMCA also provided free masks from FEMA to attendees.
“We shortened the schedule and made it more of a time to get together and network. We shared
ideas, discussed the current situation and new ways of adapting,” she said.
Shortened by a day to a day-and-a-half gathering, the meeting skipped the annual driver rodeo
and tech training sessions.
National organizations United Motorcoach Association and American Bus Association
participated through WebEx.
70% attendance
“We normally would have around 80 people,” Hime said. “I was actually surprised that we had
about 70% attendance.”
The vendors participated to show support for their customers and the industry as a
whole. Members appreciated taking part in the annual event in person.
“I think that we were sort of the test monkey, if you will, for the rest of the industry, to
demonstrate that you can still have meetings,” she said. “We were within that 50-person
meeting range, which was within state law guidelines. Hopefully, people will see that you can
still get together with your smaller groups and do it in a safe manner.”
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August 13, 2020 at 08:03PM
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MBMCA's annual meeting shows how to safely gather as a group - Bus & Motorcoach News
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