March 29, 2010 - American Bus Association

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ABAInsider AS SEEN ON PBS GROUP RATES AVAILABLE PHILADELPHIA May 22 - 7pm (215) 790-5883 SARATOGA SPRINGS May 23 - 2pm (519) 679-1160 LOWELL May 26 - 7pm (978) 937-8688 X225 CLEVELAND June 6 - 3pm (419) 537-9106 SIOUX CITY June 9 - 7pm (712) 279-4850 OMAHA June 11 - 7pm (402) 661-8516 MOLINE June 13 - 5:30pm (309) 277-1356 SOUTH BEND June 20 - 3pm (419) 537-9106 glatzconcerts.com THE INSIDER Q&A: Gail Borowsky, CEO, National Liberty Museum, Philadelphia ABA | How have you used the emerging trend of “character education” at the National Liberty Museum to attract student bus tour groups? GB | Character education fosters ethical and responsible caring in young people by modeling and teaching good character through an emphasis on universal values shared globally—like hope, respect, knowledge, peace, loyalty, equality, and democracy. Our “Heroes of Character” exhibit and Web site asks our youth one question: ”What do you stand for?” Our plans include going “mobile” and bringing the exhibit and character education programs to the students and teachers at their schools in the Philadelphia area. To attract student bus groups, we promoted the exhibit at ABA Marketplace 2010 and featured the new addition to the museum on our Tour Operator Profile Sheets. ABA | What makes your “Heroes of Character” exhibit something motorcoach and tour operators will want to add to their group travel itineraries? GB | Kids can ponder what makes one “heroic” by playing the museum’s “Heroes of Character” video game at a series of four touch-screen kiosks. The games explore traits such as perseverance (with a cameo appearance by Martin Luther King, Jr.) and generosity (featuring Oprah Winfrey, Ben Franklin, and others). At the last kiosk in the exhibit, a digital camera takes a snapshot of the player with one of the game’s featured heroes. Kids can visit the museum’s Web site from home and print out a keepsake. ABA | How are you using social media to interest and engage the youth market? GB | As well as our Web sites, the museum has launched a companion “Heroes of Character” Facebook page, and we use Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube to maximize our message and increase our brand recognition. The Museum has also used bloggers to make ourselves heard with an audience interested in a particular topic—such as teachers, students, home-schoolers, young mothers, seniors, and the event members of the press. We find it generates more Web site traffic. ABA | How does your proximity to the historic district in Philadelphia affect your ability to attract visitors? GB | Our location itself is a great advantage to groups and motorcoach operators. Located in historic Old City, we have convenient bus drop-off and pick up areas near the front of our entrances. Each visit can be paired with nearby restaurants, “Liberty Trail” attractions such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall or other sites. We have a group tours department that can be reached by calling (215) 925-2800 x129 for bookings, or operators can go online. ABA | What have you found to be successful in attracting student groups? GB | Being as personalized as possible. The National Liberty Museum is unique in that every tour is led by a professional museum educator who provides a personalized 2
March/April 2010 ABAInsider and interactive experience for all. Our museum has been recognized for having the “best docents in the city of Philadelphia.” The Museum’s standard 90-minute tour includes the museum’s major works of glass art, and a theme of your choice from “Diversity Appreciation,” “Heroes of Character,” or others. You can suggest a theme and we will work with your group. Tour operator rates are available. The Museum makes special arrangements for early/late visits to the museum for large groups. ABA | What do you plan to do to use Marketplace 2011 in Philadelphia January 8-12 to elevate the awareness about the National Liberty Museum? GB | The city of Philadelphia is delighted to host Marketplace 2011 and we plan to participate by attending the 2011 Marketplace, participate in the pre/post FAM tour visits, Dine-A-Round opportunities and having our staff serve on the various Marketplace Committees. CHECK OUT THE LATEST DESTINATIONS ONLINE President Signs Bill Keeping Highway Trust Fund Solvent President Obama has signed a jobs bill that would also provide almost $20 billion immediately to ensure the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) through 2011 following the Senate’s approval of the measure in a 68-29 bipartisan vote March 17. The bill expands eligibility for Build America Bonds and extends surface transportation policy through December, provides the HTF $19.5 billion so it can meet its financial obligations through 2011, and increases the transportation funding baseline from which future legislation is written. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act (H.R. 2847) also includes an extension of Build America Bonds used by state and local governments to cut financing costs for infrastructure projects. 3 THE SPORTS SECTION Halls of Fame | NCAA Sports | Li tle League World Series GLORY DAYS SPORTS HALLS OF FAME GIVE FANS A HOME MARKETPLACE WRAP UP THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION TRAVEL RESOURCE EAST CENTRAL & WEST Page 43 The Official Publication of the American Bus Association MCI Rehiring 100 Workers to Build New 70-Coach Order Motor Coach Industries is rehiring 100 workers for its Winnipeg, Manitoba and Pembina, N.D. assembly plants as it inks the finishing touches on an order for 70 new coaches. The news of the hiring back of 100 workers comes on the heels of a Winnipeg newspaper report that MCI had gradually reduced more than half its Winnipeg workforce over the past 18 months. “We are very pleased to be adding jobs,” MCI VP & Chief Customer Officer Pat Ziska told the ABA Insider. “In 2009, many companies, including MCI, streamlined to adjust to the weaker economy. And now we’re doing what any good business would do with a recovering economy—rehiring!” With the order for 70 new 2010 D4505 coaches, MCI is well into the process of reinvigorating its staff at both the Winnipeg and Pembina plants, where the D4505 is assembled. The major structural components are built at the Winnipeg plant; the finishing components added at the North Dakota plant. “Coach orders not only benefit our line-rates, but those of our suppliers,” Ziska added. “Job creation in the transportation sector advances the industry. We look forward to spreading this good news and the great story MCI has to tell.”
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March 29, 2010 - American Bus Association

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