The American Bus Association (ABA) based in Washington, D.C., just wrapped up its Marketplace 2025, which took Philadelphia by storm from Feb. 1 through Feb. 4. This year’s Marketplace—the largest group travel industry event of the year—attracted about 3,500 tour operators and representatives of destination management organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, attractions, bus companies, tech companies, and more to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
With 2 million square feet of event space, the convention center played host to four days of networking events, educational seminars, and appointments between operators and suppliers. Participants were offered sightseeing tours of the city, and on Feb. 2, guests were treated to an evening celebration at the Adventure Aquarium just across the Delaware River in New Jersey.
“ABA is proud to unite a diverse membership representing leaders from motorcoach and charter bus, group travel, and tourism organizations for the largest event of the year,” says Fred Ferguson, ABA president and CEO, in a prepared statement. “With U.S. travel and tourism spending projected to grow in 2025 and consumers planning to travel more, Marketplace serves as a vital platform for our members to forge meaningful connections and stay informed about the latest innovations in the travel and motorcoach industries.”
The annual event welcomed in ABA’s newly elected board members: Stephanie Brooks of Denver-based Globus Family of Brands; Erin Sullivan of Bloom Tour & Charter Services in Taunton, Massachusetts; and Suzanne Thornburg of Capital Motor Lines in Montgomery, Alabama. Sullivan also was honored with the 2025 Women in Buses Council Award. Lori Tokarz of Sun Diego Charter in National City, California, was granted the Women in Buses Council Operational Innovation Award. The Next Era Leadership Council Disruptive Innovation Award went to Mike Costa of Boston-based Yankee Line.
Also awarded at Marketplace 2025 were Transportation Charter Services in Orange, California, recipient of the ABA Leadership & Environmental Sustainability Award; Scott Riccio of Northeast Charter & Tour Co. in Lewiston, Maine, recipient of the BUSRide Good Stewardship Award; Kim Grzywacz of CIT Signature Transportation in Ames, Iowa, recipient of the Patti Lloyd Lifetime Volunteer Award; Rich Gilbert of the Maryland Office of Tourism in Baltimore, recipient of the Wayne Chandler Spirit of Partnership Award; Distinctively Detroit Tours in Michigan, recipient of the Serendipity Magazine Today Award; and OK Tours in San Antonio, Texas, recipient of the Metro Magazine/Innovative Operator Award.
Seminars presented at the gathering included “The 4 C’s of Celebrating Your Team” and more. Attendees also were encouraged to participate in the ABA Foundation’s silent auction—the proceeds of which go toward funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in transportation, travel, tourism, and hospitality.
The trade show concluded on Tuesday Feb. 4 with a final day of appointments before attendees gathered for an ’80s- and ’90s-themed celebratory evening of music, drinks, and camaraderie as industry professionals bid Philadelphia farewell. Up next: ABA’s Marketplace 2026 in Reno, Nevada.
