The American Bus Association’s (ABA) 2025 Marketplace took Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by storm from Feb. 1 through Feb. 4. This year’s annual 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 a whopping 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 event 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. “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.”
This year’s Marketplace welcomed in ABA’s newly elected board members: Stephanie Brooks of Globus Family of Brands, Erin Sullivan of Bloom Tour & Charter Services, and Suzanne Thornburg of Capital Motor Lines. Sullivan was also honored with the 2025 Women in Buses Council Award. Lori Tokarz of Sun Diego Charter was granted the Women in Buses Council Operational Innovation Award. The Next Era Leadership Council Disruptive Innovation Award went to Mike Costa of Yankee Line.
Credit: American Bus Association
Also awarded at the Marketplace were Transportation Charter Services, recipient of the ABA Leadership & Environmental Sustainability Award; Scott Riccio, Northeast Charter & Tour, recipient of the BUSRide Good Stewardship Award; Kim Grzywacz, CTIS, CIT Signature Transportation, recipient of the Patti Lloyd Lifetime Volunteer Award; Rich Gilbert, Maryland Office of Tourism, recipient of the 4th Annual Wayne Chandler Spirit of Partnership Award; Distinctively Detroit Tours, recipient of the Serendipity Magazine Today Award; and OK Tours, recipient of the Metro Magazine/Innovative Operator Award.
Seminar topics covered at the Marketplace included “The Answer Lies Behind Closed Doors,” “The 4 C’s of Celebrating Your Team,” and more. Attendees were also encouraged to participate in the ABA Foundation’s silent auction—the proceeds of which will go toward funding scholarships for students pursuing careers in transportation, travel, tourism, and hospitality.
The trade show concluded on Tuesday 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 2026 Marketplace in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada.
By Madeline Fuerstenberg
Main Image: Tour operators meet with DMOs and suppliers in timed appointments at the ABA’s 2025 Marketplace in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Credit: American Bus Association
