Editor’s Note – November/December 2024

It’s still not too late to make plans for attending the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA) 2025 Motorcoach EXPO, scheduled on February 20-23, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center, in Oklahoma City, OK.

The event annually brings together bus and motorcoach professionals for networking, educational sessions and to visit an exhibit hall featuring the latest in equipment, products, and services. Other events include an opening session, driver competition, maintenance interchange and competition, receptions, and more.

Among the many exhibitors will be Busline Magazine, which has a long tradition of manning a booth on the tradeshow floor. Please stop by booth 526 and say “hi.” It’s always nice to see both familiar and new faces.

There is always a lot to see and do as a trade magazine editor during the annual UMA EXPO. I traditionally attend educational sessions, take a bunch of photos, and make sure I’m at the annual Motorcoach EXPO Opening Session, Active Member Meeting & Legislative and Regulatory Update. I highly recommend attending this meeting, which traditionally provides a wealth of updated information about the state of the bus/motorcoach industry and what to expect for the year ahead. The meeting, open to all UMA EXPO attendees, is set for 8 to 9:45 a.m., on Friday, February 21, at the convention center.

I have been attending the UMA EXPO since 1999. It was held that year in Houston, TX, the first time I was in the Lone Star State. The EXPO has always been educational for me, featuring many great product advancements that have helped move the bus/coach transportation industry forward. With the continual progression of such technology as AI and autonomous equipment, only time will tell what the industry will look like in 5, 10, and 25 years.

One important part of the industry, however, will hopefully never change — the abundance of great and dedicated people. Visit www.motorcoachexpo.com for updated information. I encourage everyone to head to OKC in February.

The cover story for this issue focuses on Eagle Christian Tours. The Rome, GA,-based charter provider has enjoyed significant growth since its founding in 2012. That is due, in part, to making sure customers — known as “guests” at the company — truly enjoy their trip experiences.

“What has worked well for us over the years is that we don’t really view ourselves as a transportation company but rather a hospitality company. Our objective has always been putting our guests and their experiences first in everything we do,” Eagle Christian Tours President Carson Roes said. “That involves our entire workforce of slightly over 100 people, including those employees who wash and detail our vehicles, who we refer to as our ‘Guest Preparation Team,’ and our drivers, who we refer to as ‘Host-Drivers.’

“The main objective at our company is to create an incredible hospitality experience for our guests, and we feel honored to be part of their journeys.”

I would like to thank everyone for their continued support of Busline Magazine. Please send news items and story ideas to: harrellk@rdgmedia.net.

Harrell Kerkhoff

Editor, Busline Magazine