NCMA-VMA-MCASC Regional Meeting
Cherokee, NC
August 22-25, 2023
All sessions are open to operators and associates.
Tuesday, August 22
12:00 – 5:30 Registration
1:15 – 2:45 NCMA Board of Directors Meeting
3:00 – 4:30 VMA Board of Directors Meeting
3:00 – 4:30 MCASC Board of Directors Meeting
5:30 – 6:30 Industry Update
Panelists: Peter Pantuso, American Bus Association
Ken Presley, United Motorcoach Association
7:00 – 7:15 Board Coaches
7:30 Early Bird Dinner at Harrah’s
Enjoy traditional native food and entertainment
Sponsored by Eastern Band Cherokee Destination Marketing
9:00 – 11:00 Hospitality
Wednesday, August 23
7:00 – 9:00 Breakfast
8:00 – 5:00 Registration
All operators should attend these sessions.
8:00 – 9:15 Coach Presentations
9:30 – 10:30 Coach Visitation
9:15 – 11:15 Associate Session
“7 Infallible Ways to Connect With Anyone”
Speaker: Stephan Cote, Professional Speaker
10:45 – 11:15 Business Sessions
All operator members should attend their respective association meeting.
NCMA VMA MCASC
11:30 – 12:30 Dr. Georgia Steele, Southern Region Field Administrator, FMCSA
11:30 – 12:30 New member/First timer orientation
12:45–1:45 Lunch: Board Service Awards
(NCMA and MCASC)
2:00 – 4:15 Operator Sessions
2:00 – 3:00 Coach Financing: What are the interest rates, what’s expected, what about Coach pricing?
Panelists: Tony Pederson, Motor Coach Industries Ric Foster, Temsa
Joe Flicek, ABC Companies
Jerry Doughty, Prevost
2:00 – 3:00 How to avoid negligent hiring and retention claims
Moderator: Melissa Jones, Christian Tours & Burke International Tours, NCMA Board Member
Panelists: Chacara Harvin, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, NCMA Board Member
Julie Levengood, Tuscarawas Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jeannie Sadaphal, The Ark EncounterPete Smith, Smoky Mountain Resorts Hospitality Group, MCASC Board Member
Speaker: Stephen Setliff, Setliff Law
3:15 – 4:15 Cost of Operation
Speaker: Ken Presley, UMA
3:15 – 4:15 Company Succession: How to look better to prospective buyer.
Speaker: Chris Goebel, Crossroads Advisors
2:00 – 4:15 Associate Sessions
2:00 – 3:00 Associate Panel Discussion
Moderator: Melissa Jones, Christian Tours & Burke International Tours, NCMA Board Member
Panelists: Chacara Harvin, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, NCMA Board Member
Julie Levengood, Tuscarawas Convention & Visitors Bureau
Jeannie Sadaphal, The Ark Encounter
Pete Smith, Smoky Mountain Resorts Hospitality Group, MCASC Board Member
3:15 – 4:15 Hollywood Squares
Moderator: Pete Smith
4:30 – 5:30 Active Shooter Training
(Associates Join Operator Session)
Speaker: Justin Abraham, TSA and local law enforcement
6:30 – 6:45 Board Coaches
7:00 – Ice Breaker Dinner at The Brewery Connected to the Land and Our Rich Past
Sponsored by Eastern Band Cherokee Destination Marketing
10:00 – 12:00 Hospitality
Thursday, August 24
7:15 – 8:30 Breakfast: Board Service Awards (VMA)
How to Avoid Sexual Harassment Claims
Speaker: Stephen Setliff, Setliff Law
8:30 – 11:30 Registration
8:45 – 11:00 Market Place I (scheduled appointments)
11:30 Board Coach for Golf Tournament Sequoyah National Golf Club
Golf Coordinator: Tim O’Bryan, Service Insurance Agency
11:30 Board Coaches for Tours
Lunch provided on all tours and the tours will conclude by 5:30.
Tour 1: Culture of the Indian
Tour 2: Smoky Mountain Disc Golf
Tour 3: Waterfall Hike
Tour 4: Franklin, NC Antiques to Gem Stones
6:30 Reception
7:30 Awards Dinner
9:30 – 11:00 Hospitality
Friday, August 25
7:30 – 8:30 Breakfast
8:30 – 12:00 Registration
8:30 – 9:30 Display Booth Visitation
9:45 – 12:15 Market Place II (scheduled appointments)
12:30 – 1:30 Lunch: Market Place Awards
Door Prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the lunch.