2023 Regional Meeting

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.