FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Andrew Staub
Communications Specialist
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 103 or astaub@yorkpa.org 

Louise Heine
Destination Marketing Director
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 109 or louise@yorkpa.org

YORK, PA - A parade of buses from south of the Mason-Dixon Line will roll into town next year when York County hosts the Maryland Motorcoach Association (MMA) Group Leader Travel Showcase for the first time.

MMA's Travel Showcase will take over the York Expo Center on March 28, 2018 - just a day after the Pennsylvania Bus Association completes its own marketplace. The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau successfully bid on both events and previously unveiled the PBA event in late 2016. 

"Hosting both the MMA and PBA marketplaces back-to-back will give York County a one-two punch of lucrative expos that will drive more leisure visitors to our factory tour locations, restaurants and lodging properties," said Patrick Bourque, who works to secure group tour trips as sales manager for the York County CVB. "This is an opportunity to showcase our destination to the very people who build group trips and are looking for new and exciting places to explore. We're thrilled that the Maryland Motorcoach Association decided to make York County its home next year." 

The Maryland Motorcoach Association is a trade organization that represents the state's bus operators and the travel industry in general.

The MMA Travel Showcase will bring about 400 group leaders, 150 vendors and 15 operators to York County. That's on top of the 30 motorcoaches and 1,000 group tour leaders expected in York County for the PBA Marketplace.

"York County's central location and the enthusiastic response from the York County CVB make it an ideal place for the Maryland Motorcoach Association's annual Travel Showcase," said Mary Presley, Executive Administrator of the MMA. "Bus operators are already building tour packages that will bring more visitors to York County to dine, shop and explore. A one-night visit from a single motorcoach can generate as much as $11,000 for the local economy, making this an excellent opportunity to drive more visitor spending to the area."

As part of its duties of hosting the MMA's Travel Showcase, the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau will arrange various tours to local attractions. Buses full of group leaders will explore many local attractions, including Steam Into History, the York County History Center, 1st Capital Harley-Davidson and PeoplesBank Park - home of the York Revolution.

"York County has so much to offer motorcoach groups, and we know that if they have a chance to see PeoplesBank Park and other great attractions in the area, Maryland Motorcoach Association members and groups will discover some great trips," said Doug Eppler, Director of Marketing and Communications for the York Revolution. "We are thrilled that York is hosting the MMA Travel Showcase and really looking forward to working with attendees to make York Revolution games part of some amazing itineraries."

York County's momentum with group tours will continue beyond 2018 when the Pennsylvania Bus Association returns to the Factory Tour Capital of the World® for its 2019 Marketplace.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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