United Motorcoach Association

Overview

The United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving and protecting the interests of motorcoach owners and operators in North America. It was founded in 1971 as the United Bus Owners of America and changed its name to the United Motorcoach Association in 1996 to better reflect its scope[1][3].

History

UMA began as a branch of the National Association of Motor Bus Operators (NAMBO), aiming to give voice to smaller coach owners and operators. Over the years, it has evolved to become North America's largest association for motorcoach companies, supporting charter, tour, and regular route services[3][4].

Mission

UMA's mission involves several key objectives:

• Legislative and Regulatory Representation: Advocating for policies that benefit the industry and its members.
• Education and Training: Providing resources to enhance business operations and industry knowledge.
• Networking Opportunities: Facilitating connections among members to foster collaboration and solutions.
• Promoting Industry Values: Fostering integrity and inclusion within the industry[2][5].

Membership

UMA has a diverse membership, including over 900 motorcoach companies and about 250 associate members who are manufacturers, suppliers, and travel partners. The association's members operate a wide range of services, from small tour-specific operations to large-scale intercity route services[1][4].

Activities

One of UMA's flagship events is the Motorcoach EXPO, which started in 1984 and is the largest equipment trade show in the motorcoach industry. This event brings together operators and suppliers to buy, sell, learn, and network. UMA also partners with other industry groups, such as the International Motor Coach Group (IMG), to support educational and operational excellence within the industry[4].

Core Values

In recent years, UMA has formally adopted integrity and inclusion as core values, emphasizing the importance of ethical operations and diverse engagement within the association[2].