OMCA Marketplace: A Great Investment in Your Business’ Success

This Canadian show provides companies a chance to connect and network

The Ontario Motor Coach Association (OMCA) has been Canada’s motor coach and group travel experts since 1929. OMCA is a strong, inclusive network of interdependent businesses across North America that embraces the road to sustainable and progressive development of the group travel industry through advocacy, education and B2B networking. OMCA also provides high-value opportunities for its members to grow their businesses, such as the OMCA Marketplace.

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OMCA Marketplace

This November 4-6, OMCA Marketplace 2024 takes place at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, located just over the border from Detroit, Michigan. This annual industry event supports travel-trade group travel businesses across North America. Tour operators meet one-on-one with tourism suppliers for two days of eight-minute appointments for a speedy update on products and services available for their upcoming groups. Simultaneously, there are education sessions for motor coach operators and other delegates on relevant topics and issues facing the group tourism industry today.

OMCA Marketplace is a friendly, manageable event that provides group-tourism-related companies a chance to connect, network, learn and secure future group bookings. Delegates enjoy evening networking receptions, breakfasts, lunches and educational sessions to boost their knowledge and ability to navigate the successful recovery of motor coach and group tourism. No other marketplace provides the intimate atmosphere of OMCA’s conference, providing the opportunity to touch base with every attendee, with or without a one-on-one appointment.

“As a buyer at the OMCA Marketplace there is no replacement for creating real connections with all the various sellers. Knowing people on a more personal level makes it so much easier when we need them,” said Hammond Tours & Travel.

OMCA is sizable enough to get a strong return on investment but small enough that attendees can connect with whoever they intend to connect with.

Who attends Marketplace?

Buyers: Tour operators based in Canada or the U.S.

Sellers: Tourism suppliers (attractions, accommodations, destinations, tour services, etc.) from Canada and the United States, mostly from the central and eastern regions

Coach Operators who own or manage a charter and/or scheduled service buses attend the networking and education sessions. Some coach operators meet with buyers to discuss the charters available for tour groups.
Products and Services: Companies that provide vital services to the motor coach industry such as bus sales, parts, services, marketing and more.

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What Marketplace has to offer

OMCA Marketplace has top-notch events, food and an intimate “family” feeling, but what really matters is the business you conduct there and the return you get on your investment. Thus, OMCA commissioned an independent study of the ROI people get from attending Marketplace.

Here is what they discovered:

Suppliers:

More than $5 million in business was booked on the marketplace floor, an average of $16,800 per participant

Another $14 million in post-show bookings, an average of $41,700 per participant

As a result of the show, suppliers booked some 6,000 tours, an average of 17 per participant
On average, suppliers walked away from the show with 17 solid leads

Tour Operators:

Tour operators reported meeting an average of 23 new suppliers (they booked business with 10 of these suppliers)

Operators generated on average of seven new business ideas because of attending

They also reported that because of attending, operators felt strongly that they received better rates and better service from the suppliers that they formed a relationship with through Marketplace

“The OMCA Marketplace is truly worthwhile for those looking to make long-lasting connections with colleagues in the tourism industry and drive business to their destinations. OMCA members support each other’s businesses and when we gather annually, we get to conduct business while reuniting with great friends.” – Caesars Windsor

Don’t miss out come November, registration is now open at OMCA’s website.