(Washington, DC – December 19, 2025) The Great American Road Trip, a national storytelling initiative celebrating the people, places, and experiences that define the United States, today announced a new partnership with the American Bus Association (ABA), the leading trade association for bus, tour, and group travel companies across North America. ABA will join The Great American Road Trip as an official partner for the 2026 journey, leading into America’s 250th birthday.
Through this partnership, The Great American Road Trip and the American Bus Association aim to shine a spotlight on the essential role motorcoach travel plays in connecting communities—particularly small towns, historic landmarks, national parks, and regional gems that truly define the American landscape.
In 2026, ABA, together with its co-sponsors—Transportation Charter Services (TCS), Windstar Lines, and Academy Bus—will help bring The Great American Road Trip programming to life. Along the journey, they’ll highlight local businesses and attractions, showing how group travel not only makes exploration more accessible but also supports local economies and brings people together.
This collaboration fits seamlessly with The Great American Road Trip’s mission: to celebrate the full spectrum of American travel experiences and inspire families and groups to reconnect with the nation’s most beloved destinations.
“Buses play a critical role in connecting people with places, and supporting the Great American Road Trip during the nation’s 250th anniversary is meaningful for group travel, tourism, and the communities hosting these celebrations,” said Fred Ferguson, President and CEO of the American Bus Association. “We’re proud to participate as a sponsor alongside ABA member companies Academy, Windstar, and TCS, helping move people safely, efficiently, and at scale so more Americans can experience the best of what this country has to offer.”
“The American Bus Association has long championed the power of travel to connect people and communities, making them a natural partner for The Great American Road Trip. As we inspire Americans to explore the nation ahead of America’s 250th, ABA helps us shine a light on the destinations, both large and small, that define our national story. We’re proud to partner with an organization that brings millions of travelers to the very places that make America extraordinary,” said Tori Barnes, Executive Director, The Great American Road Trip.
ABA’s participation adds significant momentum to the growing coalition of travel and tourism leaders supporting the semiquincentennial celebration. As a partner, ABA underscores the essential role that group tours and motorcoach tourism play in connecting Americans, fueling local economies, and ensuring that more people can experience the country’s beauty and history during this historic anniversary year.
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About the Great American Road Trip
The Great American Road Trip is a multi-platform storytelling journey that celebrates America’s 250th birthday by uniting people, places, and purpose through the lens of travel. It honors the past, embraces the present, and inspires exploration of what lies ahead. Through cinematic storytelling and live events, The Great American Road Trip inspires Americans to hit the road, explore the nation’s destinations, and rediscover the people, places, and innovations that make the United States extraordinary.
For more information about The Great American Road Trip and sponsorship opportunities, contact Tori Barnes at [email protected].
About the American Bus Association
Founded in 1926, the American Bus Association (ABA) is North America’s leading trade association representing the full spectrum of group travel, domestic tourism, and ground transportation. ABA brings together motorcoach operators, tour companies, manufacturers, travel destinations, attractions, and tourism organizations to connect people with places—and drive the business of travel forward.
ABA delivers best-in-class services to its members through its signature events and programs, including ABA Marketplace—the premier North American travel and group tour show—and a nationally recognized advocacy and regulatory affairs program. ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) is the industry’s foremost resource for safety, compliance, and operational training, while the Driving Force Council serves as the leading voice for workforce development and talent solutions across the industry.
Through its 501(c)(3) affiliate, the ABA Foundation, ABA invests in the future of the industry by supporting scholarships, advancing critical research and data collection, and leading efforts to combat human trafficking on America’s roadways.
For more information about ABA, visit buses.org or contact Ben H. Rome at [email protected].