UPDATE
Southern motorcoach associations convene in Birmingham With the Alabama Motorcoach Association serving as host, the six associations from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas convened August 4 through 7 in Birmingham, AL, for the first time as a single entity to stage their collective annual meetings and combined exhibition. According to Alan Thrasher, president of Thrasher Brothers Trailways, Birmingham, AL, the purpose is to offer a more efficient venue for the vendors and operators. Held at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, and with attendance great enough to occupy the downtown Sheraton and Wynfrey hotels, the groups packed in sightseeing tours, meetings, conference sessions, a product show and awards breakfast. “We view this combining of our annual meetings as a new trend that will bring a larger professional feel to a regional activity,” Thrasher says. “The manufacturers are happy to participate, as they are getting more bang for the buck with all the state associations at this combined show.” Guest speakers included representatives from FMCSA speaking on tires and safety, and a legal team that addressed the legal liabilities in the hiring and dismissal of employees. U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) spoke at the awards breakfast sponsored by the American Bus Association (ABA).
Vectour Group co-founder departs Alan Thrasher, COO and co-founder of Vectour Group, has announced his departure from the Vectour Group, Birmingham, AL. He says he made the decision in order to spend more time with his family and the family business, Thrasher Brothers Trailways in Birmingham, AL. “Although my last seven years with Vectour has been a great adventure, my training for the last 35 years has been to preside at Thrasher Brothers,” he says. “My sister and I have owned the company for several years together, and it is time for me to step full-time into my destiny career.” Thrasher still endorses the company he helped co-found in 2007. “I wish Vectour every success,” he says. “I know the team we built is highly capable of continuing under the sole leadership of Reggie Haslam, Sr.” Haslam has since relocated Vectour Group to Atlanta, GA, citing the Atlanta office as more dominant. The company specializes in ground transportation management for events of all sizes and scale.
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