FIVE MINUTES WITH...
Fred Ferguson
MBA , MS, PRESIDENT & CEO, AMERICAN BUS ASSOCIATION
A
Edited by Sarah Suydam
As President and CEO of ABA , Fred Ferguson oversees the Association’s day-to-day operations, in addition to serving as President of the National Bus Traffic Association and the ABA Foundation. He brings over 15 years of experience in public policy and strategic communications within the government, non-profit and private sectors. Formerly
Photo © A merican Bus Associat ion
a key executive at Vista Outdoor, Ferguson previously led state and federal lobbying, community relations, corporate communications, and ESG/CSR initiatives. Groups Today caught up with Ferguson at the 2025 ABA
are registering, companies are being acquired and expanding. So I think that’s a positive trend for the foreseeable future.
Marketplace in Philadelphia to chat about his insights
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT LEADING ABA AT THIS TIME? The diversity of the membership for lobbying and advocacy— we represent bus and tour operators, destinations, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. So we want to lobby and advocate for the tour and travel sector, because we know the downstream benefit is good for the motorcoach operator, as well. When we do that, we have a bigger voice and footprint. And that’s all lobbying is. You have to have the right footprint, the right voice, the right message, and then you can f lood Capitol Hill and make your case. And that’s what we’re going to do.
HOW CAN WE AT TRACT YOUNGER TRAVELERS TO THE INDUSTRY? People love to go outdoors, a nd bus t ravel a nd group travel is not immune to t hat. People love to visit national parks, but I think the outdoor industr y has done a ver y good job of branding t hemselves as you ng, for wa rd t h i n k i ng, dy na m ic. It used to be t hat you hiked in hik ing boots and wool socks. Now, it’s Lululemon pants and Hoka sneakers. And I think in some ways, group travel can go through a similar t ransformat ion—to show people t hat it’s not so much about the bus you’re traveling on … it’s about where you’re going.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE MOTORCOACH INDUSTRY EVOLVING IN THE FUTURE? There used to be 3,000 motorcoach operators reg istered w it h t he DOT, t hen COV ID happened, cutt ing t hat number in ha lf. Today, we’re around 1,900. Now t hat we’re beyond COV ID, you’re sta r t i ng to see tou r a nd t ravel come back. You’re sta r t i ng to see more operators u ndersta nd i ng t hat there’s unmet demand in the marketplace. So new operators
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU? I’ve got an eight and four year old, and my wife has a stationar y and fine gift business in Middleburg, Virginia. I’m the CFO and the chief box opener, so when inventory comes in, I’m opening the boxes, printing barcodes and putting products into the inventor y system. I love it, and it’s good for the kids to see.
since beginning his role last summer.
For more insights from Ferguson, visit groupstoday.com.
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