A Trip to Niagara Falls

On the hunt for a stateside destination with spectacular views, a variety of accommodations, and affordable entertainment? Look no further than Niagara Falls. And if you’ve never checked out the falls before, then make sure to refer to our handy list of tips for planning the best Niagara Falls trip ever!

* Plan a trip any time of the year. The falls are open year-round, but keep in mind that the busiest months are May-September (so book your accommodations and entertainment. ahead of time). Enjoy fall-foliage? Head to the falls during the first two weeks in October.

* Enjoy the cheap prices. The parks are all free! Bring some cash for the extra attractions and parking fees during the busier months.

* Take a ride on the Maid of the Mist. This ferry ride (poncho included) gets you up close and personal with the falls. If you want to take breathtaking pictures then make sure to book a ride!

* Check out the Butterfly Conservatory. Open every day except for Christmas, this magical conservatory is host to over 2,000 species of butterflies (plus some gorgeous flowers and foliage). Tip: wear red when you visit and the butterflies will be more likely to land on you!

* Visit the Guinness World Record Museum. Do you have a penchant for crazy facts and trivia? Head to the Guinness World Record Museum for interactive displays, themed galleries, and video presentations.

* Investigate package accommodation and entertainment deals. Often, the hotels offer special discounts and package deals. Ask around. You may be able to save a chunk of change!

Keep your Niagara Falls transportation cost-efficient and simple. Contact an account executive at the BusBank to learn how Charter Bus Rentals can service your trip!

Upcoming BusBank Events

The BusBank will be on the road this spring travelling to various conferences and tradeshows. We enjoy getting to meet our customers and letting them get a feel for what we can offer them.
If you would like to meet a member of our team or find out more about our services in person we will be at the following upcoming events:

March 1-4 Experient Envision Conference – Cincinnati, OH
Experient is one of the largest sources for integrated meeting and event services.

March 31-April 4th National Association of Basketball Coaches and NCAA Men’s Final Four – Houston, TX

April 2-3 Womens Basketball Coaches Association National Convention and NCAA Women’s Final Four Indianapolis, IN

May 21-25 International Pow Wow – San Francisco, CA
U.S. Travel Association’s International Pow Wow is the travel industry’s premier international marketplace and the largest generator of Visit USA travel

Additionally, if you have an event or would like to set up an appointment to meet with our team please let us knows by sending an e-mail to advertising@busbank.com. We look forward to seeing you!

Things to Remember When Planning A Destination Meeting

Fact: Destination meetings provide a unique chance for team-building, client recruitment, and corporate development.

Fact: It is essential to carefully plan ahead in order to make destination meetings successful.

Fiction: It’s impossible to plan a destination meeting without extreme amounts of stress, confusion, and frightening bouts of hair-pulling.

Destination meetings can be make or break opportunities for businesses looking to increase employee training and to expand clientele. And though they might require some extra planning effort, destination meetings need not inspire such frustrations (we at The BusBank certainly don’t want any hair-pulling). Check out this handy list of things to remember when planning your next destination meeting:

• Decide ahead of time what the purpose of your meeting is. Is it clear and objective based? Does it adhere to your organization’s mission statement or top priorities?

• Check with other peers who have planned destination meetings (or participated in them). What are their top takeaways from past destination meetings?

• Consider your presentation needs. Think about the the room size, technical equipment, lighting, and sound systems needed to make your presentations successful. If you have a small group then simple flip charts may be all you need. If you have a large group then make sure you have access to an overhead projector. Keep these presentation needs in mind when choosing a site for your meeting.

• Choose a date for your destination meeting after checking the calendar for school and religious holidays. You’ll have a better turnout (and avoid a beach full of Spring Breakers) if you choose a date for your meeting that doesn’t conflict with holidays.

• Plan to “edutain” during your meeting. Presentations and breakouts should be informative, but not dull. Brainstorm ways to present information creatively.

• Research food options. Ask for references and look for online reviews of different restaurants and caterers. Be sure to set aside time to go over the menu with your restaurant or caterer. (Tip: go with non-messy food choices and don’t forget to include some vegetarian options!)

Be sure to plan ahead and schedule reliable and cost-efficient transportation for your destination meeting. Contact an account executive at The BusBank to learn how Charter Bus Rentals can meet your group’s specific travel needs.

Choosing The Best Hotel

Featuring Part 2 of our Meeting Planning Series – Choosing The Best Hotel, Read On..

Choosing a hotel can be tricky business. You want something that’s cost-efficient, but that place that’s only $25 a night and advertises “color television” probably isn’t what you’re looking for. You may not need the Ritz, but you do need something that’s clean, well-staffed, and meets your specific amenity needs.

Now we certainly don’t recommend waiting until you arrive at your destination and then spontaneously choosing the first hotel you come across. But even snagging the cheapest online deal and reserving a room ahead of time isn’t always the smartest route. So before your next trip read through this list of best practices for choosing a superior hotel (and avoid all those $25 “specials”):

• Prioritize. What matters most to you? Is it location? Price? Amenities? Decide which is most important to you and go from there. A hotel that’s 5 minutes further from your destination may be more cost-efficient or have amenities more suited to your needs. Always compare options before making a final decision.

• Do some research. Take 5 minutes to Google your hotel options. Checking out a hotel’s reviews and ratings will help you make the most informed decision. (Tip: skip the hotel’s website when it comes to searching for reviews – a hotel’s website will only post the good reviews and will leave out all the bad!)

• See the room before you sign. There’s nothing wrong with asking to see the accommodations before you sign in. This is especially important if you are staying at a specific hotel for the first time. If you’re not satisfied with the room then speak up! Often times you can receive an alternative room or a discounted upgrade.

Trustworthy and cost-efficient transportation is available through The BusBank’s Charter Bus Rentals. Contact an account executive to learn more!

Big Changes at The BusBank

Here at The BusBank we are proud to announce some big changes happening this month!

First and foremost being the unveiling of our new Charter Bus service website this week! The new site features a simplified and streamline modern look, which aims to better facilitate the booking of charter buses for our customers. When visiting our new site, you can easily request a quote, login to your account or research charter bus services by categories including Group or Event Type, Charter Bus Type and Location via an interactive U.S. map.

The BusBank President and CEO Don DiBrita said it best “We are truly excited about the launch of our new website because it will facilitate prompt handling of customer requests. As always we look forward to keeping it smart and easy for customers.” At The BusBank we believe these changes will further enhance your experience on our site.

We are also proud to announce the naming of Andrew Ripani as our new National Sales Director. Mr. Ripani was formerly The BusBank’s West Region Director of Sales. As a experienced leader at The BusBank, we look forward to the future of Andrew Ripani in this new position.

Check us out at www.busbank.com!

Planning A Successful Meeting – Picking the Right Food

Hey readers, welcome to our latest blog series – Planning Successful Meetings. Stay tuned for this three part series on tips for planning a successful company event or meeting, enjoy!

Figuring out food for a 9am meeting is one thing. Bring some coffee, bagels, and doughnuts and you’re good to go! Planning a retreat, day-long conference, luncheon meeting, or dinner event however requires a little more thought. And when it comes down to it, the right (or wrong) food options can make all the difference when it comes to creating a welcoming and productive atmosphere for your work event. Not sure how to choose the right caterer or which restaurant option is best? Check out these tips:

• Ask for references. Also, check with other local business or business affiliates to get recommendations on which catering company and/or restaurant is the most cost-efficient and professional (and which offers the best food!). Check online for reviews and ratings of the catering companies and restaurants you are considering.
• Be upfront about your budget, the venue (if you choose a catering company), and the environment that you expect. Decide how much time people will have to eat and whether or not a presentation will be given during or after the meal.
• Be mindful with your menu selection. Just because you love pulled pork sandwiches doesn’t mean that everyone will. Make sure you have options available for vegetarians and health-conscious individuals.
• Choose foods that are easily consumable. Spaghetti may be tasty, but it can be extremely awkward and messy to eat! Make sure your menu options allow for a comfortable dining experience and minimal eating effort. You want your coworkers and clients to feel comfortable and not self-conscious. This is especially important if you have a presentation to give during or after the meal.
• Don’t neglect beverages and desserts. Offering more than just fountain drinks and a cookie tray shows that you have thoughtfully planned ahead! Decide ahead of time whether alcoholic beverages will be included in the meal and what type of dessert will be offered. Consider having tea and coffee for after the meal.

Also, don’t forget to plan ahead for transportation to your meeting! Contact an account representative at The BusBank to learn how Charter Bus Rentals can meet your group transportation needs for work meetings and corporate travel.

New and Improved Sneak Peek

We wanted to let you in on a little secret. This week, The BusBank will be launching a new and improved website. Why? Because you told us what you’d like to see and we listened.

Plus, it’s a new year and we were ready for a new look! We hope you’ll find the new site easier to use and more visually appealing.

What’s the same?

• The same great Charter Bus Service to anywhere in North America
• Great Deals and  Tips on Group Travel

What’s new?

• A fresh look and feel
• Easier access to all the info you need to plan your trip
• Improved navigation
• Even faster quoting services

We hope you like it. After all, we’re here to make your life easier. So, if there are changes you’d like to see, please tweet us @busbank and we’d love to hear what you have to say!
See you, new and improved, coming soon!