The Pennsylvania Bus Association announced the launch of its inaugural PBA Ambassador Program on June 23 during the Opening Session at the 2026 PBA Annual Conference at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains, PA.

The PBA Ambassador Program is an initiative designed to help new members and first-time attendees feel welcomed, included, and connected from their very first PBA event.

PBA has long been known as a welcoming, relationship-driven association. However, entering a room where many attendees already know one another can still feel intimidating for those who are new to the organization. The Ambassador Program was created to make that first experience more intentional, comfortable, and meaningful.

The idea for the program grew from a recent effort at Marketplace, where existing members were invited to dine with new and prospective members. The experience was well received and reinforced the value of creating simple, personal opportunities for connection.

Through the program, experienced PBA members will be paired with new members and first-time attendees to serve as friendly connectors before and during association events. Ambassadors will reach out to assigned participants ahead of an event, encourage them to attend, introduce them to others onsite, help them navigate the meeting or conference, and serve as a welcoming resource throughout the experience.

Ambassadors may also help encourage informal networking opportunities, including dine-around buddy connections, so new participants can more easily build relationships beyond the meeting room.

The program is not intended to be a formal mentorship program or a large time commitment. Instead, it is a simple but meaningful way to strengthen relationships, improve member engagement, and continue building the strong culture PBA is known for.

Ambassador appointments will be for a one-year term, beginning with the program’s rollout at the 2026 PBA Annual Conference. As part of the inaugural group, ambassadors will help shape and establish this important new initiative for the association.

The inaugural PBA Ambassadors are:

• Ryan Monteleone, Adventure Tours
• Amanda Thibeau, Aimbridge Hospitality
• Jeannie Sadaphal, Ark Encounter/Creation Museum
• Kristy Fasano, Bailey Coach
• Emily Opple, Eden Resort and Fulton Steamboat Inn
• Margo DeRouchie, Experience Reading & Berks County
• Nicole Young, Explore York
• Nicole Boyer, Mount Hope Estate & Winery
• Nora Campbell, National Aquarium
• Adam Jacobson, Resorts World Catskills
• Holly Williamson, Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
• Melissa Rose, The Corning Museum of Glass

About the Pennsylvania Bus Association
The Pennsylvania Bus Association, incorporated in 1923, is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing the business and governmental interests of private bus companies holding a certificate of public convenience issued by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and/or the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT). It is also the mission of PBA to promote travel by motorcoach, and tour and charter service provided by operator members in cooperation with and support for its travel industry supplier members. For more information, please visit www.pabus.org or contact our Executive Director, Patricia Cowley at (717) 236-9042 or director@pabus.org.