Independent operators will be heading to the north west resort for a conference and exhibition. We review what’s in store
It’s rare that work and pleasure mix, but the annual Association of Local Bus Managers (ALBUM) conference manages to seamlessly blend the two, with what might loosely be described as ‘technical visits’ along with a formal two-day conference, the Association’s AGM, plus a gala dinner.
It is largely financed by support from trade suppliers, and this year 53 exhibitors will be present, with stands adjacent to the conference room.
Meanwhile, vehicle manufacturers will have exhibits outside for delegates to inspect.
After last year’s ‘overseas’ venue on the Isle of Man, this year the 9-10 May main conference sessions and event organisation is by Blackpool Transport and staged at the Hilton Hotel in the town.
To ease the organisational burden, each year a different member – drawn from the association’s membership, comprising independent and municipal bus operators – hosts the event, and next May it will be in Scotland, courtesy of McGill’s Buses.
The 2017 conference theme is ‘Driving the customer experience’. It is designed to demonstrate to delegates and industry suppliers how they “can improve their business by embracing a customer experience ethos with the customer at the heart of everything we do.”
The conference will showcase various aspects of how the industry can deliver excellent customer experience through technology, information, vehicle design and good customer care.
The suppliers at the conference cover a vast range of subjects. For example, every step of a passenger’s journey is represented in Blackpool. For example, to ensure the bus will arrive on time requires efficient scheduling and timetable outputs, something delivered by Omnibus. When boarding, modern ticketing is a must, such as supplied by Ticketer.
Once seated, passengers increasingly want USB ports and plug sockets, as supplied by Alfatronix, while to ensure security and safety, CCTV is a must, as provided by Timespace.
Meanwhile, staff cannot be overlooked, and the welfare benefits offered by the Transport Benevolent Fund are very worthwhile for both employers and employees.
The main conference sessions and trade exhibition are on the Tuesday and Wednesday, ending with a gala dinner on Wednesday evening.
Those arriving on Monday 8 May can join a golfing day, followed by a trip on a Heritage Tram and supper at the Harry Ramsden’s chip shop restaurant at the Blackpool Tower.
Delegates who are able to spend a little more time, rather than promptly leaving for home on the Thursday, can undertake a heritage tram tour trip from the Hilton Hotel to Rigby Road depot via Fleetwood, followed by a tour of the heritage tram depot.
The programme format will be very similar to that which has worked so well over the last few years, striking the right balance between formal conference sessions and time for networking and visiting exhibitors. By popular request, Dave Guest has agreed once again to be MC for the conference.
On the Tuesday, the conference is opened by Blackpool Transport’s chairwoman, Cllr Christine Wright, before presentations by the firm’s MD, Jane Cole, followed by Bus Users UK CEO Claire Walters.
The Wednesday has four main speakers: Ella Beevers – Youth Parliament; Alex Warner – Flash Forward Consulting; Adrian Grant – TAS Partnership; and Ian Jones – Backhouse Jones.
This is followed by presentations by each of the sponsoring manufacturers to explain what they are doing to improve the customer experience.
Running throughout the event, the trade exhibition will be open, with incentives for delegates to visit each stand.
Details at www.albumbus.co.uk/conference/
