With 88 attendees from across the motorcoach industry, the United Motorcoach Association’s 2025 Sales & Marketing Summit wrapped up with resounding praise and a renewed sense of momentum. Over the course of three days, the event delivered a powerhouse lineup of presenters, interactive discussions and timely insights designed to help companies sell smarter and market more meaningfully.
“This was the best one yet,” remarked UMA President & CEO Scott Michael at the summit’s close. “We heard from some of the industry’s most passionate experts, and the energy throughout the week was incredible.”
The event was emceed by Cary Martin of Little Rock Coaches, who kept the sessions running smoothly and brought an engaging presence to the virtual stage. His energy and insight helped guide the event from start to finish, earning appreciation from both speakers and attendees alike.
Held virtually, the summit focused on practical strategies for every step of the sales funnel – from first impressions to closing the deal and everything in between.
Day One: Setting the Standard
The summit opened with hospitality expert Jamie Cooperstein, who brought her concierge experience to the session The 5-Diamond Experience. Her message was simple but powerful: the first impression sets the tone for everything that follows. Attendees also received a complimentary copy of her latest book, True Hospitality.
Next, sales strategies Chris Riddell mapped out the full sales process, later followed by Susan Kryl and Ben LeFevre, who offered a modern take on cold calling and prospect generation. Riddell returned to close the day with a session on researching prospects – a reminder that sales is often won before the first call is even made.
Day Two: Getting Real About Sales Challenges
Midweek sessions tackled some of the trickier aspects of the sales process. Vicki Bowman emphasized listening over talking, reminding participants that identifying the customer’s pain points starts with curiosity. The came Mark Szyperski, who tackled the ever-present price objection. His take? The best defense is a strong value proposition. “Anyone struggling with pricing should hear Mark,” said UMA’s Ken Presley.
One of the day’s most relatable discussions came from a panel on bridging the gap between sales and operations. Moderated by Elizabeth Kamalakis and featuring Leah Ann Ingram and Heather Paul, the session explored how communication missteps can damage client trust – and how crossteam collaboration can prevent them.
Wrapping up the day, Jordan Pearson, UMA’s newest staff member, presented The Company You Keep, encouraging attendees to step outside of their daily networks and engage with professionals across the industry to spark fresh ideas and new opportunities.
Day Three: The Power of the Close
The final day brought high energy and real-world tools. Jeffrey Gitomer, “The King of Sales,” opened with a memorable session on the art of selling with integrity and confidence. Riddell returned with strategies for closing deals effectively, and Brian Antolin brought it home with a framework for persistent and thoughtful follow-up – noting that the majority of sales are won only after multiple touchpoints.
As the event concluded, Michael praised the presenters, the Education Committee and especially Martin, whose leadership as emcee helped make the event a standout success.
From prospecting to pricing to post-sale follow-up, the 2025 Summit addressed the full sales journey,” said Michael. “We’re incredibly proud of what was accomplished – and excited about where our members go from here.” Learn more about UMA and future events at https://www.uma.org.