The Greater Northeast Motorcoach Association (GNEMA) is proud to announce its Inaugural Driver Safety Competition, set for Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Surf Stadium in Atlantic City. The event will take place during the GNEMA Annual Fall Association Meeting, held September 23–25, 2025.
This exciting new event is more than just a showcase of driving skill—it underscores GNEMA’s deep commitment to safety and community within the motorcoach industry.
The Board of Director’s support was instrumental in bringing this competition to life. Michelle Petelicki, GNEMA Vice President and President of Panorama Tours, shared the Board collaborated closely with the association’s Safety & Risk Control Committee and Executive Director Pattie Cowley to develop a plan for the competition. She shared “The GNEMA Driver Safety Competition is a celebration of the skill, dedication, and professionalism that define our industry's finest drivers. It reinforces the critical role they play in keeping our roads and passengers secure every single day.”
Event Highlights:
- 15 driver contestants will compete in the inaugural year.
- The competition will feature eight (8) scored events, along with an on-board evaluation and a written test.
- Sponsorship opportunities were made available—and nearly all have already been sold.
- Volunteer and driver registration deadline: August 8, 2025
Driver Eligibility Requirements:
- Possess a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) with passenger endorsement at the time of application and the event.
- Hold a current medical certificate at the time of application and event.
- No driver’s license suspension for any reason in the past 24 months.
- Be actively employed by a GNEMA Operator Member at the time of application.
- Be actively driving a bus/motorcoach as their primary occupation during the period under consideration.
- Have no out-of-service (OOS) violations (e.g., HOS violations) in the past 24 months.
- Have at least two years of accident-free (preventable) driving experience.
This event promises to be a landmark moment in celebrating driver excellence and safety. We encourage all members to get involved—whether as a competitor, volunteer, or sponsor—as we continue to raise the bar for safety and professionalism in our industry.
To learn more about GNEMA, please visit www.gnema.org or contact our office via telephone at 908-750-4538.