The International Motorcoach Group (IMG) has named Anderson Coach & Travel the winner of the 2024 Spirit Award.
The Greenville-based busing company now boasts the trifecta of top honors given annually by IMG. Anderson also won the IMG Safety Award in 2016 and was named the IMG Operator of the Year in 2011.
According to IMG, the Spirit Award is given to the operator who best reflects the “spirit” of the IMG philosophies. This includes the sharing of best practices with their IMG colleagues from sales to maintenance and safety, as well as demonstrating a leadership role that benefits fellow members, within IMG, the motor coach industry, and their community.
Anderson’s prior IMG awards denote their demonstration of the highest level of safety throughout the company and overall operational excellence and engagement. Only a select few companies in the country have received all three of the honors.
When accepting the newest award recently at the IMG Maintenance and Safety Forum in Raleigh, NC, President Doug Anderson recognized the members of the Anderson Coach team in attendance there.
“This is such a team effort and I am so proud to accept this on everyone’s behalf,” Anderson said. “The team at this IMG meeting represents the next generation at Anderson and we appreciate the recognition by IMG.”
That team includes Doug’s son Evan Anderson, who has been named Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of the company founded by his grandparents, O.D. and Dot Anderson in 1937.
“My grandparents established a legacy to continually strive for improvement and excellence,” Evan Anderson said. “We aim to lead by example, showcasing how tradition and innovation can work hand in hand to set new benchmarks for safety, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.”
Reflecting on his own successorship to the company in 1990 after O.D. passed away suddenly, Doug Anderson said “I was about the same age as my son, Evan, is now. I was thrown into the corporate drivers’ seat. It’s my intent to pass along the keys to the organization to Evan in a manner that provides a much easier transition.”
“The 2024 Spirit award recognizes Anderson Coach and Travel whose contributions to IMG have been and are extensive. From participating in committees, sharing ideas and best practices via IMG online forums, this company is always quick to share and help wherever they can. They actively participate in all the IMG meetings, as well as other industry events with all levels of their organization participating,” said IMG President Bronwyn Wilson.
Anderson was selected for the award by a committee of past winners that included Vandalia Bus Line, MO; Karst Stage, MT and Niagara Scenic Tours, NY. Formed in 1998, IMG is a group of 53 independent charter bus rental companies working together to form a North American network of operators that share a commitment to excellence in customer service, safety, training and maintenance.
Additionally, Anderson was awarded the 2024 TRAX Spirit Award for industry leadership and commitment to safety, and consistently earns performance awards from TRAX insurance, such as the 2023 Presidents Circle Risk Control Award of Excellence.
“Evan’s leadership in the industry is what propelled IMG & TRAX to present these prestigious recognition awards to the Anderson organization,” Doug Anderson said.
“The two spirit awards display our commitment to elevate industry standards, share best practices, and foster a culture of safety,” Evan Anderson said. “As we look towards the future, it is my ambition to continue my family’s legacy by adapting to the evolving customer needs, not only enhancing our company but also inspiring the entire motorcoach community.”
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