Anderson Coach & Travel’s Founders Day celebration on March 27, 2026 brought together nearly 200 guests, staff, and community members to reflect on the company’s nearly 90-year legacy in motorcoach travel and look ahead to its future.
President Doug Anderson, COO Evan Anderson, Operations Manager Joe Berger and Tour Manager Sam Perales all spoke about the company’s past, present and future. Berger also read a poem he authored entitled “Founders of the Road,” a tribute to founders Dot and O.D. Anderson.
The program began with remarks from company leadership, who shared the story of Anderson’s humble beginnings in 1937. Founder O.D. Anderson started the business at just 21 years old, using a modified pickup truck, similar to the antique coach pictured at Founders Day in the photographs below, with wooden benches to transport students to school. What began as a simple solution rooted in care for his family quickly grew into a company built on a lasting principle: taking care of people.
As the company expanded over the decades, that mission remained unchanged and Anderson is at the forefront of bus tours of North America. Leadership highlighted key milestones, including early cross-country tours, steady growth through the late 20th century, and the company’s ability to adapt through major challenges—from economic downturns to industry-wide disruptions. Today, Anderson operates a large fleet of motorcoaches and school buses supported by a team of nearly 250 employees, continuing its commitment to safety, service, and innovation.
Speakers emphasized that the company’s success is driven not just by its history or equipment, but by its people. From office staff and maintenance teams to dispatch and logistics, every role contributes to delivering smooth and reliable travel experiences in group charter bus rental. Special recognition was given to Anderson’s drivers, who serve as the face of the company and play a critical role in ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
The theme of resilience carried throughout the program, with speakers noting the company’s ability to endure and evolve through decades of change while remaining grounded in its founding values.
The presentation concluded with a look at Anderson’s growing tour program of multi-day bus tours with a focus on bus tours for seniors with videos screened on board two full-size deluxe motorcoaches inside the state-of-the-art Anderson garage facility.
Guests were introduced to a variety of upcoming travel opportunities, ranging from historical and cultural experiences to holiday getaways and once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Highlights include tours to Mackinac Island, New England, New York City, Showcase Vacations and much more. The tour team also previewed future offerings tied to the company’s upcoming 90th anniversary.
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to explore motorcoaches, meet team members, learn about career opportunities, and take advantage of exclusive booking incentives.
Organized by Perales to engage tour guests and celebrate the company’s long history, the Founders Day luncheon could not have been such a success without the dedication of the whole Anderson team, Perales said. The tour sales team of Victoria and Skye contributed on many levels, from talking through logistics, setting up and taking care of guests at the event.
She thanked Anderson Director of Maintenance Andy Grudoski and his team for use of the garage bays and their hard work setting up, getting things ready and tearing down the event. The cleaning team and manager Nikki Baer helped shine up the company’s classic antique coach that was on display as well as helping with refreshments and table set up.
Perales also complimented the marketing team for their efforts leading up to and the day of the presentations, the many Anderson drivers who attended and helped, and tour directors Susan, John and Lori for making presentations and being there with guests.
You can view and read media coverage of the event at these links:
The event served not only as a celebration of Anderson Coach & Travel’s history, but also as a reflection of the people, passion, and purpose that continue to drive the company forward.
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