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- Category: Industry News
In an effort to court new and existing members, the Minnesota Chauffeured Transportation Association (MCTA) has announced that they have reduced the price of membership dues for 2020.
For the remaining months of 2020 and the first month of 2021, MCTA dues are just $30 per in-service vehicle, with a minimum investment per operator of $100. This is a reduction of last year’s $100 per vehicle, and this spring’s $90 per vehicle. The Board of Directors also voted to adjust partner (vendor) memberships. The MCTA’s flash sale and membership drive will last until July 15. Operators are encouraged to join MCTA online here.
“Our industry is in crisis and transformation. We also know that sticking together to continue to be a source of information, access, clout, and more is as important now than ever, which is why we’ve made some changes to the membership dues for 2020,” says MCTA President Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation.
For the remainder of 2020, MCTA is planning on quarterly meetings at new and different locations with a focus on education and tips to network and save money. The 2020 membership offer will include the association’s annual holiday reception in January. The MCTA is also looking at bringing back casual happy hours for more networking and member tips.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the association held numerous teleconference calls that provided valuable information to their members and friends.
“We hope you will join us because of the value and affordability. We’re a strong team in Minnesota and feel that with membership working together, our industry will remain strong and profitable,” says Ortis.
Partner Memberships
$500 Gold Membership sponsorship package. Includes Silver and Bronze packages, plus:
- No additional cost for two people attending MCTA meetings, happy hours, and holiday reception.
- Name, logo, and contact information listed on every email sent by MCTA to the membership
- Membership spotlight in a quarterly MCTA newsletter
- Membership spotlight on MCTA Facebook and social media
- Opportunity to address MCTA members at every membership meeting/event
- First opportunity to select golf sponsorship & pairings
$300 Silver Membership sponsorship package. Includes Bronze package, plus:
- Invitations to semi-regular “happy hours” with MCTA members ($100 value)
- Invitation to annual January Holiday Reception ($100 value)
- Name and logo listed for every meeting email
- Opportunity for presentation on topic of your choice at a MCTA meeting during the year
$100 Bronze Membership sponsor package. Includes:
- Invitations to quarterly membership meetings ($200 value)
- Recipient of all MCTA update emails (latest news, information, etc.)
- Listing on MCTA website and newsletters
- Framed membership certificate
Operator Memberships
Membership dues: $30 per vehicle in-service and includes:
- Invitations to quarterly membership meetings ($200 value)
- Invitations to semi-regular “happy hours” with MCTA members ($100 value)
- Invitation to annual January Holiday reception (dinner/drinks included for two people—$100 value)
- Recipient of all MCTA update emails (latest news, information, etc.)
- Listing on MCTA website and newsletters
- Framed membership certificate
- Networking, access, impact, recognition, and more!
Note: To cover costs, the minimum operator membership fee is $100.
Visit mnlimo.com for more information. More details about membership levels and benefits can be found here.
[07.07.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) has completed a delivery of nine new 2020 MCI J4500 coaches to Transport Clément Bégin.
Quebec-based Transport Clément Bégin purchased the new J4500s to shuttle mining personnel nearly 100 miles to a remote site in Northern Quebec seven days a week. These are the very first new MCI coaches for the charter and school bus company, now its third generation of family leadership and 61st year of operation.
Built with a semi-monocoque low-corrosion stainless steel body, MCI says that the J4500 is ideally suited to long-distance employee shuttles. Offering a modern, spacious interior and best-in-class legroom, Clément Bégin’s new coaches have a 52-passenger seating capacity. The model’s lighter weight, next-generation Cummins X12 engine, new for model year 2020, improves fuel economy and extends the J4500’s low total cost of operation even further, according to MCI.
To withstand Northern Quebec’s remote roads and cold weather conditions, Clément Bégin added a Spheros heater that pre-heats the engine to eliminate cold engine starts and accelerate window defrosting and defogging. The company also added heated taillights, LED headlights, and MCI’s optional severe duty package to assure smooth driving during the coldest months of the year.
The severe duty package offers supplemental engine air filters, drive and front axle mud flaps, engine compartment under pans, and a transmission shroud to help protect against the rough terrain conditions. It also includes a differential breather tube shield to protect compartments from road debris and guard against ice and snow, increasing the reliability of electrical connections, while a 3M paint film was designed to minimize small-stone damage.
“We appreciate the confidence that Transport Clément Bégin has placed in us and we look forward to their continued business and servicing them from our Montreal Service Center,” said MCI Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service Patrick Scully. “We understand their operational environment and our severe duty package will allow the vehicle to operate in extreme weather and road conditions.”
Operating under current COVID-19 policies and protocols, Transport Clément Bégin limits the number of passengers to 12 on each coach and has added protective vinyl partitions between seats. All of its coaches are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each trip, using a fogging system designed to kill pathogens.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
[07.02.20]
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- Category: Industry News
Industry veteran Jim Luff has recently been appointed to the position of director of marketing for Ecko Worldwide Transportation. Luff is well known in the ground transportation industry as a former operator, a feature writer for LCT Magazine for 15 years, and a consultant to many small operators across the nation. He joined the industry in 1990 as a private chauffeur and in 1993 began a 23-year career as the CEO of The Limousine Scene in Bakersfield, Calif.
Luff will be responsible for marketing management, public relations, corporate communications, and the continued partnership between Ecko and the limousine industry. He will also continue to develop Ecko’s worldwide affiliate network for both inbound and outbound work and represent the company at regional and national events and meetings.
Luff is a recipient of Lancer’s Outstanding Safety Award and was named Operator of the Year by LCT Magazine and Limousine Digest. Upon retiring from the daily operations of The Limousine Scene in 2016, Luff joined Chosen Payments as marketing manager and has continued his relationship with Chosen Payments as an account executive and marketing consultant. Luff was also a group facilitator for Driving Results and most recently served as publisher and general manager of LCT Magazine until it was sold to Chauffeur Driven in June. Luff also currently serves on the board of the Arizona Limousine Association as its fundraising director.
“We are very excited to add Jim to our team. His reputation for hard work, knowledge of the industry, and participation at important events like the NLA and GCLA Day on the Hill and other industry events are great assets for our company,” says Ecko President Harry Dhillon.
Ecko is based in San Jose, California, and has been recognized by LCT as Operator of the Year in 2015 and 2017 and received the People’s Choice Leadership Award in 2018.
Visit eckolimo.com for more information.
[07.02.20]