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When the CD/NLA Executive Retreat heads to Savannah from June 8-11, you can bet that attendees will experience the top-tier education and close-knit networking that you’ve come to expect from our summer event. But what sets the retreat apart from our fall and Vegas shows is the immersion into the host city that offers a one-of-a-kind traveling experience. In the past we’ve offered incredible excursions to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, an airboat ride through the Everglades, bus tours that gave a glimpse into the artsy sides of Austin and San Diego, and so much more. This year, we want to give our attendees a firsthand look at the history and spectacle that makes Savannah such a unique and funky little city.
Did you know that Savannah is considered one of the most haunted cities in the US? On Tuesday night, we delve into the city’s “darker” side and its spooky folklore with our walking ghost tour. Named by Afar Magazine as among the World’s Spookiest Ghost Tours, Genteel & Bard’s Famous Savannah Dark History & Ghost Encounter Tour is too dark for daylight. You’ll experience our highly curated, classic storytelling performance at its creepiest while hearing tales of Savannah’s dark history and accounts of modern-day paranormal encounters. Will you see the unexplained among the city’s moss-covered squares and sweeping grand architecture?
Guided by a talented, well-read, and passionate historian (who will be broadcasting through provided earbuds), the two-hour jaunt will go through the reported most haunted streets and sites that begins in Oglethorpe Square, across the street from the Owens Thomas House Museum. The tour concludes outside the gates of Colonial Park Cemetery (at Abercorn Street & Oglethorpe Avenue), about a block from the starting location. Spooky spots along the way include the infamous Sorrel-Weed House, Savannah’s Colonial “Hanging Square,” the mysterious Foley House Inn, Colonial Park Cemetery, and more. According to the tour provider, Savannah is a necropolis—a city built over its dead—so most of the things that go bump in the night around there, often do so outside.
Pre-registration is required for this event
Our Savannah adventure concludes on Wednesday with a decidedly less creepy city tour followed by a dolphin cruise on Tybee Island. The historic cobblestone streets and centuries-old oak trees draped in Spanish moss that created a spooky atmosphere by night are actually enchanting by daylight. We’ll view historic squares, elegant mansions, and learn about the city’s rich Southern heritage, all while experiencing its unique blend of culture and natural beauty. Then we’ll hit the water for a cruise through Tybee Island’s-waterways in search of the ever-prevalent bottle-nose dolphin playing in their natural-habitat, bird life, estuaries and marshes they to call home. What’s more, you’ll get scenic views of historic Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island Lighthouse (built in 1856), and Tybee Island Lighthouse. Then, after this incredible tour, we’ll convene for lunch at the nearby Crab Shack—where the elite eat in their bare feet. Limited to 50 guests, this tour requires pre-registration as well as a separate fee.
As always, many thanks to our event sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors EmpireCLS Worldwide and Lancer Insurance; Gold Sponsors Complete Fleet, Driving Transactions, First Class Customs, MCI, and Volvo; and Affiliate Sponsors Gateway Global, Limo Miami, Mundi Worldwide, North Point Global Transportation, Premier Transportation Worldwide, Stay Class Black Car Service, Total Transportation, and VIP Global.
Visit cdnlaexecutiveretreat.com for more information.
[04.08.25]
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The National Limousine Association (NLA) is collaborating with the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at the City University of New York to develop a report on the current state of insurance throughout the US and propose measures to reduce costs.
Recently, the NLA shared an important survey to gather valuable insights into industry insurance practices from chauffeured transportation operators. Your feedback is critical to understand the current commercial auto insurance landscape and can help shape future initiatives and support for our industry. By sharing your experiences and insights, you will contribute to a better understanding of our industry's challenges and needs.
“I encourage all of you to take a few minutes to complete this very important survey,” says NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine. “The NLA is taking the lead on gathering industry data that we hope will directly impact the insurance landscape and possibly ease the burden of the rising premiums we all feel every day.”
In other NLA news, the association is pleased to announce eight scholarship winners for the 2025 Day on the Hill, held April 28 and 29 in Washington, D.C. The winner operators were recognized through their exceptional dedication to the NLA and the industry, as well as a passion for advocacy.
The winners are:
- Paulos Bekele of Executive Transportation
- Nelson Burton Jr. of Burton Transport
- Paula DeBiasi of Chicago CoachWorks
- Donielle Fawcett-McKee of Personal Sedan Services
- Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine
- Chad Jones of Primetime Transportation
- Hillary Louarti of Diamond Transportation
- Guri Rajput of SRTC Limo
“Thank you to the Scholarship Committee, co-chaired by Kevin Illingworth of Classique Worldwide and Scott Woodruff of Majestic Limo & Coach, for your continued support in making this scholarship possible. Together, we are shaping the future of the industry and empowering the next generation of operators,” states Barenholtz.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[04.07.25]
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The 2026 ESCALADE IQL
Cadillac is poised for a big year in its EV lineup with the debut of its OPTIQ and VISTIQ, coupled with its best-selling LYRIQ and the ESCALADE IQ. Now, the ESCALADE is getting a new sibling with the ESCALADE IQL, which features a bit more passenger and cargo room over its namesake.
“Escalade has been the best-selling luxury full-size SUV in North America since 2014. The ESCALADE IQL is an important addition to the Escalade franchise and the Cadillac portfolio,” said Global Cadillac Vice President John Roth. “With the ESCALADE IQL, Cadillac now offers a full lineup of internal combustion and all-electric Escalade options for our customers, no matter the propulsion.”
The new SUV is a little over four inches longer than the IQ, although much of that room goes to its third-row legroom. Compared to the IQ’s 32.3 inches, the IQL offers 36.7 inches of comfort. Second-row legroom is essentially on par at around 41 inches, although there is an Executive second-row package that boosts it to 45 inches, in addition to features like lumber massage and power heated and ventilated seats. Headroom in the IQL is also about an inch higher than the IQ.
The IQL features additional cargo and legroom
As for cargo space, you’re going to get over 24 cu. ft. with the three rows intact on the IQL, or more than 75 cu. ft. with the third row power-folded. Additionally, the bonus eTrunk affords another 12.2 cu. ft. of storage.
Both the IQ and IQL feature among the best range in class with up to 460 miles, and Cadillac states that you can get up to 100 miles from a 10-minute charge.
Roth also sat down for an interview with The Detroit News, where he said: “It starts with we are selling the best Cadillacs ... in our history as the brand. And as you go back in time, what we talk about is Cadillac is always at its best when it's innovating. And the innovation that's going into the battery technology around EVs, the ability to drive the vehicle in Level 2 autonomy with Super Cruise, which just won best tech by Motor Trend, all the investment that we've made in the brand going back to the vision plan that was written in 2015 is really now playing out. … Cadillac is one of the only luxury brands that really can speak to consumers in every single luxury SUV EV segment. So, when you bundle all that together, the opportunity for Cadillac to excel is really now.”
Additional specs:
- A curved pillar-to-pillar 55-inch total diagonal display for an immersive and personalized infotainment experience with voice control, navigation, an app store and dedicated ESCALADE IQL graphics
- Seating available for up to seven total passengers, with a power folding third-row, which folds flat for more storage
- Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Air Ride Adaptive suspension isolate passengers from undesirable road surfaces while providing precise steering and feel
- Standard Super Cruise driver assistance technology on all trims (three years OnStar Super Cruise plan)
- Available 5G Wi-Fi hotspot capability connected by OnStar, along with a comprehensive suite of OnStar safety and connected services that enhances each journey and delivers extra peace of mind
- Ample passenger entertainment options, including HD streaming and browser compatibility, so customers can log into any streaming app and watch
Curious about the price tag? According to Cadillac: The ESCALADE IQL will be offered in four trims–Luxury, Sport, Premium Luxury, and Premium Sport. MSRP starts at $132,695 including destination freight charge, and excluding tax, title and dealer fees. Dealer sets final price. Note that this was announced prior to any tariffs in effect.
Cadillac says that the IQL will be sold globally, including in the US and Canada, with production starting in mid-2025 at General Motors’ Factory ZERO plant in Detroit.
Visit cadillac.com for more information.
[04.01.25]