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Kent, United Kingdom — Mobility Networks, a world-leader in accessible wheelchair lifts and ramps for buses, coaches, and other adapted vehicles, has opened new offices in New York and Toronto to introduce its latest solutions to the North American market.
Mobility Networks North America (MNNA) is the latest worldwide branch to be set up by Mobility Networks. The Mobility Networks Group delivers a one-stop-shop service for bus and coach builders, vehicle convertors, fleet operators, and domestic drivers looking for the wheelchair access solutions from around the world. CEO Mike Simmonds will be leveraging his global experience to deliver the product to the North America market.
MNNA officially launched and unveiled a range of pioneering access products to the U.S. market at BusCon Expo in September.
L to R: D'Urso brothers and MNNA managing partners Angelo, Angelo M., and Domenic D'Urso.
For the first time, U.S. bus and coach builders will have access to Mobility Networks solutions. The New York office, along with the Toronto facilities, will be led by brothers Angelo, Angelo M., and Domenic D’Urso. Through their 85,000 square foot facility near the Toronto Pearson International Airport, MNNA will be able to import and supply vehicle access solutions from around the world. A dealer network is being rolled out across North America through established contacts so assured service and after-sales support is delivered.
“Launching the Mobility Networks operation in North American is a true privilege for us,” commented Angelo D'Urso, MNNA co-director. “During the two decades I have worked in the bus and coach sector, I have never experienced wheelchair lifts with such outstanding engineering quality as encompassed in Mobility Networks’ products. Following our initial success at BusCon, I believe Mobility Networks’ products could potentially be the industry standard within the next five years.”
Simmonds added: “These are indeed exciting times for Mobility Networks as we introduce a new, wide-ranging choice in wheelchair access solutions to the North America market. These products will help elevate wheelchair passenger experience beyond previous convention. As we are a global network built through decades of experience, our trade clients can trust Mobility Networks to only supply the best solutions from a worldwide market. This will be combined with localized U.S. expertise and support so all vehicle access challenges for fleet operators and disabled passengers can be resolved.”
Visit mobilitynetworksgroup.com for more information.
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Washington D.C. — It’s a win as more than 1,700 attendees from around the globe landed in our nation’s capital for the 2016 Chauffeur Driven Show, held October 9-12 at the Renaissance Downtown DC Hotel and the Washington Convention Center. Many thanks to all of the attendees, exhibitors, speakers, moderators, mentors, committee members, and sponsors—including Title Sponsors Ford-Lincoln Livery Vehicles, Grech Motors, and Audi—for making the show possible!
We saw a ton of new faces and met numerous first-time attendees, as well as many of our industry friends from over the years. The positive feedback has been off the charts—both during and after the show. It was also the first full show managed by our Director of Events Jess Pavlow, who hit it out of the park!
There were no party-line divisions here as networking was the key component in everything we had planned from our dedicated networking events like our Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum to our perennial favorite Operator Mentoring Program to our brand-new Benchmark Breakouts, which debuted with a bevy of praise this year. Our International Meet & Greet was a packed house as was the Women in the Industry Networking Forum—revamped and vastly improved for 2016 to rave reviews. With all the new attendees and Chauffeur Driven newbies, it was nearly impossible to leave the show without some fresh connections.
"Our team at Key Transportation was elated with the results of our sponsored event, Women in the Industry Networking Reception. This year we achieved an informational session that taught outstanding methods that can be applied to all networking events. The panel of women—industry leaders—truly inspired each person in the room. We left with strong connections, new skills, and a high level of motivation," said Brenda Parker of Key Transportation.
The networking kept going into the evening with our appropriately themed parties. We celebrated our host city—on the night of the second presidential debate, no less—with our kickoff Red, White, and Blue Bash on Sunday. Monday, the room was a-glow with neon and hairstyles we should have forgotten as we revisited the Era of Excess with our Blast from the Past ‘80s party, and extended the festivities with our Lobby Bar Takeover. But Tuesday was the crowning jewel of our evening events as we raised more than $120,000 for the incredible charity, Wish for Our Heroes—our first year supporting the veterans organization—during our Charity Auction & Dinner. An unbelievable 95 percent of all money raised goes to help the families of veterans—it doesn’t get any better than that.
Also new for this year was the opening of the show floor on the first day of the show with our Sunday evening preview. “Exhibiting at the Chauffeur Driven Show in DC was by far the best investment that we have ever made since we started our company. Just in the first six days after the show we have received over 30 calls or emails from highly qualified prospects. I only wish that there was a show every month. Thank you so much for providing such an incredible forum for us to promote and grow our businesses,” said Bruno Teixiera of Limousine Expert.
The lively State of the Industry featured Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS, and Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide in a debate-style presentation moderated by CD Publisher Chris Weiss. TNCs were a good portion of the debate with hopeful—and humorous—messages from each. It was followed by a thought-provoking and uplifting Keynote Address delivered by Mark C. Thompson.
Of course, our timely and targeted education is always a favorite with attendees, and this year’s program was no exception. From workshops on topics like social media strategy, company culture, leadership, and breaking into and managing the motorcoach side of business, there was something for everyone. You asked for it and we listened: We also debuted a small operator track, with sessions specifically designed with smaller fleets in mind.
“I have been in the business 29 years and have attended many shows, but this is one of my all-time favorites! I loved seeing my friends and making new ones, and I enjoyed the venue and all the awesome workshops and activities that Chauffeur Driven provided for us. I'm already looking forward to next year in Orlando,” said Sue Jarvis of Aristocat Chauffeured Services.
We’re gearing up for our 2017 events, starting with the Executive Retreat in San Francisco June 25-28 and our annual show in Orlando at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center (all under one roof!) from October 22-25.
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It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of Johnny Greene, co-founder and president of ETS International in Boston, who succumbed to injuries after being struck by a vehicle this weekend. He was 57.
As the condolences rolled in, the indefatigable and larger-than-life industry leader was most fondly remembered for being a mentor (and did indeed serve as a mentor for the Chauffeur Driven Show), a genuine inspiration, and a true friend armed with a joke or three, always ready to make someone laugh.
Those who knew him well understood that he had two speeds: fast and faster. As the figurehead of ETS, the company that he founded with his brother Peter, he described his role as a “whirlwind of sales meetings, phone calls, association meetings, charitable outings, chamber of commerce appearances, and industry events,” adding that he loved every minute of it.
The company is very much a family-run business, literally and figuratively: it has included both Peter and Johnny’s children in various capacities over the years, and the affable president considered the entire ETS team his extended family.
The self-described sports junkie was a loyal fan of the Boston teams—everything from golf to boxing to hockey—and he was often seen donning the jersey of his beloved Bruins or a Patriots cap. If you were lucky enough to visit his office, nearly every wall and shelf space was covered with sports memorabilia from his favorite moments.
Greene, a contributing writer for Chauffeur Driven, wrote candidly about his 2014 motorcycle accident that left him with a broken shoulder and several fractured vertebrae, as well as nerve damage that would impair his ability to use his right arm—all while running a thriving 75-vehicle operation with his brother. The accident meant several days in the hospital, several months of rehab, numerous surgeries to help correct the nerve damage—and a lot of time on bedrest stewing in a cocktail of pain killers. Through the ordeal, it never shattered his spirit as he faced the challenges head-on with the positive attitude he always exuded.
In addition to his brothers Peter and Kevin and sister Donna, Greene is survived by his son Cory and daughters Ashley and Kelsey, and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours are from 4 pm to 8 pm on Friday, October 28, and a Celebration of Life service will begin at 9:15 am on Saturday, October 29, both at the Keohane Funeral Home in Quincy, Mass. More details can be found here: keohane.com/services/john-m-greene.
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