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NELA’s Executive Director Rick Szilagyi and 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine
Boston — Now in its 16th year, the annual New England Livery Association (NELA) Chauffeur Appreciation Day treated chauffeurs to an afternoon of free lunches, live music, and prizes at Logan International Airport’s limo pool on June 2.
The day is one of NELA’s most popular events of the year, with the association’s board and general members rallying together to grill up the hot dogs, burgers, and sausages that would feed about 1,000 hungry chauffeurs—with nearly 20 NELA members working during the event’s peak hours, making sure that the vegetables are sliced, the grills are running, and everyone gets a hot lunch.
“It’s a great event,” Benson said. “It’s all volunteers who are there working, setting up, and cooking non-stop for the entire time that we’re there.”
What started with smoky barbecues and often-depleted food supplies has become “a well-oiled machine” that boasts commercial grills and even a concession-stand counter, according to NELA 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine. Benson has been involved with the event for much of its history—to the extent that her brother Carl Varney and sister Cindy Crisp often step up to help out, too—and keeps coming back every year because of the camaraderie.
L to R: Mark Mollica of Black Tie Limousine, Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives, and Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters
In a truly cooperative effort, Benson said that Massachusetts Port Authority, which owns and operates Logan Airport, is “very helpful, setting up chairs and tables for everyone,” and that the event’s many Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsors helped make the whole day possible—including donated prizes, like the 10 free oil changes that sponsor Sullivan Tire & Auto Service provided. Other prizes included two sets of Red Sox tickets and a lottery tree.
The event also serves as an opportunity for NELA to let chauffeurs know that it’s supporting them and their livelihoods with its ongoing legislative, educational, and lobbying efforts in pursuit of better safety and a more level playing field for ground transportation companies as the TNC fight continues.
“It’s about thanking the chauffeurs and letting them know that the New England Livery Association is in their corner, to help make their jobs and lives easier by fighting Uber,” Benson said. “It’s a very successful, well-organized event, and just a really great day.”
The next NELA meeting will be June 14, while its next social event will be the 17th Annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament on August 16.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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Brevard Executive Transportation Owner Wendy Kleefisch
Indialantic, Fla. — Brevard Executive Transportation announces the addition of two 2017 Lincoln Continentals to its fleet. Wendy Kleefisch, owner of Brevard Executive Transportation, says that she strives to be the industry leader by supplying her customers with the most modern and luxurious Lincolns in the livery space. She joins a handful of industry companies that have already announced that they will also be adding Lincoln’s new flagship vehicle to their fleets once the vehicle is available later this year.
“Brevard Executive Transportation aims to be the first to test out the latest technology,” she says. “As the president of the newly formed Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA), I felt it was important to try out the newest that Lincoln has to offer, while making my customers feel like VIPs in new vehicles. It's important to rotate the fleet and have the newest version of their favorite luxury brand. We are certain adding these two new vehicles will be a huge success. There are those who want to be in business, and those who want to stand out and be an example for their industry peers!”
Brevard Executive Transportation serves the Space Coast—so named for one of its most famous landmarks, the Kennedy Space Center—and is located in Indialantic, Florida. They service Melbourne International Airport, Orlando International Airport, as well as Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral is now the largest passenger port with seven ships, servicing over 350,000 passengers at any given time.
Visit brevardexecutive.com for more information.
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The progression of the convertible roof Henderson, Nev. — Caleche USA Inc. has successfully launched its convertible shuttle in the United States. Having first shown the product to the chauffeured ground transportation industry this past March, Caleche is currently delivering the first units to Napa, Chicago, New Orleans, and more cities around the country.
The convertible shuttle allows operators to provide luxury panoramic tours all year long, thanks to the in-house designed and patented Panoramic Roof system. Automatically inflating seals are integrated into the system, preventing any moisture from coming in regardless of weather conditions. Protections against UV rays and heat are fitted around the sides and roof, ensuring that passengers will remain comfortable even in the hottest climates.
Furthermore, the convertible shuttle offers something refreshingly new and game-changing to ground transportation companies. According to Windy City Limousine’s Operations Manager Dave Lahr, “This is the coolest vehicle I have seen in my 25 years in the industry.”
In fact, Windy City is one of the first companies in the country to purchase a convertible shuttle, a vehicle acquisition that President George Jacobs has been anticipating for quite some time—and couldn’t be happier about.
Napa Valley Wine Tours in California was also one of the first companies to purchase a convertible shuttle “I am so happy with it—it is just the coolest vehicle,” Jacobs said. “We’ve had a lot of unusual, attention-getting cars over the years, but nothing like this. People just react to it: They honk, they point, they do almost comedic double-takes when they see it drive by.”
Windy City hasn’t even had the 16-passenger vehicle for a month, but it is already a popular request for brides-to-be, city tours, and group events; meanwhile, Jacobs says that the lucky few who have already ridden in it are instantly fans.
Though as head-turning as the vehicle is, safety remains a top priority.
“The manufacturer has already installed a rail for it, and there will be no standing when the bus is in motion,” Jacobs says. “And we’ll have to close the convertible top when we go faster than 40 miles an hour.”
Windy City Limousine’s convertible shuttle is already seeing a high demand as a special-event vehicle Caleche USA President Robin Verachtert explains that, until now, the industry has not been able to offer a vehicle that delivers both a luxury ride and a panoramic viewing experience.
“A double-decker bus you share with 60 others in the blazing heat or cold rain is not something every passenger would pay for, while a conventional shuttle will provide comfort but not the opportunity to look outside properly,” he says.
Caleche USA offers both 16- and 10-seat models of the convertible shuttle, with standard three-point safety belts in all models.
Visit caleche-usa.com or windycitylimos.com for more information.
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