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After President Jeff Greene of Greene Worldwide Transportation kicked off the meeting by welcoming and thanking all in attendance, Treasurer Fred Rich of Olympus Worldwide delivered the treasurer’s report. Included in his financial statement was an update about the bid to legalize gambling in Georgia, as a referendum allowing residents to vote on the proposal had recently passed. If successful, five jurisdictions within the state, including Atlanta, would be allowed to gamble—with the addition of a casino to the city’s landscape “greatly affecting the limo business” and bringing an uptick in job creation.
Further association business included the introduction of new members, and Greene acknowledged the contributions to GALA that Immediate Past President and current Director Dennis DeLoatch of made to the association during his two years as president. Director Hoss Oskouie of Atlantic Limousine and Greene also spoke about the GALA website and their plans for it to become an indispensable resource for members by the end of June; as email updates can get lost in high-volume inboxes, the site will become an networking-friendly repository for meeting minutes, airport updates, and general association news.
A handful of new members were also introduced at the meeting, including Maria Priestly of Empress Elite Limousine, Jacob Shivers of J & J Limo Service, and Joe Wilson of J&A Transportation and Limousine Service.
The meeting’s guest speaker was Les Schneider, an attorney and GALA lobbyist who also works with Georgia Committee for Transportation Compliance (GCTC), a council organized by local taxi and chauffeured ground transportation leaders—including Greene and DeLoatch—and assisted in the crafting of two house bills last year. Schneider gave a thorough overview of the local industry’s pursuit of a level playing field, as well as updates about HB-805, a bill introduced in late January that aims to clarify limousine inspections and “revise provisions relating to the regulation of transportation for hire.”
Schneider noted that one of the bill’s six primary sponsors, representative Alan Powell, “is fighting hard for the industry and grabbed onto this issue as Chairman of Public Safety and Homeland Security in the House.” He implored members to continue fighting for their industry rather than “waiting for people to do the right thing.”
“You must appeal to legislators constantly, not just once or twice,” he advised. “The people supporting the casinos are out there every day because it is the most important issue to them. Bills have the potential to improve things: How often you’re lobbying for your cause can be the difference between thwarting an unwanted bill or getting the right one to pass.”
Maccar also spoke to the group, discussing how Chauffeur Driven relies on industry input to its magazine and shows can continue giving operators the tools they need to succeed, as well as offering an overview of the upcoming May 1-3 Executive Retreat in New Orleans. She also raffled off a pass to the Retreat, which was won by Hashim Abdi of Mint Life Limousine.
Rich, who is also a co-chair for GALA’s annual golf tournament, then spoke about the fundraising event, which will return to the Country Club of Roswell September 13 and is currently seeking sponsors.
Greene—who, along with DeLoatch, is a stakeholder representative at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—reported on TNC operations on the airport property, as well as getting the airport’s new Ground Transportation Director up to speed in regard to their concerns. How airport construction will affect chauffeured transportation vehicles, clearance-height adjustments for high-occupancy vehicles, and operational and decal details surrounding the legal usage of rented or borrowed vehicles were all among additional topics of conversation, as was the writing of new ordinances for TNC operations at the airport.
While TNCs are not allowed to perform pickups at ATL, they are permitted to drop of passengers. GALA members have appealed to airport officials on their industry’s behalf, and a geofencing pilot program will be enacted to observe TNC vehicles on ATL property; if they rack up a certain number of violations, their permits can be revoked. Greene advised members to keep an eye out for TNC activity at the airport, as it would be beneficial to have a collection of photographs and reports detailing their infractions.
“We’re being as proactive as we can be,” Greene said of GALA’s efforts to work with ATL. “The key to our survival will be communication and involvement. It takes a lot of time to send these emails and to go to these meetings: We need everyone’s help, we want everyone—not just the board—to be involved with our committees.”
Greene closed out the meeting by reminding those in attendance that the association will continue to fight for its members and their industry.
“We will fight for you until there’s nothing left to fight for,” he promised.
The next GALA meeting will be March 10. Mentorship meetings will be held regularly at past board member Eric Alimena’s facility, Alimena Limousine & Worldwide Transportation, and the association will host two DOT seminars in May.
Visit galalimo.org for more information.
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Just like our inaugural event in Nashville last year, we blend education and networking with the local culture to deliver an experience like no other. In fact, the distinctive New Orleans’ flavor is integrated into everything we have planned for you during the three-day event, sponsored by Turtle Top and The Tenney Group (a full list of sponsors is available on our website at neworleansretreat.com). Operators—again, limited to 200—have an opportunity to casually network between world-class sessions during the day, and drink in the sounds of the city’s vibrant live music scene at night.
Spots are filling up fast, as we already have 100 operators registered. And with our early-bird rate of $699 expiring on March 15—just one week from today—you’ll want to secure your spot now to save $100 ($799 after 3/15)! Don’t forget to book your room at our host venue, the JW Marriott on Canal Street, by April 8 to guarantee your rate of only $199 per night Sunday through Wednesday. If you’re planning on coming a little early to catch the final weekend of Jazz Fest, we have an extremely limited number of rooms available for Friday and Saturday nights, which you can book by calling Director of Events Jess Pavlow directly at 856.452.0323.
NOLA is more than just a thrilling destination: The city has a rich history of French and Spanish roots, too. On Monday night, we’ll take you on the last operating steamboat on the Mighty Mississippi, the Steamboat Natchez, for a Dixieland Dinner Cruise. After touring the vessel, we’ll settle in for a Cajun dinner that includes local favorites like bayou gumbo, Gulf shrimp, and crawfish etouffee. Try your hand at some of the gaming tables on board, and relax to the sounds of the Dixieland band as you take in some of the best views of the city skyline.
On Tuesday, after our education sessions and a hearty lunch, slow it down a bit with our French Quarter carriage tours. Enjoy the historic district in a leisurely way as we board carriages built for up to eight people in Jackson Square. Experienced, licensed tour guides will share anecdotes and true tales of the Quarter’s colorful past that will entertain as much as they will enlighten. You’ll have a few hours to explore on your own to grab some dinner at one of the many world-class restaurants or do some shopping. We’ll meet back at the hotel at 9 p.m. for our Second Line to Maison Bourbon—another uniquely N’awlins tradition.
Ready to register? Visit neworleansretreat.com to get all the details. We’ll see you in the Crescent City this May!
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The meeting kicked off with Matt Daus of Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf—also a former NYC Taxi and Limousine Commissioner and current president of International Association of Transportation Regulators—who spoke about “Handling Corporate Travel Managers in a TNC World,” his law firm’s recent position paper. The paper is primarily intended for travel managers and corporate travel buyers, as it itemizes the potential risks of exposure they can open themselves up to by treating TNCs as a viable, safe alternative to chauffeured transportation companies. The paper is currently undergoing peer review, and Daus is seeking operators who work closely with travel managers to also review the document and adjust it as needed.
Bill Faeth of Inbound Marketing Agents and Limo University talked about the imperative of industry unity and how it both helps in prompting businesses and can ultimately assist in strengthening client relationships. He also gave the presentation “Market Without a Budget,” which offered low- to no-cost methods of marketing that maximize your return without breaking the bank.
FLA members, led by President Rick Versace, also discussed the possibility of a chauffeured certification program, which could be provided through an accredited West Virginian university. After completing online training courses on safety, customer service, and best practices for industry chauffeurs, all participants receive certificates—and the companies they work for would save money on their insurance premiums.
The next FLA meeting will be July 12.
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information.
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