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The 23 people in attendance at the recent VLA meeting were a mix of longstanding and new members
Richmond, Va. — Twenty-three attendees were present for the first membership meeting of the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) of 2016, held February 1 at James River Transportation. The meeting saw a healthy mix of longstanding and brand-new members present, with Richard Minter of Commonwealth Chauffeur & Concierge and Kent Rayfield of Signature Transportation among some of the new faces.
The meeting included presentations from an array of industry interests. Vendor Member Jack Rolfe of Georgetown Insurance spoke to those in attendance about insurance issues while Dave Glick of First Class Customs, also a vendor member, provided a brief overview on what differentiates his company from others.
Additionally, Barbara Arkwright and Gregory Wray of the Virginia DMV Motor Carrier Division’s Field Operations spoke about how “agency is keeping an eye on the growing number of app partners of TNC companies soliciting work, and that our mutual cooperation has helped the field agents do a better job,” according to VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation.
At the association level, VLA is working toward the installation of an executive director so there will be an individual dedicated to the stable growth of the association who isn’t simultaneously juggling the responsibilities and demands of owning a ground transportation company.
“As we are in such a large state, our intention is to grow the association into a large and sustainable membership,” Walsh said. “Reality has shown us the difficulty of attaining these goals as "volunteer" board members who are also running our businesses and giving our time when we can.”
While announcing an executive director originally had been slated for the meeting, the VLA decided to delay the hiring until all members’ questions have been addressed, giving members a deadline of February 14 for submitting their remarks. Any input will be discussed during a conference call once the deadline has passed.
The next VLA meeting will be April 4.
Visit virginialimousineassociation.org for more information.
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Phoenix — The Driver Provider recently announced the expansion of its operation into the Salt Lake City market. Headquartered in Phoenix, with additional corporate-owned operations in Tucson, Sedona, and Jackson Hole, the new Salt Lake City location will bring executive-style transportation to resorts, destination management companies, meeting planners, and corporate and social travelers using The Driver Provider’s signature fleet of sedans, SUVs, vans, limousines, sprinters, minibuses, and motorcoaches.
“Salt Lake City is a tremendous city and we are excited by the growth potential of the market,” said Jason Kaplan, president and CEO of The Driver Provider. “With approximately 21 million enplanements reported for this year, our new operation allows greater scale and furthers our reach throughout the Western United States.”
In addition, The Driver Provider’s sister company, Alltrans, will begin running fixed route shuttle service from Salt Lake City to Jackson, Wyo., with stops at popular local destinations including Park City, Evanston, Kemmerer, Cokeville, Afton, Thayne, Etna, Alpine, and Hoback Junction.
Visit driverprovider.com for more information.
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The new CLA board (L to R): Vice President Mary Norby of Carey Denver/Corporate GT Denver, President Dianne Cavender of DDG Classic Limousine, Treasurer Nikko Ouzounis of A White Dove Limousine, Secretary Shauna da Silva of All Seasons Sedan, and Sargent at Arms Mary Claire Friesema of Red Boots Limousine. (Not pictured: Chairman of Board Shane Stickel of Presidential Worldwide Transportation.)
Aurora, Colo. — In its first meeting of 2016, more than 20 members of the Colorado Limousine Association (CLA) convened January 19 for association and industry updates, insights from guest speakers, and the election of a new board.
The 2016 board, which was unanimously voted in, comprises:
President: Dianne Cavender of DDG Classic Limousine
Vice President: Mary Norby of Carey Denver/GT Denver
Treasurer: Nikko Ouzounis of A White Dove Limousine
Secretary: Shauna da Silve of All Seasons Sedans
Sergeant at Arms: Mary Claire Friesma of Red Boots Limousine
Chairman of the Board: Shane Stickel of Presidential Worldwide Transportation
CLA’s many committees provided updates regarding their recent activity and sought input for future progress. The Membership Committee detailed Chosen Payments’ new-member financial incentive and telemarketing campaign, wherein the company will contact past members and encourage them to rejoin based upon CLA’s revamped digital presence and membership value. The Hospitality Committee, which works hand in hand with the Membership Committee, will be sending out welcome packages to new members while the Public Relations Committee encouraged present members to utilize CLA social media and submit content for the association newsletter. The Legislative/PUC arm of the CLA reported that TNC regulations have been revised but not implemented, and discussed quarterly stakeholder meetings as well as 2016 PUC stickers.
The Education Committee, which is responsible for bringing relevant guests speakers to CLA’s membership meetings for additional educational value, offered a list of potential future speakers—and had secured the evening’s two guests. Merchant Advocate’s Business Development Director Cheryl Donahue spoke about her company’s services, seeking to eliminate unnecessary or inflated charges from its customers’ credit-card processing fees, while Denver International Airport’s (DIA’s) Manager of Ground Transportation Mike Percy discussed recent goings-on at the airport and how they affect chauffeured transportation operators, particularly the entrance and exiting procedures of DIA’s new Westin Hotel.
The next CLA membership meeting is scheduled for March 15.
Visit cololimo.org for more information.
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