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With all 12 members of the steering committee present, it guaranteed a series of thought-provoking discussions, which covered new revenue opportunities, a review of the TLPA’s strategic plan against the TNCs, and legislative talk. However, one of the most engrossing discussions dealt with autonomous cars, and the role of the luxury ground transportation market in this emerging market. Currently, Google’s Waymo subsidiary is testing fully autonomous vehicles in the Phoenix market, which means, in effect, that the future is now; however, TLPA CEO Al LaGasse is optimistic that our industry will not be shut out.
“It’s premature to say we have no role,” he said. “The TLPA needs to study this and get involved more. We need to participate in the policy debates, so people think of us as a player in autonomous vehicles. We don’t know what the opportunity in this is right now, but we need to keep our options open so that we can become a player, however we participate.”
The steering committee also got brought up to speed on TLPA’s plans for 2018. As the association looks toward “tomorrow,” a new bimonthly newsletter—Innovations—will launch in February with a concentration on autonomous vehicles, technology platforms, and new operating systems. But LaGasse wants readers to know that this isn’t solely a tech-heavy publication.
“Innovation is not limited to technology,” he said. “Anything is fair game.”
Also in the planning stages for release later in the year is a TLPA podcast that will offer interviews and discussions with members. What’s more, the association has lowered its dues and restructured member services so that all members will receive each of the TLPA publications and information offerings.
“The industry is changing,” said LaGasse. “The distinct lines are devolving between paratransit, limousine, and taxi—the regulatory lines, the operations lines—everything is evolving. We have members in all three of those lines of business. We’re all in the local passenger ground transportation business, and we think all of our members should be aware of what’s happening in all of our market segments.”
Look for a full recap of the Steering Committee meeting in the March issue of Chauffeur Driven.
Visit tlpa.org for more information
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The meeting was Outgoing President Mary Norby’s final responsibility in the position she held for the past year, as the 2018 board was formally announced:
President: Jason Ramsey of Prestige Worldwide Transportation
Vice President: Youssef Marrakchi of Centennial Transportation
Sergeant At Arms: Marcos Contreras of A Advantage Limo
Treasurer: Nikko Ouzounis of White Dove Limousine
Chairwoman: Mary Norby of Carey Denver
The conversations held throughout the evening meetings covered association-specific matters, regional goings-on, and wider industry-related topics.
Newly installed president Ramsey discussed CLA’s PR efforts, which include a new website template courtesy of DriveProfit. The association’s website will expedite internal business, like dues payments, while also serving as a repository of information to help current members while also attracting new ones. The new site template is expected to go live in a matter of days. Treasurer Ouzounis also reported that the association’s coffers are “healthy” thanks to minimal 2017 spending, while membership not only is holding steady but also benefited from several December and January renewals.
Regionally, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) was a significant topic of conversation, as the association’s comments about the PUC’s proposed 2018 changes were due January 12. Many Colorado operators, with help from both the NLA and other regional industry associations, had submitted their feedback, especially in regard to a proposed ruling that would affect executive vans with bench seating.
There will be a 10 a.m. February 21 meeting about the PUC’s proposed changes that livery operators will be welcome to attend, held at the commission’s hearing room in Denver. CLA will be issuing a Call to Action for its members and statewide operators both through email and on social media.
Regarding the proposed PUC changes, CLA attorney Doug Pooley advised that the focus should be on three key issues that will impact national affiliate business: Rule 6309 in the PUC’s rules regulating for-hire ground transportation (the conditions of charter orders), the PUC’s interest in having bench seats removed from vehicles like Sprinters and Transits, and broker’s definition.
Familiar industry face Jeremy Lee of Wells Fargo Equipment Finance was the meeting’s guest speaker, discussed the ins and outs of financing livery vehicles. Lee zeroed in on general underwriting guidelines, fixed-rate term loans, lines of credit, and terminal rental adjustment clause (TRAC) leases—which combines the advantages of leasing with the option to purchase a vehicle at the end of the lease term at a pre-determined agreement.
The next CLA membership meeting will be held March 20, though all members are welcome to attend the March 6 board meeting.
Visit cololimo.org for more information.
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Jami Crouch has been named as the company’s national affiliate manager. Crouch’s responsibilities will include managing the extensive list of valued partners around the world, while also continuing to source, price, and manage groups for their travel throughout the US and globally. Since joining Premier in January 2017, she has demonstrated a genuine ability to connect with affiliate managers and owners alike. Crouch will work remotely from her hometown of Indianapolis, Ind., and will continue to represent Premier at the various trade shows.
“It has been such a pleasure to work with some of the greatest people in the industry over the past year,” says Crouch. “I have had an opportunity to be mentored by and learn about the Industry in a way that I never knew possible. My journey with Premier has been such an incredible experience and I look forward to 2018, and growing with our national partners for years to come.”
Premier has also appointed Corey Witzel as director of dispatch and special projects, a role that will see him continuing to maintain relationships with Premier’s local affiliates. For more than a decade, Witzel has worn many hats in the industry, including that of a chauffeur, and brings a strong problem-solving skill set to the management team, which fits perfectly with the needs of any dispatch department. Witzel also serves as Premier’s IT manager, overseeing the company’s software platform.
Visit premierofdallas.com for more information.
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