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Chauffeur Driven President & Publisher Chris Weiss Los Angeles—When the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) hosts its September 17 Southern California meeting at The Proud Bird, it will be offering an array of information-rich presentations that the membership has been clamoring for.
“We think the meeting’s going to have some really great content,” said GCLA Director/Chairman of Legislative Committee Mark Stewart of CLI Worldwide. “We’re trying to emphasize more on the motorcoach side, and we have some large-coach manufacturers—Grech as the Official Meeting Title Sponsor, plus Prevost and MCI and Executive Coach are also sponsoring—so it should be a well-attended event. There’ll even be a coach display during the registration/networking period, and we’re looking forward to it.”
Joe Guinn of Limo & Bus Compliance The meeting will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with those vehicle displays from Executive Coach Builders, Prevost, MCI, and Grech Motors, which attendees will be able to explore up-close for an hour before GCLA President Mo Garkani of The COTS Group offers updates and announcements, followed by dinner.
Matt Strack of Strack Transportation Then CD Publisher Chris Weiss will be kicking off the evening’s educational agenda with an overview and update about industry trends. Joe Guinn of Limo & Bus Compliance will discuss DOT compliance from the limousine and bus industry side, while Matt Strack of Strack Transportation and Bill Wheeler of Black Tie Transportation will explore the ins and outs of transitioning from operating solely sedans and limousines into a company that also includes minicoaches and motorcoaches.
Bill Wheeler of Black Tie Transportation “We wanted to change it up a little bit, especially since more companies have been shifting to the motorcoach side after the rideshares have impacted their sedan and SUV work,” Stewart said. “It’s time, and GCLA members like our sponsors have been discussing how the limousine industry keeps buying up buses.”
The cost to attend GCLA’s upcoming L.A. meeting is $60 members and $70 for non-members (both prices include dinner), and tickets can be purchased at gcla.org/next-event. Attendees should RSVP to GCLA Executive Director Tom Garrett at either Tom@gcla.org or by calling or texting 213.440.4634.
Visit gcla.org for more information. [CD0819]
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Marlton, N.J.—As we edge nearer to the 2019 Chauffeur Driven Show, coming to Boston on October 13-16, the excitement continues to build. While our exclusive room block at the Westin Boston Waterfront is now filled, we have a few spaces left in a block at the neighboring Aloft Boston Waterfront of $227 per night. Again, we urge you to act quickly; you simply will not find a better rate in the area.
When you register for the CD Show, you can count on the best in world-class education and tremendous opportunities for peer-to-peer networking. At this year’s show, we’re bringing back three of our most popular networking events: The International Meet & Greet, Women in the Industry Networking Breakfast, and the Operator Mentoring Program
The networking starts bright and early on Monday morning at 9:30 with the International Meet & Greet, sponsored by ETS International, Global Alliance, and Icona Global. Attendees can enjoy a continental breakfast while connecting with new colleagues from five continents. As you are aware, chauffeured ground transportation is truly an industry without global borders, and this is the place to meet with the operators who often share your hard-earned customers—but not your ZIP code. To keep things fresh for 2019, we’re setting the room up so that operators will be able to find an affiliate in the top 12 international markets. Just look for the table flying the flag of the country you’re looking to send work.
Later that afternoon, you can continue globe-hopping with our International Session, which will share best practices for what global travel managers are looking for, how to position your company to win affiliate work, creating a standard for duty of care, and more.
“It’s so easy to say great things about CD events—the team effort really shows! The international Meet & Greet was packed with global operators making it the best-attended meet-and-greet that I have attended. All in all, great value in an awesome location, and I am definitely looking forward to the next show,” says Edison Kahakauwila of L.A. Limousines & Transportation.
On Monday afternoon at 2:15, our always-popular Operator Mentoring Program (sponsored by Grech Motors) gives attendees the chance to learn from an industry heavyweight, while sharing knowledge and advice with a group of mentees. But don’t think of this as a one-sided conversation: The roundtable nature of the event always inspires group discussions and sparks fresh ideas. And new for 2019, NextGen operators will be included at each mentor’s table to share their perspectives and help contribute to the dialogue. It’s an infusion of proven wisdom and fresh concepts—a dynamic twofer—for the ultimate learning experience. As always, preregistration for this event is mandatory; slots are limited to the first 200 operators. Visit www.chauffeurdrivenshow.com/show-info/mentoring-program.html to secure your space today.
Closing out the triumvirate of networking events is Tuesday’s Women in the Industry Networking Breakfast. Thanks to sponsors DH2 Transportation, Elite Limousine, Gem Limousine, and Pure Luxury, this show favorite event is back and better than ever! This year, we’re thrilled to have a panel of three of the best and brightest our industry has to offer. Join Reston Limousine President & CEO Kristina Bouweiri, Elite Limousine Founder & CEO Mechelle Wowas-Cappel, and DH2 Transportation CEO Nancy Vargas for a lively and informative discussion moderated by NLA Associate Executive Director Sarah Mercer on how to achieve a Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Certification. Then, attendees can take part in a 30-minute accelerated networking exercise, designed to inspire while creating long-lasting connections and mentorships. Remember: This isn’t just for female business owners—ladies from all walks of the industry are welcome!
“The Women in the Industry event was excellent!” raves Ayanna Wills of Fleet Transportation in Alexandria, Va. “I met so many women, and the speakers’ stories had me and everyone else in tears. This was the best one EVER!”
And while you’re online selecting your mentor, take the time to register for what’s likely to be one of the most talked about events in Boston: Sunday afternoon’s Owner’s Game.
If you joined us for our 2018 Retreat in San Diego, then you might already be familiar with our Owner’s Game, an educational contest that splits participants into competitive teams to see who can retire with the most money. Designed, facilitated, and sponsored by Strategy Leaders, the Owner’s Game will take you through a series of team
-selected choices that may yield surprising results—for better or worse. Part risk, part luck, and all strategy, the Owner’s Game is deceptively simple but requires strong and nimble leadership to navigate the challenges and win. Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com/show-info/owners-game.html to register.
Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more information.
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NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi (left) and President Jason Dornhoffer of United Private Car
Marlborough, Mass.—It was a turnout befitting the 20th year that the New England Livery Association (NELA) has hosted its annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament: On August 6, more than 90 golfers and over 100 dinner attendees came from all over the country for a day of friendly competition and industry togetherness. Among them was CD Publisher Chris Weiss, as Chauffeur Driven was once again the event’s breakfast sponsor.
With volunteers from the association and industry at large making sure the event began—and then ran—without a hitch, it was a team effort to make sure the golf outing welcomed its second decade with the networking, socializing, and industry solidarity among operators, vendors, friends, and family that the event is known for.
Once the golf tournament was over and everyone was sitting down to the evening’s lavish dinner, the winning teams were announced:
First place: L.A. Limousine’s Team Blue, owned by NELA 2nd Vice President Tina Benson (marking their sixth time taking the top spot!)
Second Place: Team Ace Shuttle
Winner of a pass to the CD/NLA Show Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives with Chauffeur Driven Publish Chris Weiss
Third Place: L.A. Limousine’s Team Green
Individual prizes were also awarded, which recognized an array of personal accomplishments on the green:
Closest to the Pin (Hole 7): Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide at 3 feet, 7.5 inches
Closest to the Pin (Hole 12): Nate Berthiaume
Vegas Hole Prize: NELA Treasurer Teale Smith of Maine Limousine
Longest Drives: Mike Martell and Momo Smith
Orange Ball: Team ROI Consulting (Edward Hewitt, Bob Biagi, Chris Cummings, and Archie Miller)
Supporters came from across the country, including the Canady family from South Carolina, pictured with NELA Immediate Past President Michael Callahan of Able Limousines
The winning streak continued when the day’s haul of prizes was raffled off, which included Lynda Saitta of Momentum Drives winning a pass to the CD/NLA Show in Boston this October 13-16.
Check out the September issue of Chauffeur Driven magazine for expanded coverage of this event—including tons of exclusive photos.
Next up for NELA is its quarterly fall meeting, scheduled for September 10.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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