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- Category: Industry News
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its Small Business Optimism Index for April, which showed an increase of 1.2 points to 89.7—the first time the index has risen in 2024. The 50-year average since the organization began collecting data in 1973 is 98.
After seeing an index consistently over 100 from 2017-2020, data show that small optimism peaked in August 2021 and has been hovering in the high 80s and low 90s since. Much of that is attributed to persistent inflation concerns, which was again cited as the most important problem in their business by 22 percent of respondents, while available labor quality (19 percent) and labor costs (11 percent) rounded out the top three.
“Cost pressures remain the top issue for small business owners, including historically high levels of owners raising compensation to keep and attract employees,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Overall, small business owners remain historically very pessimistic as they continue to navigate these challenges. Owners are dealing with a rising level of uncertainty but will continue to do what they do best—serve their customers.”
Report highlights:
- The net percent of owners who expect real sales to be higher rose six points from March to a net negative 12 percent (seasonally adjusted).
- A seasonally adjusted net 12 percent of owners reported planning to create new jobs in the next three months, up one point from March’s lowest level since May 2020.
- A net 26 percent (seasonally adjusted) of owners plan price hikes in April, down seven points and the lowest reading since April of last year.
- Forty percent (seasonally adjusted) of all owners reported job openings they could not fill in the current period, up three points from March, which was the lowest reading since January 2021.
- The net percent of owners raising average selling prices fell three points from March to a net 25 percent seasonally adjusted.
The full report is available here.
Visit nfib.com for more information.
[05.21.24]
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- Category: Industry News
Have a 2024 event that you’d like to share? Let us know! Send an email to susan@chauffeurdriven.com or rob@chauffeurdriven.com and we’ll add your meeting/conference to our list of events in the monthly magazine, in our weekly newsletter, and on our website.
MAY
5/3-5/7
U.S. Travel’s IPW (Los Angeles)
ustravel.org/events/ipw
5/14-5/15
GBTA APAC Conference (Singapore)
apacconference.gbta.org
5/14-5/15
NLA Day on the Hill (Washington, D.C.)
limo.org
5/16
CLA Top Golf Networking Event (Thornton)
cololimo.org
5/20-5/22
Meeting Professionals International’s WEC (Louisville, Ky.)
mpi.org/events/wec24
5/21
ILLBA Breakfast With ILLBA (Willowbrook)
illba.org
5/21-5/23
TTA Legislative Fly-In (Washington, D.C.)
thetransportationalliance.org/legislative-fly-in
5/21
LANJ General Meeting and Auction (Cedar Grove)
lanj.org
JUNE
6/2-6/5
CD/NLA Executive Retreat (Miami, Fla.)
cdnlaexecutiveretreat.com
6/2-6/5
Tennessee Motor Coach Association Convention (Johnson City)
tnmca.net
6/6
NELA Chauffeur Appreciation Day (Boston Logan Airport)
nelivery.org
6/17-6/20
Pennsylvania Bus Association Convention (Ithaca, N.Y.)
pabus.org
6/18
CLA Membership Meeting (online)
cololimo.org
6/18
MLA General Meeting (Baltimore)
mdlimoassoc.org
6/18-6/20
TTA RevUp 2024 (Niagara, N.Y.)
thetransportationalliance.org
[05.14.24]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Integrating the distinct ambiance and flavor of our host city into our education, networking, and evening events has always been the goal of the CD/NLA Executive Retreat, and there will be plenty of opportunities to get to experience that in Miami on June 2-5. We’ll provide all the tools you need to refocus your mind, recharge your drive, and renew your passion for the industry in a comfortable and communal atmosphere limited to 200 operators.
The CD/NLA Education Committee has assembled a finely tuned lineup of sessions designed to offer immediate takeaway for your company. This year, we’re excited to kick off our education by welcoming Forbes Travel Guide to provide our anchor content. With their role as the global authority on five-star service, large companies—from leading hoteliers to large corporations—utilize the strategies of the Forbes experts, making this a rare opportunity for business owners in our space to experience this level of instruction at an incredible value. This concentrated education would be ultra cost-prohibitive outside of the retreat!
On Monday morning, after coffee and breakfast (included, of course), Forbes Travel Guide Senior Vice President - Learning & Development Megan Torrance will kick things off with an engaging presentation entitled Elevating Hospitality Excellence. This two-part session will provide priceless insight into high-level service skills and how they are used within the Forbes Travel Guide’s foundational principles for delivering luxury service. While delivering a concise overview of the fundamental standards conducive to exceptional customer experiences, Torrance will facilitate interactive content where attendees can roleplay to practice implementing the essentials of luxury hospitality. Then, in the second part of the presentation, the instruction will delve deeper into essential leadership strategies aimed at instilling and nurturing a culture of service excellence. Again, Torrance will enable various thought-provoking activities, group discussions, and brainstorming exercises designed to empower attendees in building a cohesive unit capable of consistently delivering exceptional service back at the office.
In between sessions on Monday, networking is the name of the game during our Vendor Meet & Greet, which gives operators a chance to chat one on one with our generous vendor sponsors while they enjoy a selection of appetizers and finger foods. Attendees can “table-hop” among vendors to get an overview of their products and services, or just engage in some friendly conversation.
“The CD/NLA Executive Retreat provides the perfect mix of exceptional speakers and open networking events. I was able to take home vital info that changed my profit margins from my first day back and made connections with some of the smartest people in this industry. The educational team did a great job with the balance of high worth topics at a down-to-earth level,” says Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine.
Remember, space is limited for the retreat with just a handful of spots remaining. Book now by clicking here. Have you considered making your trip to Miami a little vacation? We’re pleased to offer a non-industry spouse pass for just $499, which will let your significant other join us for our after-hours events and tours—including a private dinner cruise and an exclusive Fontainebleau lawn party.
Visit cdnlaexecutiveretreat.com for more information.
[05.14.24]