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Robert Strauser, better known as Limo Bob, passed away after a fall in his adopted and beloved state of Florida on November 19. He was 62.
Known for his exuberant personality, his trademark flashy gold chains, larger-than-life persona, and genuine heart of gold, Limo Bob encapsulated the heyday of the limousine industry from the ’80s and ’90s, complete with over-the-top exotic and record-breaking stretched vehicles, numerous high-roller and VIP clients, and plenty of bling in a career that spanned nearly five decades. Even when the industry shifted its focus from mostly retail to mostly corporate—and swapped pink Hummers for black SUVs—Limo Bob never strayed from providing glamourous and once-in-a-lifetime limousine experiences.
Limo Bob, wife Christi and daughter Jennifer
“Limo Bob encapsulated the heyday of the limousine industry from the ’80s and ’90s, complete with over-the-top exotic and record-breaking stretched vehicles, numerous high-roller and VIP clients, and plenty of bling in a career that spanned nearly five decades.”
Limo Bob with his grandchildren
Limo Bob got his first taste of the industry in the ’70s. Then, just an everyday teenager in the Chicago suburbs, his love affair with limousines began after his father purchased a stretch from the owner of a major Midwest department store chain and rented it out on weekends. Barely able to drive, he was thrust into the role of chauffeur after his father’s drivers failed to show—and he later went on to run the company when his father relocated to Florida. He was at various times a chauffeur, owner of several limousine companies, founder of a unique and rare vehicle conversion company, serial entrepreneur, motivational speaker, actor, TV personality, and reality show star. His entrepreneurial spirit took him from his Midwest roots in Chicago to Florida and California while he pursued his American dreams and catered to his rich and powerful clients and friends. Through the ups and downs—from sabotaged limousines to his longtime court battle to regain control of his company after being swindled by a Hollywood business partner—he never let the misfortunes defeat his willing spirit and always took the time to show acts of kindness to those around him.
Limo Bob and family
He was the recsord holder in the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s longest limousine: a 100-foot Cadillac limousine, which featured a helicopter pad, swimming pool, and seating for 50. Always one to push the limits, he converted a 727 jet into a massive airplane limousine, also with seating for 50. The vehicles were featured on countless television programs and news features.
Behind the character and the gold chains, Limo Bob was a husband, father, grandfather, and brother; a consummate storyteller; and a friend to many. He is survived by his wife Christi; daughter Jennifer; son Robert Jr.; grandson Vincent Soto-Strauser; stepdaughter Jennifer Addis; stepson Derrick Addis; stepgrandson Emerson Addis; former wife Maureen Strauser; brothers Lawrence and Jack; and sisters Deborah Poche and Sam Strauser. He was laid to rest on November 28 at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida. All are wecome to attend an additional mass that will be held in his honor at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church in Chicago, Ill., on January 16 at 11:30 a.m. The family has asked that you RSVP if planning to attend the Chicago mass (COVID restrictions) by calling Tim Pendrys at 727.484.0500.
[12.02.20]
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The American Bus Association (ABA)—an industry leader advancing North American motorcoach travel and tourism—welcomed the news that a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers came together to propose a $908 billion stimulus COVID relief bill that includes $8 billion for the private motorcoach industry. The industry has been lobbying leaders in both chambers for months to support the House's and Senate's CERTS Act, separate bills that would offer up to $10 billion in grants and loans to the motorcoach industry, and which both enjoy a majority support. The fate of those bills, however, has been tied to a second wide-sweeping stimulus/aid package similar to the CARES Act, but the additional relief has stalled since before the election.
“We applaud those Senators and Representatives that came together to work for relief for millions of Americans and small businesses affected by COVID-19, including the private motorcoach industry," said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso. "The motorcoach industry is on the verge of collapse without a lifeline to help it through this pandemic. Without this integral sector in America's multi-modal transportation system, economic recovery will be impossible in the United States as communities large and small across the country would lose access to economical transportation.”
ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso
The private motorcoach industry moves 600 million passengers annually, providing public transportation to intercity commuters, students, travelers, military personnel and their equipment, sports teams, along with fulfilling a vital emergency response function during natural disasters and providing transportation connections for rural communities with scheduled service.
"This industry is running out of time,” said Pantuso. “According to financial institutions, between 40-50 percent of the industry’s 3,000 small family businesses will be closed for good without help. Nearly half of the industry's buses are facing repossession as banks can no longer offer flexibility. We need Congress to act now and help save this industry from decimation.”
Visit buses.org for more information.
[12.01.20]
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With Thanksgiving spiking as the busiest travel weekend (especially for air travel) since the beginning of the pandemic, it comes as no surprise that a recent Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) survey found that half (50 percent) of GBTA travel buyer and procurement professionals feel their employees are ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to travel for business in the current environment. Only one in five (22 percent) GBTA members feel their employees are not willing, demonstrating a strong readiness to resume business travel. The poll was conducted November 9-16, 2020.
Recent announcements of potential, effective vaccines with 90 percent+ efficacy rate in clinical trials has increased sentiment among respondents that their company will be more likely to allow business travel and employees to attend in-person meetings in 2021. Three in five GBTA members say their company would be ‘likely’ (44 percent) or ‘very likely’ (16 percent) to allow business travel with this prospect, while one in five (19 percent) are neutral (i.e., neither likely nor unlikely). Only 10 percent say their company unlikely and are 11 percent unsure.
When asked about government restrictions, the majority of respondents feel there should be an exception to mandated quarantine requirements for international business travelers, who take short-duration business trips that involve meeting with only a few people. Six in ten (58 percent) respondents are interested (with 28 percent ‘very interested’) in seeing this proposal adopted. This figure is significantly higher in Europe with 66 percent interested in this proposal compared to 55 percent in North America.
GBTA Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman
Survey respondents believe their company would be willing to implement a policy to encourage employees to download a ‘track and trace’ app for business travelers to assist with contact tracing efforts. Half (49 percent) feel their company would be ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to encourage employees to download such an app, while one-third (35 percent) think their company would be neither willing nor unwilling to do so. GBTA respondents based in Europe (62 percent) are more likely than members based in North America (44 percent) to say they think their company would be willing to encourage downloading contact tracing apps.
When asked about the timescales around a return to 2019 levels of business travel, six in ten (60 percent) European buyers expect domestic business travel to take 4-9 months to reach at least 50 percent of 2019 levels. In addition, half (50 percent) expect regional business travel to take 4-9 months to reach at least 50 percent of 2019 volumes. Long-haul business travel is expected to take longer to reach at least half of 2019’s level, with six in ten (63 percent) European buyers/procurement professionals expecting it to take between 10-24 months.
Among non-European buyers, half (58 percent) expect domestic business travel to reach at least 50 percent of 2019’s level in the next 1-9 months whereas expectations for international travel will take longer with 54 percent expecting it will take 10-24 months to reach at least 50 percent of 2019’s level.
“The news of a vaccine has been well received among our members with an uplift in activity as the industry collaborates to find a safe and responsible return to travel. Adhoc government restrictions continue to be the main deterrent and GBTA continues to advocate for a unified approach across the world,” commented Interim Executive Director Dave Hilfman.
Travel suppliers throughout the industry have introduced new safety standards and protocols as a result of the pandemic. These include service changes (e.g., flight reductions), policy changes (e.g., eliminating change fees) and new sanitation practices. Communication campaigns have been key in alleviating fears. GBTA travel buyer and procurement professionals perceive communication campaigns from airlines (84 percent), hotel sectors (78 percent), ground transportation (52 percent) and travel management sectors (51 percent) as being effective.
View the entire poll results here.
In other news, GBTA has completed its acquisition of key assets of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), continuing its pledge to unify the industry and help lead business travel out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the integration effort, two former ACTE Board members will join the GBTA Global Board of directors effective immediately. Alison Taylor, Chief Customer Officer of American Airlines, will serve the remainder of the vacant ALC Vice Presidency. Steve Sitto, Sr. Manager, Global Travel and Events for Tesla, Inc., will serve the remainder of the vacant Direct Member At-Large term. Both terms will be completed at the time of the GBTA Convention in July 2021.
A committee led by GBTA Chairman Christle Johnson and former ACTE Executive Director and current DigitTravel Consulting Senior Vice President Greeley Koch will work together with GBTA staff and industry volunteers to identify the best value a combined GBTA and ACTE can deliver to its members.
“The addition of an amazing brand like ACTE will give GBTA members the absolute best opportunities for education, networking, research and advocacy. We look forward to combining the best attributes of both associations with our Ready. Safe. Travel campaign as we continue to advocate for business travel’s path to recovery,” said Hilfman.
Visit gbta.org for more information.