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On September 22, the Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) hosted an informational Zoom conference, which included ALA members, its Board of Directors, and two industry guest speakers. ALA Board Member Jim Luff of Ecko Worldwide/Chosen Payments organized and moderated the conference on behalf of ALA and Chosen Payments.
The informational conference included presentations by Luff as well as industry veterans, Michael Barreto from Metropolis Passenger Logistics and Lou Gastaldi from Garden State A-1 Car & Limousine Service.
Barreto is the host of the Back in Black Limo Recovery Benchmarking Group that meets every Wednesday via a Zoom conference. The group includes participants from across America as well as from other countries who participate in industry benchmarking discussions.
Michael Barreto of Metropolis Passenger Logistics
During the meeting, Luff shared a creative and successful way of marketing with Starbucks gift cards. Ecko Worldwide recently launched a campaign called “Let me buy you a cup of coffee” that included the use of snail mail, email, and follow-up phone calls. The initial campaign explained that onsite visits are not practical during the pandemic but encouraged recipients to grab a cup of coffee (via an enclosed gift card) while reading an accompanying brochure. The campaign landed seven new clients over a 10-day period.
Industry veteran Gastaldi then shared his wisdom of 35 years in the luxury ground transportation industry, including survival tactics he used with events that have previously rocked our space, including Black Monday, 9/11, and the 2007/2008 recession. He also shared a unique concept for selling or acquiring transportation companies that are win-win for both parties in a “rent-to-own” type of transaction.
ALA President Jeff Conly said the association was looking for a method to continue to provide value to its members as well as being a source of inspiration and hope during the pandemic.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
[09.24.20]
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We’re stoked to announce that our first-ever CD/NLA Virtual will be coming to your living room, your office, your car, or anywhere you want to join us this November 17-18 (postponed from our original October dates post-election). We’re taking what you love about the show—networking and loads of education—and making it accessible and affordable to any operator regardless of size, years in business, or location. You know we can’t resist putting our CD/NLA spin on events, so this won’t be some boring Zoom call with monotone speakers and snooze-worthy PowerPoints.
Like you, we’ve had to scrap the playbook for 2020 and roll with new ways to keep our industry united, informed, and determined for the long haul. The CD/NLA Show Education Committee—led by co-chairs Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus and Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide—and the leadership at both CD and the NLA have been planning and plotting the various educational sessions to meet the fluctuating business landscape. Yes, there are opportunities out there, and our sessions will inspire you to think differently and position you to take advantage of them. If you’re serious about fighting on another day and coming out stronger on the other side, then it’s never been more important to attend.
CD Publisher Chris Weiss
“We all want to attend an actual in-person show, but rest assured that this will be the next best thing,” says CD Publisher Chris Weiss. “The sessions and educational content are going to be exactly the inspiration and guidance you need to continue to weather the storm and stay strong for the reboot. And the Mentoring Program and various breakouts will give you a taste of that industry camaraderie we are all craving.”
The focus of this event is on resetting your business, which our sessions will attack from every angle, including financial planning and preserving cash flow, forecasting the global economy, diversification and pursuing various verticals, handling crisis management, and dealing with employee issues. We’ll also delve into the latest FMCSA regulations, check in with how our peers are doing around the world as we’re all recovering in different ways and at different rates, and fearlessly address mental wellness for you and your team as we all chart these unprecedented waters—you are absolutely not alone.
Bill Faeth of Limo University—who has arguably been a leading voice of recovery, tough love, and positive thinking over the past few months—will also be holding several sessions during the event, the details of which will be released in the next few weeks with the full event schedule. We’re also working on some additional breakout sessions via Zoom (unlike the main sessions) that will feature smaller groups for more intimate conversations.
Best of all, sessions will be recorded so that you don’t have to worry about missing any content in our concurrent events—or if you have to duck out to handle business.
NLA President Robert Alexander
“The planning of this virtual event is bittersweet. The NLA and Chauffeur Driven are putting a lot energy into CD/NLA Virtual to make it the best possible substitute for our beloved in-person event. While nothing will fully be able to replace the in-person networking and clinking of glasses, we are excited to bring valuable education to our members and the industry virtually. Every day looks brighter and we look forward to this and future events being a part of your success,” says NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide.
As for networking, what we DO have are your returning faves, virtually. If you like our Operator Mentoring Program, then you’re going to love our virtual version this year. Operators will once again be paired with smart business mentors—seasoned veterans and emerging NextGen leaders alike—for a pick-their-brain session unlike any other. The hallmark of this event is the conversation it inspires among the group, so let the dialogue begin.
After our Welcome Address on opening day, we launch with our most important sessions focusing on best practices, followed later in the day with a deep dive into the economic outlook and recovery. We also invite our leading ladies, with their beverage of choice, to join us for our Women in the Industry event, scheduled for Tuesday evening. We’ll start our second day with a candid discussion with Alexander, Faeth, Weiss, and some surprise guests, and conclude the whole shindig with our Closing Network Happy Hour in classic CD/NLA style. Stay tuned!
Over the next few weeks, we’ll share the latest details via social media and in both the NLA’s and CD’s weekly e-news as we inch closer to the event. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available; contact Chris Weiss at chris@chauffeurdriven.com for more information. Our affordable event pricing is tiered so that you can include your whole team. In a world of uncertainty, you can bet that there will be some pretty intense industry unity happening this November 17-18 online!
[09.23.20]
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- Category: Industry News
As the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the motorcoach industry, United Motorcoach Association COO Ken Presley opened the association’s September 17 virtual Town Hall meeting with some encouraging news.
With negotiations for a new relief package continually breaking down in Congress, Presley was optimistic about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s commitment for the House to remain in their districts so a vote can be made on a new plan. Furthermore, President Trump has encouraged Republicans to table their debt fears. However, the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (which broke the day after the Town Hall) could derail any progress in the other chamber as Senate Republicans scramble to secure votes for Trump’s expected nominee.
UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth
Presley pointed out three different plans that are in play among Congress: The $3.4 trillion HEROES Act, the $600 billion Republican “skinny” bill, and a $1.5 trillion Problem Solvers Caucus bill, which was developed by a bipartisan group of 50 Congress members. Presley believes that a second round of PPP is guaranteed at the very least, but believes it is likely that a package will include the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act, an add-on bill that provides direct relief to the motorcoach industry with $10B in grants and loans.
“The work that everyone has done has been simply phenomenal in support of CERTS,” said UMA President & CEO Larry Killingsworth. “Keep pushing… we’re building awareness state by state.”
At the time of the Town Hall, 45 senators and 151 House representatives were backing the CERTS Act. Killingsworth added that while the delays in relief were frustrating, it allowed more time for senators to become aware of the challenges faced by the motorcoach industry and jump on board the bill.
UMA Vice President & COO Ken Presley
Support for the CERTS Act transcends Washington, however. During the meeting, Killingsworth shared a taped message made by Dean Sams of the country band Lonestar. In the video, Sams makes a plea for Congress to take action and assist the motorcoach industry, as it is an essential part of the live music industry.
Next, Rich Broughton of Triple J in Las Vegas was invited to introduce Stephen Akermann, transportation security inspector for the Department of Homeland Security, who is part of an outreach program to handle security for motorcoach businesses in Nevada. As an inspector whose focus largely consists of mom-and-pop operations, he offered his support to the hurting industry. In terms of security advice, he encouraged operators and their drivers/chauffeurs to be proactive regarding exactly who/what is getting on each bus.
As it had been more than two months since the UMA offered an equipment finance panel, Mike Denny of MCI and David Scoular of Prevost were on the call to keep operators up to date as to what they can expect from lenders in the coming weeks. While many lenders are considering a third round of payment modifications, they are very reluctant to do so, and Denny and Scoular offered up some advice for operators entering negotiations with their financial institutions. First and foremost, they advise owners to be patient with their banks and lenders, as they are also struggling in these uncharted waters. Second, be prepared to “tell a story”: Be accurate about the state of your business and cash burn, while offering up examples what are you doing to find new business. Further, provide a clear forecast for 2021 as well as details on insurance and maintenance. Lenders like to know that their investment (or more accurately, their collateral) is being protected. As the used bus market is at a low, the vehicle is better in your hands than a repo lot, which is advantageous for operators during negotiations.
Before the meeting concluded, Killingsworth informed members that the UMA Safety Management Seminar is going virtual and will be held December 1-3. The organization’s Risk Management Committee is currently working on agenda. Sign up information will be provided in the coming weeks.
The next UMA Town Hall is scheduled for September 24 at 2PM ET. Registration is required.
Visit uma.org for more information.
[09.21.20]