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Prevost’s service network, which the company says is the largest in the industry, has grown again with the opening of its newest service location in Capitol Heights, Md.
“We’re extremely pleased to open our doors in Capitol Heights and to provide service to customers in and traveling through the D.C. area,” said Service Network Director Randy Castillo. “We’re committed to being the strongest service network in the industry, and our team in Capitol Heights is ready to provide the exceptional service experience our customers are accustomed to.”
One of 19 Prevost service centers in North America, the facility is located at 1700 Rochell Avenue in Capitol Heights, approximately nine miles outside of the D.C. area. Features include a customer lounge, onsite parts storage for quick access, and two dedicated service bays.
“We have a great team in place ready to go, and we’re excited to begin seeing customers at the new location,” said Jose Medina, branch manager of the Capitol Heights location.
For locations and hours of all Prevost centers across North America, visit prevostcar.com/prevost-parts-service-centers.
[09.03.20]
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Looking forward! Positivity was the name of the game during the recent virtual meeting of the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) call on August 26. The two-hour meeting, entitled The Power of the Pivot, was hosted by MLOA President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine Service and featured speakers Marlon McWilson of Bay Area Transport Services, Winston Cooper of Vision One Consulting Services, and Sean Duval of Golden Limousine. Each shared their strategies and success stories of pivoting during the pandemic. Several dozen people joined the call.
MLOA President Darrell Anderson hosted speakers Marlon McWilson of Bay Area Transport Services, Winston Cooper of Vision One Consulting Services, and Sean Duval of Golden Limousine
Before yielding the floor to the speakers, association business was discussed, including updates from 1st Vice President/Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet and Secretary Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV. MLOA has extended its membership to include those in transportation logistics. Hinton also reminded attendees that the goal of the association is to provide as much value and education to the members as possible, and that the Board is always available for any reason, not just for a problem.
The majority of the meeting, however, was dedicated to the speakers and how they are navigating the downturn in business. First up was Marlon McWilson, a new MLOA member who recently completed his certification as a minority-owned business. McWilson stressed the importance and power of association membership, as well as the value of listening to your market and coming up with solutions. While growing Bay Area Transport Services, he also recently launched a cleaning company to help him diversify. He’s also looking to focus more on affiliate work.
Cooper then spoke about his numerous pivots through his 30-year career. A former airport ground transportation manager at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Cooper founded his consultancy company in 2012. He noted that transportation was already changing well before COVID hit, and he urged operators to look toward logistics, mobility as a service (MaaS), and risk/safety as they contemplate the future of their companies. An optimist, Cooper noted that pivots can be temporary to get through a storm—but also necessary.
Rounding out the trio was Sean Duval, who spoke about his lengthy history of having to pivot with the economy and seize the opportunities that have presented themselves when his company faced a serious emergency—starting with the savings-and-loan crisis in the ‘90s. Duval says he has built his business over the past three decades by focusing on relationships, not only with other operators (he is a member of a Driving Results’ group) but also the local community and government. In fact, those contracts have kept Golden Limousine moving during the pandemic, even thriving as one of their contracts was expanded. He also credited his strong team with Golden’s success, which includes Manager of Service Delivery Maya Adrine.
In a final note of business, Anderson and Executive Director Veretta Yancey sought the opinion of members on holding its annual fall meeting in-person (in Atlanta) or online. Although a poll of members on the call skewed heavily toward a virtual conference, the idea of a hybrid concept warranted further discussion. A decision will be announced in the near future.
The speakers were a hit, and a part two to the discussion is expected to happen for an upcoming meeting (date and time TBD).
Visit mlooa.org for more information.
[09.01.20]
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The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently updated its dues structure, which includes monthly installments based on number of vehicles. In an effort to provide NLA members more flexibility, the NLA Board of Directors has approved updates that will allow members different payment options when joining/renewing.
The new dues structure was detailed during a Facebook Live event on Tuesday, August 25, with NLA President Robert Alexander and Bill Faeth of Limo University hosting. The changes, spearheaded by the Membership Committee, were detailed by committee co-chair Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation.
“We want everyone in this industry to be successful. We’ve made a lot of steps toward [this] to date, but it doesn’t stop now,” Alexander said during the Facebook Live session, adding that he and the NLA Board are committed to making improvements. “If nothing else, I hope that in the past six months we’ve proven that the NLA is for everybody."
During the critical early days of the pandemic, NLA offered its resources to every operator in the industry, regardless of membership status, in order to share information. Among its efforts, NLA has launched best practices for cleaning in its Hygiene Protocol (in conjunction with the Global Virus Network), a customizable video for customers called When It Matters, daily updates from its lobbying firm Cornerstone, discounts with affinity partners (aren’t we all looking to save cash right now?), and a revitalized creed that focuses on inclusivity.
Education is also a big focus of the NLA’s agenda, especially for smaller operators who make up the majority of the industry. Schwartz, who also serves on the CD/NLA Show Education Committee, spoke about the upcoming virtual event that the association and magazine are currently putting together. The event—featuring educational sessions and a networking component—is expected to take place in November, and more details will be coming soon. Faeth has also been extremely active in engaging operators since the beginning of the shutdown through his Limo Growth group and frequent Facebook videos.
Starting on September 1, members who join/renew can:
1. Pay their yearly dues in 12 monthly installment payments
2. Pay their yearly dues in full and receive a one-month discount
New memberships will be valid for one year from the date of the first dues payment. If members choose to opt into monthly installments, they will be automatically charged each month.
All current active members will continue to have an expiration of December 31 each year. All membership information can be found in members' profile on limo.org.
The full Facebook Live announcement can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/BillFaeth/videos/10223027921236938
All membership inquiries regarding new memberships, renewals, and dues payment options can be sent to info@limo.org.
[08.31.20]