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Was it the wine or the company? Yes!
The vino (courtesy of Sire Estate, which is owned by Thomas Buck of Beau Wine Tours) and the stories were flowing as operators from all over the country tuned in to the New England Livery Association (NELA) virtual Cabernet & COVID Stories on August 5.
The two-hour event was hosted by NELA Director Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car/ETS and the 11 speakers included Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation, Diane Forgy of Overland Chauffeured Services, Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven, Briana & Chelsea Candeub of Park Avenue Limousine, Jeff Nyikos of Leros Point to Point/Royal Coachman, Shariff McMichael of Dav El/BostonCoach, NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide, George Jacobs of Windy City Limousine & Bus, and Dawson Rutter & Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide.
The tales ranged from side-splitting—sombreros and condoms?—to tear-jerking as the storytellers shared their craziest and most heartwarming experiences of the pandemic. Several operators recalled the bittersweet moment of having to close their office—only to find out that they’ve forgotten how or couldn’t remember the alarm codes! There was plenty of self-improvement as McMichael, Weiss, and Alexander revealed their quarantine workouts and progress. McMichael also detailed the frustrating process of having to help his kids with “overcomplicated” schoolwork. When did learning the basics become so convoluted?
Nyikos, Forgy, and Jacobs each shared how COVID has impacted them close to home: Nyikos’ wife is still recovering, Jacobs and several members of his team were sidelined temporarily after being stricken with the virus, while Forgy’s chauffeur sadly passed away. The Candeubs shared the burden of having to layoff many members of their team, some of whom had worked for the company for decades—a task all too familiar to everyone on the call.
CD Publisher Chris Weiss with his bottle of Sire Estate Cabernet
Through the sadness and laughter, however, the overarching message was one of hope. Alexander and Weiss expressed their optimism for the recovery, while Nyikos reminded everyone that most of the operators on the call had survived 9/11 and the recession to make them “mentally tough.” Jacobs, who is excited about the return of baseball (for now?) and is relishing the challenge of the moment, advised everyone to lean into the curve as the world has permanently changed and offering interesting opportunities.
Of course, the guest that stole the show wasn’t a speaker at all, or even human. Rutter and Saccoccio showed off their adorable furbaby Winston, a puppy that they adopted during quarantine.
If you missed the event, you can listen here.
Gold Sponsors: Above All Transportation, Century Business Solutions/EBizCharge, Chosen Payments, Dolphin Transportation Specialists, and Lancer Insurance.
Silver Sponsors: A&A Metro Transportation, Center Insurance Agency, Dav El/BostonCoach, and Park Avenue Limousine.
Bronze Sponsors: Alternative Claims Management, Avery Insurance, Chauffeur Driven, Create-A-Card, LA Limousine, Lexian Management, The Limousine Expert, The LMC Groups, Research Underwriters, Transport the People, and Volvo.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[08.11.20]
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The National Limousine Association (NLA) Board recently approved its new Association Grant Program, which is aimed at helping organizations of all sizes across the U.S. and internationally support their local operators and vendors through education, advocacy, and networking. NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide made the announcement in his weekly President’s Letter last week.
Battles have always been fought on the local level—long before TNCs were changing the landscape—although national support has never been more critical. Since 2012, the NLA has granted more than $250,000 to local associations through its rebate program, which the new program replaces.
NLA President Robert Alexander
According to Alexander, the biggest difference between the programs is the amount that an association may receive is no longer based on how many operators are members of both the local association and the NLA, but rather on the application and what the association intends to use the funds for. NLA is accepting applications now through September 10 and will be unable to accept late applications.
Full details about the program and how to apply are available here.
“If you are involved with your local association, I highly recommend you forward this information along to your association leaders. This is a valuable opportunity that you do not want to miss out on,” Alexander said.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[08.10.20]
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- Category: Industry News
As the U.S. Congress continues its negotiations for a new coronavirus relief package for individuals and businesses, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has called on Congressional leadership to enact measures to renew business travelers’ confidence and to curb the devastating impact of the pandemic on this vital sector of the global economy. The August 3 letter to Congressional leadership calls for increased funding for rapid COVID-19 testing across the U.S. and for additional financial relief for stricken travel businesses that continue to face the near-cessation of all work-related travel worldwide.
“As the pandemic enters its sixth month in the U.S., business travel to date has shown only minimal signs of recovery, and our more than 9,000 members are reeling financially,” said GBTA Executive Director Dave Hilfman, who is a long-time senior airline leader. “As Congress considers how best to boost the economy and protect public health, we strongly urge leadership to prioritize and fund rapid COVID-19 testing to restore travelers’ confidence. We also urge Congress to take actions that will give the travel sector peace of mind from potentially crippling litigation and expanded access to the relief funds necessary to stay in business and keep people at work.”
Interim Executive Director of GBTA Dave Hilfman
As we all know too well, the business travel industry has come to a halt worldwide, according to GBTA research. Some 98 percent of GBTA member companies report having cancelled or suspended all international business travel. Nearly the same number—95 percent—report having canceled or suspended all or most domestic travel.
In addition to expanded testing and qualified immunity against potentially fraudulent class-action lawsuits for businesses that follow public safety guidelines and take recommended precautions against coronavirus infection, the GBTA Congressional letter calls for the extension and expansion of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); improvements to the Small Business Administration’s Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program; and the reinstitution of allowable tax deductions for business meals at restaurants.
The GBTA letter in full can be read here.
“This pandemic has touched every aspect of people’s lives, including their travel practices, and as a result, the entire business travel sector went from the speed of jet travel to zero miles per hour,” said Hilfman. “We will continue to work with elected leaders and public health officials on policies that will help business travel rebound, kick-start the economy, and aid workers who depend on business travel to put food on their tables. We hope Congress listens to our requests; we very much need them to take action to prevent catastrophic results to this important worldwide industry.”
Visit gbta.org for more information.
[08.07.30]