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- Category: Industry News
Executive Vice President Jeff Bellagamba (left) and Vice President of Operations Shady Azer
Concorde Worldwide of Freehold, N.J., has announced they have entered into a joint venture with Dependable Limousine, a family-owned operation based in Monmouth County. Dependable and Concorde Worldwide have more than 50 years of combined ownership and experience in the chauffeured ground transportation industry.
Founded in 1984 by President & CEO Robert Bellagamba with just one stretch limousine, today Concorde’s fleet includes many luxurious vehicles and has grown to be among the most respected New Jersey ground transportation companies.
“Concorde and Dependable share the same industry knowledge and values, which will strengthen our operations in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. We will continue to provide the same exemplary service you have been accustomed too,” says Concorde Vice President of Operations Shady Azer.
As COVID-19 continues to be on the forefront of public concern, Dependable Limousine/Concorde Worldwide remains committed to the safety of its clients.
“Our team is diligent in keeping our clients, chauffeurs, and staff healthy and safe. As always, we will continue to enhance your travel experience while keeping you our number 1 priority. We are following local health and public safety regulations along with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the National Limousine Association,” says Azer.
As Concorde enters its venture with Dependable, the company says they are continuing to look for more opportunities to expand their business.
Visit concordeworldwide.com for more information.
[07.29.20]
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CD President/Publisher Chris Weiss
Like all of you, Chauffeur Driven (CD) and the National Limousine Association (NLA) have been monitoring the state of the economy and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on every facet of our industry. After thoughtful consideration about the health and safety of our attendees—with direct input from operators and vendors—it became clear that we needed to cancel the 2020 CD/NLA Show scheduled for October 14-17 in Orlando.
NLA President Robert Alexander
To get a sense about how operators felt about the show, a number of weeks ago, we sent a survey asking directly about the interest in attending. We had a solid response of nearly 900 people—all past show-goers—and although many in our industry are very eager to get together with their friends and peers, it was still too early to make a call. Keeping everyone’s safety in mind is the priority, although the recent increase in COVID cases and the lingering slowdown in business travel were factors that contributed to the decision.
However, while now is not the time for an in-person conference (it’s not forever!), technology has made it easier than ever to maintain the community that our industry has built, and to inspire, educate, and engage so we can evolve stronger together, whatever it looks like on the other side of this. In the coming weeks, we will release the details of an exciting virtual event that we are planning.
“We know how much the industry enjoys coming to our events, and what it means to their businesses, but we felt it was the right move for everyone involved to cancel the event. Even though we won’t be able to get together face to face, we are planning a world-class and well-rounded virtual event that will be the next best thing,” says CD President & Publisher Chris Weiss.
“While we were looking forward to seeing our members and friends in October, the safety and health of everyone in our industry must come first. I assure you that the NLA will continue to offer support, education, and resources as we navigate our way on the road to recovery,” says NLA President Robert Alexander.
Stay tuned for more announcements on CD’s and NLA’s social media, e-news, and online at chauffeurdriven.com and limo.org.
[07.28.20]
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In the most recent United Motorcoach Association (UMA) weekly Town Hall virtual meeting, the focus was on the much-needed economic aid to the industry. Both UMA leadership and members have been incredibly active in engaging with senators and congressmen to gain support of a package that would offer $10B in loans and grants to help the decimated motorcoach industry survive the pandemic, and the result is two bills—one each in the House and Senate—called the Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Act.
Both houses of Congress returned to Washington on July 20 for a brief—but critical—session before the next break in August. Much is at stake with many provisions of the CARES Act expiring this month, including the $600 unemployment supplement and moratorium on evictions, while the numbers of COVID-19 cases are once again rising in most states. At the time of the Zoom meeting on July 23, the Senate was at an impasse with an extension of the unemployment benefits, with Senate Republicans preferring a less generous package. It’s a dynamic situation that the UMA is following closely.
Although the CERTS Act was not yet part of the proposed relief package, Becky Weber of Prime Policy, UMA’s lobbying firm, said she was not concerned as talks were ongoing. She and UMA COO Ken Presley did encourage members to keep the engagement with Congress going—specifically targeting those who haven’t sponsored or expressed support of the bills—as the letters, calls, and meetings have all made an impact. Presley also noted that the Senate’s CERTS Act (S.4150) was now up to 14 sponsors and that they were specifically looking for additional Republican support. UMA has created a website to quickly and easily contact your representative at busesmoveamerica.com.
Presley and Weber also detailed some potential programs in the works, including a second round of the popular Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as well as an unnamed working capital loan that may serve as an alternative to the PPP. At the time of the meeting, funds were still available in the original PPP, with an extended application deadline of August 8.
Beyond financial assistance, many senators have been pushing for limited liability reform that would give numerous business sectors, including motorcoach operators, some protections against COVID-related liability lawsuits outside of gross negligence.
Additionally, Tracy Fickett of BusBooks, also a CPA, detailed how operators can maximize their PPP loan forgiveness and offered her advice on a variety of related issues faced by companies in the age of COVID.
UMA is running an informal and congenial competition between the states regarding Congressional outreach. Tens of thousands of letters have been sent to state representatives in the past few months, especially in the recent weeks leading to the introduction of the CERTS Act. As of July 27, UMA members from Illinois were leading the board.
Things are expected to change rapidly in Congress as the race against the clock is on. UMA will host its next weekly meeting on July 30; those who plan to attend should preregister for the meeting here.
Visit uma.org for more information.
[07.28.20]