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L to R: Louis Weiner of All Star Worldwide Transportation, Michael Barreto of Flyte Tyme Worldwide, Philip Jagiela of PALM Association Management and Consulting, and Douglas Rydbom of Premiere #1 LimousineHarrisburg, Pa. — The United Passenger Transportation Association of Pennsylvania (UPTAPA) held its inaugural meeting May 31 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East. A robust group of members from the livery, school bus, ambulance/paratransit, and motorcoach industries helped kick off the debut meeting of this statewide association. The luncheon served as an opportunity to introduce the organization and its founders, while identifying goals for the short and long term.
UPTAPA Executive Director Philip Jagiela, who also serves as CD Industry & Brand Ambassador, called the meeting to order by welcoming the group and offering some background into the association’s concept. After emphasizing the value of a statewide industry, Jagiela then introduced UPTAPA’s co-founders: Michael Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services, Doug Rydbom of Premiere #1 Limousine, and Louis Weiner of All-Star Worldwide Transportation.
Barreto was next to address the room, asking each person in attendance to introduce themselves and identify the segment of the industry they represent. He then shared some of the immediate objectives of UPTAPA, including the creation of support committees and establishing a PAC, all the while stressing that there is no desire to dilute the efforts of other associations in Pennsylvania.
Next, Rydbom took the floor, echoing many of the same sentiments as Barreto. The Lancaster-area operator then solicited for potential board members, and encouraged those present to visit the UPTAPA website and apply for membership. Rydbom also made a point of explaining that education will be the key component of meetings and communication between regions will be encouraged. He pointed out that unique sponsorship opportunities are open for companies and vendors.
A short Q&A was next, with many sharing their support for the concept of a statewide association. Vendor member Eric Coolbaugh from Access Commercial Capital was enthusiastic about the efforts made by the founders, sharing his appreciation for the cohesive work environment and the belief that UPTAPA is beneficial to the industries involved.
Jagiela closed the meeting by promoting the UPTAPA website and encouraged attendees to contact him with any needs or questions.
The next UPTAPA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26, in the Philadelphia region.
Visit uptapa.org for more information.
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GCLA members at a recent association meeting in San Diego After taking its meetings on the road throughout The Golden State last year, Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) continues to test out new approaches to its meeting as it explores methods for best reaching its geographically far-reaching members.
Last summer’s unveiling of a hyper-local series that brought association events to key regions and cities to engage members closer to home was a success, so the association is continuing along that path—but with additional tweaks to accommodate the conversations that members want to have at a gathering of their peers.
“We are testing out new events formats, so now it’s like a real mini trade show where there’s no dedicated speakers,” Executive Director Tom Garrett said, adding that the format has been well-received at recent meetings in both San Diego and Los Angeles. “People come in and they get a drink and some food, they network, we have a row of vendors doing demos, we have vehicles on display, and then we have featured guests from the airport or the PUC answering specific questions. It’s been going really well. This new format has done a lot to bring people together and build a community, which is our main mission.”
According to Garrett, streamlining presentations into one prevailing topic helps keep attendees’ tuned into news they can actually use, rather than covering a range of topics in one meeting that aren’t applicable to the widest swath of members.
This new format has already allowed for specific topics to be addressed, such as a representative from LAX discussing airport construction and how to handle its impact on client pick-ups and drop-offs at the L.A. hub.
The new GCLA meeting format aims to strengthen its members’ sense of community Tonight’s meeting in San Francisco at the Embassy Suites-SFO Waterfront will similarly facilitate intimate conversations to exchange information: PUC Director of Enforcement Nick Zanjani, the landside manager of the San Francisco International Airport, and Harish Paaji of Bay Area Limo Repair will all be at one table where they can talk directly to operators who are looking to have either their feedback heard or their questions answered.
This also allows the GCLA to focus on the quality of its meetings instead of worrying about the details of planning an event.
“We’re dialing back the production: We really just need a room where people can get together with other operators and vendors,” Garrett explains. “They just need a place where they can get together and talk like they want to so they can exchange the information they need.”
As members’ priorities have shifted away from the ins and outs of dealing with TNCs and have settled on the more immediate issue of profitability, GCLA is adapting to offer its members the advice it needs to navigate a tough market.
“There isn’t really any clarity as to how to regain margin or volume, so people are looking to merge or sell or evolve their business, and they’re looking to us for help,” says Garrett.
To be of immediate assistance to its members, the association still manages the GCLA Hotline and Mentorship Program it introduced last year, where any questions will be addressed within 72 hours.
GCLA’s next meeting is in San Francisco tonight, then it heads to Santa Ana June 20.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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More than 70 individuals attended UMA’s annual Capitol Hill Days
More than 70 bus and motorcoach operators took to Washington, D.C., on April 25 and 26 for the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA’s) annual Capitol Hill Days.
Prime Policy Group, UMA’s government relations firm, scheduled more than 300 individualized appointments for members to meet with their elected officials to discuss key legislative issues affecting the motorcoach industry.
With Rep. Scott Perry introducing H.R. 2120, a pro-growth legislative measure to enhance safety and rein in regulatory overreach, it was a top priority for members to meet with legislators, rally support for the measure, and urge co-sponsorship.
UMA’s key points for Congress this year focused on regulatory policies that the industry considers excessive, and advocacy for modernization and streamlining of Federal regulations to result in increased safety, growth for the industry, and expanding business opportunities for private operators to participate in their communities’ local transit and commuter programs—all of which H.R. 2120 does.
“United Motorcoach Association members are tired of being overregulated and underappreciated for the essential value they bring to the economy,” said UMA Chairman Dale Krapf of Krapf’s Coaches. “Every day, millions of people board motorcoaches to access jobs, health care, education, and tourism; each motorcoach represents 3.4 direct employment jobs and brings $7,000 to $11,000 in daily revenue to the communities in which they do overnight runs. A key objective ... is to leave no doubt in our elected leaders’ minds of the important economic impact our members make each day across the U.S.”
A UMA member speaks with a member of his representative’s office
The association also announced that Stacy Tetschner has been named its president and CEO, following a nationwide recruitment process that began this past fall. Tetschner began his tenure at UMA June 5. UMA’s Interim President and CEO Steven C. Klika will remain in place through the transition of the new chief executive officer.
Tetschner is an experienced and credentialed association professional who comes to UMA following 25 years at the National Speakers Association where he served as CEO for the past 18 years. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), as well as a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (FASAE).
“Stacy embodies the strong leadership and strategic vision that the board was hoping for in our next chief executive. We are pleased to be able to attract a professional with his credentials and proven track record and we have high expectations for his ability to lead UMA into the future,” Krapf said. “This is an exciting time to be part of UMA because this organization has tremendous potential and we are looking forward to seeing our new president and CEO help us realize our vision.”
UMA President Stacy Tetschner
Leading the Arizona-based National Speakers Association (NSA) and the NSA Foundation, Tetschner transformed an organization from a club-like organization into a powerful national association with 3,500 members, a vibrant and growing social media presence, and a Foundation endowment that has grown to more than $3.5 million. By leveraging publishing opportunities and media appearances, he was able to position NSA as an industry leader with a national profile. Additionally, under his tenure, NSA saw exponential growth in its corporate sponsorship program.
Tetschner is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he has served on the board and as vice chairman of ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership. In addition, he has served as the Chairman of the Board and as a director for the Convention Industry Council.
The yearly UMA Safety Management Seminar will be from December 6-7 in Ashburn, Va., and registration is currently open for UMA Motorcoach Expo 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.
Visit uma.org for more information.
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