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Fleet Forward Is Theme of TLPA’s Annual Convention & Trade Show 
TLPA Immediate Past President Dwight Kines of Transdev (left) and 2016-2017 TLPA President Bill Scalzi of Metro Taxi The Taxicab, Limousine, & Paratransit Association (TLPA) held its 98th Annual Convention & Trade Show from October 31-November 4, and Chauffeur Driven’s Director of Events Jess Pavlow and Business Development Manager Rickie Roberts were among those in attendance.
“We were very pleased with the strong show of support from our industry’s vendors at our trade show,” said TLPA CEO Al Lagasse. “Our showroom floor was filled and looking great, and the level of sponsorships was outstanding. We owe a huge thank you to our vendors.”
Members of the Advantage Funding team (L to R): Dan Morgan, Kristian McCausland, and Peter Heber Building on the Fleet Forward theme—beginning with this summer’s initiative of the same name that aims to educate and inspire operators by highlighting those who are thinking outside the box when it comes to new ways of doing business—this year’s TLPA event focused on empowering attendees with three general sessions, a show floor featuring nearly 100 vendors, plenty of networking and optional events, and a varied educational program that included 29 unique sessions.
The education included 18 interactive sessions and 11 breakout sessions, all designed to help operators remain effectively competitive in a constantly evolving market. Topics ranged from social media to diversity and catered to all facets of ground transportation operators from all around the world.
L to R: Craig Hall, Dave Edmunds, and Mike Massey of Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery “In this challenging time for our industry, I am very proud of the meaningful educational sessions TLPA’s Fleet Forward program is providing,” LaGasse said. “Our technology, marketing, and public relations consultants gave important presentations at the convention, providing TLPA members with options for matching alternative aggressive business strategies with the correct complementary technology platform that is then very actively marketed and promoted.”
CD Director of Events Jess Pavlow with TLPA’s Immediate Past President Dwight Kines of Transdev (left) and CEO Al LaGasse Convention participants were also able to attend sessions on the TLPA National Marketing Program and connected vehicle technology, as well as a rousing presentation from Matt Daus, president of the International Association of Transportation Regulators on the white paper that he has prepared to help municipalities and local companies in their battles against TNC intrusions. Daus stated, “TNCs have demolished the local transportation regulatory structure, but the industry is still standing and at the end of the day, we are still concerned about the safety of our passengers.”
The meeting’s keynote address, Matching Your App Technology to Your Business Strategy, was delivered by Matthew Ranen, a San Francisco technology consultant. Ranen stated that while it is impossible to predict the shape of future markets, he believes that understanding the range of possibilities that those markets hold will lead to more decisive, confident, and adaptive strategic choices. He said that “a good app does not equal a good business model,” and discussed the core strategies fleets will need in order to thrive in today’s market.
Lucy Singer and Paul Zizzo of RRL Insurance The convention also served as the forum in which drivers and fleet executives were recognized with a number of annual awards honoring exemplary service within the taxicab, limousine, and paratransit transportation industries. The 2016 award winners included:
Limousine Operator of the Year: David Friedman of Carmel Car & Limousine Service in New York, N.Y.
Limousine Chauffeur of the Year: Frank Johnson of Executive Transportation in Newport, Ky.
Paratransit Operator of the Year: Judy Potter of Black & White Transportation in Toledo, Ohio
Paratransit Driver of the Year: Gregg Katz of 10/10 Taxi/Kansas City Transportation Group in Kansas City, Mo.
Taxicab Operator of the Year: Nick Cambas of United Taxi in Clearwater, Fla.
Taxicab Driver of the Year: Enders Abdu of Yellow Checker Cab in San Jose, Calif.
L to R: Roberto D’Anetra, Ed Brodeur, and Jorge Alvarez of Autocab International Outgoing President Dwight Kines of Transdev welcomed newly elected TLPA President Bill Scalzi of Metro Taxi. Scalzi laid out his platform of change and growth in his acceptance speech, which began his one-year term at the helm of the nearly-century-old association.
TLPA’s 99th Annual Convention & Trade Show will be in Denver, Colo., from October 8-12. The association’s next event will be its Spring Conference & Expo from April 25-27 in Palm Springs, Calif.
Visit tlpa.org for more information. [CD1216]
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More than 30 people attended ALA’s holiday luncheon
Phoenix — More than 30 members and supporters were in attendance for Arizona Limousine Association’s (ALA’s) first holiday luncheon at the restaurant Macayo's on Central. Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss was among those who turned out for the festive event.
ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide kicked off the gathering by addressing association business before handing the meeting over to Weiss, who was also the day’s guest speaker. He shared insights into industry trends and prevailing concerns before launching in to a Q&A session.
“Having Chris and Chauffer Driven there was great, and we appreciate the support our association has received,” Conly said.
L to R: ALA Director Billy Jinks of JET Limousines, CD Publisher Chris Weiss, ALA Director Keith Clifton of Desert Knights Sedans and Limousines, and ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide
Weiss brought with him two certificates to CD’s 2017 events to be raffled off to some lucky winners, both of whom are ALA directors. Billy Jinks of JET Limousines won a pass to the June 25-28 Executive Retreat in San Francisco while Keith Clifton of Desert Knights Sedans and Limousines got the pass for the 2017 CD Show in Orlando, which will be October 22-25.
The next ALA meeting will be January 31.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
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Marlton, N.J. —The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently held its annual board election.
When voting closed on December 16 at 8 p.m. EST, five operators have been elected to the 2017-2020 Board of Directors. The results are as follows:
- At-Large: Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach in Everett, Mass.
- Central Region: Erich Reindl of Avanti International Transportation in Houston, Texas
- Northeast Region: Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine in Bellmore, N.Y.
- Southeast Region: Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service in Boca Raton, Fla.
- West Region: Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation in Petaluma, Calif.
Scott Solombrino ofDav El/BostonCoach
Erich Reindl ofAvanti International Transportation
Douglas Schwartz ofExecutive Limousine
Rick Versace ofA1A Airport & Limousine Service
Gary Buffo ofPure Luxury Transportation This term will be the first for Versace. Schwartz and Reindl, both incumbents, will be serving their second consecutive term. Buffo and Solombrino, also incumbents, will be serving their third and fourth consecutive terms, respectively.
Thank you to all candidates for their willingness to serve. "Regardless of the outcome of the election, all of you are wonderful assets to our industry, but most importantly, to our association" said Nominating Committee Co-Chair Steve Qua.
Buffo, who is also NLA’s president, said, "On behalf of the entire membership, we want to thank each candidate for their willingness to serve this association and its members."
The new board members will take their elected seats on March 12 in Las Vegas.
Visit limo.org for more information.
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