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VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation Atlantic City, N.J. — When the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) met up at Harrah’s Resort on November 10, nearly two dozen members and supporters were on hand—including Chauffeur Driven’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela.
VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation opened up the morning meeting before guest speaker and Florida Limousine Association President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service addressed the crowd. Versace, who was recently named Limousine Operator of the Year by the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association, provided an update about the unique TNC landscape Florida operators are facing. He is part of an initiative to bring a statewide app to the Sunshine State’s chauffeured ground transportation industry, and spoke about how it may be time to mimic some of TNCs’ best practices to satisfy customers looking for a luxury on-demand option.
Guest speaker and Florida Limousine Association President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service New VLA members then had a chance to introduce themselves, as did representatives for the meeting’s sponsors, Jack Rolfe and Joseph Lalla from Georgetown Insurance and Steven Wolfson from Century Business Solutions. Wolfson is the association’s newest vendor member and offered to pay a years’ worth of dues for any longstanding or new member who signs up with Century.
Rolfe, who was an underwriter for 25 years before becoming a broker, also spoke at the meeting, where he discussed a number of insurance-related topics. He explained how lay-up coverage can save operators from paying to insure out-of-service cars, buses, or vans, as well how insurance costs are on the rise partially due to the increased cost of repairing modern vehicles.
The dialogue turned to the importance of solidarity, with longtime VLA supporter Arthur Messina of Create-A-Card addressing the long-term value of well-nurtured relationships and Walsh initiating a conversation about why associations are a necessary component of the industry. Members addressed how the VLA has allowed them to, among other things, grow their businesses, tackle legislative issues, share information, find strength in numbers, and network.
To demonstrate those benefits, recent association successes were highlighted. Among them were proposed changes to airport rules, wherein VLA members attended public comment periods to ensure the industry’s needs are met.
Turning its eye toward the future, VLA’s vision for 2016 includes increasing the association’s overall numbers and adding value to association membership. It is actively working to have professional management assistance in place by January 1 to satisfy both of those goals, and will be utilizing technology to offer video conferencing capabilities as well as live streaming.
The VLA’s next event will be its holiday party on December 1.
Visit virginialimousineassociation.org for more information.
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Melissa and Scott Woodruff with their new fleet additionsDes Moines, Iowa — Majestic Limo & Coach, Des Moines' largest chauffeured transportation company, is expanding its fleet in preparation of the Iowa Caucuses slated for February 1, 2016. The new fleet additions include the 2016 Lincoln MKS and a 2016 Ford Transit. Majestic is also adding a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban, anticipated to be in service by the end of the year.
With the Caucuses bringing an influx of delegates and visitors to the state, Majestic wanted to be prepared to meet the potential client demand. “This is the Super Bowl-level event for Des Moines,” said Scott Woodruff, owner of Majestic, “and Majestic is adding on to accommodate our political guests.”
Woodruff chose the Ford-Lincoln vehicles based on their visual appeal, wide range of features, and pedigree of reliability. “Ford has been a great name for our industry and has always provided us with reliable, solid products,” said Woodruff. “It was obvious that the Sprinter look was catching on in the chauffeured transportation arena, and when I heard Ford was bringing their European-styled van to the states, I was ecstatic.” He is similarly excited about the addition of the Suburban to the fleet. Majestic chose Des Moines-area dealers to supply the vehicles; the MKS and Transit were purchased from Stivers Lincoln Ford and the Suburban was acquired from Karl Chevrolet.
Founded in 1996, Majestic Limo & Coach started with a single Lincoln Town Car stretch limo. As the company approaches their 20th anniversary, they now have a 24-vehicle fleet that includes everything from sedans to full-size 56-passenger coaches.
Visit majesticlimo.com for more information.
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Columbia, S.C. — CLT Express Livery of Charlotte, N.C., a leading ground transportation provider in the Carolinas, recently acquired Busy Bee Coach and Bus Tours. The vital Columbia market was in need of a full-service chauffeured transportation coach and mini bus operator, and CLT welcomes the chance to serve clients in this area. Kristen Carroll of The LMC Group brokered the sale, making the transition effortless and seamless.
Busy Bee Coach and Bus Tours has been in operation for well over 20 years, proudly serving North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Office manager Jackie Williams will remain in the same position, ensuring a smooth transition as Busy Bee joins the CLT Express family. James Canady will be the operations manager.
In January 2016, CLT Express Livery will be rebranded and introduced as SC Coach. Laura Canady, also a board director of the National Limousine Association, has named Lauren Carter as the new office manager of SC Coach. Carter has been with the company since CLT Express Livery bought Aiken Limousine in 2010.
CLT Express and SC Express are owned by Jeff and Laura Canady. Founded in 2000 with one sedan, as of 2015 CLT has acquired four companies and currently operates a combination fleet of over 50 vehicles and 40 employees. With their diverse fleet and experienced and highly trained personnel, they cover the North and South Carolina area, providing excellent service to their clients. In the future, owners Jeff and Laura Canady plan to grow the physical operation with a nine-acre complex minutes away from uptown Charlotte and Charlotte International Airport. This expansion will make their site the largest chauffeured transportation facility from Washington, D.C., to Atlanta.
“We at CLT Express Livery are appreciative of our local and national partners in our industry, which allow our company to continue to grow while giving 100 percent to our clients with internal and external customer support now and well into the future,” said Jeff Canady.
Visit cltexpress.com or liverymanagement.com for more information.
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