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- Category: Industry News
For close to four years, the Illinois Limousine & Bus Association (ILLBA) has presented their free mid-morning Coffee With ILLBA webinars on a semi-monthly basis to offer education on products and services to operators around the world. On Tuesday, February 13, the association held their latest online meeting with special guest speaker Amir Zafar of GRiDD Technologies. Thirty attendees from as far away as the Netherlands took part in the webinar.
Amir Zafar of GRiDD Technologies
ILLBA President Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus kicked off the online event by welcoming attendees and introducing the Board of Directors. She then introduced Zafar, who said he was “honored” to be part of the organization and speaking to attendees.
Zafar provided an overview of GRiDD’s GNet software platform, including its history and the services it provides to integrated reservations systems. He also revealed that they are working on a new, improved portal for the platform, with plans to preview it at the 2024 CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas. One new feature will be the option to search for operators on the system by their association membership.
ILLBA President Tracy Raimer
ILLBA Executive Director/Secretary Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks then discussed the benefits of GNet regarding affiliate work. Rather than dispatchers—or even chauffeurs—fielding phone calls from affiliates looking for client status, using GNet provides instantaneous information. Before signing off, Zafar then fielded many questions from the attendees, notably about rate scheduling on the platform.
ILLBA Executive Director/Secretary Paula DeBiasi
DeBiasi then provided an update on what’s happening on a local level at the Chicago airports. Currently, due to construction at O’Hare, the shuttle bus center is closed and vehicles have been moved to Terminal 2. Limousine operators familiar with the terminal have requested that the car rental shuttles monitor their speed closely within the Terminal as they have been speeding over the posted limit.
The next Coffee With ILLBA meeting is planned to be an in-person event on March 19. Details will be announced at a later date.
Visit illba.org for more information.
[02.15.24]
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The 2024 CD/NLA Vegas Show is coming your way from March 3-6 at the MGM Grand and the anticipation from the industry is off the hook. We’re anticipating our biggest event ever—with numbers capping our 2023 attendance of 2,300. Operators from around the world will converge on Vegas for four days of education, networking, and fun, not to mention our most expansive show floor in many years. Click here to get a full view of what we have planned for you, including timely sessions and roundtables, networking events, technology user group meetings, nightlife parties, and so much more.
While perusing the schedule, sharp-eyed attendees may notice something new coming to the show. We’re extremely excited to announce our first-ever CD Advertiser Meet & Greet, being held Tuesday, March 5, right after the show floor closes at 5:15 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by GNet, this invitation-only event is specifically for advertisers of Chauffeur Driven, whether it’s in the magazine, our affiliate directory, e-newsletter, or on CD’s website. Presented in a casual atmosphere, this is an opportunity to network with friends old and familiar as well as several special guests from the biggest networks and companies in the industry, who will be there to meet new operators and make fresh connections with other advertisers—as well as share their knowledge and even answer questions. This special debut event will give our advertisers a unique opportunity to rub elbows, swap ideas, and perhaps even share a cocktail with some of the most influential players in this space.
At this exclusive get-together, we’re proud to include representatives and decision-makers from EmpireCLS Worldwide, Dav El/BostonCoach, RMA Worldwide, Commonwealth Worldwide, Leros Point to Point, BLS, Music Express, and Fortis Riders with more to be expected. We’ve strategically scheduled it so that people can continue the conversations or break away for dinner or other plans they may have directly following the event. It’s a small token of appreciation and a way for us to say thank you to everyone who supports us through advertising.
If you’re not a current Chauffeur Driven advertiser, please contact Chris Weiss at chris@chauffeurdriven.com to find out how to get on the invite list. Affiliate Sponsors and those doing Affiliate Tables will automatically be added to the invite list as well.
Visit cdnlavegas.com for more information.
[02.13.24]
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- Category: Industry News
The new 2025 Lincoln Aviator (Black Label pictured)
Lincoln is offering details on next year’s Aviator, the second largest in its lineup after the Navigator. With some tweaks to the exterior, including a grille redesign, Lincoln saved most of its impressive upgrades for the interior--specfically technology.
This three-row, seven-seater continues to be big on luxury and value as the OEM packs in 13 of its most popular features as standard in the upcoming model year. Among those are a panoramic vista roof, heated steering wheel, adaptive suspension, and 20-inch wheels. Also included are the all-new Lincoln Digital Experience and BlueCruise1 hands-free highway driving technology, which is a first for the Aviator.
The Aviator now features a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen and revamped infotainment system
Aviator comes standard with Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 2.1, a suite of driver-assist features that includes Evasive Steering Assist, Lane-Keeping System with Blind Spot Information System, and Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.1 Vision, which includes a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and Reverse Brake Assist. Other convenience features include the wireless charging pad for compatible mobile phones newly located in the front-row center media bin, and multiple power outlets and USB capability in all three rows.
Lincoln says that it totally overhauled its infotainment system, which has voice commands via Google Assistant or Alexa, Lincoln’s preferred method of interacting with the Aviator. For tactile experiences, its touchscreen is now larger at 13.2-inches (replacing the current 10.1-inch touchscreen) with a new 12.4-inch digital cluster screen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard.
As for power, the Aviator has a standard twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine (400 horsepower and 415 ft.-lbs. of torque). It’s available in all- and rear-wheel drive.
The new Aviator is expected to be available this summer.
More details are available at lincoln.com.
[02.13.24]