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Commonwealth Worldwide Executive Transportation is pleased to announce the addition of Billy Placier as affiliate manager.
“We’re excited to add Billy to our talented team,” said Director of Operations and Global Affiliate Relations Tami Saccoccio Rutter. “His many years in the business has earned him a respected reputation within the industry—one that will serve Commonwealth well.”
Commonwealth Worldwide Affiliate Manager Billy Placier
Placier has more than 38 years of executive ground transportation experience, first starting in 1983 as a chauffeur. He later joined Music Express of Burbank, Calif., learning everything from billing to dispatch to training. He nurtured many long-standing friendships and business relationships during his time as affiliate manager for the company.
“I’m really looking forward to this new challenge with a company as great as Commonwealth Worldwide,” Placier said. “I’ll be keeping up with relationships I’ve enjoyed for years as well as building exciting new ones.”
A Jersey boy, Placier’s love is ice hockey, having played in organized leagues until age 50. He served as a JV head coach/assistant varsity coach of Paramus (NJ) Catholic High School’s boys’ hockey teams and is still an active coach with the Jersey Hitmen—a stellar youth hockey organization with teams in the United States Premier Hockey League.
Commonwealth Worldwide is celebrating its 40th Anniversary, having started with one man—Dawson Rutter—and one car in 1982. The company has evolved as a powerful international force in the industry specializing in financial roadshows, general aviation, C-level corporate travel, and entertainment/production tours with operations in 82 countries.
Visit commonwealthlimo.com for more information.
[04.05.22]
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It’s hard to believe we’re just days away from the 2022 CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas (March 27-30). But don’t worry: if you haven’t yet registered for the event, there’s still time. Just click here to register and save $50 (NLA members save $100).
We’ve got a great show planned at the spectacular—and convenient—Paris Hotel & Casino, and we’re especially excited to announce the content of our always insightful State of the Industry panel. Sponsored by Grech Motors, the State of the Industry will be held on Monday, March 28 at 12:15 pm.
Whether it’s maintaining profitability, finding reliable chauffeurs and CDL drivers, rising fuel prices, supply chain issues, insurance, or just staying above water after the pandemic, there are myriad topics on the minds of today’s operators. This year’s State of the Industry offers a no-holds-barred conversation with an all-star panel of operators, who will lend some clarity to your thorniest of issues. Moderated by CD President Chris Weiss, the SOTI will feature six seasoned panelists with companies of varying sizes representing markets from around the country. Maya Adrine of Golden Limousine, Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car Service, Kristin Hundley of Limousine Connection, Shariff McMichael of Dav El/BostonCoach. Jason Taylor of Prestige Transportation, and Dave Uziel of Urban Worldwide will share their knowledge, wisdom, opinions, and business solutions. With our industry facing a completely new and possibly unfamiliar landscape, getting some frank and honest input from fellow operators will help you chart a steady course. This format was well-received at our Dallas show, with attendees calling it the “best SOTI ever” and “a must-attend event.” Whether you have two cars or a hundred, there’s sure to be useful advice that you can glean from these industry experts.
But the State of the Industry isn’t the only buzz-worthy event happening Monday morning. Prior to the SOTI, you won’t want to miss our Corporate Travel and Client Panel. Join Tony D’Auria of Goldman Sachs/HQ SummitGround, Alicia King of Chevron, and Freelance Ground Transportation Professional Donovan Wilson—along with Moderator Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide—for a vital panel discussion, where these three corporate travel managers from various industries will discuss their thoughts on when businesses will steadily return to regular travel and what that might look like, their duty of care policies for keeping their professionals safe, updates on RFPs and procurement, price sensitivity, the potential for dynamic pricing, sustainability in the business world, and more. If you work with corporate clients or travel managers, you cannot miss this session.
Before you go, don’t forget to download the CD/NLA Show App, which is available on your favorite app store by searching CD NLA Shows, and has all of the information you need to make this your best show yet. It’s also a great way to connect with your fellow show-goers and vendors. Thanks to North Point Global Transportation Worldwide for sponsoring.
Visit cdnlavegas.com for more information.
[03.22.22]
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- Category: Industry News
The Illinois Limousine and Bus Association (ILLBA) hosted the latest installment of their Coffee With ILLBA webinar on Tuesday, March 15. Welcoming operators from around the world, the regular Zoom event allowed attendees to discuss and benchmark hot-button topics.
ILLBA President Art Rento of Pontarelli Companies
“Right now there’s so many things happening that we haven’t seen before,” said ILLBA President Art Rento of Pontarelli Companies, addressing the various challenges operators are experiencing in the face of current events. Whether its gas prices, supply chain issues, or staff shortages, there’s no question that the industry is tackling a confluence of difficulties unlike ever before.
Designed to help operators navigate these rocky waters, the ILLBA event took the shape of an open forum that addressed pressing issues and relevant business solutions. The conversation kicked off with a discussion about cash flow and making sure business owners are prepared with enough money on hand should the next COVID variant shut things down again. This led way into an exchange about the benefits of dynamic pricing to increase profitability.
Hiring chauffeurs and staff continues to be an ordeal in the luxury ground transportation industry, so ILLBA members shared their experience with offering sign-on bonuses to new employees and referral rewards to existing staffers. Overall, it was agreed that bonuses are best distributed in phases as new hires meet goals over time.
ILLBA Executive Director Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks
The rising price of gas is one of the largest issues plaguing operators today, so webinar attendees offered their two cents on surcharges and price increases. Operators also agreed that offering a strict timeframe on quotes (e.g., price is good for 48 or 72 hours) is a realistic solution to avoid getting crushed by future cost increases.
The pros and cons of remote employees were also discussed, with some attendees finding it difficult to monitor the productivity of their remote staff. Overall, having remote employees was viewed as a positive, with Rento saying that his offsite staff was working out well.
ILLBA Executive Director Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks said that the organization hopes to make Coffee With ILLBA a more frequent event, and encouraged members and guests to suggest topics for future discussion. As always, the webinar was recorded and is available for free via YouTube by clicking here.
Visit illba.org for more information.
[03.22.22]