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On Tuesday, December 17, the Illinois Limousine & Bus Association (ILLBA) hosted their final coffee-time educational webinar of 2024. Entitled ‘Tis the Season for Selling, the association welcomed guest speaker Drew Messina of Create-A-Card to discuss marketing and branding solutions.
Following an introduction by ILLBA Executive Director Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks, Messina launched into a presentation that offered branding tips for success. With the holiday season among us, Messina suggested volunteering your business as a Toys for Tots or food bank drop off point, which serves to “associate your brand with positivity.”
Messina also made a point of defining branding, explaining that it’s a combination of tangible and intangible aspects of your company—not solely a logo. He also elucidated the advantages of branding, which include building trust, increasing value, market differentiation, and employee engagement.
Create-A-Card VP of Operations Drew Messina
While touching upon different branding methods, Messina spoke about the “power of swag,” that is, the advantages of distributing a cool item to potential and existing clients. He emphasized the importance of giving away a “life item” (i.e., something that will actually be used) as opposed to something cheap and unremarkable.
“If you keep your brand in your clients’ hands, they have a higher chance of calling you,” stated Messina.
The best practices for branding items were also discussed, with Messina advising operators to have a high-quality design, match the item(s) to your audience, and keep the brand in the client’s hand. He also shared the value of apparel for brand visibility and continued importance of digital marketing.
ILLBA Executive Director Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks
Again touching upon the holiday season, Messina told the webinar guests that they should be thankful this holiday season. Whether it’s sending out a greeting card or a simple email, people remember those that extend thanks. And with the CD/NLA Vegas show coming in February, Messina strongly advised operators to think ahead about ordering their branding material well in advance, particularly with Chinese New Year approaching.
The Coffee With ILLBA session closed with a discussion about the tried-and-true business cards we all carry. DeBiasi asked Messina to highlight the items that should appear on all company cards. According to Messina, in addition to your name and title, all cards should have your company’s logo; a headshot; email, phone number, and website, and most importantly, the city in which you operate. DeBiasi admitted that she threw away several dozen cards following last year’s CD/NLA Show, simply because no city was printed.
A recording of this month’s Coffee With ILLBA webinar is available on the association’s YouTube channel. Click here to view.
Members are invited to ring in the New Year with ILLBA at their holiday party on Tuesday, January 21, at Carlucci in Rosemont, Ill. from 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Visit illba.org for more information.
[12.19.24]
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Chauffeur Driven and the National Limousine Association are thrilled to see so many operators from around the world taking advantage of the Early Bird Rate for our incredible Vegas show held at the Paris Hotel & Casino this coming February 23-26. In effect through the holidaze—January 10, to be precise—this amazing deal allows our attendees to save almost $75 off the regular price. What’s more, NLA members save an additional $100, giving you four days of education, networking, and fun for just $475. Click here to register.
For hundreds of our attendees, nothing outweighs the importance of networking at CD/NLA events. As such, we’ve assembled several dedicated events designed for operators to expand their business network. For example, we’re thrilled to once again offer our ultra-popular International Meet & Greet (sponsored by Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services and Van Delden Limousine) and the Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum (sponsored by Volvo), where we expect to have more than 100 tables.
But what about those who have never experienced the hustle and bustle of the CD/NLA Vegas Show? We’re all intimately familiar with the excitement, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings that envelope you when you’re a newbie, so we’re here to help with our First-Timers’ Event. Held on Sunday afternoon (February 23), we’ll start with a brief orientation, where you and your fellow first-timers will be paired with an industry professional who can make recommendations for the best sessions to attend, people to meet, and any other confusion you have about the show. You can always reach out to anyone on the CD or NLA teams for more assistance, but we take it one step further. Lifelong friendships and business relationships often start at our shows, so you’ll know at least a few people who can lend a hand after attending our orientation. All you have to do is concentrate on your investment in attending the show.
“As a first-timer to the show, I felt very welcomed and everyone was friendly. I met fantastic people and made connections that will be very helpful to our business,” says Nancy Plante of Executive Express
“As a new operator, I came to the show not knowing what to expect and had neutral expectations. Within one day, I immediately realized the show was everything I was looking for and more as a new operator. Not only did I get the education I was seeking, but my opportunities to network with operators from all over the world blew my expectations out of the water,” raves Patrick McKenna of Bing Mountain Luxury Transportation.
Visit cdnlavegas.com for more information.
[12.17.24]
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LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine addresses the crowd
More than 60 members and guests headed to Wind Watch Golf & Country Club in Hauppauge, N.Y., on Wednesday, December 11, for the Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) holiday party and dinner. In addition to offering a delicious buffet dinner and valuable networking, the evening also gave members a glimpse of the association’s plans for the new year.
L to R: Jeffrey Dupoux of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation, Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, Nancy Vargas of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation, Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine, Drew Messina of Create-A-Card, and Annette Snedaker of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation.
“The meeting was very successful,” says LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine. “We’re looking forward to a really robust 2025 where we’ve launched a new program against illegal operators. We’ve hired a PR firm, and we’re scheduling a press conference for late December. In January, we’re doing a breakfast for legislators and other politicians to catch their ear and inform them.”
The association has also had two meetings with the Suffolk County TLC about the issue of illegal operators. Currently, the biggest challenge for licensed operators is coming from Facebook pages that advertise cheap local transportation.
LILA teamed up with Advantage Remarketing Solutions to fill a Sprinter with donations for Toys for Tots
“Illegal operators are taking money out of our pockets and they’re driving with noncommercial plates. It’s about time that someone’s done something about it, and that’s what our association is trying to do. We’re never going to cure the problem, but we can have an impact on the situation,” says Gouldsbury.
Gouldsbury states that LILA has great support from their members to tackle this issue. Recently, the association got an NLA grant for $6,000, which will be used to help them kick off the program.
Ariel Ullberg and LILA President Tom Gouldsbury of Azure Limousine
“We want to let the surrounding area know that the LILA exists and we’re here to support the community. We’re out to share public awareness,” he says.
While the issue of illegal operators was highlighted, the meeting also served as a Toys for Tots benefit, with Eric Coolbaugh from meeting sponsor Advantage Remarketing Solutions bringing a Sprinter to fill with new, unwrapped toys. Dozens and dozens of donations were brought by members to support the Marine Corps charity.
Other sponsors of the dinner meeting included Friedlander Group, Royale Limousine, Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Rocky Mountain Coach, and IntelliShift.
LILA has plans to hold a meeting in March, shortly after the CD/NLA Show in Vegas.
Visit lilimoassociation.com for more information.
[12.17.24]