PRLA Sees Packed House at Spring Meeting

CD Editor Rob Smentek with Executive Retreat pass winner Mark Barnett of Best of Times Transportation King of Prussia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) returned to Maggiano’s Little Italy on March 13 for a packed-house general membership meeting. CD Editor Rob Smentek was one of the 50 members and guests were present for the standing-room-only dinner event, which offered attendees the latest in local regulatory concerns and parking issues, as well as speakers from in and out of the industry.

Recently elected PRLA President Johnny Donohoe of Sterling Chauffeured Transportation began the meeting by welcoming everyone and expressing his pleasure with the sizeable number in attendance. He then thanked past PRLA presents Steve Rhodes from Rhoads Limousine and Jim Salinger of Unique Limousine, who were both in attendance, for their years of service to both the association and industry. Donohoe then asked new PRLA Treasurer Bob Euler Jr. of King Limousine and Transportation to provide a brief overview of the organization’s financial status.

Next, meeting sponsor and vendor member Ken Ingram of Brightbill Body Works addressed the group with an overview of his dealership’s products and services. He also encouraged the operators in the room to tour the three buses he brought to the venue. Ingram then welcomed surprise guest Phil Tom of Turtle Tom who came in from Indiana for the meeting. Tom gave an update on Turtle Top’s recent “hard reset” that saw company return to its family-owned roots after a brief period under a new umbrella.

L to R: Larry Hershman and Kai Pfiester of Black Ciper Security, Mike Barretto of Eagle Chauffeured Services, and Jeffrey Brenner of Black Cipher Donohoe and Euler then provided an update on developments at the Philadelphia Airport (PHL) and with the association’s oft-tenuous relationship with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). A construction project at PHL is scheduled to begin in May, which will send hordes of pedestrians to the commercial lots that were previously off-limits to “civilians.” Donohoe advised operators to be prepared for the inevitable delays that will occur due to the travelers unfamiliar with these parking zones. The PRLA board members then discussed the controversial per-vehicle assessments that the PPA levies on chauffeured ground transportation vehicles. While Donohoe confirmed that the $550 per year rate is still in effect, the PPA is considering a per-ride fee of $2.00 for trips in the city limits. This is similar fees levied to TNCs, which generated a whopping $115,000 a day for Philadelphia. This new plan would require luxury car operators to self-report their rides and no stickers would be required.

The PRLA Board (L to R): Tresurer Bob Euler Jr. of King Limousine and Transportation, President Johnny Donohoe of Sterling Chauffeured Transportation, Secretary Tracy Salinger-Long of Unique Limousine, Vice President Tony Viscusi of Global Limousine, Vendor Director John Arone of HUB International, and Director Michael Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services Before welcoming guest speakers from Black Cipher Security, PRLA Director Mike Barretto of Eagle Chauffeured Services kept the membership up to date on what’s happening at Philadelphia’s always-busy sports stadium area. Barretto recent met with representatives from the stadiums who said that they are actively working on improving the parking situation for for-hire vehicles. The Black Cipher team then engaged attendees with an informative, and often terrifying, discussion about improving cybersecurity measures in the workplace. Their presentation included a live hacking demonstration, an overview about how the “dark web” works, and quick tips operators can use to bolster their cybersecurity.

The meeting concluded with raffles, including a drawing for a free show pass to the Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreat in Austin from May 5-8. The winner was Mark Barnett of Best of Times Transportation in Hatfield, Pa.

The PRLA’s next meeting is scheduled for May 1 at Fred Beans Ford of Doylestown.

Visit prlainc.com for more information.

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