When we hit Savannah on June 8-11 for the CD/NLA Executive Retreat, you can bet that we’re bringing our patented mix of deep-dive education, tight-knit networking, and local flavor to the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa. Limited to just 200 operators, the Executive Retreat presents you with a unique opportunity for a working vacation that lets you grow professionally while experiencing the locale with an incredible group of colleagues, partners, and friends. Register today by clicking here.
Co-Chair CD/NLA Education Committee Jason Sharenow 
Co-Chair CD/NLA Education Committee Karl Geunther
And whereas our retreats are renowned for their plentiful networking opportunities and social activities, the true takeaway is in our educational component. The CD/NLA Education Committee, co-chaired by Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide and Karl Guenther of Statement Limousine, has finalized the sessions for this year’s retreat, and they are sure to give you some exclusive and cutting-edge knowledge that will add value to your day-to-day operations.
Financial Advisor Phil Shetsen of Bona Vita Benefits Group
Though we’re excited to welcome negotiation expert Tony Perzow for an amazing two-part session on Monday, we’re equally jazzed about our engaging and interactive Tuesday educational offerings. From financial planning to a look at the future of the industry, we have an engrossing day planned. To kick off our second day content, we’re pleased to announce a wealth management supersession spearheaded by financial advisor (and CD columnist) Phil Shetsen of Bona Vita Benefits Group. With Bon Vita, Shetsen has a wealth of experience (no pun intended) handling insurance solutions, benefits, and assets management, and he will demonstrate his fiscal knowledge in the three-part presentation Beyond the Bottom Line: A Conversation to Creating and Protecting Wealth. Along with Attorney Alec Borenstein of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden and CPA/Attorney Ryan Curran of Curran & Company, Shetsen will offer a case study to help you understand how to develop and connect to long-term financial planning goals, and what it takes to create wealth all while minimizing your tax burdens and protecting it for your heirs.
Attorney Alec Borenstein of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden 
CPA/Attorney Ryan Curran of Curran & Company
Are you prepared for your eventual retirement? Well, in Part 1: Creating a Plan for Wealth, Shetsen & Co. will begin with the end in mind, walking you through a series of financial planning concepts, including taxes, life insurance, and more. An activity-based presentation, attendees will be given a workbook designed to turn this thought exercise into useful takeaway that will give you a visual of what you need for estate planning. Part 2: Corporate Structures, Tax Landscapes, and Opportunities will see the panel tackle some of the challenges, including tax changes and hidden possibilities. Then the supersession concludes with Part 3: Business Owner Estate Planning, which will take operators through the basic concepts of planning, including estate taxes, administrative burdens, and building trusts. By the end of the morning, attendees will be on the road to planning the future for themselves and their family. This type of next-level advice and consultation would cost thousands of dollars to obtain; we’re proud to offer it as part of your retreat experience.
"Beyond the Bottom Line will provide one of the most comprehensive seminars on how to build and protect wealth long term. The session will cover financial planning concepts, tax strategies for business owners, and estate planning. We are very excited to bring together some of the brightest minds in their respective planning professions to educate the attendees on what it means to connect intention with actionable wealth management strategies. It is sure to be a session that people will talk about for a while,” says Shetsen.
Then, after a Little Italy-themed lunch, we’re back to education with an interactive roundtable to address the needs and wants of the industry in terms of technology. With tech playing an ever-increasing role in luxury ground transportation we’re excited to present Technology Roundtable: The Future of the Industry, an operator-centric session that will offer an open forum to discuss the software features and equipment that you need for your business. With attendees will be spread out around multiple tables, a moderator will guide each group in developing an ultimate “wish list” of tech-related software solutions that you desire to make your operation more organized, efficient, and profitable. We’ll discuss affiliate connections, streamlining of dispatch/reservations, accounting/payroll processing, and CRM/marketing options. Furthermore, each table will discuss customer-facing booking tools, as well as hardware like dashcams and telematics. Once complete, the wish list developed by this industry think-tank will be presented to technology providers and thought leaders known throughout our space. Bring your ideas and concepts to share! The Technology Roundtable will conclude with an open dialogue session featuring guest speakers to discuss AI and automation along with how autonomous vehicles are changing the transportation landscape.
“The roundtable was by far the best! It opens the dialogue and connects with operators you know on a higher level. I definitely got so many great ideas and takeaways from the roundtable—and made some great connections. Thanks, CD/NLA,” says Lore Swartzendruber of Xquisite Limo.
As always, many thanks to our event sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors EmpireCLS Worldwide and Lancer Insurance; Gold Sponsors Complete Fleet, Driving Transactions, First Class Customs, Limo Anywhere, MCI, Nations Bus Sales, and Volvo; and Affiliate Sponsors Above & Beyond Limousine Service, American Executive Transportation, Destination MCO, Gateway Global, Limo Miami, Mundi Worldwide, North Point Global Transportation, Premier Transportation Worldwide, Stay Classy Transportation, Total Transportation, U.S. Sedan Service Worldwide, and VIP Global. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor for the Savannah Executive Retreat, contact CD President Chris Weiss at chris@chauffeurdriven.com.
Visit cdnlaexecutiveretreat.com for more information.
[05.06.25]