Each year, the CD/NLA Executive Retreat is recognized for its patented balance of education, networking, and fun. So, you can bet when 140 of the industry's best and brightest operators and vendors took part in our Savannah sojourn on June 8-11, they came prepared, committed, and energized. We’re proud to say that the enthusiasm and positive vibes we experienced on the banks of the Savannah River were unmatched. We thank all our attendees, guests, and sponsors—including Platinum Sponsors EmpireCLS and Lancer Insurance—for their part in making this retreat a roaring success.
While we traditionally start our annual retreats off with an unforgettable Sunday night party, things were a bit different this time, as we had the pleasure of presenting a bonus educational session from Driving Transactions Principal Analyst Ken Lucci. Over the years, Lucci has become a go-to resource for many in the industry for his knowledge of all things financial and M&A. In his Sunday afternoon session, Finance & the Future of Chauffeured Transportation Summit, he wowed the crowd with a deep-dive discussion and data briefing based on hundreds of hours of research from 1,100 operators.
Following this ultimate business planning session and state of the chauffeured transportation industry, we got ready to boogie at Opening Dinner & Party. While the sounds of the Crystal Clear Band played in the Westin ballroom, attendees were treated to a traditional Lowcountry buffet of seafood gumbo, a delicious steampot and all the fixin’s, a spread of chicken, BBQ pork loin, and blackened grouper, as well as pecan pie and other delectable desserts. When not enjoying the local cuisine, our guests spent the night on the beautiful Harbor Lawn, mingling and reconnecting with old friends—while meeting plenty of new acquaintances, as well.
“Savannah was perfect, and as always, the Retreat delivered top-tier networking and valuable new connections,” says Quentin Bassey of RSTQ Transportation.
On Monday morning, there was electricity in the air as we welcomed negotiations expert Tony Perzow for a two-part presentation entitled Power, Insight, and Influence: Mastering the Modern Negotiation Conversation. The advanced word on Perzow’s skills fostered great interest in his sessions—after all, he trained executives at Apple, Red Bull, and Rolls-Royce, to name a few—but, no one was prepared for the engaging, informative, controversial, and often funny presentation he delivered. Operators were glued to their seats throughout the session, which specifically targeted our industry, and they enthusiastically took part in several interactive exercises, which required serious attention from the participants. When not teaching the group about techniques like “the squeeze” and “the bogey,” Perzow was emphasizing why hearing “no” can actually be a positive. After instructing our crew for the day, the expert was met with a hearty standing ovation.
“The CD/NLA Executive Retreat in Savannah was fantastic! The sessions were engaging, packed with great insights, and the networking felt more like catching up with old friends than business. The vibe was all about collaboration and growing our businesses. I came back with new connections and many great ideas to be implemented in my own business,” says Mike Rose of My Limousine Service.
Monday afternoon also presented a unique networking opportunity with the return of our Vendor Meet & Greet. While hand-distributed hors d'oeuvres were offered, vendor sponsors from across the industry set up tables to display their products and services and answer questions from the operators. This face time proved invaluable for both sides of the table.
“The Executive Retreat was an incredible few days filled with connection, collaboration, and plenty of Southern charm. There were great conversations with industry leaders and eye-opening sessions on the future of livery. If you haven’t attended a CD/NLA Retreat yet, you’re missing out. It’s one of the best ways to drum up new business, strengthen your network, and truly deepen your understanding of this ever-evolving industry,” says Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales.
Taking to the water has become something of a tradition at the CD/NLA Retreat, and this year we continued the trend with our Monday night Riverboat Dinner Cruise aboard the Savannah River Queen. Our attendees enjoyed a relaxing and scenic sunset trip across the Savannah River, which included a buffet dinner along with an open bar. A DJ provided ample entertainment on the airy top deck of the ship, while guests mingled and danced. And who can ever forget the uncannily accurate rendition of “Rapper’s Delight” performed by NLA President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine? After the cruise concluded, the night owls among the group headed across the water to barhop on the city’s famed River Street district and beyond.
“The networking is fantastic and I'm very inclined to use the affiliates that attend. Changing locations always keeps things interesting and the team finds fun things to do. Was very happy to see a few families—the next generation of the industry is looking strong,” says Gary LeCamu of Diamond Chauffeured Transportation.
On Tuesday the education continued with a pair of sessions. First, we offered a wealth management supersession spearheaded by financial advisor Phil Shetsen of Bona Vita Benefits Group, who moonlights as a popular CD columnist (Money Matters). He was joined by Attorney Alec Borenstein of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden and CPA/Attorney Ryan Curran of Curran & Company to offer a case study to help operators understand how to develop and connect to long-term financial planning goals, and what it takes to create wealth all while minimizing tax burdens and protecting it for heirs. In the first part of the session, Creating a Plan for Wealth, Shetsen began with the end in mind, walking through a series of financial planning concepts, including taxes, life insurance, and more. An activity-based presentation, attendees were given a workbook designed to turn this thought exercise into useful takeaway. Next, Curran tackled Corporate Structures, Tax Landscapes, and Opportunities which addressed some of the notable challenges of wealth planning, including tax changes and hidden possibilities. Finally, in Business Owner Estate Planning, Borenstein took operators through the basic concepts of planning, including estate taxes, administrative burdens, and defining and building trusts. Again, operators were heavily involved in the discussion and enjoyed the interactive nature of the presentation.
“Once again CD and the NLA knock it out of the park with an outstanding Executive Retrea! From education to networking to group activities. The team of experts assembling the event sets the stage and the attendees enjoy and reap the benefits for years to come. I am taking home new relationships and knowledge that last forever,” says Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines.
In the afternoon, we convened for our Technology Roundtable: The Future of the Industry, an exclusive opportunity for operators to share their technological wants and needs with various providers. In a roundtable format—deftly moderated by CD/NLA Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow of Broadway Eliite Worldwide—groups were divided into separate tables and tasked to collaborate on various scenarios that ultimately resulted in a list of software, services, and tech that could be improved on to better efficiency for the industry at large. Once again, attendees demonstrated their enthusiasm and put the pedal to the metal to come up with great ideas that were shared aloud—and digitally via app.
“The education sessions were packed with valuable insights, real-world strategies, and forward-thinking ideas that I’m excited to bring back to the team. Even better was reconnecting with so many friends and fellow operators—there’s nothing like sharing stories, challenges, and laughs with people who truly understand this industry,” says Moe Bouayad of Crown Worldwide.
That night, things turned a bit spooky for our guests in Savannah, as we hit the haunted streets for a Dark History and Ghost Encounter Tour. With Savannah ranking as one of the most-haunted cities in the country, there were plenty of ghoulish and ghastly tales to share from the city’s past. Our entertaining and informative tour guides showed us sites like the Old Sorrel-Weed House and Colonial Park Cemetery, and told astounding (and goosebump-inducing) stories to accompany the locales. Even skeptics and non-believers were held rapt by the incredible accounts of Savannah’s gothic (and murderous) past.
All good things must come to an end, and our Southern excursion concluded Wednesday morning with an optional Private Savannah Trolley Tour and Dolphin Cruise at Tybee Island. For those that could stay in town a few more hours, we gave them a chance to explore the Spanish-moss-lined streets of the city, and then hit the water once again for some dolphin sightings and lunch at the famed
We’re already hard at work on the next event, the Fall CD/NLA Show at the Gaylord Texan, minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. And start planning for 2026, as we bring the CD/NLA Executive Retreat back to the fabulous and iconic Fontainebleau in Miami Beach.
[06.18.25]
