When we make our return to the Northeast this October 7-10 at the luxurious, all-under-one-roof Gaylord National just outside D.C., you’ll find a show floor packed with the newest and greatest industry services, tech, and products; a schedule loaded with relevant information and immediate takeaways; and a venue teeming with networking opportunities around every corner.
Each show is a balancing act to ensure that new offerings are accessible to many of our attendees, revamped versions of long-running hits or recently debuted events deliver the education and ROI you want, and returning favorites are still fresh and timely. We’re positive that we’re hitting all those marks with the 2018 Chauffeur Driven Show, with the help of both our Education and Charity committees, along with the helpful feedback from previous attendees.
And if you need the details on what some of our returning favorites have in store for you, read on to find out!
Operator Mentoring Program
One of our longest-running hits is also one of our most in-demand events every year—and it’s now open for registration! From 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, you can maximize your learning potential at this Grech Motors-sponsored hit.
“The Operator Mentoring Program is excellent! I was told that it is the highlight of the show, and they were right. Small groups of operators really digging into the issues and challenges. Just excellent!” raves Tom Halsnik of Black Pearl Limousine in Florida.
The current roster of mentors includes:Robert Alexander, President/CEO of RMA Worldwide
Sam Amato, President/Founder of Gateway Global
Brett Barenholtz, CEO of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation
Kristina Bouweiri, President/CEO of Reston Limousine
Maurice Brewster, President/Founder of Mosaic Global Transportation
Kim J. Dolniak, President/Co-Owner of BEST Transportation
Jon Epstein, President of Royal Coachman Worldwide
Mike Fogarty, CEO North America of Tristar Worldwide
Diane Forgy, President of Overland Chauffeured Services
Kevin Illingworth, President of Classique Worldwide Transportation
Joe Ironi, President of Global Alliance Worldwide
George Jacobs, CEO of Windy City Limousine
Dawson Rutter, President/CEO of Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation
Douglas Schwartz, President of Executive Limousine
Jason Sharenow, COO of Broadway Elite Worldwide
Scott Solombrino, CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach
Ron Stein, President/CEO of Exclusive Sedan Service
Rick Versace Sr., President of A1A Airport & Limousine Service
This is your chance to directly speak with some of the biggest, most recognizable names in the industry in an intimate roundtable discussion where everyone has a chance to impart just as much wisdom as they gain. Learn from your industry peers and some of the most successful operators in the business while sharing your own experiences and lessons with others who might be struggling with an obstacle you’ve faced—and overcome—in the past.
As in prior years, seating is limited, so you MUST pre-register for this event. Each mentor will be working with groups of 10 or fewer operators, so register soon to claim a place at your top-choice table. This is a first-come, first-served event that caters exclusively to company decision-makers, so only one representative per each organization is allowed.
To be a part of this incredible operator-led learning experience, head to chauffeurdrivenshow.com/operator-mentoring-program-registration.
A Night of CharityA cornerstone of our shows is the Charity Dinner & Auction we hold on our last night in town. This year’s event will be held Tuesday, October 9, and it’s once again sponsored by Aadvanced Limousines to benefit the military charity WISH for OUR HEROES.
This will be the third year in a row our night of big-hearted generosity supports WISH for OUR HEROES, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting the men and women in active service, veterans, and military families through granting their wishes big and small. As 95 percent of corporate donations and 100 percent of individual donations go directly to individuals and families in need, the deserving recipients of each wish get the help they need. We also grant a live wish during the auction, doubling the impact of the industry’s generosity. As a thank you for your support, remember that dinner is on us!
“As a MoM (Mother of Marine), I can honestly say that the benefit for WISH for OUR HEROES made me so proud of everyone in this industry,” says Tami Jacobs from Creative Bus Sales. “I’d like to thank everyone who donated because it definitely goes to a great cause.”
We raised nearly $140,000 last year, effectively topping 2016’s total of $120,000, with a variety of items donated for the silent and live auctions.
“Words cannot express our gratitude for all that you have done to assist our heroes,” says Jeff Wells, founder and president of WISH for OUR HEROES. “Since we started WISH for OUR HEROES, we have never seen a group of more generous people, and honestly, it was one of the most incredible nights we have ever had as an organization. As a result of your generosity, we will directly be able to assist hundreds of military families. Everyone embraced us like we were family and made us feel so welcome. It was just an incredible evening ... that’s all we can say. Thank you so much for everything!”
This year, we even have set up a GoFundMe account to help make our donations to WISH for OUR HEROES go even farther and help even more military families. You can help us help those who served our country before we even leave for to the Gaylord by heading on over to gofundme.com/cd-2018-charity-event and help us reach our $150,000 goal!
Many thanks to our hard-working Charity Committee for offering their insights and time to make sure 2018 is another year of big-heartedness for a great cause. We couldn’t do it without co-chairs Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments and Tami Saccoccio of Commonwealth Worldwide and committee members Mechelle Cappel of Elite Transportation, Mary Johnson of Alliance Limousine NY, Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine, Brandy Ollie of Go Platinum Transportation, Jessica Pavlow of Action Worldwide, Tracy Salinger of Unique Limousine, Ron Stein of Exclusive Sedan Service, Melissa Woodruff of Majestic Limousine & Coach, and Matt Yorke of Signature Transportation.
Show Floor
Space on our show floor is selling out fast—which is great news for our attendees and a last call for those wishing to exhibit but haven’t claimed their space yet.
This year’s show floor will open the afternoon of October 8 and kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a champagne toast at Title Co-Sponsor Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles’ booth, followed by a 6:15 p.m. Happy Hour where you can make your way around the hall to see the latest and greatest technology, services, products, and vehicles available to our industry.
“I wouldn’t miss this event,” says Edison Kahakauwila of L.A. Limousines in Victoria, British Columbia. “It’s great to see old friends, and there’s just the right balance of education, show floor, and networking.”
We’ll have something extra in store for each day the floor is open, too. When it opens at 2:15 p.m. October 9, come refuel for the day with a lunch sponsored by Titus Leasing, and then enjoy Happy Hour from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. And on October 10, you can grab a continental breakfast/brunch as soon as the exhibit hall opens at 11 a.m., and catch any last-minute deals until the floor—and our 2018 show—closes at 2 p.m.
“The CD Show in Orlando had an amazing turnout with many new faces. The overall attendance, activities, and schedule provided the opportunity to speak to clients as well as other builders. We successfully sold units on the floor,” says Alexa Sacco of returning exhibiting vendor LGE Coachworks.
And have we mentioned that it’s all under one roof? With the Gaylord National’s conference space making our show another easily navigable affair, you’ll have no problem traversing the nearly 110,000-square-feet show floor in the property’s Prince George Exhibit Hall without having to sacrifice all the can’t-miss events on your personal agenda—and your feet certainly will appreciate how close everything is!
So what are you waiting for? Our block at the beautiful Gaylord National has rooms going for the unheard-of rate of $229/night. Register now at bit.ly/2NCnxoQ or give our Director of Events Carly Sokoloff at call at 856.452.0323. This is your chance to join nearly 2,000 of your industry peers from all around the world for a few days of timely education, nonstop networking, a jam-packed show floor, and some incredible nightlife, all right on the shores of the Potomac River in the happening National Harbor and just outside Washington, D.C.
And be sure to check future issues of Chauffeur Driven, our biweekly enews, and chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more updates about the event of the fall. We can’t wait for you to be a part of our return to the Northeast!
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