It’s almost go time! In less than a month, nearly 2,000 members of the industry will be flocking to the beautiful Gaylord National for four solid days of education, networking, and unsurpassed buying opportunities for all of your business needs as we make our return to the Northeast—and we hope you’ll be joining us this October 7-10, too! Many thanks to our dozens of generous sponsors whose support make this event possible, including Title Sponsors Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles and Grech Motors.
With our whole show all under one roof, you’ll be able to get the most from your time at the can’t-miss show of the season. From our industry-leading seminars and around-every-corner networking, to our jam-packed show floor and our fun evening events, we have something for everyone, whether this is your first CD Show or you’re a return attendee.
We’ve been providing show updates as they’ve been available these past few months; here, you’ll find the final pieces of the puzzle and one big snapshot of how all your returning favorites will fit together for the 2018 Chauffeur Driven Show.
REGISTRATION
If you haven’t registered yet, there is still time—but rooms at the Gaylord National are filing up fast! With such a wide-ranging schedule of events from morning to night, you won’t want to miss your chance to stay where all the action is happening. Make sure you mention that you’re with the Chauffeur Driven Show to get our room rate of $229/night, which is good from October 3 through the end of our show—in case you wanted a working vacation before getting down to business. Keep in mind that show passes are only $395 until October 5. Plus, you will again receive Show Bucks with your pass, which you can use like cash on our show floor (with participating vendors).
Your peers can offer you their share of knowledge, too, and we have plenty of networking opportunities for meetings of the minds of all kinds, but remember that some events require you to pre-register in order to participate. You must sign up ahead of time if you want to be a part of Sunday’s Operator Mentoring Program (sponsored by Grech Motors) and Monday’s Benchmark Breakouts. This is especially important because both events are first-come, first-served, so you’ll have to register early if you want the best chance to be seated with your top-choice mentor or benchmark group. Our show website, chauffeurdrivenshow.com, will help you decide who among our nearly twenty mentors and which of the Benchmark Breakout groups at these roundtable, moderated events are best for you.
"No matter how big or small your fleet size, there is something tailored to each operator. If you are looking for education, the sessions are to the point, and it is guaranteed that you will learn something new to apply to your business.” -Selim Aslan of Men in Black Transportation in San Diego, Calif.“It was great listening to others that are and have been going through what I’m experiencing with my business, not to mention great advice from our facilitator,” Eric Taylor of Executive Transportation in Tennessee says about the Benchmark Breakouts.
OFFICIAL SHOW APP
Once again graciously sponsored by North Point Transportation Group, our indispensable app puts all the show details—including an attendee list, hotel maps, pop-up notifications, and the full show schedule, complete with options to create a customizable itinerary—right at your fingertips.
The CD Show app also allows you to interact with your fellow show-goers by connecting and scheduling meetings with them, as well as putting our presenters’ materials and feedback forms in the palm of your hand. From taking notes on the sessions you’ve attended to allowing you to cross-post to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, it’s up to you how you choose to make our flexible app work for you.
SHOW FLOOR
With our exhibit hall clocking in at nearly 110,000 square feet, there is definitely something for everyone here! The jam-packed show floor is where you can find the latest, most in-demand vehicles, products, technology, and services available to the industry.
It all kicks off with Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:15 p.m., which will be followed immediately by a Champagne Toast at the Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles booth. The floor will be open until 7:15 p.m. on its first day, which will include a happy hour beginning at 6:15 p.m. Come back Tuesday from 2:15 to 6:15 p.m., and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The show floor: What a great lineup of vehicles and products! We even bought two Mercedes-Benz Sprinters to add to our fleet,” says Barbara White of VIP Transportation Group in Orlando, Fla.
While you’re making your way through our expansive exhibit hall, be sure to check out the food and drink options included in the price of admission. A Titus Leasing-sponsored lunch will be offered during Tuesday’s show floor hours starting at 2:15 p.m., while a happy hour from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. will close out the day. And our final day will include a continental breakfast and brunch at 11 a.m. so you can head home well-fed.
But wait—there’s even more! Our shows are nonstop opportunities for education, and this one is no exception. Be sure to catch our two bonus show-floor sessions, moderated by CD Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide: Getting Up to Speed With Bus Compliance presented by Tom Bray of J.J. Keller & Associates and Bedford Wynne of Wynne Transportation on Tuesday and Creative Revenue Streams Right Under Your Nose presented by Alan Candeub of Park Avenue Limousine and Daniel Perez of DPV Transportation on Wednesday.
Remember that our show floor is where you can put your Show Bucks to good use. Participating exhibitors will be accepting this CD currency like cash, and how much you have in hand depends on when you register. Each Show Bucks coupon will be in denominations of $50, $75, or $150 and cannot be used by or transferred to attendees other than the individual whose name is on each slip. This is your chance to save on the product, vehicle, or service that YOU want.
EDUCATION AND NETWORKING SESSIONS
Did we mention that this year’s show is all under one roof? You’ll be near the heart of the action no matter where you are, which means our on-point seminars, sessions, and panels will never be far away.
Education Program Sponsor FASTTRAK Cloud Technologies makes it all possible and Coffee Sponsor Buffalo Limousine keeps you caffeinated, while our dedicated Education Committee works hard to bring you the education you’ve been clamoring for. This year, our panels and presenters will share their insights about networking, hiring and onboarding new employees, making your own presentations, what to look for (and look out for) in contracts, the significance of values-led leadership, motivating salespeople properly, effectively leveraging technology, measuring and tracking KPIs, and more. We’ll also be hosting a panel of international operators who’ll share their perspectives on how to keep up with and adapt to an always-changing global market.
“The presenters are always very well versed and thorough on their topics,” says Ellington Ferguson of Presidential Limousine & Shuttle Service in Nassau, Bahamas. “The knowledge, the information, the entire education that we receive is phenomenal.”
"Ford and Lincoln are very pleased to be the Title Sponsor for the Chauffeur Driven Show. This show is a tremendous benefit to the industry: The educational seminars are super and the show floor is a great opportunity for Ford and Lincoln to showcase our products.” -Craig Hall of The Lincoln Motor CompanyThen at 2:30 that afternoon, author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz will give the show’s keynote address, sponsored by Grech Motors and Chosen Payments. Michalowicz has sold two multi-million-dollar companies and is building up his third. He has been a contributor at high-profile outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, and MSNBC, and is an in-demand speaker who is renowned for challenging outdated business beliefs. Now, he’s here with a keynote speech you literally can’t afford to miss that will teach you how to position your company with a profit-first mentality that will get even the most in-the-red companies back in the black.
“I think everyone should read Profit First,” says Debbie Rudawsky of BEST Transportation St. Louis. “He writes in a language that’s very easy for a non-financial person to understand, and it’s easy to absorb—I had one of those ‘lightbulb moments’ while I was reading it. His plan takes a little bit of time to put in place, but it’s all common-sense planning. It’s a beneficial read for any business owner: You get a fresh perspective on how you look at your profit, cash flow, and financials, and I think it could be what lights a fire under those owners who need to make some positive changes to their companies. I’ve been using his method for a while now and it’s working so well for our companies.”
We have two back-to-back offerings for those looking to broaden their global horizons on Tuesday, starting with our wildly successful International Meet & Greet at 10:15 a.m., which was graciously sponsored by Global Alliance, Icona Global, and Modern Car Worldwide. Hundreds of representatives from companies all around the world will be looking to connect with operators like you. Then at noon, the Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum brings the world to you through one-on-one conversations with owners, affiliate managers, and key decision-makers from all the markets you’ve been looking to break into—and who are looking to tap into your local presence, too. Many thanks to sponsor A1A Airport & Limousine Service.
Tuesday also includes our Women in the Industry Networking Breakfast, which begins at 9 a.m. and is sponsored by DTS Chauffeured Services. This event will give the industry’s leading ladies a chance to start the day with a continental breakfast and will include inspiring stories shared by women business leaders in our industry. This event is a forum for networking, conversation, education, and a whole lot of girl power.
MEETINGS AND ASSOCIATION EVENTS
From association meetings to our Association Summit, plus technology group and users’ meetings, several organizations within the industry will offer opportunities for current members and supporters (and potential ones, too) to come together.
Sponsored by MCI, our Association Summit is the place for leaders from state, regional, and national associations alike to participate in a roundtable discussion. Beginning at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, anyone involved in our industry’s trade associations is welcome to hear their board members paint a complete picture of how various ground transportation organizations are fighting for their members and operators across the country, as well as outline their biggest concerns and most important victories of the past year—and detail their plans for what’s to come.
“The Association Summit is the place where some of the brightest minds in the industry get together and share ideas and strategies for helping operators from across the country to thrive and prosper. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the show,” says Florida Limousine Association President Rick Versace of A1A Airport & Limousine Service.
On Monday, start your day with the Virginia Limousine Association’s meeting at 8 a.m., and visit with the Minority Limousine Operators of America Tuesday morning, also at 8. These meetings are always chock-full of useful information for members and supporters alike, and serve as `zgreat venues for catching up with your affiliates from all over the country.
CHARITY DINNER & AUCTION
The beating heart of our shows is the night of charity, and we’re pleased to once again support WISH for OUR HEROES (W40H) in this altruistic evening that’s generously sponsored by Aadvanced Limousines.
The sad fact is, many members of our nation’s military have a hard time making ends meet for even the most basic needs like food and shelter. Some are just one small emergency away—like an unexpected vehicle breakdown—from being broke. Last year alone, WISH for OUR HEROES provided active military families with more than $400,000 worth of groceries—this is a reality for many of our patriots, and is where W40H steps in to fill in the cracks when other assistance programs can’t or don’t.
All of our attendees are invited to join us for the big-hearted capstone event of the show at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday as we aim to top last year’s incredible fundraising total of more than $131,000—we’re hoping to exceed $150,000 this year! There’ll be silent and live auctions, a full buffet dinner, and a live wish being granted to a member of our armed forces. The proceeds from your bids will go toward the evening’s final donation, 100 percent of which will benefit the active-service men and women, veterans, and their families who are all require additional support through the W4OH.
“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,” said Tami Jacobs from Creative Bus Sales. “I’d like to thank everyone that donated because it definitely goes to a great cause.”
You can help make a difference before you even pack your bags for the show by visiting gofundme.com/cd-2018-charity-event, the GoFundMe page for our evening of charity. If you ever wondered how the money collected is spent, be sure to check out our Q&A with W4OH President Jeff Wells in the August 2018 issue (bit.ly/2MFQ1QX). Trust us, every dollar is well utilized to help a service member in need—even with the basics like putting a meal on the table or fixing the family’s aging vehicle. It’s an eye-opening interview.
There are auction items for every budget and interest to be won. This event is free to attend to all registered attendees, and dinner is on us!
NIGHTLIFE
There’s nothing like having a good time after hours of networking, educational sessions, walking the show floor, and meetings, which is why our themed parties always deliver tons of end-of-the-day fun.
Our first night in town will honor the truly international event that the CD shows are with an Around the World Opening Night Reception. Starting at 9:30 p.m., join us for plenty of drinks and some light fare in the stunning Cherry Blossom Ballroom—with a terrace that overlooks the Gaylord National’s atrium—and make some truly globe-spanning connections all in one place while celebrating an industry without borders.
Then on Monday night from 9:30 until midnight, get dressed up and party down at our costume party. We know how creative this industry can be, so this year let your inner diva, superhero, movie star, fictional character, or iconic persona from the movies, TV, or the comics shine through in this party that is certain to offer a diverse cast of characters coming together for one awesome array of characters (sponsored by Boston Car Service and RMA Worldwide). Where else can you hang with Captain America, The Fonz, and Marilyn Monroe on the same night?
FOOD
We know the shows are whirlwinds of activity, so we’re making sure you have plenty of options to refuel as you go about your busy days. In addition to the dining options you’ll find at breakfast events, the show floor, our parties, and the Charity Dinner & Auction, there’ll also be breakfast (7:45 to 8:45 a.m.) and lunch (1:15 to 2:15 p.m.) available on Tuesday.
Gaylord National itself is packed with all kinds of places to eat, too. The Harbor Marketplace and The Cocoa Bean both offer grab-and-go food and drink, while the Old Hickory Steakhouse, Pienza Marketplace, and National Pastime Sports Bar and Grill all offer casual, sit-down dining. For the after-hours crowd, you’ll want to check out Pose Rooftop Lounge and the Belvedere Lobby Bar.
FIRST-TIMER PRIMER
Many of the most popular questions we get leading up to our events, like when registration is and what kind of food is available, have already been covered.
But if you’re wondering about the dress code, we’ve got you covered there, too. Dress to impress during the day: Look professional and ready to do business, but give your poor feet a break. While the Gaylord National is an all-under-one-roof venue, you WILL be on your feet for hours upon hours every day so don’t forget a pair or two of comfortable shoes. Our Charity Dinner & Auction is the most formal affair at the show, but our themed after-hours parties are your chance to have some fun while dressing accordingly.
October at our host property typically ranges from the high 60s during the day and a bit cooler at night. While our show is contained indoors, those who are playing tourist in the scenic, happening National Harbor might want to pack a light jacket for those outings. You will cover a lot of ground each day (did we remind you to pack comfortable shoes yet?), which works up a sweat; dressing in layers is always a great idea, especially for those who are sensitive to air-conditioned meeting spaces.
“Once again, Chauffeur Driven just did a wonderful job. Everybody’s upbeat and smiling—even on the last day—and everyone’s still having a great time. The vendors were wonderful, the parties (as always) were spectacular. It’s another incredible show by the Chauffeur Driven team,” said Bob Kitko of Limousine Associates in Cincinnati, Ohio, of last year’s show. Sounds like an event you don’t want to miss!
If you have any questions, chauffeurdrivenshow.com is a great resource before and during our show—and so are our e-blasts and e-news press releases, too. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the CD team once it’s show time at the Gaylord National. We can’t wait to see you there!
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