The Heat Was On in Miami

One thing’s for sure: the luxury ground transportation industry really loves Miami. When we returned to South Florida on June 2-5 for the annual CD/NLA Executive Retreat, we fully expected positive vibes in full force—but we didn’t anticipate the high bar that was set by this year’s event, which was at full capacity of 200 attendees. From never-miss-an-event attendees to new, fresh faces, the industry’s best and brightest were on hand at the famed Fontainebleau Hotel and eager to learn and network with their peers and potential new business partners. Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors Lancer Insurance and EmpireCLS Worldwide for their part in making our return to Miami an unforgettable event.

“Just returned from the CD/NLA Executive Retreat in Miami. What a fantastic few days of education, roundtables, and networking. Once again, kudos to the entire Chauffeur Driven and National Limousine Association teams, including all of the committees who dedicated countless hours in the execution of the program!” says Mike Rose of My Limousine Service.

From our opening night dinner party on Sunday evening to the last session on Tuesday afternoon, it was evident that our attendees were engaged and excited to be part of the retreat. An afternoon thunderstorm may have driven our opening night party indoors, but the Latin rhythms, Cuban cuisine, and endless enthusiasm of our guests made it a night to remember. In fact, with the lobby bar adjacent to the ballroom, the good vibes lasted well into the night.

“The event provided attendees with valuable insights and opportunities for fun. Thanks to the CD/NLA teams for your hard work in planning this event, as well as my fellow show education committee members for your commitment,” says Moe Bouayad of Crown Worldwide.

That energy continued into the classroom on Monday morning as we kicked off our educational programming with a pair of sessions from Forbes Travel Guide Senior Vice President of Learning & Development Megan Torrance. The veteran hospitality expert shared her insight on high-level service skills and how they are used within the Forbes Travel Guide’s foundational principles for delivering luxury service. While delivering a concise overview of the fundamental standards conducive to exceptional customer experiences, Torrance encouraged participation from the operators in attendance, transforming the presentation into a roundtable activity. The group discussions and brainstorming exercises empowered attendees with the skills to deliver exceptional service back at the office.

“I recently attended my first CD/NLA Executive Retreat, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. The educational sessions and roundtable discussions were incredibly enlightening, providing invaluable insights that I’ll carry forward in my professional journey,” says Morley Boyer of Neumann LTD.

Prior to a lunch break on Monday, networking was the name of the game, as attendees got to meet many of the event’s vendor sponsors during a Meet-and-Greet session. This gave operators a chance to chat one on one with our generous sponsors while they enjoyed a selection of appetizers. Again, the energy was on display as the networking was fast and furious.

“We had an incredible experience at the CD/NLA Executive Retreat in Miami! We connected with inspiring leaders in our industry and left feeling proud to have been a Gold Sponsor. We can’t wait for next year’s event! If you haven’t attended one of these retreats yet, we highly recommend it. It has the potential to be a game-changer!” raves Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales.

“The networking events, such as the Vendor Meet-and-Greet and private Everglades airboat tour, offered opportunities to connect with peers and forge meaningful relationships. This event was truly enlightening and beneficial for our organization,” added Zulfi Abbasi and Afzaal Iqbal of American Executive Transportation.

Miami’s beautiful Biscayne Bay was the locale of our Monday night dinner reception, as our attendees cruised the open water aboard the Biscayne Lady yacht. From a beautiful sunset to the opulent architecture of the waterfront homes, the private boat tour provided many unforgettable vistas that make Miami so unique, while a DJ pumped out a set of danceable tunes.

“It was an amazing retreat! Thank you Chris Weiss, Jess Pavlow, and the entire team for putting together awesome material and even better get-togethers. Can’t wait to see ya’ll again in D.C.,” says Anthony Asaro of Desert Rose Transportation.

The education continued on Tuesday with a pair of sessions designed to offer immediate takeaway. First was the Creating Your Next Leader workshop, where guest speaker Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders provided useful and illuminating tips to help you appoint the next generation of leadership in your company. Then, Moderator Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV, along with expert panelists Maya Adrine of Golden Limousine International, Michael Campbell of Grace Limousine & Bus, and Shariff McMichael of Dav El/BostonCoach, offered candid deep dives into their personal journeys in appointing and accepting leadership roles.

Our education came to a close on Tuesday afternoon with Bring It! Problem-Solving Interactive Roundtables, which aided operators in solving those crises—small and large—that keep them up at night. Attendees were assigned a table and given guidance (courtesy of CD President Chris Weiss, who served as moderator) to work on challenges as a group. Operators gained wisdom from their peers and got to know each other a little better.

“As always it was wonderful seeing everyone and getting some amazing education. Thanks to the awesome team at Chauffeur Driven as well as the National Limousine Association for an awesome event! I’ll see everyone in October in D.C.!” says Guri Rajput of SRTC Limo Worldwide.

“This was my first Executive Retreat and I see why so many are excited to go. I was able to connect on a better level with people I previously met in passing, and ones I had not met. Thank you to all that organized and participated! Looking forward to seeing you in October,” says Deanna Joseph of On The Town Limousines.

Last, but far from least, was a private airboat Everglades tour on Wednesday morning. Our attendees were zipped around the River of Grass on a guided tour that uncovered some of the area’s best-kept secrets. Attendees were thrilled by the local gators, birds, snakes, and other wildlife that can only be found in this amazing subtropical ecosystem—not to mention the live gator show that followed the tour!

If you missed the retreat, don’t worry. Plans are full speed ahead for the fall as our show will return to the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center just outside of Washington, D.C., on October 13-16. Visit cdnlashow.com to register or for more details.

  [UPD. 07/16/24]