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In its pursuit of a level playing field for all transportation companies, the association has hired a team of Massachusetts-based lobbying and PR firms, all of whom were represented at both the ad hoc and membership meetings: public affairs and government relations firm Travaglini, Eisenberg & Kiley, as NELA had previously worked with Robert Travaglini several years ago; lobbying firm Murphy Donoghue Partners; and government/community relations and business development firm The Nolan Group.
“I think the battle really is waged through dealing with legislators and I think the best way to do that is with professionals who know how to play the game,” said NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi. “I think that hiring lobbyists and PR firms, while expensive, is a necessity.”
Because NELA’s general operating fund can’t cover the costs of outside support on its own, NELA is establishing state-by-state legislative funds. Thirty association members are currently contributing to the Massachusetts fund; a second state fund is also gaining traction, which will help pay government relations and lobbying firm The Mayforth Group to represent NELA in Rhode Island. NELA President Michael Callahan of Able Limousine issued a general appeal for members to help fund the association’s legislative efforts.
NELA is also finding a viable partnership with Massachusetts-area taxicab operators. “We really should be able to partner with taxi companies—especially now because, even working with taxis, going up against TNCs is like David and Goliath,” Szilagyi said. “If livery and taxi companies operate as they’re supposed to, we really shouldn’t bang into each other too much, anyway.”
Representatives from meeting sponsor New England Ticket Fairness Alliance were on hand to speak to NELA members. The alliance is dedicated to both increasing transparency and creating an open and competitive market in the ticket industry, and was seeking NELA’s support in its own lobbying endeavors.
A pass to Chauffeur Driven’s Miami show was raffled off, which was won by Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine. The association also had a 50/50 raffle; Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service won and donated his winnings back to the Massachusetts legislative fund.
The next NELA membership meeting is scheduled for June 9.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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As the British Columbia Livery Association, the organization’s original focus was on combating the provincial government’s deregulation of the entire transportation sector. The association’s previous incarnations were largely successful in their mission, according to GVL&TOA President Edison Kahakauwila of L.A. Limousines, who also spearheaded the earlier associations, which wound down in 2006.
In the time since, both the Greater Victoria area’s and the transportation industry’s issues have changed, and the newly formalized GVL&TOA aims to continue addressing the concerns it’s been tackling as an informal group since 2008—with both a ground transportation company’s and tour operator’s needs in mind.
“This new association is more focused on today’s issues, where local governance is of greater concern and now encompasses a broader role in the transportation services industry,” Kahakauwila said. “Another role of the association will be assisting in directing profit centers to our members by actively being involved in big-picture environments like the cruise line, conference, and airport industries. With a majority of operators being small, membership will give them a real sense of involvement that will ultimately improve the product and services provided.”
Currently representing 12 companies and with others expressing interest in joining the association, GVL&TOA represents the varied mix of owner/operators, tour operators, and full transportation companies serving the Greater Victoria region.
“When I went through the process of creating this association, I looked at our diverse reality,” Kahakauwila said. “The “limousine” part represents the fundamental basis of one segment of the tour industry. The other part was tour operators, and a lot of tour operators are ground-transportation-based—in fact, a majority of them are. So it was important to get that in there so the people who are in the industry part-time were still recognized as being involved in the greater industry.”
By becoming a formalized group, Kahakauwila hopes that GVL&TOA can be an instrument of education for industry operators and regulators alike.
“If you deal with an association, you’re talking to maybe two people who represent a group’s best interest. But if you’re dealing with lots of independent people, you suddenly have 15 or 20 people who don’t understand how you’re trying to help them,” he said. “If I’m talking for a group, I can make sure that the key commonality is education: educating those who legislate us, educating people in the business, educating the people who are running our cars. That way, they understand what we’re doing and why these rules exist.”
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Jagiela comes to CD with more than three decades of experience in a range of roles throughout the industry. In addition to having run his own chauffeured transportation company, he has served as the longtime president of Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) and was the NLA’s executive director for more than two years.
As CD’s Industry and Brand Ambassador, Jagiela will be traveling the country to attend association meetings, speaking to and being a resource for regional and statewide associations, their members, and their leadership. He will provide firsthand insight on an array of relevant topics, ranging from the fight against TNCs, fostering industry unity, building membership within each association, and working with regulators, airports, and politicians.
“I’m excited to be joining the CD team in this position,” Jagiela said. “I believe it will give a greater depth of service to local, state, and regional associations and what they need.”
The newly established position draws on Jagiela’s rich history in the industry, and will benefit from his wide perspective as an operator, association leader, and management professional. Having owned and run Aries Transportation Group for nearly 25 years, he also served on the PRLA board in various capacities before becoming president of the association. It was during his tenure as PRLA’s president that the NLA contracted him as its Legislative Liaison for State and Local issues, which is a role he held for four years before being named executive director.
“We welcome Philip to the Chauffeur Driven family and are excited that he became available,” said CD President and Publisher Chris Weiss. “With Philip’s vast knowledge as an operator and association leader, he will be valuable asset to both associations and the industry at large.”
In addition to joining the CD team, Jagiela has recently taken on the role of executive director for both Florida Limousine Association and Long Island Limousine Association; he also has founded PALM Association Management and Consulting, which will assist the for-hire transportation industry’s regional organizations with their logistical needs.
Any associations interested in having Jagiela speak at their meetings can send an email to chris@chauffeurdriven.com.
Jagiela can be reached at philip@chauffeurdriven.com.
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