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CD 2016 Show pass winner Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine (left) with CD Editor Madeleine Maccar
Boston — More than 50 attendees turned out for the New England Livery Association’s (NELA’s) September 13 quarterly membership meeting, which was held at the waterfront restaurant Venezia. CD Editor Madeleine Maccar was among those present for the evening event.
Against the backdrop of a setting sun over the Neponset River, members enjoyed an hourlong networking session, cocktails, and the company of their peers before the meeting proper got underway. The social hour provided the perfect opportunity to introduce NELA’s new initiative, an ambassador program that pairs new members with board members who help introduce them to the rest of the association.
Also debuted at this meeting was the concept of a Networking Table, which allows attendees the chance to display company brochures and leave out their business cards. The idea stemmed from the unfortunate reality that there’s never enough time to catch up with everyone you want to talk to, encouraging an exchange of information and contacts to be followed up with on everyone’s own time.
NELA members enjoyed a cocktail hour on the waterfront
With the 2016 CD Show coming on fast, Maccar provided an overview of what the show offers to operators from all markets and of all sizes, highlighting the favorite mainstays and new events planned for the October 9-12 show.
Scott Duffy of Grech Motors—a NELA Platinum Vendor Member and the meeting’s sponsor—spoke about how the company is pivoting from the dealer model in order to exert more quality control over its vehicles, and emphasized how both he and Grech are keenly aware of how hard the association works to lobby on behalf of the industry and seek a level playing field.
NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management then took to the podium, thanking all in attendance for being there, welcoming new members, and reviewing NELA’s recent successes and efforts. He also outlined the association’s mission, reiterating how it serves the community not only with meetings but also by hosting events like the annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament and Chauffeur Appreciation day, offers a host of educational opportunities with guest speakers and a comprehensive monthly newsletter, and provide advocacy for the industry throughout New England.
The NELA board of directors
Szilagyi then examined the TNC battle being fought in each of the six states under NELA’s care, denoting whether or not the association has been able to establish a legislative fund in it yet: Members in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been contributing to a fund that serves both the chauffeured ground transportation and taxi industries with New Hampshire operators primed to establish their own. With Massachusetts recently signing HB-4570 into law to better regulate statewide TNC activity, Szilagyi clarified how its passage will yield safety victories like TNC drivers having to submit to the state’s background checks, carry TNC insurance rather than simply rely on personal coverage, and make sure their vehicles undergo annual inspections.
Guest speaker Debra Weiss Ford, an attorney with the New Hampshire firm Jackson Lewis, closed out the educational component of the evening with an engaging and informative presentation entitled “The Do’s and Don’ts of Employee Handbooks.” While also fielding frequent questions from operators about real-life scenarios, Ford explored everything from enforceable handbook language to must-cover topics such as disability and religious exceptions, equal opportunity employment, labor laws, and the thorniness of operating in multiple jurisdictions.
A number of raffles ended the meeting, which included Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine winning a pass to the 2016 Chauffeur Driven Show.
The next NELA event will be its combination quarterly meeting/holiday party on December 13.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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L to R: CD Publisher Chris Weiss, Hashim Abdi of Mint Life Limousine, and Khari Dickson of Divine Chariots Limousine
Roswell, Ga. — On September 13, the Greater Atlanta Limousine Association (GALA), friends, and supporters from all across the country came out in droves for the Georgia association’s annual charity golf tournament benefiting the Aflac Cancer Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. CD’s Publisher Chris Weiss was among the nearly 100 industry members making this the best-attended golf outings GALA has held, raising an incredible $40,000.
Arthur Messina of Create-a-Card (left) and Sami Elotmani of Destination MCO
“We had 88 people making up 22 teams,” said Fred Rich of Olympus Worldwide Chauffeured Services, co-chair of GALA’s golf committee. “This is the biggest one we’ve had so far with the most sponsors ever, the most players ever, and the most out-of-towners ever.”
With a roster of site visits also planned around the yearly event, attendees toured local facilities and caught up with their Atlanta-market peers before taking to the Country Club of Roswell for a day of charitable camaraderie and an evening of good food at the event’s awards banquet, where Kirkley Hennessey of Hennessy Transportation won two passes to October’s 2016 CD Show in Washington, D.C.
The event’s nine-person golf committee was headed by Rich, who emceed the event, and Chad Casey of Casey Corporate Transportation, to whom Rich credits the charity tournament’s success.
“It took a lot of hard work and a lot of phone calls to make this event so successful,” Rich said.
Check out the November issue of Chauffeur Driven for expanded coverage of this year’s charity golf outing and tons of photos from the event.
GALA’s next membership meeting will be October 18.
Visit galalimo.org for more information.
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CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine in Indiatlantic, Fla. calls the meeting to order
Orlando, Fla. — Despite a torrential tropical storm, the Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA) recently held a general meeting on September 13. Hosted by the VIP Transportation Group, more than 20 members, vendors, and guests were in attendance, including newly promoted CD Editor Rob Smentek.
CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine and Vice President Gregg Moulton of Orlando Select Transportation opened the meeting by welcoming the group, and by sharing the regrets of members who were unable to attend due to the weather.
After the minutes from the previous meeting were approved, Kleefisch introduced the meeting’s first guest, Tom Draper, Director of Airport Ops with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). Draper’s lengthy and information-packed presentation provided an extensive overview of happenings at the Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Show pass winner Brian T.Q. Bacchus of Luxury Rides in Orlando (left) with CD Editor Rob Smentek
Draper shared that he and GOAA are largely on the side of the chauffeured ground transportation industry when it comes to TNCs, and they are continuing to work to even the playing field. GOAA has strict regulations for vehicles picking up passengers, and they are actively ticketing UberX drivers. Several CFLA members expressed their concerns with what they believe are inconsistency with enforcement at the airport’s ground transportation lot, but Draper pledged that he’d be willing to assist with any issues personally and provided the group with his direct contact information. He also shared GOAA’s plans for a new garage currently in construction at MCO that will hopefully alleviate many of the parking concerns.
Next, Kleefisch introduced the next speaker, Andrea M. Brasoveanu, president of American Corporate Security Investigations. Brasoveanu emphasized the importance of a comprehensive background check for chauffeurs, and provided an overview of her firm’s services. She also made the group aware about the trend of workplace violence, which is currently on the rise. Before concluding, she offered CFLA members free consultations to assist with any security or fraud issues currently faced by the operators.
After a few quick words from vendor guests Brent Phillips of Matthews Buses and Matt Clements of Professional Insurance Center, Kleefisch introduced Smentek. He thanked the group for the warm welcome—which included homemade cookies in the shape of Chauffeur Driven’s logo, courtesy of Maria Palie of GNS Transportation group—and then spoke about the upcoming CD show in Washington D.C. With much of the group familiar with the annual show, Smentek concentrated on new events like the Benchmark Breakout sessions, the revamped Women in the Industry seminar, and the new show floor hours. To close the meeting, Smentek raffled a free show pass, which was won by Brian T.Q. Bacchus of Luxury Rides Orlando.
The next CFLA meeting is scheduled for October 18th.
For more information about the association, email cfla2016@gmail.com or call 321.360.6090.
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