- Details
- Category: Industry News
The Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) hosted a Bull & Oyster Roast & Limo Show at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood April 9. Among the meeting’s attendees were Chauffeur Driven Director of Events Jess Pavlow and Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela.
MLA President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousine presided over the meeting, which doubled as a fundraiser. Attendees were able to view a 2017 Lincoln Continental on display. Vendor sponsors East West Lincoln, Executive Automotive Service, T-Mobile, and Rohrer Bus Sales supported the event. A DJ was provided by Martens Johnson Insurance Agency and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse supplied gift cards for raffle to support the fundraiser for the association. “We had a blast,” Greene said.
About $1,500 was raised at the inaugural event, one that Greene intends to repeat as a relatively new president of the association: His term started in November 2016 and will run for two years. He has been a longtime board member of the MLA but was prompted by recent legislation to get more involved.
“By increasing the visibility of the association with an event like the Bull & Oyster Roast, we can increase membership and become a strong voice in our community,” Greene remarked. To cap off the event, MLA Vice President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady won a full show pass to the 2017 CD Show, which will be held in Orlando from October 22-25.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information. [CD0517]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
More than 75 attendees came out to support the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) when it met up in Las Vegas March 14. CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela was among those present for the evening meeting.
With President David Kinney of API Global Transportation at the helm, the meeting kicked off with a summary of the association’s January Day on the Hill in Sacramento. Kinney also thanked those who participated in the legislative event for their support and encouraged more members to attend in the future.
Amendments to SB-109, a bill pertaining to emergency exits in party-carrying vehicles, were considered a “significant victory” for GCLA and the industry alike, as it changed the financially onerous original mandate of adding a fifth door to one that more realistically required an exit hatch in limousines. Members were reminded that January 1, 2018, is the new date for enforcement for adding pop-out windows or a roof hatch to limousines that required modification.
The meeting’s keynote speakers were Charles and Spencer Tenney of Tenney Group, which specializes in the acquisitions and mergers of transportation companies. The father and son, respectively, discussed the industrywide trends they’ve seen emerge, such as the acceleration of retirements, concerns over regulation, rising interest rates, and high valuations.
The Tenneys went on to emphasize the importance of educating potential buyers. After explaining why having—and being familiar with—a business plan can help tell your story, they covered topics that help owners become better sellers, such as taking a proactive role in the sales process, offering confidentiality protection, and doing credit checks on those who express interest in doing business with you. From a buyer perspective, the two stressed the importance of authentic empathy, humility, and kindness in approaching a deal with a seller who might be coming to the deal reluctantly, and cautioned against walking away from negotiations too soon, as there is a shared risk in virtually every transaction.
In terms of regional news, beginning May 11, all operators dropping off passengers at Los Angeles International Airport will have to ask their passengers which terminal they’re heading to, due to increased congestion during the Delta relocation from terminals 5 and 6 to 2 and 3—the largest airline relocation in LAX history, which will affect 21 airlines. For pickups, GCLA suggests checking with airlines and flightstats.com to ensure passengers are met at the correct terminal. Visit goo.gl/72Wf1Y to learn more about the relocation.
Next up for the GCLA is its May 16 meeting in San Diego. Visit gcla.org for more information. [CD0517]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
For their Executive Class Ford Transit, First Class Customs uses a well-equipped 15-passenger van and improves on it with a higher level of trim and features. First, First Class removes the installed split-bench seating and covers it with their custom seating kit, and adds dual USB power ports in each row. Then, panels are re-secured and the headliner is re-covered. New flooring is installed, and the existing plastic trim is covered with high-quality vinyl and leather. Moreover, First Class adds electrical upgrades such as LED bulbs and new floor and step lighting. Also standard in the Executive Class Ford Transit is the company’s exclusive cargo net system, which attaches to the seat frames and ceiling brackets.
“We take a customer’s existing chassis and give it an upscale feel from front to back,” says Glick. This is a unique vehicle that has been displayed at the trade shows with a lot of attention. For $15,000 or less, we’re able to do a conversion that gives operators the opportunity to set themselves apart from the crowd.”
Operators who visit the Chauffeur Driven Trade Show in Orlando this October 22-25 will not only have the opportunity to see the Executive Class Ford Transit up close, they may even to get to drive one home. On the last day of the show, CD is giving away a new Ford Transit—graciously donated by Ford and upfitted by First Class Customs—to a lucky operator. And, we’re not talking a one- or two-year lease here; if you win it, you’ll be adding a vehicle to your fleet worth $65,000. Participants will need to download our show app and be present to win, but we know you’ll want to stick around for this rare opportunity. Stay tuned for more details.
Visit firstclasscustomsinc.com for more information.
[CD0617]