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The theme of the GBTA’s 49th annual convention was “Convergence,” which was demonstrably on display with attendees flocking to the seaport city to learn, network, and evolve as a unified force benefiting the worldwide travel industry. Beyond that, the event’s agenda was crafted around supporting the theme by addressing the constant stream of new guidelines and trends that help airlines, lodging, technology companies, consumer products, media outlets, and scores of other business travel professionals provide the high-quality and safe services their customers depend on.
Education was a significant focus of the five-day event, with seminars, workshops, demos, multi-day sessions, certification programs, panels, and speakers all providing further insights into a range of topics. As the event encourages participation from all corners of the world, one of the prevailing educational topics was how to best navigate the geopolitical impact that global politics have on business travel and purchasing decisions alike.
This year, the GBTA also released four reports coinciding with its convention, all of which comprise a series of new research the association has been conducting. The reports each fleshed out topics like the economic impact of business travel as it relates to microcosms such as job growth, global pricing forecasts, and travel spend projections and influencers for 2018.
CD will provide a detailed post-convention wrap-up and photo spread in its September 2017 issue.
The 2018 GBTA Convention will be August 11-15 in San Diego.
Visit gbta.org to learn more about the association, and gbta.org/convention for additional information about the annual event.
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With the association focusing its efforts on a level playing field—especially in terms of being granted the same 1-percent-of-revenue operating fee that taxis and TNCs are privy to instead of being charged per car—lobbying efforts dominated the conversation.
While the PRLA did see its members’ Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) fees reduced at the end of 2016, it is now working with a lobbyist from the firm Malady & Wooten to continue making Pennsylvania’s operational fees fairer for luxury ground transportation companies.
“We hired a lobbyist and are going through the process now of going through the Senate Appropriations Committee,” Rhoads said, explaining that the members of PRLA had to submit some operational numbers for analysis, which should result in an assessment for how to proceed. “The problem is we’re only 30 members and there are 200 limo operators in Philly. We did explain that but it seems like they’ll have enough information to evaluate how they want to proceed.”
He added that “there was a good response from most of our members” in terms of providing the data that would help PPA get a clearer picture of real numbers from chauffeured transportation operators.
“We had to move forward and get these guys to provide their numbers, or we’d have to roll the dice with what the PPA does next,” Rhoads said. “I was happy to hear that we had a great response.”
Rhoads further explained that, on the taxi side of transportation, medallion owners and drivers are at odds over who’s on the hook for the aforementioned PPA fees determined by overall revenue: “Nobody wants to pay it—we don’t want to pay it, either, but at least only paying 1 percent would put us on a level playing field.”
He added that there has been a newly proposed PPA per-ride fee—“like the hotel taxes you pay on the final bill”—under consideration as an additional line item, but that “it’s not quite there yet.” As it would be a very small fee to pass on, Rhoads surmised that the PRLA membership would be in support of it when the time comes for serious consideration.
The next PRLA meeting is tentatively scheduled for September 13.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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“I’m thrilled to welcome Anna to the Reston Limousine family, and excited to be working with her on exciting new projects coming up,” President and CEO Kristina Bouweiri said. Wilkinson replaces longtime marketing manager Therese Howe, who will be moving with her family to Hawaii.
Prior to joining Reston Limousine, Wilkinson was director of communications for a national waste and recycling company where she was responsible for many groundbreaking achievements for the company, both internally and in the public eye.
Wilkinson brings the same forward-thinking creativity and relationship focused marketing and public relations to Reston Limousine. Wilkinson will be spearheading some of Reston Limousine’s many exciting new initiatives and revamps to include; expanding social media presence, cultivating important new sponsorship opportunities, focusing on community and charitable donations, and strengthening partnerships and relationships with both affiliates and internal staff alike.
“I have long admired Reston Limousine’s management and reputation,” Wilkinson said. “I believe in people- and relationship-focused communication and Reston Limousine is a company that is a leader in both commerce and relationships. Their strong emphasis on family values and teamwork are convictions that are close to my heart as well. I am honored to be a member of this team.”
Visit restonlimo.com for more information.
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