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MCTA President Charlie Murray of Total Luxury Limousine called the meeting to order by reading the minutes from the association’s previous meeting, and then thanked the membership for their continued commitment to the organization. Murray then welcomed Nate Mussell, a government relations expert at association management firm Lockridge Grindal Nauen, to speak about Minnesota’s Working Families Agenda. This legislation includes a paid sick leave ordinance, and an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour.
Next, two airport representatives—Atif Saeed, assistant director of MSP Operations/Landside, and Steve Holes, manager of commercial vehicle operations on MSP Airport/MAC proposed commercial transportation ordinances—were introduced to the group. Saeed and Holes expressed an interest in having a better dialogue with the MCTA, and shared their proposal for separate TNC ordinances as well as a fee increase for the on-demand providers. The reps then answered questions from the association members regarding signage, parking, and fingerprint checks.
Murray also shared information about his meeting with Minnesota Senator Al Franken regarding the situation with TNCs. He said that Franken was sympathetic to their cause, particularly in light of the violation of labor laws on the part of TNCs. Murray also addressed the August 1 state minimum wage increase and its effect on the association members, which was the topic of discussion among members.
Before turning over the floor to MCTA Vice President Len Nelson of Valley Limo, Murray gave an update on the 2016 Ryder Cup and distributed letters and maps for the members that detailed parking and drop-off points for the renowned golf tournament. During his report, Nelson encouraged MCTA members to remain in touch with Minnesota’s DOT regarding proposed rules that stemmed from the 2014 passing of the Limousine Modernization Act.
The remainder of the meeting dealt with new business, including the addition of three new members to the association: Gus Ortis of Executive Transportation, Clyde McRae of Rath Transportation, and Matthew Loegering of 1st Class Transportation. Before the meeting adjourned, the members agreed to nix plans to do MCTA decal signage, but instead opted for a certificate of membership to display in the office of each member.
Visit mnlimo.org for more information.
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The first General Session kicked off the morning of July 21. Karhoo sponsored the AV equipment and meeting room where Kines welcomed attendees with an update about TLPA activities before Matt Ranen of Ranen Counsulting presented “Results of TNC versus Taxi/Livery App Platforms Study.” Attendees returned after a short morning break and listened to TLPA members Jeb Corey, Bill George, and Mike Pinckard share “Implementation of Alternative Business Models” before the group broke for a lunch sponsored by The Black Car Fund.
In the second General Session, John Boit of Melwood Global, TLPA’s Public Relations firm, updated attendees on the Who's Driving You and Fleet Forward initiatives. Later, Jeb Corey and Megan Bullock presented “National Marketing Report and Proposal.”TLPA members and conference sponsors Nick Quain of #Taxi/The Ride, Ira Goldstein of The Black Car Fund, Tarek Mallah of Karhoo, and Gilles Gomis of eCab made brief presentations about their products and services to the group.
An afternoon break was followed by Matthew Daus of Windels Marx speaking about “The Expanding TNC Equity Gap.” Reports were given from the Strategic Planning Task Force, Legislative/Regulatory Policy by Ed Kargbo, Responding to TNCs by Bill Rouse, and TLPA Organizational Ideas by Bill Scalzi. The packed afternoon concluded promptly at 4:30 p.m.—giving attendees another evening opportunity to explore the conference’s beautiful host city.
Friday morning began with a TLPA Board Meeting to discuss association business and a breakfast sponsored by eCab. After that, previously registered attendees for a special event were invited to present their tickets to board The Challenge, a 96-foot chartered sailboat, for a sail through Toronto Harbor. It was a welcome way to relax and adjourn the conference before the attendees returned to locales as far away as Australia and Europe to apply what they had learned during the conference.
TLPA’s next event will be its 98th Annual Convention & Trade Show, held October 31-November 4 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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Following a short networking session, VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation called the meeting to order by welcoming attendees and introducing the event’s vendor guest speakers, which included Joe Lalla of Georgetown Insurance and CD’s Pavlow. Walsh then took a moment to recognize former VLA Treasurer Pam Tripp by presenting her (in absentia) with a special recognition plague for her years of service on behalf of the association.
After a few words on the benefits of being involved in an association from meeting sponsor Andrea Saathoff of Albermarle Limousine in Charlottesville, Va., guest speaker Barbara Arkwright, director of enforcement for VA Department of Motor Vehicles, was invited to speak. Arkwright shared DMV statistics relating to the chauffeured ground transportation industry. She noted that the department investigated more than 1,000 passenger carrier incidents, made 248 arrests, and issued over 1,900 Compliance Advisory Notices, which included warning letters and letters notifying carriers they were in compliance at the time they encountered one of our Agents. Furthermore, nine assessments were issued by DMV Motor Carrier Services, totaling $7,000.
Arkwright’s presentation was followed by representatives of the Prince Michel Winery, including Owner/CEO Kristen Holzman, Sales Manager Caitlin Powers, and GM/Wine Maker Brad Hansen. They gave a rundown of their operation and offered details of their accommodations for winery tours. The winery hopes to add the VLA as a “partner” on their new website.
VLA Secretary Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine next provided the group with a legislative report that detailed full NLA activity, including a summary of the NLA Day on the Hill, which happened earlier this spring. He then shared news that a major corporation is requiring their employees to use TNCs as a cost-cutting measure. This news further elucidated the struggles faced by the association. Walsh then followed up with additional news, including the recent Virginia state requirement for TNCs to display “trade dress” on their vehicles. He also encouraged all members to get involved with the fight for legislative equity.
Next, the VLA held their board meeting onsite. Ben Mercer, the chairman of the association’s election committee, thanked Jagiela and VLA Treasurer Randy Allen of James Limousine for their assistance with the voting process. Mercer then referenced the establishment of a by-law committee that will address irregularities discovered during the election process. After ballots were distributed and collected, it was announced that Walsh, Stafford, and Allen will keep their positions on the board.
Before the meeting was adjourned and the group headed out to the wine tasting room, the association held two raffles. First, Betty Callahan of Bay Breeze Limousine won the evening’s 50/50, then Richard Minter of Commonwealth Chauffeur & Concierge was named the winner of a show pass to the Chauffeur Driven Show in Washington, D.C., where the VLA will hold their next meeting October 12.
Visit vla-limo.org for more information.
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