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preliminary agenda for the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association’s (TLPA’s) Spring Conference & Expo has been published, offering attendees a first look at the event that’s heading to New Orleans this April.
The action starts April 24 with an exciting keynote speaker, an important discussion on a threat to nonemergency medical transportation (NEMT) funding, the exploration of new opportunities in mobility options, and the unveiling of a major rebranding effort for the association itself, among other topics.
Among the hottest of sessions will be a presentation on federal efforts to allow states to waive Medicaid-funded transportation. This funding threat is part of cost-cutting measures by the federal government that could potentially affect millions of passengers in need of transportation, including people with dialysis appointments, the elderly with doctors’ appointments and children with disabilities.
“Transportation companies across the United States are a lifeline for these passengers who otherwise could not afford these trips,” said TLPA President Terry O’Toole. “Cutting service in any way will result in increased healthcare costs due to untreated conditions and missed appointments with doctors. Our members need to be united, educated and involved in ensuring these services remain in place.”
Meanwhile, buzz is building about the conference’s much-anticipated keynote speaker, Kayvan Baroumand, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist and incubator founder, who will speak on Total Quality Management. A recent training session on delivering top-quality service he conducted for drivers in one TLPA fleet elicited a standing ovation.
Members will also have the historic opportunity to cast their vote to change the name of TLPA. An overall strategic repositioning and rebranding effort has been underway for more than a year.
The Expo portion of the event will showcase services and products of familiar faces and new vendors alike, from across North America and from as far away as India and the Philippines. From dispatching software to insurance, and from call centers to wheelchair equipment, the Expo always offers something for fleets of all sizes. Attendees will have the chance to mingle in a relaxed and casual atmosphere with exhibitors throughout the evening, enjoying an open bar sponsored by MTI Dispatch.
Some 200 transportation executives and top industry vendors are expected to attend the Conference & Expo from April 24 to 25. Exhibit space is filling up quickly, so vendors are encouraged to reserve a spot today. Attendees can also make hotel reservations through TLPA’s portal.
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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After LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite kicked off the afternoon meeting, Bill Fellbaum and T.J. Ely thanked everyone for making the trip to the North Jersey dealership—the impeccability of which Fellbaum is so confident in that he joked “you can all eat off the floors here”—before answering a few questions about how Cadillac and its dealerships plan on handling the end of the XTS.
Sharenow then discussed the ongoing statewide issue of legalized marijuana and the industry’s wariness regarding that potential legislature, based on safety reports from states where legalization has already been implemented. He also warned of the Congestion Tax that companies performing work between New Jersey and New York are vulnerable to.
The association also has a few initiatives and events in the works, with its annual fundraising Auction and Dinner at the Grand Wilshire in West Orange scheduled for May 22—which is always looking for item donations—and LANJ’s third annual golf outing and cocktail reception happening September 15 at Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman.
With LANJ Director Howard Gogel of My Limousine Service spearheading Be Safe Rides, an activist endeavor with a growing social media presence that aims to both educate and connect with “C-suite executives” in the hopes of directly influencing their transportation decisions. Instead of directing its message at corporate transportation departments, Be Safe Rides goes directly to those executives who rely on TNCs during business hours and trips to arm them with the knowledge that they’re placing their lives in strangers’ hands every time they ride with drivers whose backgrounds remain unchecked and were never put through the rigorous safety training programs that regulated chauffeured ground transportation operations swear by. LANJ invites all who wish to support Be Safe Rides and its message to like and follow the outreach initiative on Facebook.
The meeting’s keynote speaker was Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide, who Sharenow described as a “patriarch of this industry.” Rutter’s decades in the industry provided a wealth of personal anecdotes to illustrate his experiences both within the luxury side of the ground transportation industry and beginnings as a taxi driver, demonstrating how “the lessons you learn at 25 can still resonate at 67.”
Rutter explained how he learned by trial and error, grew cautiously and with the help of smart, trustworthy employees and advisers, survived The Great Recession of 2009 with quick action and foresight, benefited from mentors’ and peers’ insights, as well as outlined how to craft an exit strategy and detailed why TNCs will never match the safety and consistency that this industry delivers. But most of all, he lauded the value in “not being a victim of karma” and working hard.
“The harder I work, the luckier I get—because hard work is the foundation of Commonwealth Worldwide’s success and it’s the only way to run a successful business that I know of,” Rutter said.
After Rutter held a Q&A session, Maccar and Druss auctioned off a pass to the Chauffeur Driven 2019 Executive Retreat in Austin this May 5-8, which was won by Elvis Guillermo of Kingz Transportation.
The next LANJ event will be its annual Dinner and Auction May 22.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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The evening started with a cocktail hour, where new and prospective members mingled with long-timers. Everyone had a chance to peruse the prize table to decide which raffle tickets to purchase for the evening’s drawing, while the networking table allowed operators and vendors alike to share business cards and brochures.
After dinner, sponsors and board members were introduced to attendees and NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi encouraged everyone to fill out surveys that will help the association plan its future membership meetings. He then offered a brief review of the legislation NELA guided to passage in 2016, which added more stringent backgrounds checks to TNC drivers and currently prevents 15 percent of TNC-approved drivers from being permitted, as well as created the Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Trust Fund—a fund that’s financed by TNCs remitting 20 cents for every TNC ride in Massachusetts for five years, with five cents from every 20 set aside for taxi and luxury ground transportation industries.
Szilagyi ended his update with a warning about endorsing Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s desire to cap TNC cars in the city, referring to a similar cap in NYC that ultimately included traditional operators, too.
Scott Solombrino of DavEl/Boston Coach discussed the recent Uber settlement case involving arbitration with drivers. He pointed out that the NLA is pursuing information on TNC drivers and unpaid taxes owed to 1099 workers, pointing out that due to the sheer volume of drivers who’ve been denied monetary compensation, there is reason to hope the IRS will want to pursue the case. Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation then thanked Solombrino for his involvement in the industry and, on behalf of the NLA, reminded everyone that the national association’s Day on the Hill is scheduled for June 5-6 in Washington, D.C.
After various sponsors and members took their turns at the mic, the meeting’s speakers addressed meeting-goers. First up was Economic Development Planner Josh Eichen of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, who expounded upon the Transportation Infrastructure Enhancement Fund (TIEF). The agency is currently engaging with operators to determine how the money would best benefit our industry. NELA has already been working with members to gather information, and asks all members to keep an eye for a survey to assist in this process.
Paul Furbush II of the U.S. Department of Labor discussed programs to support veterans, as he works as the Regional Veteran’s Employment Coordinator, while MassHire was represented by U.S. Army Veteran and Veteran’s Business Representative Christopher Mills and Business Services/Rapid Response Manager Ken Messina; Becky Laramee of All Points Limousine shared part of her positive experience with MassHire.
A pass to the 2019 Chauffeur Driven Show in Boston from October 13-16 was raffled off and won by Deb Miner of ASL Limousine.
The next NELA events are its June 6 Chauffeur Appreciation Day and June 11 membership meeting.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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