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King of Prussia, Pa. — The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) returned to Maggiano’s Little Italy on January 15 for the first general membership meeting of the new year. More than 35 members and guests attended the event, including CD Editor Rob Smentek and Business Development Manager Jeff Rafkin. Sponsored by Alternative Claims Management (ACM), the meeting provided the perfect mix of networking and education for the group, not to mention an excellent meal.
PRLA President Johnny Donohoe of Sterling Limousine kicked off the proceedings by thanking the group for attending. He then introduced Treasurer Bob Euler Jr. of King Limousine, who informed the membership that the coffers have increased 400% in just under a year. This news earned a much-deserved round of applause.
Donohoe followed up with some general business, particularly the PRLA’s ongoing struggles with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). Currently, the city and association are maintaining a “status quo” with the $550 per vehicle registration fee that has been in effect since 2018. Next, new Board Member Ryan Shaer of Ace Limousine & Airport Service provided a rundown of a recent meeting with Philadelphia Airport officials, in which they reinforced their commitment to crack down on solicitation in the baggage claim area.
Before dessert, Brian Ludlow and Nicole Federico from meeting sponsor ACM were given the floor to provide an overview of their company’s services and how they can benefit the luxury ground transportation industry when “not-at-fault” accidents occur. Ludlow presented a slide show that differentiated loss of revenue and loss of use when a fleet vehicle is sidelined, and how ACM pays out on those claims. He also provided some valuable information on how to prepare for best recovery when your chauffeurs are in a not-at-fault collision.
“Take action immediately,” advised Ludlow, and be sure to instruct your chauffeurs to take as many photographs at the scene as possible.
Following the presentation, Kyle Hammerschmidt of the National Limousine Association spoke to the room about the organization’s No Operator Left Behind initiative geared toward small operators and the upcoming CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas on February 23-26. Hammerschmidt also offered a 50% discount on NLA to any operator who registered at the meeting.
Finally, the night concluded with a pair of raffles. Vice President Tony Viscusi of Global Limousine won a 50-50, and Shaer was the winner of a pass to the CD/NLA Show.
“It was a great meeting to kick off the year and ACM crushed it with an awesome presentation,” says Donohoe. “I have received a lot of very positive feedback from the members in attendance and their intentions to reach out to Brian from ACM, which is fantastic and a win-win. The Board we have right now is amazing. Everyone has done a great job focusing on building our membership, bringing in new vendors, and delivering great content and sponsorships for our meetings. We have seen or attendance steadily increase over the past year, which is super encouraging.”
The next PRLA meeting will be March 26.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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Rockville, Md. — Registration is now open for The Transportation Alliance’s (TTA’s) 2020 Spring Conference & Expo, to be held March 18-20 at the Westin Copley in Boston, where the focus will be on massively growing opportunities in non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and other public and private sector contracting opportunities.
As part of 103-year-old trade association’s overall strategy to broaden and diversify revenue sources in the face of the quickly changing transportation industry, The Transportation Alliance’s Executive Committee voted in December to make the Spring Conference & Expo focused intensely on NEMT & Contracting.
“In a survey of participants who attended TTA’s annual convention in Las Vegas last year, 50 percent of respondents said their companies are now engaged in NEMT work, a multi-billion dollar industry,” said TTA President Tom Arrighi of A&A Metro Transportation. “This growing sector is something all members should be watching closely and becoming involved in, whether you run taxis, shuttles, luxury vehicles, or school transportation. This is about how to use your existing infrastructure to access new revenue streams. It’s an important business line for today’s modern transportation fleet, and our Spring Conference & Expo is a perfect way to share information and explore best practices to help build your operation.”
TTA’s meetings provide transportation fleet owners, CEOs, and managers the opportunity to showcase innovative ideas, explore new business opportunities and best practices, and network with their fellow industry peers. In comparison to the association’s annual convention each fall, the Spring Conference & Expo offers a more intimate setting both for operators to network and for vendors to form long-lasting business partnerships.
The Spring Conference & Expo will cover practical guidance and professional tips on how to find, evaluate and respond to NEMT and other contracting opportunities, how association members can grow their businesses through public and private sector contracts, the association’s legislative victories on Capitol Hill, and much more.
For more information, to register for the conference, or to find out more about sponsorship, room, and exhibitor opportunities, visit www.thetransportationalliance.org/spring-conference-and-expo-2020.
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Michael Berry, the owner of Associated Transportation of Orlando, passed away on January 24, 2020.
Berry was a highly respected operator in Florida, and was one of the founding members of the Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA).
“Mike was very well liked and Associated Transportation was recognized as a major company here in Orlando. He was one of the pillars of GOLA, and served as vice president and acted as a board member for many years,” said GOLA President Cliff Wright of Royal Coach and Limousine.
“He was very well known in the transportation industry,” said Michael’s son, Ryan Berry. “He believed in building successful relationships, but also living by the old-school mentality of always doing right by people. This was the way he upheld a great reputation and helped others along the way. He always believed putting the employees first! Even though he was businessman, he always loved his family dearly, and a lot of his employees were his family. He was always known everywhere he went on the Orlando International Airport property.”
A service will be held on Saturday, February 8, from 11 am to 2 pm at Fellowship Christian Academy, Genesis Church, 10560 Old Cheney Highway, Orlando, Florida.
The staff of Chauffeur Driven extends their condolences to the Berry family as well as Michael’s friends and family at Associated Transportation.
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