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The Maryland Livery Association (MLA) welcomed nearly 100 members and guests to their holiday party. Held Tuesday, December 17, at the Turf Valley Resort in Endicott City, Md., the meeting offered open networking and holiday mingling for attendees.
“It went amazing. We knocked it out of the park,” says MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines. “We had attendees come from all over Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.”
Sponsors for the MLA event included AutoNation, Hashtag Biz Solutions, Auto One Capital, PAX Training, BTR Trucks & Service, CareerDriver, First Class Customs, Advantage Remarketing Solutions, Hilb Group, and Limo Anywhere.
“I can’t thank our sponsors enough,” says Joseph. “They really stepped up to the plate. We have vendor members coming out of the woodwork. They all want to join because they see the value we are giving to members.”
A highlight of the dinner party was a live auction for a CD/NLA Vegas Show pass. Joseph served as auctioneer and, with help from the MLA executive board, cranked up the energy.
“We were fortunate enough to have a total of four winners on the single show pass, with the first three winners being generous enough to donate the pass back to our association in order to help generate additional monies for our association,” shares Joseph. “The first three winners were Eric Coobaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions, Zulfi Abbasi from American Executive, and Ramzi Samaha from American Fleet Sales and Leasing.”
Ultimately, the pass went to Michael Bensimon from Blackline Transportation, who joined the MLA on the spot.
In addition to the auction excitement, the executive board—Vice President Ray Gavino of Translogic Executive, Secretary General Japneet Suri of Executive CLS, and Treasurer Quentin Bassey of RSTQ Transportation—talked about the various happenings with the association and their plans for 2025. Joseph also addressed the membership and discussed the importance of having a strong successional board.
Visit marylandliveryassociation.org for more information.
[12.23.24]
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The International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) held its 37th Annual Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this past October 7-11, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, modernizing taximeters, improving accessibility, and innovative partnerships. Among the educational contention and regulatory bootcamps, this year’s conference featured IATR’s very first Mobility Shark Tank, where companies presented their ideas to a mix of representatives of regulators, academics, industry veterans, and investors. The show went full steam ahead, despite threats from Hurricane Milton.
While the conference was designed primarily to bring regulators from around the world together in conversation and share best practices among a wide variety of government agencies that license, regulate, and/or contract with for-hire ground transportation services, the event does have attract members of our industry to participate. Organizations like The Transportation Alliance (TTA), The Black Car Fund, and the Florida Limousine Association were represented during the event. TTA President Dan Reid was among the keynote speakers, where he emphasized innovation, the importance of non-emergency medical transportation regulations, and the need for technology to prevent fraud. A1A Limo was also recognized for proving transportation to and from the event’s gala.
Airport Challenges
Among the most pressing topics in our industry is curb access at airports. In a session moderated by Black Car Fund Executive Director Ira Goldstein, the panel featured Director of Landside Operations for Airport Services at the San Francisco International Airport Abubaker Azam, Director of the University Transportation Research Center (UTRC) at the City University of New York Dr. Camille Kamga, and Rick Versace Sr. of A1A Limo, who is also the president of the Florida Limousine Association and treasurer for the National Limousine Association. Goldstein highlighted the importance of equitable treatment for for-hire vehicles (FHVs) and taxis, particularly regarding curbside access and fees at airports, advocating for equitable treatment and negotiating with regulatory bodies.
Versace discussed the UTRC Limousine Airport Report authored by IATR President Matt Daus, which revealed that limousines make up just 12 percent of airport transportation but account for 75 percent of airline revenue due to their premium clientele. He emphasized the need for better signage, dedicated curb space, and equitable fee structures to improve the passenger experience for airport limo services. Versace also highlighted the importance of enforcing fair practices and ensuring that limos have designated areas to guarantee premium customers a smooth and efficient experience.
Sustainability: EVs & Congestion Pricing
With congestion pricing back in the news in New York City and the precarious future of electric vehicles hanging in the balance in the US, these were two hot topics covered at the conference. During the panel discussion, all sides of the congestion pricing model were addressed, noting that the model needs to be fair to all drivers while also tackling the need for public transportation improvements and balancing the quality of life for those in the city regarding traffic. Also discussed was the need for large-scale improvements on the EV infrastructure, which is lagging behind other areas of the world, including Europe and Canada.
Get Me to the Gala!
The IATR’s annual gala was held at the stunning Dalmar Hotel. The highlight of the evening was the live music featuring talented performers and several rocking and dancing regulators who kept everyone entertained late into the night, including IATR’s own Matt Daus.
Driver of the Year Award
Each year, the IATR selects a driver who has demonstrated exceptional performance and embodies the highest standards of professionalism in the industry. This year, Peter Hardy from A1A Limo, nominated by Rick Versace, was honored with the Driver of the Year award for his exceptional commitment to safety and outstanding community service. Hardy has consistently maintained a perfect five-star rating and an impeccable driving record, with no accidents or incidents throughout his career with A1A Limo.
Music City for 2025
IATR has announced that its 38th annual conference is heading to Nashville for 2025, which was voted by members. Dates and the host hotel will be announced soon, which will likely be the end of September or early October. The conference will feature engaging sessions, interactive workshops, and insightful panels focused on emerging trends in transportation technology, policy, and regulation. Participants can also expect numerous networking opportunities designed to foster connections and share best practices. Beyond the conference, attendees will enjoy Nashville’s vibrant culinary scene, lively entertainment venues, and renowned Southern hospitality, creating a memorable and enriching experience for all. Register now and renew your membership with significant discounts before December 31, 2024.
Renew Membership for Special Savings
Early-bird membership renewal is available through December 31, 2024, offering significant savings. Renewing memberships also unlocks early bird registration discounts for the 2025 conference.
- Regulator Membership: The early-bird annual fee is $700. Beginning January 1, 2025, the annual fee increases to $1,000.
- Associate/Industry Membership: The early-bird annual fee is $900. Beginning January 1, 2025, the annual fee increases to $1,500.
Visit iatr.global or join their mailing list info@iatr.global for more information.
[12.23.24]
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- Category: Industry News
ETS Luxury Driving is pleased to announce that the company recently gained worldwide exposure when it was featured in Sotheby’s International Realty magazine. In the article, ETS’s commitment to high-quality service was highlighted, as was their global reach spanning 54 countries and 300 cities. Also showcased was the company’s fleet of 35 luxury vehicles, which includes exclusive vehicles, such as the Mercedes E Class, Mercedes S Class, BMW 5 and 7 series, and fully electric models, such as the BMW i7 and the Mercedes EQV, which can accommodate five to seven passengers. For larger groups, ETS Luxury Driving offers Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans that can seat between 8 and 23 people.
Of ETS’s high-end service, Founder Bart van Leijden said to Sotheby’s: “We understand that time is valuable. With our luxury vehicles, travel time becomes just as productive as office time. A stable Wi-Fi connection, a comfortable workspace, and a driver who takes care of every detail ensures that our clients can work undisturbed. We customize every aspect of the ride, from the temperature of the vehicle to the background music: anything is possible.”
Furthermore, van Leijden shared that ETS—with offices in the Netherlands and Belgium—prioritizes safety, comfort, and communication, with a booking system that makes things as easy as possible for their clients.
“Our clients can easily book their ride using our online portal,” explained van Leijden in the Sotheby’s piece. “They receive driver details 24 hours before the trip along with updates about the driver's location by text message or e-mail. Our exceptional service covers the entire journey, from pickup at Prinsengracht to drop-off at Schiphol and from Singapore Airport to the client’s final destination. We also invoice in a single currency. And if we're even one minute late, the ride is free.”
Since 2023, Van Leijden’s sons John and Nick have taken the reins of the company, serving as joint managing directors. Van Leijden stepped down after more than 30 years in the industry following winning Music Express’ International Affiliate of the Year award in 2023. However, John and Nick continue to run the family business with the same passion and dedication.
“Our mission? No request is too crazy, no challenge too big. We strive to make every journey, no matter how complex, perfect,” stated John.
Visit worldwide-ets.com for more information.
[12.23.24]