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After an initial networking opportunity, Walsh called the meeting to order by welcoming attendees and introducing the event’s guest speakers and sponsor, which included Jill Pongonis from the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance and Tom Penny of the Virginia DMV. Meeting sponsor Claude Cristea of Williamsburg Chauffeur Service spoke about his diverse modern fleet and the benefits of serving the Williamsburg area for the past eight years.
Guest speaker Jill Pongonis, director of tourism and events for the Alliance spoke about the Williamsburg market and included the highlights of their research showing that now women do a vast majority of vacation planning and Williamsburg is considered a drivable destination. Of particular interest to the livery industry is the fact that local business has increased by 2.9 percent in calendar year 2016, with breweries gaining in locations and popularity. Also according to Pongonis, “the wedding market is on fire,” and of course area wineries remain a constant tour opportunity for local operators.
“Jill is a fountain of knowledge and was very informative-from the deep historical aspects of the region, the emerging sports and art scenes, and shopping that make the area an in-demand place to visit-we learned a lot,” stated Walsh. “Her knowledge of the bus business also added to the overall picture for our industry.”
Pongonis’ presentation was followed by Tom Penny of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). He updated the membership on TNCs and active sting activities for illegal operators. The department employs 15 enforcement officers for this purpose. “Our close relationship continues to be a huge benefit to VLA members,” claimed Walsh. “The field agents know us and we know them.” Penny stated that the DMV appreciates their long-standing professional relationship with the VLA—a representative from the agency is present at each meeting of the association.
First Vice President Andrea Saathoff of Albermarle Limousine reported on upcoming webinars along with a possible FMSCA compliance training day, offered by Reston limousine at their facility to a small group. A survey is currently being crafted seeking additional education topics for 2017.
VLA Secretary Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine provided the group with a legislative report that touched on the TNC identification marker bill and a drafted letter for association members to send to prompt their respective legislators’ involvement. In addition, a committee will be created to review the assessment of livery vehicles.
Stafford also offered an update on charity efforts, spearheading a cumulative report that will assist operators in their philanthropic endeavors once uploaded to the VLA site. After comment from VLA member Barry Gross of Reston Limousine, it was also agreed that members would support the NLA Limo Patriot Ride 2017 with donations pledged at the meeting and e-promotion to follow.
Gross also contributed the news that VLA membership increased by 100 percent in 2016, and he will be contacting lapsed members for renewals.
The next VLA meeting will be held April 3.
Visit vla-limo.org for more information.
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With the association approaching the anniversary of its inception, the CFLA continues to expand its influence by working with Eddie St. Clair from Port Canaveral Port Authority. The working relationship aims to find a better way to serve the transportation companies operating there, with CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch now sitting on the board of Florida’s fastest-growing cruise port.
The meeting saw the internal operations of CFLA expand, as it was announced that Rental Limo/Book.limo founder and CEO Ryan Hilberth was named its first vendor director. The addition was inspired by an initiative to build up CFLA benefits while also improving membership numbers as a whole.
“I am so confident that Ryan can help us all grow the CFLA, as well as our businesses at the same time, and we are absolutely thrilled to announce that he is joining our board,” Kleefisch said.
Hilberth was also the meeting’s guest speaker, who discussed how his products can help clients maximize the earning potential of their fleets—and announced a CFLA membership benefits program by offering extended 60-day free trials to members who are interested in becoming Rental Limo or Book.limo customers.
While the association typically convenes on the second Tuesday of each month, the next CFLA meeting will be March 7.
Visit the new cfliveryassociation.org for more information.
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The addition of GroundLink to the organization will help to finalize their direct on-demand product for the corporate travel space. MTG and its affiliates will now be able to provide Fortune 1000 companies with an on-demand solution that will meet both their standards of compliance and corporate travel needs. As part of MTG’s Duty of Care, the company will continue to perform the extensive background checks and testing expected from corporate clients. The addition of the GroundLink distribution channel will immediately benefit from the increased capacity and geographic advantage of MTG’s existing global network.
“Our acquisition of these separate and unique technology platforms is a game changer for the industry,” said Scott Solombrino, Marcou Transportation Group spokesperson and president & CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach. “These companies provide us the opportunity to directly compete with the TNCs, as they try to infiltrate the corporate travel market, and will allow the industry to compete in the on-demand market faster than originally anticipated. The implementation of auto dispatch and geospatial pricing can now be integrated into our already existing product to roll out the industry’s first on-demand service in the corporate market.”
MTG is taking measures to ensure that the Limo Anywhere software platform, which is a provider to thousands of operators throughout the world, remains a leading platform available to the chauffeured ground transportation industry. With developers all over the world, including India, Serbia, Ukraine and America, MTG will have the largest development team in the industry, which is necessary to level the playing field with the TNCs.
“We are thrilled to have a strategic investor that will help to advance the technology on our existing platforms,” said Liz Carisone, CEO of GroundLink.
According to Solombrino, “This will give companies using the Limo Anywhere software platform the opportunity to integrate and transact business in an easier and more efficient manner and to provide growth to their companies. The combined network of companies will give us the largest footprint of legitimate and compliant chauffeured car operators in the world.”
Liz Carisone and Mark Gentry, president of Limo Anywhere, will remain with the company and in their current roles. Limo Anywhere will remain independent and separate from the chauffeured car operations.
Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.
Visit bostoncoach.com for more information.
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