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After a buffet dinner, PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine kicked things off with a brief overview of proposed legislation in the state capital affecting the FHV industry. Recently Pa. State Representative Francis X. Ryan filed an amendment that would remove Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) oversight over the taxi and limousine industries. With the PPA in a state of “implosion”—due to layoffs and a lack of revenue—the auspices of the city’s FHVs may turn over to the Public Utility Commission. The PRLA’s lobbyist promises to keep the association informed of any further developments.
Rhoads also recounted a recent phone conversation he had with a taxi driver in Scranton, who recounted the city’s situation with the TNCs. He said that “Uber is killing” the taxi industry upstate, and was looking for advice from PRLA. Rhoads gave the driver an open invitation to attend future meetings.
Next two representatives from T-Mobile addressed the group, providing an overview of the products and services they offer the ground transportation industry. Then, Chris Burns, Fred Beans’ livery sales and leasing consultant, thanked the members for attended and encouraged them to browse the showroom. He also informed them of an extended warranty on a few new models.
Following a round table discussion regarding vendor demonstrations at future meetings, a pass to the 2017 Chauffeur Driven Show was raffled off by Smentek and Roberts. The winner was Doug Kemmerer of Corporate Limo in Breinigsville. Lastly, with new board elections coming before the year’s end, Rhoads, asked any members interested to consider throwing their name into the ring. The meeting then concluded with a showroom/lot tour.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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After surviving a crushing recession that lasted almost a decade and dealing with TNCs’ disruption, the LANY meeting will tackle a number of pressing issues affecting the industry’s survival.
“I don’t want to be an alarmist, but our industry is in crisis,” said LANY President Jeff Rose of Attitude New York. “The regulatory process has become so politicized with decisions and new regulations coming more and more from the New York City Council, the mayor’s office, and Albany, not to mention the federal government. For decades, a small group of members has fought for our industry segment; now, we must be able to demonstrate that we speak for thousands of hard-working men and women. LANY is the best way to do this, and we all need the association to be as strong as possible.”
On top of the sales tax, paid sick leave, data collection, fatigue rules, enhanced chauffeur license requirements, and so much more, the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) has proposed a new regulation that would require all for-hire vehicle (FHV) bases to dispatch 25 percent of all jobs into wheelchair accessible vehicles.
This proposed new rule threatens the very existence of the industry, and has a powerful group of advocates supporting it. It is critical to prove that there are better solutions to providing WAV service in the NYC market: The industry must demonstrate strong numbers in terms of jobs provided and other contributions to economic activity, as well as our importance to the city's transportation system.
Working alongside other industry associations, such as The Black Car Assistance Corp. and the Limousine, Bus, Taxi Operators of Upstate New York, LANY has made headway on a number of issues. They include convincing the TLC to amend its original fatigue-rules proposal, allowing one-touch two-way radios, and getting the port authority to put aside proposed airport usage fees that would have cost bases tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours in compliance efforts.
To RSVP for the meeting, send an email to Thelany.info@gmail.com.
Visit thelany.com/LANYrecruitingLetter.pdf for more information about LANY.
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If you want a candid, no-nonsense look into the hottest trends and most pressing issues facing the world of chauffeured transportation, this year’s State of the Industry is your can’t-miss session. Get the inside scoop of what’s really happening in the trenches, with straightforward advice and smart dialogue from operators just like you. We’ve tweaked the format to include a diverse panel of operators from across the country, who will share their take on the current business climate, new opportunities for growth, and the future of the industry. Moderated by CD Publisher Chris Weiss, the panel includes:
- Michael Campbell, CEO of Grace Limousine
- Kim J. Garner, President/Co-owner of BEST Transportation
- Jason Sharenow, COO of Broadway Elite Worldwide
- Matthew Strack, CEO of Strack Ground
Get the inside scoop of what’s really happening in chauffeured ground transportation from these operators and their years in industry. You will get their take on the current business climate, new opportunities for revenue growth, and predictions for the future. This State of the Industry promises to be informative, entertaining, and, most of all, relatable to operators of all sizes.
Also on Monday is our Keynote Address, courtesy of sponsors Grech Motors and Chosen Payments. This year, we’re excited to present noted author, consultant, and futurist Mike Walsh.
Dubbed “the CEO of Tomorrow,” which also happens to be the name of his global consulting firm, Walsh is an international speaker and strategist with an expertise in designing companies for the 21st century. He advises leaders on how to thrive in the current era of disruptive technological change. A true global nomad, Walsh travels over 300 days a year worldwide, researching trends, collecting innovation case studies, and presenting on the future of business. His clients include many of the global Fortune 500, and he is a highly sought-after speaker.
Walsh’s writing includes the bestselling Futuretainment, and his follow-up hit The Dictionary of Dangerous Ideas, which details the most challenging concepts now faced by business leaders. He’s intimately familiar with disruptive technology as each week he interviews provocative thinkers, innovators, and self-proclaimed troublemakers on his weekly podcast, Between Worlds.
As a leading futurist, Walsh takes an anthropological approach, scanning the near horizon for emerging technologies and disruptive shifts in human behavior, and then translating these into pragmatic plans for digital transformation. A prolific writer and commentator, Walsh’s views have appeared in a wide range of international publications including BusinessWeek, Forbes, and the Wall Street Journal.
The keynote is scheduled for 3:15 pm. We’re certain that this session will provide you with tons of takeaway for your business today, but more importantly, for tomorrow.
Don’t forget to register by September 15th to take advantage of the $295 early bird rate. We hope you’re looking forward to joining us at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center this October. It’s not to be missed!
Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more information.
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