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United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Chairman Jeff Polzien announced last week the launch of a search for a new President/CEO. UMA Vice Chairman David Moody is leading the search committee.
“When UMA tapped Larry Killingsworth to be our interim President and CEO in February 2020, for six to nine months while we searched for a permanent leader, little did we know what was ahead. We are grateful to Larry for leading us through these past fifteen months and continuing with UMA through the search process,” said Moody.
Moody expects it will take three to six months for the committee to complete its work. “UMA has played a vital role for its members during the pandemic, and will continue to deliver the critical support that is needed,” he said. “It is now time for our organization to turn our focus to the future and bring in the next leader of UMA.”
Some of the specific initiatives cited by UMA include:
- Teaming up with other industry groups to conduct a powerful advocacy program for the motorcoach industry that resulted in the CERTS program, the first-ever direct funding from the federal government for our industry.
- Providing financial relief for operator members by suspending dues for the 12 months ending March 31, 2021.
- Dramatically increasing the timeliness of information by moving the industry leading Bus & Motorcoach News to a digital format, launching the Daily NewsFlash, and conducting 58 Town Halls every Thursday at 2p.m. ET. (register here)
- Shifting the annual Sales Summit and Safety Management Seminar from live meetings to a safer and more cost-effective virtual format, with record attendance at each.
- Planned and delivered a live EXPO in Orlando in April, 2021, the first industrywide gathering in more than a year. UMA’s Annual Motorcoach EXPO is North America’s premier equipment show and will continue to be the source for the coach operator to learn, strengthen, and grow their businesses and relationships.
- Relaunched a strengthened BusRates.com on March 1, 2021, to provide a powerful tool for its subscribers to respond to the trend toward online search for transportation services.
The job listing is available here.
Visit uma.org for more information.
[06.21.21]
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It’s open and accepting applications!
Bus and motorcoach companies now have the opportunity to apply for grant monies that can help their business while they rebuild after the COVID pandemic. The Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS) Program, passed in late 2020, can assist companies that lost 25 percent or more of revenue during COVID to cover payroll costs, but also acquisition of services; equipment, including PPE and COVID protection measures; continued operations and maintenance of existing equipment and facilities; rent; leases; insurance; and interest on regular debt service.
Full program guidelines and FAQs can be found here.
From the portal page:
Application Deadline: The CERTS portal will be open for applications through July 19, 2021. To be considered for a CERTS grant, an application must be completed, electronically signed, and submitted through the portal by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19. After the deadline, the portal will not accept new applications, and users will not be able to finish draft applications in the portal.
Accessing the CERTS Portal: To gain access to the CERTS portal and submit an application, a company representative must first register with a username and password through the ID.me identity service. Interested companies may register to obtain an ID.me username and password and access the CERTS portal here.
Need more information? The American Bus Association hosted a webinar on CERTS basics, which can be accessed here. The United Motorcoach Association will also address CERTS in its weekly Town Hall, held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. ET. Register for the Town Hall here.
[06.21.21]
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- Category: Industry News
Last week, the National Limousine Association (NLA) learned that the Senate Commerce Committee was set to vote on an amendment to the committee’s surface transportation bill, which would have imposed a federal CDL requirement on all 9+ passenger vehicles (including the driver). With a shortage of CDL drivers already plaguing the industry, this legislation would be a costly, time-consuming, and unnecessary step that would put further strain on operators around the country as they work toward recovery.
The NLA took immediate action and provided operators with an online form letter that could be sent to the members’ senators. Through their members and partners, and through tireless advocacy, these efforts ensured that the amendment was not even considered for a vote. Now, the infrastructure bill will advance to the full Senate without this potentially harmful requirement.
“We have been working with House and Senate lawmakers for over a year to ensure that any limousine provisions in an infrastructure bill are acceptable to the industry,” said NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide in a statement to members. “We will continue to monitor the situation and fight hard for the industry as Congress continues to negotiate an infrastructure bill over the coming months.”
Alexander cited the work of Cornerstone Government Affairs—namely, Louie Perry, Todd Webster, and Dylan Mooers—for their efforts in quashing the amendment but also for looking out for the association and the industry at large every single day in Washington, D.C. Cornerstone has been working on this particular issue for more than a year now and their persistence paid has off for the industry.
“I also want to thank the Legislative Committee, co-chaired by Matt Assolin and Brett Barenholtz, for consistently working with the Cornerstone team to ensure the industry's voice is heard,” added Alexander. “Our committees play a valuable role in shaping the NLA's message, initiatives, and programs. It is often a thankless job, but a very important one and I hope to see even more members get involved in the NLA's efforts.”
You can stay apprised of any federal legislation that is being introduced in Washington by visiting limo.org, doing a keyword search at congress.gov, and at chauffeurdriven.com.
[06.18.21]