- Details
- Category: Industry News
Nashville, Tenn. — Nearly 2,000 members of the bus and motorcoach industry flocked to Nashville from January 19-23 for United Motorcoach Association (UMA) Motorcoach EXPO 2020, including CD Publisher Chris Weiss, Business Development Manager Jeff Rafkin, and tons of familiar faces from the luxury side of chauffeured ground transportation.
Dave Dickson, chair of UMA’s meetings committee for the past six years and owner of Elite Coach in Ephrata, Pa., considers the Nashville location a win in itself. The EXPO is an awkward fit for many cities, he said, because it requires a great deal of exhibition space to accommodate 40 full-size buses but also a comparatively smaller room block. Additionally, the UMA meetings committee always wants to choose a location that is fun for families and spouses to visit and that can offer a varied menu of dining and entertainment options, explained Dickson—which is why Nashville, with its incredible music and dining scenes, had been on his radar for years.
Meanwhile, the EXPO itself focused on the big picture of business ownership, sustainability, and succession, which framed many of the education topics.
“We’re in a period in the industry that in its evolution, a lot of first-, second- and third-generation owners are deciding they have an asset to sell instead of expecting to hand the company to a new generation. Rollups and mergers and acquisitions are happening a lot now, and now company owners are wondering, ‘How do I build an asset to sell [to a competitor or investor] rather than build a job for myself?’” said UMA President and CEO Stacy Tetschner.
Tetschner added that steering by business longevity instead of short-term concerns changes attendees’ perspectives on every aspect of the show, from investing in technology to making the most of UMA’s new alliance with the LinkedIn learning platform for multidimensional training. When return on investment is measured in years, not miles, company owners adopt different priorities.
Treating staff right, particularly driving teams, is a perennial theme for the convention, which is why UMA staff brought in Eric Chester as the EXPO’s keynote speaker. Chester is a trainer, best-selling author, in-demand speaker, and an expert on employee engagement and workplace culture whose latest book, Fully Staffed, will likely hit the bullseye for operators looking for new ways to recruit, train, and keep drivers. And a new minicoach pavilion will roll out a new on-ramp for aspiring company owners, especially those introduced to the industry by driving for on-demand platforms.
Education also came from a variety of individuals who are familiar to attendees of Chauffeur Driven Shows, including longtime presenters and frequent CD magazine contributors Andi Gray of Strategy Leaders and Bob Crescenzo of Lancer Insurance, as well as a newer addition to both the CD educational presenter and writer, Ken Lucci.
The EXPO is an annual opportunity to “celebrate people who are doing really well,” said Tetschner. “If we’re here to grow a bigger, better, smarter industry, this is where we come together on the issues everyone is invested in.”
Check out the March issue of CD for expanded post-show coverage and tons of photos from UMA Motorcoach EXPO 2020.
UMA Motorcoach EXPO 2021 will take place March 3-7 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Visit motorcoachexpo.com or uma.org for more information.
[CD0120]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Marlton, N.J.—The National Limousine Association (NLA), the voice of the chauffeured transportation industry worldwide, has announced its sponsohorip opportunities available for the upcoming year, all of which aim to strengthen the industry one member at a time.
The NLA would not be able to offer its variety of amazing educational content, discount programs, resources, and networking opportunities without sponsors’ generous support. Industry operators and vendors who sponsor the NLA directly support the NLA's initiatives while also providing their own companies great exposure to potential affiliates, partners, and clients.
“I am proud that my company has served as an NLA sponsor for several years, and it is always thrilling to see new companies support the NLA through sponsorship,” says NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation.
Available 2020 NLA Sponsorship Opportunities are as follows:
- New Member Kits ($3,000): All new NLA members receive a welcome package that includes their 2019-2020 Directory of Members, NLA membership information, NLA pin, and 2020 membership certificate. Sponsorship includes recognition in welcome, email, letter, sponsor handout, and logo on welcome kit.
- Day on the Hill ($1,000 or $2,500): Support the NLA's most important annual event at Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. Two levels of sponsorship, Premier Sponsor and Supporting Sponsor, are available for $2,500 and $1,000 respectively. This is the perfect opportunity to support the NLA's advocacy efforts and show your dedication to the industry.
- NLARide.com (starting at $1,200): Place your ad on the NLA's public search engine, NLARide.com. This site is available for potential clients and affiliates to search by city, state, airport code, and more to find services and request price quotes directly from you. Place a footer ad ($1,500) or sidebar ($1,200) ad that will click directly to your company's website.
- Vegas Show Scholarship Program ($2,500): Sponsor one of the NLA's most valuable programs for newer operators: the NLA Scholarship Program. This program allows 10 operators the opportunity to attend their first CD/NLA event by covering their show passes and hotel stays for three nights during the show. Join National Interstate Insurance as a sponsor to help bring these deserving operators to our show!
- Annual Supporting Sponsor ($1,000): Looking for an opportunity to support the NLA year-round, but have a smaller budget to work with? The Annual Supporting Sponsorship is available for the low price of $1,000 and your company will receive recognition at NLA meetings, in NLA publications and email blasts, and on NLA’s social media.
Those interested in supporting the NLA, its initiatives, and its members through these sponsorship opportunities can click here to become a 2020 sponsor.
There’s still some time to become a sponsor of the debut CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas from February 23-26, too. Click here to check out what sponsorship opportunities are still available for this first-ever event.
Visit limo.org for more information.
[CD0120]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Marlton, N.J. —The odds are in your favor in Vegas on February 23-26 when we bring the inaugural CD/NLA Show to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Get ready for four days jam-packed with education, networking, and a whole lot of fun—not to mention the biggest show floor that our industry has to offer. Nearly 150 exhibitors will be present in the 120,000-square-foot hall, which virtually guarantees that there will be something for everyone there.
The show floor activity kicks off with Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at 4:00 p.m., followed immediately by a Champagne Toast and appetizers served in the exhibit hall. You’ll have the chance to browse all of the products, services, technology, and metal available on display from vendors around the world. What’s more, we’re providing free lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday (sponsored by Titus Leasing and Prevost, respectively), so you’ll be able to recharge your batteries while you nosh with your fellow operators. Thanks to drink tickets supplied to attendees by our friends at Grech Motors, you’ll be able to wet your whistle while navigating the floor. But wait—there’s even more! Our shows are nonstop opportunities for education, and this one is no exception: Be sure to catch our bonus Fast Lane sessions on the show floor as well as exclusive Limo U Academy programming from Bill Faeth at the Limo U booth, than stop by the NLA Lounge to relax with other attendees. Also, one of the leading state associations, the Florida Limousine Association, will be hosting a meeting on Tuesday afternoon at 3:30, which is open to members or any operator interested in what’s happening in the Sunshine State.
It’s back! We debuted our Digital Passport in our official show app (sponsored by North Point Global Transportation Services) in Boston this past October and attendees loved it, so it’s even better for 2020. How it works: Many of our exhibitors will have a QR code displayed somewhere in their booth that you can scan (through the app) to collect points. The more booths you visit, the more points you get. You not only get to see all of the amazing products and deals that our exhibitors have to offer, your points translate into chances to win our grand prize, which will be announced on Wednesday afternoon on the show floor. Last year’s prize was worth an astounding $4,000, and we’re equally excited about this year’s—stay tuned.
And you’re certainly not going to want to miss the Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum, which makes its Las Vegas debut on the show floor on Tuesday at noon. If you’re hoping to boost your worldwide network, then this should be part of your can’t-miss agenda. This smashingly popular event is an attendee favorite because you can meet with dozens of companies all in one spot. You control the pace: Speak with as many affiliates as you want, and be ready to impress. Come see why this is one that your fellow operators rave about.
Speaking of affiliates, did you know that four major companies have thrown their support behind the CD/NLA Show by having their affiliate events in Vegas? EmpireCLS (invite only) and Music Express will both be holding their massive annual affiliate meetings, while Dav El/BostonCoach (invite only) and BLS Transportation will each host an appreciation party for their affiliates. We’re thrilled that these industry needle-movers have chosen our show to host these special events.
Last, we’ve extended the nomination deadline for the first-ever Driven By Excellence Awards to January 15. Held in conjunction with the Awards Dinner & Charity Event, we’re honoring the best and brightest of our industry in the follow categories: Association of the Year, Charity & Community Service, Customer Service Excellence, Pinnacle of Safety, Chauffeur of the Year, and NextGen/Emerging Leader. The elegant evening will feature a dinner, an awards gala, and a charity auction to benefit the NLA’s Harold Berkman Fund, named for the late founder of Music Express. There’s still time to for you to head over to CDNLAshow.com and complete your online nomination form—but don’t wait because it’s all over tomorrow night. The nomination process is simple and only takes a few minutes of your time. There’s no better way to be celebrated by your industry and share the honor with your customers as an award-winning company. Click here to submit your nomination: cdnlashow.com/show-info/driven-by-excellence-awards.html.
Visit cdnlashow.com for information or to register.
[CD0120]