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Can you believe the CD/NLA Virtual is just two weeks away? It’s been too long since the industry has gotten together for some much-needed education, networking, and camaraderie. While this event is a bit different than our usual autumn show—OK, it’s much different—we’re confident that the CD/NLA team has put together an event that will provide valuable takeaway to keep you and your business on track as you look toward 2021 and beyond. Special thanks to the CD/NLA Show Education Committee, co-chaired by Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus and Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide, for their hard work to bring you the best of the CD/NLA Show experience in a format to meet the challenges of the times.
We know there are events that operators look forward to attending each year at our shows. So, with that in mind, we’re thrilled to bring you one of the most popular events to you again. Ladies, mark your calendars—the Women in the Industry returns on Tuesday, November 17, at 5:30 p.m. (all times are ET) with a session entitled Empowering Your Life for What’s Next. Award-winning presenter Mary Crafts—who describes herself as a “bad ass woman with purpose, grace, and grit”—will be joined by moderators Tracy Raimer and Nancy Vargas of DH2 Chauffeured Transportation to address the truth that what worked for you before will no longer serve you in the world ahead. Crafts will share the steps to release the fears that hold you bound while empowering your life to limitless possibilities.
Mary Crafts will speak at the Women in the Industry event
Then, following the session at 6:30, we are hosting a Bonus Networking Hour—powered by the Women’s Leadership Council—that’s limited to the first 100 attendees to RSVP. Members from the NLA Women’s Leadership Council will moderate small groups in Zoom to discuss Crafts’ presentation, work/life balance during the pandemic, and more. To RSVP to the Networking Hour, just click the checkbox in the registration form found at our show webpage. While you’re there, take a peek at some of our other relevant and timely sessions.
To say the past few months have been stressful is an understatement of mammoth proportions. So, on Wednesday, November 18, from 2:45 p.m.-4:00 p.m., we’re offering a session that will help you deal with the often-overwhelming stress we’ve all been facing. Mental Wellness: Being Kind to Yourself & Others and Making Healthy Choices is an informative presentation on mental and physical health specifically targeted for business owners. Corporate Coach Barbara Burgess from the Wright Foundation will be joined by Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur and moderator Robyn Goldenberg of Strategy Leaders to offer practical action steps for mental and physical well-being that you can apply in work and in life. You are not alone.
Danielle Smith of the FMCSA
One of the most daunting aspects of the luxury ground transportation industry is keeping up with the various local, state, and federal regulations. On Wednesday at 4:15 p.m., Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Transportation Specialist Danielle Smith offers a must-watch presentation to give you the ins and outs on bringing back drivers, reinstating vehicles, and keeping your transportation business in tip-top compliance with existing and new 2020 regulations for a year that’s anything but regular. Don’t let your company’s standards slip due to a slowdown.
We’ve extended our Early Bird rates until Friday, November 6. With prices starting at just $99, and group discounts available you’re not going to want miss this offer. As always, special thanks to Platinum Sponsors Ford-Lincoln Limousine & Livery Vehicles and Lancer Insurance, Gold Sponsor Chosen Payments, and Silver Sponsors Curtis Gabriel and Cadillac.
Visit cdnlavirtual.com for more information.
[11.04.20]
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Regulators, policymakers, and transportation experts from around the world convened—virtually—for 33rd annual International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) conference in late October. The four-day event, themed Resilient Regulation! and hosted by IATR President Matt Daus of Windels Marx, had sessions dedicated to all areas of transportation and featured dozens of speakers. The conference also included several IATR committee meetings.
Regulators are facing unprecedented challenges to balance both the obstacles of safe practices during a global pandemic and setting policies and trends for the rapidly evolving state of transportation that includes everything from non-emergency medical transportation and taxis to scooters and the advent of driverless and electric vehicles. The shift in transportation is a trend happening all over the world, but in the U.S. is being driven by states like California and New York. Despite COVID commanding headlines, climate change is still a major focus of concerned regulators hoping to tamp it down with greener policies and forward-thinking technology that has less of an impact.
Matt Daus of Windels Marx
California’s AB5 and Prop 22—which is on the ballot and was crafted with assistance from Uber, Lyft, and Postmates—was also a major topic where several speakers, including Ira Goldstein of the N.Y. Black Car Fund, explored the merits of the proposition and how it would impact the competing factions. Prop 22 aims to carve out a special exception for said companies so that the burdens of the strengthened worker classification test does not apply to them and allows them to continue working with independent contractors. Awaiting the final results of the election.
We’ll have more information about the robust online event in the next issue of Chauffeur Driven.
Next up, Daus will be part of a panel discussion called What Does Safe Transportation for the 50+ Look Like Now?, a webcast produced by AARP Online Learning and scheduled for Thursday, 11/5 at 3:00 PM ET. Register for the event here.
Visit iatr.global for more information about IATR.
[11.03.20]
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On Wednesday, October 28, the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) returned after a two-month respite for a Zoom meeting. MLOA President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine warmly welcomed back members and guests, and thanked the association’s Board for their hard work behind the scenes work. Anderson then took a few minutes to suggest that members read Chauffeur Driven’s recent piece on the Black Lives Matter movement—to which Anderson contributed—and, with the election looming (at the time of the meeting), he strongly encouraged everyone to vote.
MLOA President Darrell Anderson
Following the president’s updates, MLOA Member Committee Co-chair Tiffany Hinton of Motev offered assurance that Board Members are there to assist operators to keep their companies on track or pivot their business.
“A closed mouth doesn’t get fed,” said Hinton, noting that they can’t offer help to those who don’t ask.
Further, MLOA has extended its membership to include companies and representatives from logistics and all transportation industries.
Dave Uziel of UrbanBCN
With the ground transportation industry in a state of flux, MLOA welcomed two guests to discuss ways they’ve successfully pivoted their business—a follow-up to its previous meeting covering the topic. First, Dave Uziel of UrbanBCN shared his experience with partnering with Amazon as a delivery provider. The shift from delivering passengers to packages was relatively simple for Uziel, who believes that his experience as a limousine operator was seen favorably by the retail mega-giant when he had his initial meetings with their team. He also said that the relatively traditional hours that Amazon drivers keep has been helpful in attracting employees, many of whom were working all hours of the day/7 days a week as TNC drivers.
Dan Goff of A Goff Limousine
The MLOA next welcomed Dan Goff of A Goff Limousine & Bus who also recounted the ways he pivoted after the post-COVID work stop. Originally seeking a partnership with Amazon, Goff decided to move into a different industry altogether. He devoted time into researching commercial cleaning and convention services, before deciding that profit margins were too thin. After “making it a full-time job” to apply for grants and financial aid, Goff circled back to the limo industry, where things were starting to return. The industry vet found success in reaching out to drivers whose companies had closed, and found inexpensive used vehicles on Facebook and through his bank.
Before the meeting concluded, Anderson said that MLOA is exploring a virtual member conference to take place early in 2021.
Visit mlooa.org for more information.
[11.03.20]