- Details
- Category: Industry News
The Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) is holding an Inauguration Planning Meeting on November 9 at the Holiday Inn Chantilly EXPO Center in Chantilly, Va.
“The VLA Executive Board met and we all agreed it's time to knock the cobwebs off,” says VLA Vice President Bill Kerr of Camryn Executive Transportation. “Obviously, like every other region, we've all taken a huge hit due to COVID. We also agreed in times like this is when an association must meet the needs of its members and the industry as a whole in Virginia.”
VLA Vice President Bill Kerr (left) with VLA President Paul Walsh
In anticipation for the end of voting in just a matter of weeks, the VLA is hosting an organizational meeting to start the planning process for the inaugural celebration to be held in Washington, D.C. In the past, the association has been able to draw many operators to hear from guest speakers from the U.S. Secret Service, the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police, and the U.S. Capitol Police. For many operators in the region, this has traditionally been a very big event.
This year, the VLA is inviting experts from the insurance industry, and is pleased to have the D.C. Department of For-Hire Vehicles to take part as well.
As the VLA revamps its presence in the industry, association leadership is aware of the hardships and crippling downturn in business faced by their membership. As such, the VLA Board will be announcing a waiver of membership dues during the upcoming meeting. All current and former VLA members should feel welcome to attend and participate in this important meeting. The Board also encourages members of the Maryland Limousine Association, D.C. Limo Association, the United Motorcoach Association, and the Virginia Motorcoach Association to be there as well as there will likely be additional requirements, including for motorcoaches, to get people around town.
“Historically before a Presidential election, we would be preparing for the inauguration celebration in Washington D.C.,” adds Kerr. “We're planning on having speakers from the district discussing this topic, and also hope to have several operators brainstorm how they are making it through these unprecedented circumstances. When a lot of companies are on life support, it's more important to get them active than collecting dues. Basically, we want to express to all Virginia operators that the VLA is back and we're going to be very active to serve our members in any capacity we can. It's very easy to plan dinners and socials during the good times; it's times like these when an association must show its worth and mettle. The VLA plans on doing exactly that.”
The Holiday Inn Chantilly EXPO Center is conveniently located near Dulles Airport and offers a spacious facility. With safety in mind, the meeting will adhere to COVID protocols with distance seating in effect, and a face mask will be required.
Visit virginialimousineassociation.org for more information.
[10.20.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
It’s less than a week before the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) kicks off its 33rd annual conference, which is being held virtually October 26-29.
IATR themed its event “Resilient Regulation!” to showcase the hottest trends that are fueling new transportation policies and initiatives in the wake of COVID-19. Regulators around the world are using the pandemic as an opportunity to accelerate change in numerous key areas, including transportation. The IATR conference is the place where regulators go to swap ideas, share best practices, and help to shape policies that impact us all.
CPUC Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma will be a keynote speaker on October 28
The event, which features dozens of speakers from the regulatory world, just announced that Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will deliver a keynote speech on October 28 at noon ET. She will address for-hire ground transportation regulation of TNCs; Charter Party Carriers (TCPs), which includes black cars, liveries, and limousine services; and Passenger Stage Corporations (fixed route bus services and airport shuttle services). Shiroma will address a variety of regulatory initiatives, including the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recently passed health and safety regulations.
Shiroma was appointed to the CPUC in 2019, and was a member of the Agricultural Labor Relations Board since 1999, serving as chair various times during her tenure. Previously, she was Chief of the Air Quality Branch at the California Air Resources Board from 1990 to 1999 and as an air quality engineer from 1978 to 1990.
Last week, IATR announced that Daniel Ramot, the cofounder and CEO of Via, will also deliver a keynote speech. He will discuss the future of shared mobility in a post-pandemic era.
You can view the full conference lineup here. Click here to register for the event, or visit iatr.global for additional information.
[10.20.20]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The American Bus Association (ABA) and Busworld, a leading international exhibition exclusively for the bus and motorcoach industry, announced that the inaugural Busworld North America 2021 in Baltimore will move from January to June 19-21.
Busworld is the largest international bus show in the world with events in six countries. Its biennial event in Belgium brings in 60,000 industry professionals from around the world.
"We are excited that Busworld agreed with us to move the inaugural Busworld North America to June to be held in conjunction with ABA's Marketplace," said ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso. "The industry has been decimated by COVID-19, but so many of our members and industry colleagues are focused on rebuilding and having the show move to June when our members are able to travel again signals that we will be here for them in recovery. We expect this to be the largest event for motorcoach operators in the North America in 2021."
Busworld North America will bring together manufacturers and suppliers from around the world to display their products and serve as a platform for industry leaders to reconnect, rebuild their business in the ever-evolving market landscape, and learn. The Busworld Academy is recognized for its inclusion of key industry influencers such as presidents of major bus and motorcoach operators and manufacturers as well as scientists and engineers working on the latest technologies. Past Busworld Academy topics led by international business leaders and journalists included transportation terrorism attacks, industry market forecasts, future products and innovations, safety and maintenance technologies, and more. The Busworld Academy North America, which made its debut during ABA’s Marketplace in Omaha, Neb., brought together thought leaders from around the world to discuss the future of the industry.
"North American manufacturers and the industry have been asking for an every other year show like Busworld for years," said Pantuso. "We are pleased that we were able to partner with Busworld and make that happen with the next show being in held in Detroit in 2023."
The dates for ABA's Marketplace in Baltimore will be June 18-22.
Visit busworld.org or buses.org for more information.
[10.20.20]