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Chauffeur Driven is excited to announce that the magazine and trade show have been prominently featured in two major media outlets.
First, CD President Chris Weiss was among the industry heavyweights interviewed for a September Business Insider piece entitled The Death of Stretch Limos, which chronicles how the one-time popular fleet staple has fallen out of favor with VIPs, and in some cases, the general public.
L to R: Ronnie “The Limo Driver” Mund of the Howard Stern Show, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet, CD President Chris Weiss
Weiss commented on the safety challenges of operating stretch limousines and pointed out that a “better mousetrap” has been invented, namely executive vans.
“Even a lot of the associations that represent this space have morphed or are planning on morphing their name and getting the word 'limo' out of it,” says Weiss in the article.
Current National Limousine Association President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Boston Car/ETS/Maine Limousine was also among the experts interviewed for the feature.
“The vehicles can change,” he stated. “We're just selling a premium service, and people want a premium service.”
The article also included feedback from operators Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide and Joe Reinhardt of Carolina Limousine & Coach, as well as Scott Michael of the United Motorcoach Association.
To read the Business Insider article, click here. Please note that a subscription may be required.
In other news, on October 1, fans of renowned radio star Howard Stern had the opportunity to learn about the annual CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas. You may recall that at our show in early 2024, Stern show regular Ronnie “The Limo Driver” Mund was a special guest at the event courtesy of Complete Fleet Livery Sales.
L to R: Jonathan Blitt of the Howard Stern Show, Chris Weiss, Ronnie “The Limo Driver” Mund, and Barry Trabb
Well, this week, the SiriusXM host got around to grilling Mund and show writer Jonathan Blitt about their appearance at the MGM Grand last spring, and, as you can guess, laughs ensued. After confirming that Mund is truly the world’s most famous limo driver (as verified by a quick Google search), Stern began by namedropping not only Chauffeur Driven, but also Complete Fleet. He then played a barrage of clips of Mund “schmoozing” with industry folks and even closing deals for Complete Fleet. When pressed to describe the CD/NLA Show by a skeptical Stern, a clearly impressed Blitt called it “huge.”
Mund also recounted his early days as a chauffeur, which included some raucous, over-the-top discussion (as one might expect from the Stern show). All in all, the generally cantankerous Mund said that he enjoyed his time at the show and was happy to meet his fans.
“As a long-time fan of the Stern show and its cast of characters, it was a thrill of a lifetime for the CD/NLA Show to be included in this segment,” says Weiss. “We’ve had a good relationship with Mund and the show in the past, as they’ve sent items to be included in past charity auctions, but being mentioned at length on air is next level. A big thanks to Barry Trabb at Complete Fleet for bringing Ronnie to our show.”
Subscribers of SiriusXM can access an archive of the show by clicking here. Be aware that the segment does skew toward adult listeners.
[10.08.24]
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Premier Transportation of Dallas
The Hoffmann Family of Companies (HF Companies) has announced the acquisition of Premier Transportation of Dallas, which has an extensive fleet of more than 60 vehicles that include sedans, vans, limousines, Sprinters, minibuses, and motorcoaches. Premier Transportation serves the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while also extending its reach globally through its Premier Drives Global network.
Since 1996, under the leadership of Kelly and Eric Devlin, Premier Transportation has set the standard for excellence in Dallas' ground transportation industry. The company has earned the prestigious National Operator of the Year Award from the National Limousine Association (NLA) on three occasions—2009, 2011, and 2017. Further highlighting the national reputation and profile of the Premier Transportation brand, Eric Devlin is a featured speaker at next week’s CD/NLA Show in National Harbor, Maryland, as part of the State of the Industry panel.
The Devlins will continue to lead the management team in their current positions and titles, staying actively involved in the day-to-day operations at Premier Transportation through this exciting transition and for many years to come.
"Having Kelly, Eric, and the entire Premier staff and chauffeur corps join our family is a perfect fit for both companies,” said HF Companies Director Tamir Rankow. “We have so much in common, and our five-star focus is aligned in delivering exceptional customer service."
"Kelly and Eric will fit right into the family, as they share the same ethics and principles as we do,” continued Rankow. “They are down-to-earth, wonderful people who are highly regarded in the industry and are experienced professionals in transportation and logistics."
In a joint statement from Eric and Kelly Devlin: “Joining forces with the Hoffmann Family of Companies marks an exciting new phase for us. We are eager to tap into their expertise and resources to further enhance our services and elevate the luxury transportation experience we provide to our esteemed clients.”
This mutually beneficial transaction is further supported by the strategic growth envisioned for Texas and the immense value of the Dallas market. With the acquisition of Premier Transportation, the Hoffmann Family of Companies becomes the largest private owner and operator of a black car vehicle fleet, offering comprehensive service across the country, with locations in Dallas; Naples; Fort Myers; Marco Island; Napa and Sonoma Valley; San Francisco; St. Louis and Augusta, Missouri; Aspen; and Palm Beach.
Visit premierofdallas.com and hfcompanies.com for more information.
[10.08.24]
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- Category: Industry News
ILLBA Interim President Arthur Rento
The Illinois Limousine & Bus Association (ILLBA) has announced the resignation of Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus from her role as President of the ILLBA Board of Directors, effective immediately. In accordance with ILLBA bylaws and approval of the board, Vice President Arthur Rento of Pontarelli Companies has assumed the role of President in the interim, until the yearly election of officers in July 2025.
ILLBA Outgoing President Tracy Raimer
Raimer has been an active member of the ILLBA since 1998 and has served a total of 10 years as president, six as vice president, and seven years as director. Over the course of her tenure, she has been a motivated advocate for the ILLBA community, and the association reports growth, innovation, and a strengthened commitment to their core mission as a result of her thoughtful guidance. According to the ILLBA Board of Directors, Raimer has fostered a culture of collaboration, integrity, and professionalism that will remain a lasting legacy, and they have been fortunate to have her embracing a variety of leadership roles within the organization.
“On behalf of the entire board, we extend our deepest gratitude to Tracy for her exceptional service and wish her nothing but success in her future endeavors,” wrote the Board in an emailed statement. “We look forward to staying connected as she embarks on her next exciting chapter.”
Visit illba.org for more information.
[10.07.24]