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Outgoing TLPA President Mike Pinckard (right) swears in the association’s 2018-2019 president, Terry O’Toole of Transdev On Demand
Las Vegas — The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA), the oldest and largest transportation association of its kind in the country, took the first step on its new path after its outgoing president unveiled a new strategic plan October 28.
Mike Pinckard, who just ended his one-year term, made strategic planning a central part of his 2017-2018 TLPA presidency.
“TLPA will be the go-to resource for a wider audience than ever before, and with a perspective that shapes today’s transportation world,” said Pinckard, who delivered his final address to association members as they gathered for the group’s landmark 100th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas.
After a year of thought-provoking planning sessions to identify the road ahead into the next decades, the TLPA’s vision for the future now rests on four key pillars:
- Expanding membership by “broadening the tent” to include a more diverse cross section of industry stakeholders and thought leaders.
- Leading the industry with strategies for increased safety, convenience and sustainable environmental practices.
- Identifying the best innovative practices that increase members’ profitability.
- Enhancing drivers’ image and performance.
Also during the centennial convention, Kansas City transportation executive Terry O’Toole of Transdev On Demand was elected as TLPA’s new president. O’Toole, overwhelmingly elected by voice vote from the rank-and-file membership, was immediately sworn in to serve a one-year term until October 2019.
In his acceptance speech, O’Toole outlined his platform for presidency, which includes broadening membership, expanding member services, improving driver professionalism, and honing TLPA’s leadership as a unified voice of the industry.
“The transportation landscape is expanding, not shrinking,” O’Toole said. “Our industry is evolving in exciting ways that are filled with opportunity. With an invigorated association, and with the incredible knowledge and know-how of our members, our industry will thrive in the years ahead.”
The transportation industry has been a part of O’Toole’s family history dating back to the late 1800s, when his great-grandfather and his brothers owned street cars in Kansas City. While O’Toole did not grow up in the industry, he became general manager for Kansas City Transportation, owned by businessman Bill George, in 2001.
“Bill encouraged me to experiment with ideas to see what worked,” O’Toole said. “He also taught me that this business is about people, and about how you treat people, whether drivers, or employees or customers. They are all equally important in the chain.”
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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St. Petersburg, Fla. — Rental Limo/Book.limo Founder and CEO Ryan Hilberth has partnered up with Ivan Colon of Gig Marketing Group in New York and Andy Reyes of Ari Media Company in California to provide the chauffeured transportation industry’s very first full-suite marketing agency, Limo Marketing Solutions (LMS). Also joining the team as a social media specialist and project manager is Toni Woodmansee, formerly with Mad City Limo out of Madison, Wisc.
Covering all the bases, LMS offers high-end web design and development, video production, SEO, branding, social media, PR, email marketing, print design, SEM, photography, and intellectual property services to operators, vendors, and industry associations. By qualifying prospective clients based on their needs, this allows LMS to form-fit a winning game plan within a budget.
“I’ve known Ryan for many years and we always joked about how badly this industry needs creative direction, so when I was presented the opportunity to join forces with the industry’s best marketer, best video guy, and a dedicated sweetheart with the right attitude naturally I was on board 100 percent,” says Colon, formerly with Legends Limousine. “LMS is ready to cater marketing solutions that fit for you.”
The first few LMS clients included Ady and Maryam Genik of Vega Transportation as well as Brandon Tiet, CEO of Duke’s Transportation, formerly Duke’s Limousine. Both companies were recently rebranded with new logos, re-tooled social media strategies, and re-designed websites, powered by Book.limo. “The first day we launched our new website, we got our first online booking in the history of our company within hours,” says Mr. Genik. “We love our new logo and the LMS philosophy that less is more.” Mrs. Genik made the decision to entrust Ryan and his team at LMS with the future of their brand after watching what he did to grow his brands. “He really knows what he is doing, and it shows.”
Duke’s Transportation is also singing songs of success with LMS, and it’s only been a few months since their various marketing initiatives with Ryan and his team began. “Right off the bat, Ryan had a game plan for us as a Hawaii transportation company on how to entice people to do business with us more by making it more aesthetically pleasing to visit our website, get an instant quote, and book the rides without having to call our office to reserve over the phone,” says Tiet. “In a few months, we are now #1 in Google for our top three SEO keywords after being buried for years.”
A big proponent of Book.limo and Rental Limo’s success has been due to combining web traffic with video production and marketing. After the release of 15 different episodes of Powered by Book.limo, all shot exclusively by Andy Reyes, and with two more full seasons in waiting, it was clear to Andy that Ryan is putting his money where his mouth is. “The LMS vision is in line with ours, which is that there is no better form of marketing in terms of ROI and reach than video marketing, and we are very happy to be partners with Limo Marketing Solutions in the video production space,” says Reyes.
Visit limo.marketing for more information.
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National Harbor, Md. — With on-point education and speakers, wall-to-wall networking, electric nightlife, and an unforgettable charity event, we’ve put the wraps on the 2018 Chauffeur Driven Show, held October 7-10 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center. Many thanks to all of the attendees, exhibitors, speakers, moderators, mentors, committee members, and sponsors—including Title Sponsors Ford-Lincoln Livery Vehicles and Grech Motors—for making the show possible!
Industry professionals from around the globe were in attendance, which not only gave us the opportunity to meet many new faces, but also let us reconnect and spend time with many of our long-standing industry friends and peers. The positive feedback has been off the charts—both during and after the show. This show also marked the return of Director of Events Jess Pavlow, who hit another one out of the park.
Thanks to our hard-working Education Committee—led by co-chairs Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide and Kristen Carroll of The LMC Group—this year’s show was loaded with timely and valuable sessions that proved to be beneficial to operators of all sizes and markets. Whether it was learning the basics of networking, getting the low-down on values-led leadership, or even discovering creative revenue streams to increase that bottom line, our attendees gained heaps of know-how that provided instant takeaway.
“As a small operator, I have to carefully pick and choose what shows I can attend. I need to get the most bang for the buck, so I researched and decided to attend CD this year for the first time,” said Renee Dorsey of Airport Limousine Service. “I was blown away by the Operator Mentoring Program and my Benchmark Breakout session. These two programs alone were worth the price of admission. It was fabulous to be with the two groups of operators, discussing issues and challenges—and to find out that I am not alone. Others have the same struggles as me, even the BIG operators. I am already taking steps here at base to use the knowledge I gained last week.”
Certainly, as with years past, networking was the name of the game, as opportunities to share and learn among peers were in abundance. Dedicated events like our perennial favorite Operator Mentoring Program, the jam-packed Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum, and laser-focused Benchmark Breakouts were all met with raves from our attendees. What’s more, Tuesday morning’s one-two punch of the revamped Women in the Industry Networking Breakfast and the International Meet & Greet received rave reviews from the flock of early birds who attended these sessions.
“The Chauffeur Driven team did a fantastic job bringing everyone together, especially the Mentoring and Benchmark sessions. I am always amazed at the amount of information we can take back to our company. It’s well worth the trip!” said Chris Peifer of Susquehanna Valley Limousine.
The networking and camaraderie continued into sundown as our always-popular nightlife events raised the roof. On Sunday evening, attendees were welcomed into the Gaylord’s Cherry Blossom ballroom and atrium, which was adorned with famous international landmarks for our first-ever Around the World party. The following night, guests dressed up and partied down as their favorite TV or movie characters at our Costume Party. Once again, the industry stepped up and donned some of the most creative, hilarious, and spectacular costumes we’ve seen to date. Who will ever forget the Beetlejuice army comprising some of the industry’s most notable figures?
But, without a doubt, a true highpoint of the show was our Annual Charity Dinner and Auction. For the third year, we’ve given our support to WISH for OUR HEROES, a nonprofit dedicated to assisting active and retired members of the United States military and their families with everything from crippling medical bills to buying groceries. Thanks to the generosity of the auction’s donors, as well as those who bid on the offered items, our industry raised a staggering $125,000 in a single evening—which founder Jeff Wells said will immediately be used to assist more than 25 families.
We’re already jazzed about next year’s Executive Retreat in Texas at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown on May 5-7, not to mention the 2019 show in Beantown at the Westin Boston Waterfront., on October 13-16. In the meantime, look for a full recap of the 2018 Chauffeur Driven Show—as well as loads of pictures—in the December issue of the magazine.
Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more information.
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