- Details
- Category: Industry News
L to R: MLOA First Vice President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine, Jim Luff of Chosen Payments, MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation, MLOA Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine, Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments, and MLOA Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet with the rebate check Chosen Payments presented to the MLOA board National Harbor, Md. — Nearly 60 members, supporters, and industry friends attended the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) meeting held October 9 at the 2018 CD Show.
It was the association’s first in-person gathering since Barbara Oliver was hired as its executive director, and she was welcomed with thunderous applause as she began the meeting.
President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation then gave a brief history of the nearly eight-year-old organization, explaining how the MLOA was born of “a lack of education for smaller and minority operators” and that its growth is thanks to its dedicated members.
“The 27 attendees of our first meeting more than seven years ago formed the nucleus of the association,” he explained. “We prioritized fellowship, have offered countless webinars and educational opportunities, and last year’s presentation from Delta yielded a half-million-dollar deal for one of our members. You’re all bringing life to the MLOA!”
Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet and Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine gave their respective reports—though Tymus said that big news would render his “membership report totally obsolete.”
“You’ll be shaking my hand later,” he said.
Craig Hall of Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles and Brian Patnoe of Mercedes-Benz both spoke as new sponsors and expressed their intent on helping the association thrive.
“You have a special organization and we want to be here as a supporter,” said Hall, whose company was also a Title Sponsor of the CD Show.
L to R: MLOA Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine, Karen Swain of Excelous, MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation, MLOA Executive Director Barbara Oliver, Vic Boulton of Excelous, MLOA First Vice President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine, and MLOA Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet After Sarah McKee and Jim Luff of Chosen Payments presented the MLOA’s $2,097.74 rebate check to the board, Brewster made the good-news announcement that Tymus had promised: MLOA membership is now completely free.
“Our sponsorships allow us to say that our membership is free!” Brewster exclaimed over a room of desktop drumrolls that quickly turned to applause. “Instead of paying the $295 fee, you don’t have to pay a cent. There is power in numbers, and this is one of the perks of a robust membership and the support of our generous sponsors.”
Several members immediately stepped up after the announcement to make donations to the association.
Oliver then welcomed the day’s esteemed guests, Vic Boulton and Karen Swain of the Atlanta-based consulting firm Excelous. Swain offered an extensive presentation on the best methods, tips, and strategies for crafting an RFP that does justice to the services an operator’s company can provide.
“There is a process to proposal writing,” she advised the audience. “Before you respond with an RFP, you have to understand what the job entails and demands. You cannot ignore the specifications of an RFP contract and construction: It WILL disqualify you. Read the minimum qualifications first!”
Swain further outlined the anatomy of an RFP, offered up advice like requesting a review of your RFP from the procurement officer the next time your proposal isn’t selected so you can learn what corrections to make, and how simply copying and pasting from previous RFPs or other sources from within your company is frowned upon.
And while the meeting officially ended after its prescribed hour and 15 minutes, both Swain and Boulton stayed well beyond that to lend additional insights to those looking for a crash course in RFPs.
The next MLOA meeting will be its bimonthly general conference call for all members November 28.
Visit mlooa.org for more information.
[CD1018]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation
National Harbor, Md. —More than 50 attendees joined the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) for a membership meeting hosted at the 2018 CD Show at the Gaylord National. The October 8 gathering attracted not only VLA members but also supporters from all across the industry.
President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation kicked off the meeting, recognized the officers comprising the VLA board, and thanked the numerous meeting sponsors before inviting Brent Maitland of MCI to the podium, who spoke of how getting to know the livery side of ground transportation is helping the bus manufacturer meet luxury operators’ specific needs.
“Part of our growth has been from operators getting into motorcoaches, so it’s important for us to know what’s going on with you and how motorcoaches are different from what you usually operate,” Maitland said. “What you tell us helps us develop the training and tools that will help operators and chauffeurs.”
VLA Treasurer Randy Allen of James Limousine Service organized a panel discussion for the meeting: He introduced the four panelists who would be tackling the most pressing farm-in/farm-out questions, as well as discussing the software and procedures that would help streamline affiliate work. VLA Sergeant of Arms Zulfi Abassi of American Executive Transportation, Joe Cardillo of AOT Global, Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur, and Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine represented a wide array of regional markets, company sizes, and software users.
VLA Vice President William Kerr of Camryn Executive Transportation
“We wanted to educate our meeting attendees about current strategies regarding the farm-in/farm out process, how we can optimize pre-planned trips, meeting the needs of our clients, and ways to communicate those needs to our software providers,” he explained before the panelists began taking questions. “As Uber keeps offering new things to their riders, we’re falling further behind in customer expectations: TNCs allow passengers to upload their receipts directly and immediately to expense programs, while we’re still struggling to deliver some of the basics.”
Allen asked the panelists several questions, exploring topics like “Are you losing clients and potential revenue due to your current farm-in/farm-out process?” and “What recent advancements in your farm-in/farm-out processes have raised your level of service?” The questions, along with audience insights, painted a picture of an industry that understands the need to constantly improve communications—among operators and industry technologies alike.
A recurring pain point among those in attendance was the inability for certain software systems to “speak” to one another, a frustration that many felt forced them to choose among affiliates based on comparable technology rather than their quality of service—or, as Kini put it: “Similar principles should dictate affiliate partnerships, not just similar technology.”
More than 50 attendees were present for the October 8 meeting
“Imagine if you couldn’t communicate with people using a different cellular carrier than you are,” Allen added. “We need to adapt.”
The prevailing opinions were that the industry needs to work together to find the best solutions for its problems, whether it’s acting as a united voice imploring the industry’s technology providers to offer the options that TNC-savvy passengers are demanding, making technology more accessible to the operators who can’t quite wrap their heads around its intricacies, and that it’s time to leave egos at the door and work together to find the best solutions for the industry as a whole so it can not only move forward but also keep up with the times.
“It’s not our place to tell another company what to do and how to do it,” Cardillo said of diplomatically making operators’ needs—and their clients’ demands—known to the industry’s software companies. “We can make suggestions but each company is the master of its goals and development. But the pathway to what we want is there.”
Industry members from across the country attended the VLA meeting
One suggestion from the audience highlighted the importance of uniting behind a common goal: “One technology company’s 5,000 clients all asking for different ways to do one thing isn’t helping anyone. If we come together with one voice and give them one item to concentrate on—and maybe even make a one-time donation to support that infrastructure development—that can help make the connectivity we want happen.”
The next VLA meeting will be its holiday gala, which will be held December 3 in Fredericksburg, Va.
Visit
vla-limo.org for more information.
[CD1018]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
L to R: Unique Limousine President Tracy Salinger with company founders Jim and Josie Salinger Harrisburg, Pa. — Effective October 1, 2018, Unique Limousine Service has new ownership. Former President Jim Salinger and his wife, Vice President Josie Salinger, have completed the transition of ownership to their daughter, Tracy Salinger, who has taken 100 percent control and ownership in the family company.
Veteran operators Jim and Josie have decided to spend more time with each other and the family. Since they became great-grandparents last year, they have determined that life does indeed, go at the blink of an eye. Jim says that he will continue to be part of Unique, but in a more supportive role to Tracy. When asked about what he sees for the next five years, he replied, “She’s going to do more in the next five years than I did in the last 30. She has a solid foundation and the right tools. And of course, she has me.” The last sentence was said with the signature twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face. Josie is looking forward to being able to relaxing more with Jim, spending enjoyable time with extended family and friends, and not having to go to Costco every week.
Tracy’s first goal is to continue the family structure of the company, and ensure that the extended Unique family knows that she will continue to support them as they move forward together. When asked about her next five years, she replied, “I want us to be stronger, better and more profitable, so that I can reinvest in our people, the company and our community. When we work together toward our goals, we are unstoppable. And we’re going to have fun, too!”
Unique Limousine began in 1982 with one pre-owned limousine, and has grown to over 80 vehicles and three Pennsylvania locations today. The company’s headquarters are in Harrisburg with additional locations in York and Lancaster.
Visit uniquelimousine.com for more information.
[CD1018]