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- Category: Industry News
You asked for it and we listened. In this column, we ask operators of all sizes and from all walks of the industry a question about their business and report their answers so you can assess how your own company compares to your peers. If you would like to participate, please email Rob Smentek at rob@chauffeurdriven.com for next issue’s question.
TOPIC: What aspect of the CD/NLA Show do you find most beneficial for your business?
Michael Barreto, President
Metropolis Passenger Logistics in Essington, Pa.
Bryan Beale, General Manager
A&A Limousine Service in Northampton, Pa.
Nick Boccio, General Manager
Buffalo Limousine in Buffalo, N.Y.
Additionally, the Affiliate Central stands out as a particularly beneficial session because it’s a goldmine for anyone involved in or interested in affiliate marketing. The practical tips and expert advice shared here directly impact our marketing approach, helping us to optimize our affiliate campaigns and maximize ROI. The combination of networking and focused learning at Affiliate Central makes it a standout feature of the show for us.
Moe Bouayad, President
Crown Worldwide Transportation in Englewood, Colo.
Kristina Bouweiri, President & CEO
Reston Limousine in Sterling, Va.
David Brown, President
Premiere Transportation in Albany, N.Y.
Theresa Callahan, Co-founder
Jax Black Car in Jacksonville, Fla.
Harry Dhillon, President
Ecko Worldwide/Hashtag Business Solutions in Santa Clara, Calif.
Jay Erlich, CEO
Europe Limousine in Paramus, N.J.
Joel George, Vice President
VIP Connection in Long Island City, N.Y.
Thomas Halsnik, Owner
Walsh Chauffeured Transportation in Tampa, Fla.
Dennis Jansen, Managing Director
Holland Limousine Group in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Stefan Kisiov, Fleet Manager
K&G Coach Line in Park Ridge, Ill.
Gary LeCamu, Owner
Diamond Chauffeured Transportation in Hempstead, Texas
Denny Leinhos, President
Avant Garde Limousines & Coach in Indianapolis, Ind.
Robert Rodríguez, President/CEO
First Class Destination Solutions in Carolina, Puerto Rico
Tracy Salinger, President
Unique Limousine in Harrisburg, Pa.
Quentin Shackelford, Owner
AllClassLimo.com in Wichita, Kan.
Ron Stein, Owner
Exclusive Sedan Service in Newhall, Calif.
Andrew Tighe, Affiliate Relations Director
RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation in Boston, Mass.
We’ve loved hearing your answers to our benchmarking questions—but we always welcome suggestions for future topics, too!
Send an email to rob@chauffeurdriven.com you just might see your query answered in our next e-News.
[12.27.23]
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- Category: Industry News
The New England Livery Association (NELA) held their annual holiday quarterly meeting at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, Mass., on December 12. The event attracted 100 members and guests for dinner and entertainment, courtesy of renowned mentalist Jon Stetson. The evening also honored longtime board member and 2nd Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine, who is entering her 18th year on the NELA Board of Directors.
Following a cocktail hour and registration, NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management kicked off the meeting by thanking the evening’s sponsors. The lengthy list included Meeting Sponsors Above All Transportation, Lancer Insurance, and Research Underwriters; Entertainment Sponsor A&A Metro; Cocktail Sponsors Brown and Brown Insurance Agency, Great Bay Limousine, and LTI Worldwide; and Raffle Sponsors American Classic Limousine, Boston Pro Car Service, Center Insurance Agency, Four Star Limousine, Pat's Car Service, Prevost, and RMA Worldwide. Sponsors who addressed the large group included Tom Arrighi of A&A Metro, Steve Crispo of Research Underwriters, Mitch Guralnick of Prevost, and Andy Tighe of RMA Worldwide.
Szilagyi also recognized the Quarterly Meeting Committee, including NELA Directors Alicia Hayes of ACL Transportation, Brittni Bogar of All Points Limousine, and Larry White of Boston Chauffeur who helped put the event together, as well as Directors Andy Tighe and Keith Ali of Dav El/BostonCoach who worked registration. Additionally, he thanked Vendor Director Steve Crispo for always helping with selling raffle tickets, Vendor Director Jim King of Waverley Insurance who is already working on NELA’s next event, and President Brett Barenholtz of Above All Transportation/Boston Car Service/ETS/Maine Limousine Service for guidance and support all along the way and during the event.
Barenholtz then took the podium and cited NELA’s involvement in important issues like curb space at Logan Airport, and the NLA’s ongoing advocacy efforts and upcoming events, including the CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas, and the NLA’s Day on the Hill (held in the summer). Barenholtz encouraged New England-based company owners and managers to participate in the Day on the Hill and to consider running for NLA Board seats in next year’s election. Barenholtz also noted Tina Benson’s years of service to the association and the industry.
Szilagyi shared a couple of stories about Benson’s service on the NELA Board, both light and heartfelt, as a testament of her personal integrity. He said that volunteer board members have many roles in their lives, including their full-time job as well as their family and personal life, and unpaid positions are often the first to be abandoned. Szilagyi recalled the time when Benson’s father was seriously ill shortly before NELA’s Chauffeur Appreciation Day, an annual cookout held at Logan Airport for chauffeurs, where she could have stepped aside, and everyone would have understood. Instead, Benson and her brother Carl not only drove the equipment necessary to the airport, but they also worked the grills as they had for many years. Sadly, they received the call that their father had passed during the event.
Benson’s impact was clear as more than a dozen testimonials were received from her industry peers who had worked closely with her over the years, personally experiencing her commitment to the NELA Board firsthand. Benson was then invited to the podium to give her thanks to the leaders who came before her who made her work possible, such as Mark Mollica (formerly of Black Tie Limousine) who started the Chauffeur Appreciation Day. She also recalled the discussion with her father before his passing, where he encouraged her to honor her commitment to the event, giving her peace of mind. After her remarks, Barenholtz again thanked her for incredible dedication and presented her with a gift from the association.
The evening also included a return performance of Jon Stetson—who was the basis of the hit CBS show The Mentalist and was a big hit at NELA’s previous holiday event. Following the entertainment, NELA held their always-popular raffles, which included the auction of a CD/NLA show pass for the upcoming Vegas show in March. Kevin Cronin of Above All Transportation/Boston Car was the winner of the show pass.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[12.26.23]
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- Category: Industry News
My Limousine Service is happy to announce the recent promotion of Shawn Corcoran to senior director of charter and group services. Corcoran is a 15-year industry veteran who served in various roles within the company before this promotion. In this new role, Corcoran will oversee all motorcoach operations and group services.
“Shawn has been a dedicated member of the My Limo Team for many years and has worked to develop and grow the motorcoach portfolio within the company,” according to My Limo President Mike Rose. “As part of his new role, Shawn will be focused on further expansion of the motorcoach division within My Limo. We look forward to continued growth of our motorcoach operations under Shawn’s leadership.”
Founded in 1983, My Limousine Service is based in Mount Olive, N.J. The company operates a fleet of more than 100 vehicles, which includes motorcoaches, minibuses, and Transit vans in addition to a selection of sedans and SUVs. Owners Howard and Stewart Gogel recently passed the company onto the next generation of leadership (the announcement can be read here).
Visit mylimo.com for more information.
[12.21.23]