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MLA Vice President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady and MLA President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines
Dundalk, Md. — The Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) met up at Jimmy’s Seafood February 20 for a day of vendor presentations, association updates, and general industry news.
With the executive board presiding over the meeting, members got to hear from President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines, Vice President Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady, Treasurer Anthony Shoats of Xquisite Transportation, and Secretary/Membership Chair Kim Klein of Lasting Impressions Deejay and Limousine Service at the beginning of the gathering.
The general meeting portion detailed the association’s total assets and balance sheet. As the MLA hasn’t collected membership dues for several years, it is resuming the practice to put money back in its coffers.
More broadly, the meeting also explored then-recently proposed Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) revisions, which were put into immediate action after the Public Service Commission unanimously accepted them. Changes include the addition of driver screening standards, amended definitions of both “Inspection Certificate” and “License,” an increased vehicle model year allowance, and demanding both specified locations and visible logos for TNC vehicles.
The February 13 hearing of the Government of the District of Columbia’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles wherein the neighboring Virginia Limousine Association had the opportunity to present its perspective and feedback was also discussed, as many MLA members operate within the district.
Vendors who offered presentations about their services included former operator Douglas Donaldson who now works in the healthcare industry with US Health Advisors, Patsy Anderson of Woman’s Expo Forum/Baltimore Business Alliance, Ray Gavino of Translogic Executive, and Bryan Johnson of Martens Johnson Insurance Agency—who wound up treating all in attendance to lunch.
The meeting’s main guest speaker was Charlotte Crenson of Maryland’s Department of Health and Human Services. Crenson stressed the importance of the Safe and Sober Program, which aims to curtain underage drinking, help keep young drivers safe, educate students and adults about the dangers of drunk driving, and more. Part of the initiative includes a list of “local limousine companies whose owners have agreed to sign the Baltimore County Safe and Sober Pledge,” which states: “Limousine Company employees will not allow minors to use or transport alcohol, tobacco, or any other drugs while using their transportation services.” With prom season rapidly approaching, bolstering safety measures to keep students, other passengers, and drivers safe is increasingly important.
The MLA will be holding a general membership teleconference in July, with a physical meeting in October.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
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GCLA Legislative Chairman and Immediate Past President David Kinney of API Global Transportation
On the heels of its Day on the Hill earlier this year, the Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) has been notified that Uber’s days of shirking the same laws, regulations, and classifications dictating how traditional ground transportation outfits operate may be numbered.
On March 19, the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC’s) Commissioner Liane Randolph announced a proposal aiming to classify Uber as Charter Party Carrier that needs to apply for a TCP (or Transportation Charter Permit) license as such. Pinning the notoriously dodgy TNC as a TCP puts it in the same category as any other ground transportation operation—meaning that it would be treated much more like a chauffeured service, and thus being one step closer to a more level playing field for California operators.
It is GCLA’s hope that should this proposal be adopted in the influential California market, it would set a precedent for other states to follow suit.
The association’s Legislative Chairman and Immediate Past President David Kinney of API Global Transportation and its longtime lobbyist Gregg Cook of Government Affairs Consulting have twice met face-to-face with Randolph in the past year to both discuss and advocate for GCLA’s position regarding TNCs and other industry issues.
Should this proposal be approved by Randolph’s fellow commissioners, it will still have to pass through the state’s congress. The CPUC’s next meeting is April 26; with Randolph’s support adding significant legitimacy to the proposal, the association feels its approval could come as early as late next month.
In the meantime, the GCLA’s legislative committee will be submitting a formal response to the CPUC commissioners further detailing their support of the proposed decision, and the association itself will be closely monitoring any developments. Any additional comments from the industry will be accepted by the CPUC.
Additional details on the proposal can be found here.
The next GCLA meeting will be April 10 in Los Angeles.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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San Diego — The Chauffeur Driven Executive Retreats are known for their top-flight education, first-class accommodations, and one-of-kind networking events, but this year, when we return to the West Coast on May 6-8, you’ll get the chance to find out if you have what it takes to win The Executive Game. Courtesy of our friends at Strategy Leaders, Chauffeur Driven is excited to bring this interactive, role-playing activity that’s exclusive to our much-anticipated event.
If you want to get smarter about running a business, you won’t want to miss our hands-on round of The Executive Game on Tuesday, May 8, which we’ll be bringing to you with the help of Strategy Leaders’ Andi Gray, Robyn Goldenberg Cohen, and Eddie Monroy. The business management team has embraced and utilized this gamified training tool to demonstrate your leadership skills as a team steering your virtual company toward success—and retire with the most money.
Groups of 8-10 will separate into teams, which includes a leader and a “bean counter” armed with a laptop—to create a virtual company to steer through all the challenges that operators face in the luxury ground transportation industry. Teams can be organized by attendees in advance or assigned at the event. You’ll work together to decide how to increase profits, invest your time as an owner, reach your goals, overcome obstacles, and plan a successful exit strategy—all without the real-life consequences of trial-and-error. Your business expertise and experience will get you so far in the game though, as your “company” will be dealt an array of challenges from a deck of cards that may put you on the road to bankruptcy.
Get ready to demonstrate your entrepreneurial passion, as The Executive Game will get hyper-competitive and intense. As the game progresses, and you emerge from business challenges victorious—or on the losing end—there will be plenty of hooting, hollering, and even attempted bribery! The team that retires with the most money will not only receive a prize, but also those invaluable bragging rights.
How will you stack up against your industry peers? Register now to find out.
Don’t forget: We’ve secured a room block at $249/night at the Pendry Hotel, one of the newest hotels in America’s Finest City, and the only 5-star resort in the hip and historic Gaslamp Quarter. This rate is not going to last long; act now before it sells out.
We’re also offering a limited discount you can apply towards our registration fee. Just mention the code SKYBOX at check out to receive $100 off the $899 rate. Don’t miss out.
Visit sandiegoretreat.com for more information.
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