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Members of the PRLA board include (L to R): Treasurer Chris Haines of Michaels Classic Limousine, Vendor Member John Arone of HUB International, President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine, and Vice President Tony Viscusi of Global Limousine Bensalem, Pa. — Nearly 30 operators and vendors representing both Pennsylvania and New Jersey attended the June 12 meeting of the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) held at La Cena Ristorante.
PRLA President Steve Rhoads of Rhoads Limousine kicked off the meeting by having everyone present introduce themselves before PRLA Treasurer Chris Haines of Michaels Classic Limousine gave the treasury report. Representatives from meeting sponsors Wolfington Body Company and Berkshire Coach, which have entered into a partnership together, and new vendor member Faulkner Volvo also had some time to speak.
The association has been doggedly fighting for parity in Harrisburg, as members have been providing testimony before the Consumer Affairs Committee as part of their efforts. Rhoads, PRLA Secretary Anthony Onorata of Anthony Limousine, PRLA Vice President Tony Viscusi of Global Limousine, Jordan Sands of Hollow Sands, and Michael Barreto of Eagle Chauffeured Services were in the state’s capital June 6 and 7 to make their case for a more level playing field, along with association lobbyist Jodie Stuck of Malady & Wooten, and to appeal for fairness in HB-2473. The bill itself aims to amend a previous law while “establishing a Taxicab Medallion Account and Limousine Account within the Philadelphia Taxicab and Limousine Regulatory Fund; and further providing for budget and assessments and for funds.”
Megan Bratton of Wolfington Body Company (left) and Tracy Salinger of Unique Limousine Currently, one of the biggest fights is the per-car assessment fees that PRLA members and traditional luxury ground transportation operators face from the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA), which is directly at odds with the much more manageable percentage-based fees that taxis and TNCs pay.
Members who lobbied on behalf of their industry earlier in the month were able to have dinner with Robert Godshall, the chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee, which they feel helped not only their cause but also their comfort levels providing testimonies.
Winner of the CD Show pass Robert Euler of King Limousine and CD Editor Madeleine Maccar As the meeting wound down, Maccar raffled off a pass to October’s 2018 CD Show at the Gaylord National, which was won by Robert Euler of King Limousine.
A week later, it appeared as though PRLA’s diligent boots-on-the-ground efforts paid off: Stuck informed members on June 20 that she was “pleased to report that HB-2473 was amended with a technical amendment and unanimously voted out of the House Consumer Affairs Committee a couple of hours ago. The PPA was opposing us but we succeed in advancing the bill another step forward without one negative vote!”
PRLA is planning to hold its next meeting in September.
Visit prlainc.com for more information.
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Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation, Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine, and Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach Lynnfield, Mass. — On Tuesday, June 19, the New England Limousine Association (NELA) held their latest membership meeting at Spinelli’s restaurant. Sponsored by Grech Motors, 75 members and guests attended the event, which eschewed the traditional format of the association’s quarterly meetings.
“This time, we changed it up a bit,” explains Executive Director Rick Szilagyi. “Rather than a sit-down dinner, we served hors d'oeuvres and cocktails to open up the meeting for more networking. Our members got a chance to socialize more than they do at our usual events.”
Following a cocktail hour sponsored by Limo Anywhere, Szilagyi called the room to order, and began the business portion of the night. First, he welcomed Ned Johnson of Grech Motors and Jay Pearson of Limo Anywhere, who each gave a short presentation of their respective products and services.
Next, Szilagyi reviewed the results of the recent association election, thanked returning board members, and welcomed a new board director, Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine. Retiring NELA President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine was then invited to the podium, where his 10 years of service to the board were acknowledged along with a plaque and gifts from the association.
Ned Johnson of Grech Motors, Terry Murtaugh of United Private Car, and Jay Pearson of Limo Anywhere After Callahan thanked the members, NLA Directors Scott Solombrino of Dav El/BostonCoach, Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine, and Brett Barenholtz of Boston Car Service/Above All Transportation discussed the NLA’s public service campaign featuring Pamela Anderson. Solombrino and Campbell stated that the PSAs have been very well received by viewers, and successful in changing public opinion toward TNCs. While the previous PSAs have addressed the safety issues inherent with TNCs, the most recent spot addressed the shady hiring habits of those companies.
Before opening the room to another social hour sponsored by Dattco, Szilagyi introduced NELA’s new president, Jason Dornhoffer of United Private car, who begins his term on July 1. The incoming president thanked everyone for attending and shared how important it is to continue to support their industry by participating in association events. As the meeting came to a close, the association held their anticipated raffle, which was sponsored by Center Insurance, Colonial Cadillac, and Dave El/BostonCoach. Winners included Lew Aflalo of United Private Car who won the 50/50 and Matt Greene of Regal Limouisine Service who took home an assortment of lotto tickets and a gift basket.
NELA’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2018.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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Members of the MLA board. Back row (L to R): President Gary Day of American Limousines, Vice President Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines, and Treasurer Anthony Shoats of Xquisite Transportation. Front row (L to R): Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady, Secretary & Membership Chair Kimberly Klein of Lasting Impressions Limousine Service, and Kim Little of First Choice Transportation. Baltimore — The Maryland Limousine Association (MLA) hosted a Lunch & Learn meeting June 19 at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood to kick off its reorganizational efforts. More than two dozen members, supporters, and state representatives were present, including CD’s Director of Events Carly Sokoloff and Editor Madeleine Maccar.
The association is undergoing revitalization efforts with many of its previous board members at the helm. The current board includes:
President: Gary Day of American Limousines
Vice President: Mike Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousines Inc.
Secretary & Membership Chair: Kimberly Klein of Lasting Impressions Limousine Service
Treasurer: Anthony Shoats of Xquisite Transportation
Board Members: Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady, Bryan Johnson of Martens Johnson Insurance Agency, and Kim Little of First Choice Transportation
Day encouraged those in attendance not only to be vocal about their priorities as members but also to reach out to lapsed members or new operators to strengthen the MLA’s numbers—and its voice.
CD Director of Events Carly Sokoloff (left) and Denise Patterson of DTS Chauffeured Services, who won a pass to the 2018 Chauffeur Driven Show “We’ll have even more credibility with even more members,” Day said. “We can open up doors with larger numbers. We’re working hard to make this the best association for you but we need your help and input.”
Director of Maryland Public Service Commission’s Transportation Division Christopher Koermer (left) and MLA President Gary Day of American Limousines Like operators all over the world, one of Maryland’s key pain points is lack of enforcement cracking down on law-shirking TNcs. Director of Maryland Public Service Commission’s Transportation Division Christopher Koermer spoke about personnel changes within his department and advised members about their new contacts for an array of concerns. He also provided updates about how background checks are conducted and changes in carriers’ insurance—and explained how TNC drivers are frequently chased off by street investigators, only to be seen returning to an area once they believe the coast is clear, much to his department’s frustration.
The MLA board also detailed how it’s been meeting with the Maryland Transportation Association in regard to how enforcement laws are written in terms of handling TNCs.
Before the meeting ended, Sokoloff and Maccar talked about the October 7-10 CD Show that will be calling Maryland’s National Harbor home for a few days. They raffled off a certificate to the show, which was won by Denise Patterson of DTS Chauffeured Services.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
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