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Marc Sievers started Sacramento-based Universal Limousine and Transportation in 1993 with only two vehicles. Universal grew rapidly, enabling Sievers to open a San Francisco branch in 1997. Over the years, Universal’s commitment to impeccable customer service and safety established its reputation as the chauffeured car service of choice in the Sacramento area. Universal’s fleet of late model coaches, buses, sedans, and limousines grew, and with that growth came the opportunity to contract with numerous clients requiring shuttle and large-group movement assistance. Its client base is composed of Fortune 500 executives and entertainment industry personnel, such as actors and musicians.
Universal’s approach to business development is best described as strategic. Sievers has acquired vehicles and hired chauffeurs who have the School Pupil Activity Bus (SPAB) designation so he can bid for contracts in local municipalities. He maintains long-term relationships with his shuttle contract clients, and these relationships serve as great references when he competes for other contracts in the RFP process. Universal works with local sports teams such as the Sacramento River Cats and the Sacramento Kings, and these partnerships link Universal to the community and raise its visibility. Recently, Marc has also partnered with The LMC Group to enter new markets and cultivate critical business relationships.
LMC Group’s Nicole Olivier, who collaborates with Universal in their business development efforts, said: “Universal Limousine and its owner Marc Sievers have been shining examples of what we can do for a client who is involved and helps steer the direction of business development. They have been responsive to requests for information and proactive on developing key business relationships on their own. We continue to uncover some great business leads due to their active participation in the sales process. Universal, Marc, and his team are the blueprint for successful partnerships going forward.”
Visit lmc.group for more information.
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Of the IAACC’s 2017 awardees, Motev—the all-Tesla black car service—seemed to have particularly impressed the chamber with its commitments both to a business model specifically predicated on sustainability, as well as one focused on directly improving its proximate community. For its efforts, Motev garnered IAACC’s Company of the Year Award. The other businesses recognized by the IAACC at the gala included the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles World Airport.
“We are truly thrilled!” beamed Robert Gaskill, Motev co-founder and CEO. “From day one, our focus has been to provide a beneficial and hyper-local impact on our immediate neighborhood and surrounding community.”
On average, electric vehicles reduce automobile emissions by about half that of gasoline powered cars. In Los Angeles, if just 10% of current motorists switched to electric cars, that would translate to an annual emissions reduction of approximately 8.75 metric tons. Put in those terms, the commitment Motev is making to environmental sustainability seems worthy of the IAACC’s recognition.
“We are extremely proud of our company’s focus on sustainability,” offered Chief Administrative Officer Tiffany Hinton. “It’s the reason our website landing page prominently displays our pledge to plant a tree for every ride Motev provides, which currently exceeds more than 3,000 trees planted in American forests.”
Visit motev.com for more information.
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The PSA, which can be viewed at youtu.be/bb9ZxP4rgSk, draws attention to the vast number of sexual assaults that have occurred in ride-hailing vehicles and questions if these were caused by insufficient background check procedures. It serves as a call to action following alarming revelations of sexual harassment and assault that reach far beyond Hollywood and Washington, D.C.
The video, titled “The Signs,” is Anderson’s second PSA for the Ride Responsibly initiative, and comes on the heels of the #MeToo movement. It is a stark reminder that even getting from point A to B comes with a risk.
“The astounding number of tweets that referenced #MeToo and #uber was absolutely frightening, and disheartening to say the least,” said NLA President Gary Buffo. “It is time to recognize that these services are simply unsafe and pose an inherent threat to anyone using them, due to the blatantly insufficient background checks that transportation network companies (TNCs) use. Our partner, PAVE, has been instrumental in our campaign to inform the public about the dangers these services pose. Together, we are actively working to compel safety measures that will prevent these crimes.”
For more than 20 years, Angela Rose and PAVE have been the only national charitable organization committed to both sexual harassment and assault prevention and recovery. Through its support, social advocacy, training, and education programs, PAVE is leading the way and tackling these issues head on in the hopes of minimizing their occurrences and impact.
Rose, the founder and director of PAVE, said “through our work with survivors, we have always been aware that cases of sexual assault and harassment can occur just about anywhere. Unfortunately, this now includes ride-hail apps such as Uber and Lyft, which is why we have partnered with the National Limousine Association and Pamela Anderson. It is critical that everyone be made aware of the risks associated with ride-hailing apps and PAVE is excited to support this campaign with best practices and tangible safety tips. It’s important to note that no matter how many safety tips you practice, it is never your fault if someone harms you.”
She added: “While we are so proud of the #MeToo movement and all of the brave men and women that have come forward, we are constantly working to bring an end to these crimes.”
“When I first embarked on my quest to raise awareness about the safety risks associated with ride-hailing apps, I had no idea of the frequency or disturbing nature of the incidents,” Anderson said. “The reaction to our first campaign was inspiring, and also disheartening, as many voices came to the surface echoing the sentiment, #MeToo. Action, however, is more effective than a hashtag, and it is critical that we take the next step, demand justice for victims and force ride-hail apps to ensure our safety in their vehicles. Fingerprint-based background checks are a simple step that these transportation providers can take, and it is beyond me why this practice isn’t commonplace in 2018. These apps are optimized for predators and will remain so until common sense safety measures are put in place.”
Visit rideresponsibly.org and limo.org to learn more about the Ride Responsibly initiative and the NLA, respectively. Visit pavingtheway.net to learn more about PAVE.
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