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GCLA members at a recent association meeting in San Diego After taking its meetings on the road throughout The Golden State last year, Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) continues to test out new approaches to its meeting as it explores methods for best reaching its geographically far-reaching members.
Last summer’s unveiling of a hyper-local series that brought association events to key regions and cities to engage members closer to home was a success, so the association is continuing along that path—but with additional tweaks to accommodate the conversations that members want to have at a gathering of their peers.
“We are testing out new events formats, so now it’s like a real mini trade show where there’s no dedicated speakers,” Executive Director Tom Garrett said, adding that the format has been well-received at recent meetings in both San Diego and Los Angeles. “People come in and they get a drink and some food, they network, we have a row of vendors doing demos, we have vehicles on display, and then we have featured guests from the airport or the PUC answering specific questions. It’s been going really well. This new format has done a lot to bring people together and build a community, which is our main mission.”
According to Garrett, streamlining presentations into one prevailing topic helps keep attendees’ tuned into news they can actually use, rather than covering a range of topics in one meeting that aren’t applicable to the widest swath of members.
This new format has already allowed for specific topics to be addressed, such as a representative from LAX discussing airport construction and how to handle its impact on client pick-ups and drop-offs at the L.A. hub.
The new GCLA meeting format aims to strengthen its members’ sense of community Tonight’s meeting in San Francisco at the Embassy Suites-SFO Waterfront will similarly facilitate intimate conversations to exchange information: PUC Director of Enforcement Nick Zanjani, the landside manager of the San Francisco International Airport, and Harish Paaji of Bay Area Limo Repair will all be at one table where they can talk directly to operators who are looking to have either their feedback heard or their questions answered.
This also allows the GCLA to focus on the quality of its meetings instead of worrying about the details of planning an event.
“We’re dialing back the production: We really just need a room where people can get together with other operators and vendors,” Garrett explains. “They just need a place where they can get together and talk like they want to so they can exchange the information they need.”
As members’ priorities have shifted away from the ins and outs of dealing with TNCs and have settled on the more immediate issue of profitability, GCLA is adapting to offer its members the advice it needs to navigate a tough market.
“There isn’t really any clarity as to how to regain margin or volume, so people are looking to merge or sell or evolve their business, and they’re looking to us for help,” says Garrett.
To be of immediate assistance to its members, the association still manages the GCLA Hotline and Mentorship Program it introduced last year, where any questions will be addressed within 72 hours.
GCLA’s next meeting is in San Francisco tonight, then it heads to Santa Ana June 20.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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More than 70 individuals attended UMA’s annual Capitol Hill Days
More than 70 bus and motorcoach operators took to Washington, D.C., on April 25 and 26 for the United Motorcoach Association’s (UMA’s) annual Capitol Hill Days.
Prime Policy Group, UMA’s government relations firm, scheduled more than 300 individualized appointments for members to meet with their elected officials to discuss key legislative issues affecting the motorcoach industry.
With Rep. Scott Perry introducing H.R. 2120, a pro-growth legislative measure to enhance safety and rein in regulatory overreach, it was a top priority for members to meet with legislators, rally support for the measure, and urge co-sponsorship.
UMA’s key points for Congress this year focused on regulatory policies that the industry considers excessive, and advocacy for modernization and streamlining of Federal regulations to result in increased safety, growth for the industry, and expanding business opportunities for private operators to participate in their communities’ local transit and commuter programs—all of which H.R. 2120 does.
“United Motorcoach Association members are tired of being overregulated and underappreciated for the essential value they bring to the economy,” said UMA Chairman Dale Krapf of Krapf’s Coaches. “Every day, millions of people board motorcoaches to access jobs, health care, education, and tourism; each motorcoach represents 3.4 direct employment jobs and brings $7,000 to $11,000 in daily revenue to the communities in which they do overnight runs. A key objective ... is to leave no doubt in our elected leaders’ minds of the important economic impact our members make each day across the U.S.”
A UMA member speaks with a member of his representative’s office
The association also announced that Stacy Tetschner has been named its president and CEO, following a nationwide recruitment process that began this past fall. Tetschner began his tenure at UMA June 5. UMA’s Interim President and CEO Steven C. Klika will remain in place through the transition of the new chief executive officer.
Tetschner is an experienced and credentialed association professional who comes to UMA following 25 years at the National Speakers Association where he served as CEO for the past 18 years. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), as well as a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives (FASAE).
“Stacy embodies the strong leadership and strategic vision that the board was hoping for in our next chief executive. We are pleased to be able to attract a professional with his credentials and proven track record and we have high expectations for his ability to lead UMA into the future,” Krapf said. “This is an exciting time to be part of UMA because this organization has tremendous potential and we are looking forward to seeing our new president and CEO help us realize our vision.”
UMA President Stacy Tetschner
Leading the Arizona-based National Speakers Association (NSA) and the NSA Foundation, Tetschner transformed an organization from a club-like organization into a powerful national association with 3,500 members, a vibrant and growing social media presence, and a Foundation endowment that has grown to more than $3.5 million. By leveraging publishing opportunities and media appearances, he was able to position NSA as an industry leader with a national profile. Additionally, under his tenure, NSA saw exponential growth in its corporate sponsorship program.
Tetschner is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he has served on the board and as vice chairman of ASAE and the Center for Association Leadership. In addition, he has served as the Chairman of the Board and as a director for the Convention Industry Council.
The yearly UMA Safety Management Seminar will be from December 6-7 in Ashburn, Va., and registration is currently open for UMA Motorcoach Expo 2018 in San Antonio, Texas.
Visit uma.org for more information.
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The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) held its 15th annual fundraiser meeting and auction at the Wilshire Grand Hotel May 10. Among the more than 100 members and supporters in attendance at the packed-room event were CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela and Editor Rob Smentek.
Thanks to the event’s premier sponsors—Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Ford Motor Company, and Maple Crest Ford Lincoln—and months of hard work and planning by Complete Fleet’s Barry Trabb and Bruce Cirlin, the evening was a massive success with a record-setting $33,175 raised through the generosity of LANJ members and guests who took part in an auction, contributed to a 50/50 raffle, and donated cash to the association.
L to R: Pete Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach, Barb Chirico of Gem Limousine Worldwide, Tim Rose of Flyte Tyme Worldwide, Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide, Jim Moseley, Bob Schiavo of Albert’s
Transportation, and Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide
The total raised was an impressive 54-percent increase over the previous year’s impressive amount.
“We’re thrilled by the generosity of the association,” says Trabb. “It’s always great to see operators come together and have fun. We’re in for the fight of our lives with TNCs, so we need the industry to work together and support LANJ.”
Following a cocktail hour sponsored by Grech Motors, things got down to business as LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services Worldwide welcomed the more than 100 members, vendors, guests, and friends in attendance. Sharenow then invited Trabb and Cirlin to speak, followed by a few words from Craig Hall, national sales & marketing manager of the Ford Motor Company.
After a buffet dinner, the auction got underway thanks to auctioneer Pete Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach. Attendees bid on a wealth of items, including sports tickets, home electronics, gift certificates, wine baskets, and, for the first time, out-of-state airport transfers for the association’s affiliate members. CD also contributed a number of items to the auction, including a full-page ad, which was won by Trabb; a pass to this month’s Executive Retreat in San Francisco, which went to Daniel Arias of DLA Executive Limousine; and two passes to October’s CD Trade Show & Conference in Orlando, which saw Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide as the highest bidder.
LANJ members browsing auction items
Once the auction came to a close, Sharenow provided some recent legislative news affecting the state, and reminded members that this was the first meeting since the state “Limo Bill” went into effect, which eliminated sales tax for operators. Sharenow also updated the room on the status of the state’s background checks for TNCs. Uber has six months to propose a reasonable background check option, otherwise the onus will fall onto the N.J. State Police, who will likely require fingerprinting. Also, Essex Country legislators are seeking to require for-hire vehicles to get color-coded license plates; Sharenow said that LANJ is supporting this proposal.
Next, Pat Russo, an attorney from Windels, Marx, Lane & Mittendorf, shared news from New York’s ongoing TNC battles. While N.Y. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s support of TNCs in the upstate region paints something of a bleak picture for the ground transportation industry in the state, New York City continues to be the national model for effective regulation of for-hire vehicles.
CD Editor Rob Smentek (left) with Jon Epstein of Royal Coachman Worldwide
The evening ended on an emotional note when LANJ board members past and present honored former member Barb Chirico of Gem Limousine Worldwide for her years of loyal service to the association and the industry. She was welcomed with a standing ovation and given an award.
In statewide news, LANJ has been making a concentrated effort to bolster its membership of South Jersey companies, and has gained six new operators from the region in the past month alone. Borden Affordable Limousine Service of Woodbury, ETA Worldwide of Berlin, Joe’s Limousine Service of Mullica Hill, Lacey Limousines of Waretown, Riverfront Limousine Service of Penns Grove, and Thomas Limousine of Turnersville are the newest companies included among LANJ’s growing southern representation.
LANJ is also in the midst of planning its first golf outing, scheduled for September 18 at the Cherry Valley Country Club in Skillman. The association looks forward to making this an annual event that will attract operators from across the state.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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