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The CFLA embraced its February 14 meeting date with a Valentine’s Day theme
Orlando — The Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA) celebrated Valentine’s Day during its February 14 meeting, with attendees decked out in red, holiday-appropriate decorations dotting the Signature Transportation Group meeting locale, and a smorgasbord of sweets—including homemade snacks and a chocolate fountain.
With the association approaching the anniversary of its inception, the CFLA continues to expand its influence by working with Eddie St. Clair from Port Canaveral Port Authority. The working relationship aims to find a better way to serve the transportation companies operating there, with CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch now sitting on the board of Florida’s fastest-growing cruise port.
CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch with newest board member Ryan Hilberth
The meeting saw the internal operations of CFLA expand, as it was announced that Rental Limo/Book.limo founder and CEO Ryan Hilberth was named its first vendor director. The addition was inspired by an initiative to build up CFLA benefits while also improving membership numbers as a whole.
“I am so confident that Ryan can help us all grow the CFLA, as well as our businesses at the same time, and we are absolutely thrilled to announce that he is joining our board,” Kleefisch said.
Hilberth was also the meeting’s guest speaker, who discussed how his products can help clients maximize the earning potential of their fleets—and announced a CFLA membership benefits program by offering extended 60-day free trials to members who are interested in becoming Rental Limo or Book.limo customers.
While the association typically convenes on the second Tuesday of each month, the next CFLA meeting will be March 7.
Visit the new cfliveryassociation.org for more information.
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President & CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach Scott Solombrino
Boston — Marcou Transportation Group (MTG), the parent company of Dav El/BostonCoach, recently announced the acquisition of GroundLink and software provider to the limousine industry, Limo Anywhere.
The addition of GroundLink to the organization will help to finalize their direct on-demand product for the corporate travel space. MTG and its affiliates will now be able to provide Fortune 1000 companies with an on-demand solution that will meet both their standards of compliance and corporate travel needs. As part of MTG’s Duty of Care, the company will continue to perform the extensive background checks and testing expected from corporate clients. The addition of the GroundLink distribution channel will immediately benefit from the increased capacity and geographic advantage of MTG’s existing global network.
“Our acquisition of these separate and unique technology platforms is a game changer for the industry,” said Scott Solombrino, Marcou Transportation Group spokesperson and president & CEO of Dav El/BostonCoach. “These companies provide us the opportunity to directly compete with the TNCs, as they try to infiltrate the corporate travel market, and will allow the industry to compete in the on-demand market faster than originally anticipated. The implementation of auto dispatch and geospatial pricing can now be integrated into our already existing product to roll out the industry’s first on-demand service in the corporate market.”
MTG is taking measures to ensure that the Limo Anywhere software platform, which is a provider to thousands of operators throughout the world, remains a leading platform available to the chauffeured ground transportation industry. With developers all over the world, including India, Serbia, Ukraine and America, MTG will have the largest development team in the industry, which is necessary to level the playing field with the TNCs.
“We are thrilled to have a strategic investor that will help to advance the technology on our existing platforms,” said Liz Carisone, CEO of GroundLink.
According to Solombrino, “This will give companies using the Limo Anywhere software platform the opportunity to integrate and transact business in an easier and more efficient manner and to provide growth to their companies. The combined network of companies will give us the largest footprint of legitimate and compliant chauffeured car operators in the world.”
Liz Carisone and Mark Gentry, president of Limo Anywhere, will remain with the company and in their current roles. Limo Anywhere will remain independent and separate from the chauffeured car operations.
Terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed.
Visit bostoncoach.com for more information.
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San Francisco — ICARS, a B2B mobile app and web platform that connects corporate clients to professional, licensed chauffeurs, has purchased the assets of Limos.com, a leading transportation provider network and marketplace that connects consumers and corporations via web and mobile with professional chauffeured rides.
The deal closed in the beginning of January, with integration of platforms expected to be completed by the end of February. This will result in a single online interface that offers on-demand, near-demand, and future reservation services.
Limos.com has raised over $20 million in equity and has close to three million visitors per year, plus 4.5 million users in its database. Gary Bauer, chairman and CEO, forecasts the venture will generate $65 million to $70 million in earnings for 2017.
“We’re picking up major corporate accounts to drive business to small and medium operators. All leads from iCARS and Limos.com will be pushed to partner operators. You don’t have to be one of the top five operators to get work from these large companies.” He adds that the combined iCARS and Limos.com will now be able to serve more business travelers and leisure clients with executive car service backed by the duty of care that iCARS is built on.
“For the 1,000 operators already signed up with Limos.com, it’s business as usual,” Bauer says, “except they will have more opportunities for leads coming from iCARS, which before the merger, had access to a network of 6,000 limousine fleet vehicles.”
Edward Silver, iCARS president, will oversee the combined operations from its San Francisco-based headquarters.
“For our major travel management companies and corporate accounts around the globe, this acquisition means we can service their needs anywhere immediately,” says Silver. “We work with corporate accounts of all sizes including several that do 75,000 to 100,000 trips per year. I’ve spoken to many of them and all are excited about the combined iCARS and Limos.com venture.”
Silver adds, “We welcome the Limos.com team to our extended family and look forward to serving the marketplace with this new B2B global network.”
Visit icars.cc or limos.com for more information.
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