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CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine in Indiatlantic, Fla. calls the meeting to order
Orlando, Fla. — Despite a torrential tropical storm, the Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA) recently held a general meeting on September 13. Hosted by the VIP Transportation Group, more than 20 members, vendors, and guests were in attendance, including newly promoted CD Editor Rob Smentek.
CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine and Vice President Gregg Moulton of Orlando Select Transportation opened the meeting by welcoming the group, and by sharing the regrets of members who were unable to attend due to the weather.
After the minutes from the previous meeting were approved, Kleefisch introduced the meeting’s first guest, Tom Draper, Director of Airport Ops with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). Draper’s lengthy and information-packed presentation provided an extensive overview of happenings at the Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Show pass winner Brian T.Q. Bacchus of Luxury Rides in Orlando (left) with CD Editor Rob Smentek
Draper shared that he and GOAA are largely on the side of the chauffeured ground transportation industry when it comes to TNCs, and they are continuing to work to even the playing field. GOAA has strict regulations for vehicles picking up passengers, and they are actively ticketing UberX drivers. Several CFLA members expressed their concerns with what they believe are inconsistency with enforcement at the airport’s ground transportation lot, but Draper pledged that he’d be willing to assist with any issues personally and provided the group with his direct contact information. He also shared GOAA’s plans for a new garage currently in construction at MCO that will hopefully alleviate many of the parking concerns.
Next, Kleefisch introduced the next speaker, Andrea M. Brasoveanu, president of American Corporate Security Investigations. Brasoveanu emphasized the importance of a comprehensive background check for chauffeurs, and provided an overview of her firm’s services. She also made the group aware about the trend of workplace violence, which is currently on the rise. Before concluding, she offered CFLA members free consultations to assist with any security or fraud issues currently faced by the operators.
After a few quick words from vendor guests Brent Phillips of Matthews Buses and Matt Clements of Professional Insurance Center, Kleefisch introduced Smentek. He thanked the group for the warm welcome—which included homemade cookies in the shape of Chauffeur Driven’s logo, courtesy of Maria Palie of GNS Transportation group—and then spoke about the upcoming CD show in Washington D.C. With much of the group familiar with the annual show, Smentek concentrated on new events like the Benchmark Breakout sessions, the revamped Women in the Industry seminar, and the new show floor hours. To close the meeting, Smentek raffled a free show pass, which was won by Brian T.Q. Bacchus of Luxury Rides Orlando.
The next CFLA meeting is scheduled for October 18th.
For more information about the association, email cfla2016@gmail.com or call 321.360.6090.
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CD Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela (left) with Lucky Adlike of Pulley Limousine, one of ALA’s newest members and winner of the 2016 CD Show pass
Tempe, Ariz. — When the Arizona Limousine Association (ALA) met up for its September 13 meeting, roughly 30 attendees were on hand for a day of guest speakers and general updates. CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela was among those present for the still-growing association’s morning gathering at the Mexican restaurant El Hefe.
Jon Luisi of meeting sponsor MiCamp Solutions, a merchant processing service, was the first speaker of the day and discussed how his company offers funding to the chauffeured ground transportation industry.
Jagiela then spoke about CD’s upcoming show in Washington, D.C., as well as outlined all the ways it strives to be a premium resource for the industry through its events and magazine. He also encouraged those in attendance to continue unifying in their efforts to maintain chauffeured transportation’s integrity and hold TNCs accountable for passenger safety, as being one voice with one message will go farther with local legislators and regulators.
He also raffled off a pass to the 2016 CD Show, which was won by Lucky Adlike of Pulley Limousine. As Adlike was attending the meeting as a guest, he had to first join the association to accept his prize, resulting in an all-around win-win situation.
ALA President Jeff Conly of Vitesse Worldwide then discussed the association’s rising membership stats—33 operators and 11 vendors—as well as other logistical elements and information that come with restarting a previously dormant regional association, like optimal meeting times and benefits of membership. As the ALA just began meeting again earlier in 2016, the association is working toward establishing itself in its region and is pursuing marketing opportunities to keep recruiting members.
The board members of the ALA
Members then sounded off about the continuing onslaught of TNCs in Arizona’s markets, especially around its Sky Harbor International Airport. It was reported that they make 67,000 airport trips in just 45 days—whereas taxis and the airport SuperShuttle combined reported only marginally more business in that same timeframe with 80,000 trips, down from between 20 and 30 percent of the ride counts they saw a year ago.
Toward the end of the meeting, a one-year ALA membership was raffled off to encourage guest attendees to join, which was won by Dennis Bietry of Valley Limousine.
The next ALA meeting will be held October 11.
Visit azlimousineassociation.com for more information.
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Livingston, N.J.—The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) is pleased to announce the first LANJ Vendor Member Appreciation Day, which will be held on September 28, at the Cedar Hill Country Club. Sponsored by Cadillac Professional Vehicles, this luncheon event will showcase the association’s vendor members.
“At the beginning of the year, our membership committee started discussing a way to express appreciation to LANJ’s vendor members, said LANJ Executive Director Patricia Nelson. “Our vendor members are supportive of us and generous both with their time and monetarily. This event is designed to give them additional value for their membership.”
For all intents and purposes, the Vendor Member Appreciation day will be a mini-trade show with each participating vendor having a tabletop to display products and/or promotional materials. Also, each manufacturer and dealer will have outside space (in addition to the tabletop) to stage up to two vehicles. There are currently 27 vendor members participating, and more than 20 vehicles expected to be displayed.
LANJ President Jason Sharenow
In addition to the networking and display aspect, there will be a panel discussion featuring a Jeff Brodsly from Chosen Payments, Gary Bauer from iCars, Rich Ackerman from the P.A. Post Agency, and a representative from Cadillac. Each will speak a bit about their services and participate in a Q&A with attendees.
Promotion for the event will be extensive with approximately 100 attendees expected. A printed program to include a description of each vendor’s products and/or services and full contact information will be distributed to the guests.
While the Vendor Member Appreciation Day is free to attend and lunch is complimentary, the event is solely open to operators. No outside vendors will be permitted.
To register, contact Nelson via email at patricia.nelson103@gmail.com.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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