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Boston — The Boston Celtics and the Massachusetts State Lottery honored their 2015-16 Heroes Among Us recipients at a State House ceremony today. The ceremony was attended by government officials, community leaders, and professional athletes, recognizing extraordinary deeds that ranged from saving lives to bettering the lives of the less fortunate.
The honorees were recognized by Celtics Co-Owner Bob Epstein, Boston Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk, Boston Celtics Assistant Coach Walter McCarty, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Charlie Baker, and Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Deborah Goldberg before a group of more than 150 invited guests. Celtics public address announcer Eddie Palladino was the emcee for the ceremony.
“I am honored to be here today to help celebrate the achievements of the 2015-16 Heroes Among Us,” said Epstein. “Each hero inspires us to continue improving the lives of others and our communities.”
“Through their collective commitment, perseverance and selflessness, these outstanding citizens of the Commonwealth are an inspiration to us all,” said Goldberg. “It is an honor to join in celebrating these true heroes who make our community a better place.”
More than 40 heroes, each of whom was celebrated at a Celtics home game during the season, were recognized individually before being called to the stage to receive congratulations from Epstein, Olynyk, McCarty, Baker, and Goldberg.
“Our fans always cheer for the team, but the loudest cheer of the night is always for the hero that is being recognized,” said Olynyk. “It is an honor to be here to help celebrate them.”
Also recognized at the event was Jerry Robbins, the owner of Weldon Worldwide Services of Auburndale, Mass., who regularly donates car service to the charity.
"With 18,000 fans in the building on game nights, our hope is to inspire many of them to serve others as a result of the Hero's story,” said Celtics Sr. Director of Community Engagement Dave Hoffman. “About 10 years ago, one of those inspired was Jerry Robbins. Jerry called the morning after a game and insisted on donating car service to every hero from then on. Since that day, Jerry and his company, Weldon Worldwide, has logged tens of thousands of miles getting award winners to and from each game. They have been so generous to us, our program and nominees. We are so grateful of our partners; the Massachusetts Lottery, Comcast SportNet, 98.5 the Sports Hub, our award winners and of course Weldon Worldwide in their commitment to this movement."
The Heroes Among Us program, created by the Celtics prior to the 1997-98 season, is sponsored by the Massachusetts State Lottery and supported by Comcast SportsNet New England , and 98.5 The SportsHub.
Visit celtics.com for more information.
[CD0816]
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GOLA Director Ed Alonso of Corporate Worldwide Transportation, Secretary Marlene Levin of Sweetwater Limousine, VP/Treasurer Al Castagna of Quick Transportation, Trade Member Director Lew Robbins of Advantage Funding, CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, and President Cliff Wright of Royal Coach and Limousine
Orlando — The Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA) welcomed 25 attendees—including CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela—to its August 9 meeting at the Florida Mall’s Olive Garden, which was livestreamed on Facebook with some help from Jeremy Levin of Sweetwater Limousine and featured vehicles on display in the venue’s parking lot.
Early in the meeting, President Cliff Wright of Royal Coach and Limousine announced that the association is planning to help Chauffeur Driven promote its 2017 Show in Orlando, expressing excitement that the annual trade show will be returning to Florida before introducing both Jagiela and Vision of Flight President and CEO Mike McKenzie as the evening’s special guests.
As social media ups its claim on the marketing realm, associations’ overall digital presences are undergoing massive overhauls—including GOLA’s. Its website has been redesigned and relaunched recently to increase its consumer appeal and will be receiving the same attention the association’s Facebook page will, too.
Members discussed the Pulse nightclub tragedy and their involvement in the aftermath. In the wake of the June shooting, many GOLA members were quick to provide transportation services for the impacted families at no charge, expressing their desire to help in the way most immediately available to them.
CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela (left) and CD Show Pass winner Tommy Wright of Royal Coach and Limousine
McKenzie, who’s also a past GOLA president, offered his assistance in helping to fine-tune the association’s vision of the future. He also provided an overview of his new company, which aims to introduce students to aviation/aerospace opportunities and careers through an interactive program.
Lew Robbins of Advantage Funding, GOLA’s vendor member of the month, spoke about what kind of services his company offers to the industry and discussed the importance of thinking about and planning for foreseeable future purchases in advance. He also stressed the importance of turning to financing companies earlier in the buying process, as they can help get all of the necessary paperwork in order well ahead of time.
The monthly vendor highlights are an opportunity to demonstrate their importance to the association membership and the role they play in the industry. Cassie Tom from Nations Bus Sales will be next month’s feature vendor partner.
Jagiela then addressed the crowd, echoing the importance of operators and vendors unifying in order to strengthen the national industry, which he also commented on in regard to his opportunities to visit with operators and associations throughout the country. He encouraged members to continue participating on the playing field rather than sitting idly by on the sidelines before detailing upcoming Chauffeur Driven events and the benefits they offer. He then raffled off a pass to the 2016 CD Show in Washington, D.C., which was won by Tommy Wright of Royal Coach and Limousine.
The next GOLA meeting will be held September 13.
Visit the newly redesigned getaroundorlando.com for more information.
[CD0816]
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L to R: David Bastian of Towne Livery, Kevin Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine, Ira Goldstein of the Black Car Fund/BCAC, and Berj Haroutunian of Vital Transportation
Buffalo, N.Y. — Members of the Limousine, Bus, Taxi Operators of Upstate New York (LBTOUNY) met for their summer meeting Saturday, August 13. The annual sojourn took place at Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bisons, where nearly 40 members, their families, and friends of the association gathered in the Towne Livery-sponsored suite for what President Kevin Barwell of Giorgio’s Limousine referred to as an “abbreviated meeting” before the start of the baseball game. Heavy rains canceled the game, but the group still enjoyed some stadium treats and some good company. Managing Editor Susan Rose also attended.
After some quick association updates, TNCs and a legislative update were at the top of the docket. Barwell says that they may not have had the success they wanted in this last legislative session, which ended this summer, but they are ramping up to continue the fight when the next session begins again in January.
“Our representatives seem like they are being pressured. They are seeing the facts, but when you have a lot of people—the general public—who don’t realize the safety concerns with TNCs, then it’s a problem,” says Barwell. “I remember hearing a woman say that she could get everywhere now because of TNCs, and I just shook my head. She could get everywhere before. What is ‘now’ is that taxi operators are going to be Uber drivers.”
Barwell says that the association does have the support of some of the members of the Assembly like Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, whom he said was on record calling Uber “bullies.”
David Bastian captures a video of a Lincoln Continental test drive
“At the end of this last session, Assemblyman Cahill remarked that Uber comes into an area, tries to bully their way, and then turns it around so that they are the victims. He said: ‘We’re not going to cower and be take advantage of,’ so we have some allies in Albany.”
LBTOUNY is using the coming months to reaffirm its support with other state associations and the taxi industry. “We’re looking at our options right now in between the sessions and there are a lot of things that we’re probably going to go after, especially insurance and criminal background checks—those are very important things that we need to address,” he says.
Barwell also noted some local victories, including the quashing of a permit required for groups who rent and intend to host parties aboard buses. Noting the last-minute nature of the industry and the limitation of government office hours, Barwell was more red tape that safety-related. He also said that the association members are working with local wineries on policies and protocol that benefit both operators and the wineries in an effort to curb lewd behavior by inebriated passengers imbibing at several stops along the wine trail.
CD’s Susan Rose also raffled a ticket to the 2016 Chauffeur Driven Show in Washington, D.C., this October 9-12, which was won by none other than Barwell.
LBTOUNY President Kevin Barwell won the pass to the CD Show in D.C. this October
The meeting was held on the heels of Towne Livery’s Continental ride n’ drive event. The two-day event began Friday night at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a classic theater in downtown Buffalo. Hosted and organized by David Bastian of Towne Livery, nearly 200 livery and retail customers were on hand for the unveiling of the brand-new black Lincoln Continental—the first chance for anyone to see it up close and personal. Bastian, who live posted many videos during the catered event, says that he was thrilled with the turnout.
The following morning, many operators and retail customers not only had the opportunity to sit in the Continental and check out its many features, but to take it for an actual test drive. The sign-ups, which began the previous evening at the reveal, were completely full despite the rain that moved in during the afternoon. Starting at the Towne Lincoln dealership in Orchard Park, participants enjoyed 15-minute guided test drives highlighting all of the amenities of Lincoln’s new flagship. The enthusiastic reactions were captured by GoPro cameras that were mounted in several spots within the vehicle. You can see more photos and videos from the event at facebook.com/david.b.livery. Also check out more photos on the Chauffeur Driven Facebook page (goo.gl/PwCkCf) and in the next issue of the magazine.
The Continental is expected to hit dealerships in early fall and has already attracted the attention of a few large operators, chief among them Dav El/BostonCoach CEO Scott Solombrino, who announced last month that he would be adding the iconic nameplate to his fleet.
Visit lbtony.com for more information about the association. Visit townelivery.com for more information about the upcoming Continental.