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L to R: TLPA U.S. Vice President Mike Pinckard of Total Transit, Bill George of Kansas City Transportation Group, TLPA Director Jeb Corey of C & H Taxi, and TLPA President Dwight Kines of Transdev
Toronto — Passenger transportation for-hire industry leaders from around the world headed to Toronto from July 20-23 for the Taxicab, Limousine and Paratransit (TLPA) Mid-Year International Leadership Conference, headed by association President Dwight Kines of Transdev. After attendees picked up their conference badges, they were welcomed at an open-bar cocktail reception sponsored by #Taxi/The Ride. Event-goers then enjoyed a free evening to familiarize themselves with Toronto and enjoy dinner on their own.
The first General Session kicked off the morning of July 21. Karhoo sponsored the AV equipment and meeting room where Kines welcomed attendees with an update about TLPA activities before Matt Ranen of Ranen Counsulting presented “Results of TNC versus Taxi/Livery App Platforms Study.” Attendees returned after a short morning break and listened to TLPA members Jeb Corey, Bill George, and Mike Pinckard share “Implementation of Alternative Business Models” before the group broke for a lunch sponsored by The Black Car Fund.
In the second General Session, John Boit of Melwood Global, TLPA’s Public Relations firm, updated attendees on the Who's Driving You and Fleet Forward initiatives. Later, Jeb Corey and Megan Bullock presented “National Marketing Report and Proposal.”TLPA members and conference sponsors Nick Quain of #Taxi/The Ride, Ira Goldstein of The Black Car Fund, Tarek Mallah of Karhoo, and Gilles Gomis of eCab made brief presentations about their products and services to the group.
Attendees at the TLPA Mid-Year International Leadership Conference held in Toronto
An afternoon break was followed by Matthew Daus of Windels Marx speaking about “The Expanding TNC Equity Gap.” Reports were given from the Strategic Planning Task Force, Legislative/Regulatory Policy by Ed Kargbo, Responding to TNCs by Bill Rouse, and TLPA Organizational Ideas by Bill Scalzi. The packed afternoon concluded promptly at 4:30 p.m.—giving attendees another evening opportunity to explore the conference’s beautiful host city.
Friday morning began with a TLPA Board Meeting to discuss association business and a breakfast sponsored by eCab. After that, previously registered attendees for a special event were invited to present their tickets to board The Challenge, a 96-foot chartered sailboat, for a sail through Toronto Harbor. It was a welcome way to relax and adjourn the conference before the attendees returned to locales as far away as Australia and Europe to apply what they had learned during the conference.
TLPA’s next event will be its 98th Annual Convention & Trade Show, held October 31-November 4 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Visit tlpa.org for more information.
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CD’s Director of Events Jess Pavlow and Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela
Crozet, Va. — In vino veritas. More than 20 members and guests of the Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) got to put this old adage to the test at a recent general meeting held August 1 at the Prince Michel Winery. Among the turnout were Chauffeur Driven’s Director of Events Jess Pavlow and Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, who also serves as the VLA’s executive director.
Following a short networking session, VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation called the meeting to order by welcoming attendees and introducing the event’s vendor guest speakers, which included Joe Lalla of Georgetown Insurance and CD’s Pavlow. Walsh then took a moment to recognize former VLA Treasurer Pam Tripp by presenting her (in absentia) with a special recognition plague for her years of service on behalf of the association.
Winner of the 2016 CD Show Pass Richard Minter of Commonwealth Chauffeur & Concierge
After a few words on the benefits of being involved in an association from meeting sponsor Andrea Saathoff of Albermarle Limousine in Charlottesville, Va., guest speaker Barbara Arkwright, director of enforcement for VA Department of Motor Vehicles, was invited to speak. Arkwright shared DMV statistics relating to the chauffeured ground transportation industry. She noted that the department investigated more than 1,000 passenger carrier incidents, made 248 arrests, and issued over 1,900 Compliance Advisory Notices, which included warning letters and letters notifying carriers they were in compliance at the time they encountered one of our Agents. Furthermore, nine assessments were issued by DMV Motor Carrier Services, totaling $7,000.
Arkwright’s presentation was followed by representatives of the Prince Michel Winery, including Owner/CEO Kristen Holzman, Sales Manager Caitlin Powers, and GM/Wine Maker Brad Hansen. They gave a rundown of their operation and offered details of their accommodations for winery tours. The winery hopes to add the VLA as a “partner” on their new website.
VLA Secretary Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine next provided the group with a legislative report that detailed full NLA activity, including a summary of the NLA Day on the Hill, which happened earlier this spring. He then shared news that a major corporation is requiring their employees to use TNCs as a cost-cutting measure. This news further elucidated the struggles faced by the association. Walsh then followed up with additional news, including the recent Virginia state requirement for TNCs to display “trade dress” on their vehicles. He also encouraged all members to get involved with the fight for legislative equity.
VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation
Next, the VLA held their board meeting onsite. Ben Mercer, the chairman of the association’s election committee, thanked Jagiela and VLA Treasurer Randy Allen of James Limousine for their assistance with the voting process. Mercer then referenced the establishment of a by-law committee that will address irregularities discovered during the election process. After ballots were distributed and collected, it was announced that Walsh, Stafford, and Allen will keep their positions on the board.
Before the meeting was adjourned and the group headed out to the wine tasting room, the association held two raffles. First, Betty Callahan of Bay Breeze Limousine won the evening’s 50/50, then Richard Minter of Commonwealth Chauffeur & Concierge was named the winner of a show pass to the Chauffeur Driven Show in Washington, D.C., where the VLA will hold their next meeting October 12.
Visit vla-limo.org for more information.
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Scott Solombrino and David Seelinger
Denver — Dav El/BostonCoach Transportation Network and EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services announced at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) annual convention that they have joined forces, along with several hundred of their affiliates, to create an app for an extensive on-demand fleet of luxury cars. The app will be launched in New York City, followed by a systematic roll out in destinations across the U.S.
According to the press release, the new app will provide corporate clients and consumers with the convenience of tap-and-ride style transportation with an unmatched level of service and safety measures (including background checks, drug testing, insurance, defensive driver training, etc.) that are only available from companies that have spent years training and managing professional chauffeurs.
“This is an exciting time in the chauffeured car industry,” said Scott Solombrino, president and CEO, Dav El/BostonCoach. “It is extremely important to both companies that our clients continue to receive the highest level of customer care they have always enjoyed, while at the same time have access to the immediacy of on-demand technology that smartphones and portable devices can now provide.”
“Our new on-demand service will streamline the process for clients to book rides with us and our affiliates,” said EmpireCLS Chairman and CEO David Seelinger. “The app is our safe solution for clients who need last-minute transportation and have high expectations for the quality of their ride.”
More details on the app and location service implementation will be announced at a later date.
Visit bostoncoach.com and empirecls.com for more information.
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