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Members of CFLA at its most recent meeting
Orlando — In the wake of the horrific tragedies that have impacted the Orlando area over the past week, the Central Florida Limousine Association (CFLA) has demonstrated solidarity and strength to its community. At its most recent meeting--and second ever since its inception--the group strategically planned how they were going to be help the families that were directly involved, including working with funeral homes and local carrier JetBlue to assist with transportation of loved ones.
The incident at Pulse nightclub unfolded during the early morning hours of June 12, and claimed the lives of 49 men and women with an additional 53 injured. The majority of victims were sent to the Orlando Regional Medical Center, where many are still recovering. CFLA members have been lending their support to those families to and from the airport, and most recently, with funerals. Many area operators donated their services to the families and sadly had to navigate through local protests in some cases.
"The Central Florida Livery Association would like to send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims of this terrible act of terrorism," said CFLA President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine. "We send our condolences to VIP Transportation Group and Destination MCO, as both companies were directly affected. Please contact via cell or email so we can help."
For more information about the association, email cfla2016@gmail.com or call 321.360.6090.
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2016 will see the winds of change blowing through our nation’s capital—and our flagship event will be no exception. After literally taking our show on the road for nearly 2,000 attendees in 2015, we’ll be coming back to the Northeast just in time for the most history-making presidential election ever.
This year’s host property is the stunning and newly renovated Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel—which will also be the site of our latest hotel takeover, with the staggering majority of rooms reserved for our guests. Directly across the street, you’ll find the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, where the latest products and most in-demand services from more than 130 vendors will be displayed in 115,000 square feet of space. Best of all, no shuttles!
While the schedule is being fleshed out, here’s a sneak peek at two incredible events we have planned. First, we debut our Benchmark Breakouts for 2016, which is based on the popular 20-group concept. Here’s how it works: Operators can pick from a number of different groups, where they will interact with 11 other like-minded operators from non-competing markets to share ideas and come up with solutions to business challenges. Each of the groups (listed below) will be broken down by revenue or type of staff, and have a moderator present for a structured, but open, exchange in a private meeting room.
The categories for our Benchmark Breakouts are:
- Less than $2 Million in Gross Annual Revenue
- $2-5 Million in Gross Annual Revenue
- Over $5 Million in Gross Annual Revenue
- Affiliate Managers
- Operations Managers
- International Operators
- Motorcoach Operators
- Retail Operators
- DOT Compliance
Our 2016 mentors are:- Robert Alexander, President/CEO of RMA Worldwide
- Sam Amato, President/Founder of Gateway Global
- Maurice Brewster, President/Founder of Mosaic Global Transportation
- Alan Candeub, President of Park Avenue Limousine
- Eric Devlin, President of Premier Transportation
- Jon Epstein, President of Royal Coachman Worldwide
- Mike Fogarty, CEO North America of Tristar Worldwide
- Kim Garner, President/Co-Owner of BEST Transportation
- Dan Goff, General Manager of A Goff Limousine & Bus Company
- Joe Ironi, President of Global Alliance Worldwide
- George Jacobs, President of Windy City Limousine
- Kyara Kahakauwila, VP Operations of LA Limousines
- Steve Qua, President of Company Car & Limousine
- Tracy Raimer, President/Founder of Your Private Limousine
- Ron Stein, President/CEO of Exclusive Sedan Service
- Mike Zappone, CEO of All Transportation Network
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CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador and VLA Executive Director Philip Jagiela (left) with John Oulton of Richmond Limousine, who won a pass to CD’s Show in Washington, D.C.
Fredericksburg, Va. —More than 30 people turned out for Virginia Limousine Association’s (VLA’s) June 6 meeting at Stafford Regional Airport, including CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, who also serves as the association’s Executive Director.
The meeting kicked off with both internal housekeeping and a few vendor presentations, with Jack Rolfe and Joe Laila of Georgetown Insurance and Brian O’Neill and Steve Mullen of Wolfington Body Company each discussing their respective companies and the services they provide—and offering raffle prizes to a few lucky winners, too.
Barbara Arkwright, who is Head of Enforcement of Passenger Carriers at the Department of Motor Vehicles Department (DMV) and has attended VLA meetings in the past, spoke about the agency’s experience with TNCs. She spoke about how the DMV has looked into numerous complaints about the likes of Uber and Lyft: 240 total inspections, 182 complaints, and 81 violations since April 2016 (in comparison, passenger carriers have seen 131 inspections, 59 complaints, and 114 violations during that same time).
Arkwright also discussed Uber and Wal-Mart working together to arrange deliveries, as well as how some TNCs are in direct violation of current Virginia Legislative Assembly code by attempting to offer pre-arranged services. Toward the end of her presentation, it was acknowledged that few ride-sharing vehicles are displaying the “trade dress” that identifies them, which complicates the process of catching illegal operators.
L to R: VLA Secretary Randy Allen of James Limousine Service, Jack Rolfe of Georgetown Insurance, VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation, and CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador and VLA Executive Director Philip Jagiela
Virginia FREE President Chris Saxman also addressed the VLA about the importance of persistence. Because of his family-business background, he has personal experience with what it’s like for a small organization to rail against a larger, wealthier operation; additionally, Saxman represented an organization that supports statewide companies of all sizes “to ensure that the General Assembly is receptive and responsive to the interests of free enterprise.”
Saxman went on to emphasize how crucial it is to maintain relationships beyond the industry, especially with local and state legislators—and that coming to their elected officials with a clear, concise message will serve them well in their battle against TNCs. He further advised members who pursue lobbying efforts to draw attention to how the operational nature of TNCs bypasses tax revenue for the state, as they don’t have local bases the way taxi and livery vehicles do.
Jagiela also spoke, both about VLA matters like the association’s new website and its benefits and on behalf of Chauffeur Driven. He raffled off a pass to the 2016 CD Show in Washington, D.C., October 9-12, which was won by John Oulton of Richmond Limousine.
VLA’s next meeting will be August 1 in Charlottesville.
Visit the association’s newly redesigned website at vla-limo.org for more information.
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