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Get ready to strut. It’s with less than TWO WEEKS until our Executive Retreat kicks off in the Crescent City, New Orleans! Because our Retreat is specifically tailored for operators of ALL sizes to network in a casual environment, it’s limited to only 200 operators overall. And it’s not just for the “big” guys out there: Although many of the leading operators from across the country have already registered, it’s an excellent opportunity for small and midsize operators to network with their peers without too much time away from the office. There’s also plenty of fun and unique activities planned so that it’s actually more like a working vacation that benefits your business. Score!
Sounds amazing, right? With only 30 passes left, you’d be crazy to pass up this opportunity.
Here’s what we have in store: four world-class education sessions, three of which feature dynamic, engaging speakers from outside the industry; private events like our Steamboat Natchez dinner cruise and dinner at Mardi Gras World; two nights of the hottest live music on iconic Bourbon and Frenchmen streets; carriage tours of the historic French Quarter, most of your meals and drinks included, and so much more. The education alone is worth the price of admission!
On Monday, we launch our program with “Brand Harmony: Communicate a Story That Drives Business Results,” which will guide you in identifying, embracing, and aligning your brand with your overall sales and business development strategy. Speaker Steve Yastrow, founder of marketing firm Yastrow and Company, has a passion for creating revolutionary sales and marketing systems that yield major profit breakthroughs. He also has an understanding of the hospitality industry through his former position at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts.
Monday’s second session is “10 Minutes to a More Profitable Website/5 Things Your Website Is Trying to Tell You” with speaker Matt Weber, CEO of ROAR! Internet Marketing. Based on research on what motivates people to take certain actions on a website, you’ll leave with pages full of notes on how to make your website a more effective lead generator. Weber will also use real examples from members of the audience’s websites.
After a group breakfast on Tuesday, we immediately kick off the day with “Priced for Profit: How to Calculate and Determine if a Vehicle, Run or Even a Client Is Making You Money.” This session will help you identify what services and customers are profitable by weighing their financial pros and cons. You’ll be able to determine what—and who—is either filling your coffers or decreasing your margins so you can move ahead accordingly. Speakers Mike Campbell of Grace Limousine and Ron Sorci of Professional Consulting Resources will share their knowledge and know-how from decades of industry experience in running their own businesses to make sure that you are maximizing your company’s potential.
Kristen Carroll—who is also co-chair of our education committee and helped to create this entire program—and Christina Davis of The LMC Group spearhead our final session, “The Termination Process: How to Protect Your Ass-ets.” This is something that any operator can relate to; Carroll and Davis will give advice on how to make firing an employee a little less painful and to minimize the damage done when severing a professional relationship.
Get registered today! Visit neworleansretreat.com to register now.
Many thanks again to all of our generous sponsors, including Platinum Sponsors Turtle Top and the Tenney Group, for making the event possible.
Visit neworleansretreat.com for the latest updates and information. Have questions? Give our Director of Events Jess Pavlow a call at 856.452.0323.
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New York — The National Limousine Association (NLA) recently issued a nationwide survey on the subjects of safety and communications in the private ground transportation industry in an effort to learn more about the thoughts and opinions of the general public following the horrific shooting spree by an on-duty Uber driver in Michigan last month. The survey, conducted online by Harris Poll and commissioned by the NLA in February 2016 among over 2,000 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, revealed that an overwhelming 93% of consumers feel they should be able to contact a car service operator or dispatcher in real-time if they do not feel safe during a car service ride. Additionally, 9 in 10 said passengers of all car services should have the ability to speak to a live customer service operator or dispatcher at any time and 85% of consumers believe that it should be the sole responsibility of the car service provider to discipline or relieve a driver of their duties if they are driving or behaving in an unsafe manner. These results have prompted the announcement of the NLA’s 2016 Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C on April 26-27.
Gary Buffo, NLA President
“The tragic and horrific acts committed in Kalamazoo are the latest in a string of incidents involving ride-hailing service drivers, many of which could have been avoided or averted with due diligence and basic communications protocols,” said Scott Solombrino, NLA co-founder. “Without suitably comprehensive background checks to prevent unfit drivers from getting behind the wheel or reliable early-warning standards and practices to monitor, respond, and react to potentially dangerous driver situations, these services are putting passengers, drivers, and the general public at risk. As the survey results illustrate, the public overwhelmingly believes that car service users should have access to a live customer service operator, which ride-hailing application services, such as Uber and Lyft, do not provide. This lack of real-time communications with these service providers is putting the lives of millions in our communities at risk, including drivers, passengers, and the general public.”
Scott Solombrino, NLA Co-Founder
The NLA plans to meet with legislators and decision makers in Washington next month in order to raise awareness and garner support for the universal safety, privacy and accountability standards so profoundly needed in the industry.
“The NLA and its members understand and champion customer service as a cornerstone of our business, and value personal contact and relationships, both with drivers and passengers, as one of the most critical aspects of their responsibility as transportation providers,” adds Gary Buffo, NLA president. “The ability to identify, address and rectify customer, employee and safety issues, in order to offer exemplary service, is the mission of our members and their organizations, and a mission that we feel is glaringly absent from the agenda of ride-hailing services, which all too often leads to disastrous consequences. We urge our legislative leaders to consider improved accountability and uniformity for background checks and access to live customer service operators, for all related personnel, to maximize safety for consumers, employees and others on the highways and roads.”
In other news, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently called for fingerprint scans and background checks for drivers of TNCs and limousine services in Los Angeles following the arrest of an Uber driver for the alleged rape of a passenger.
"In little more than three weeks, two Uber drivers have been charged with heinous and severely violent crimes, resulting in six deaths, two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, eight firearms violations, and rape,” said Buffo. “Deeply committed to the safety of our streets and our citizens, the NLA supports Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. Council President Herb Wesson, and Councilman Paul Krekorian's call for fingerprint scans and background checks for drivers of all private ground transportation, both prearranged services and ride-hailing apps. We insist that all drivers and operators assume the same level of accountability."
The NLA is encouraging TNC companies to follow suit, as the adoption of regulations such as these set a vital precedent for ride-hailing services and the “sharing economy” as a whole.
"The growing push for fingerprint scans and background checks by legislators and law enforcement officials across the nation reflects our goal of effecting universal standards and best practices for car service drivers and operators through the Ride Responsibly initiative," said Buffo. "We must do all that we can to prevent crimes like these from becoming regular occurrences."
Visit limo.org for more information.
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VLA’s new Executive Director Philip Jagiela (left) with VLA President Paul Walsh of Superior Executive Transportation Richmond, Va. — The Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) has hired PALM Association Management and Consulting to manage the operations of their association. Industry veteran, Philip Jagiela, will fill the role as executive director for their association.
With more than three decades of experience in a range of roles throughout the industry, Jagiela will manage the day-to-day operations of the association and streamline the association’s communications. Prior to his current positions as executive director of the Colorado Limousine Association and Florida Limousine Association and industry & brand ambassador for Chauffeur Driven, Jagiela ran his own limousine company for 25 years. He previously served as the long-time president of Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association (PRLA) prior to his role as Executive Director of the National Limousine Association for over two years.
Jagiela’s first order of business will be to create a new interactive website for the organization. He plans to grow the membership of the association and develop educational content along with value added membership features for the members to save money in their own businesses.
VLA President Paul Walsh said, “As a board member of the VLA for many years, I am excited that our organization has decided to hire an executive director to help with the operational side of our association. We are looking forward to having Philip on the team and utilizing his many formidable talents to help us maintain, grow and improve the VLA at every level.”
“I intend to hit the ground running for the VLA,” said Jagiela. “I have been approached by vendors and operators who want to be part of the growth and reinvigoration of this great association. We will have a number of new opportunities for members to save money on products and services as well as educational opportunities from individuals who are experts in their fields and are willing to share information with our members. It is an exciting time to be a member of the VLA.”
Virginia operators will realize the benefits of their association with the upcoming presidential inauguration. The VLA will be a critical source of information and logistics for its members.
Contact philip@palmamac.com or 215.280.3718 for more information.
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