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Advantage Funding’s Lew Robbins (foreground), who sponsored WFLA’s summer outing, and Greater Orlando Limousine Association President Cliff Wright of Royal Coach & Limousine
St. Petersburg, Fla. — In keeping with a nearly decade-long tradition, the West Florida Livery Association (WFLA) held its annual summertime social outing August 9. Nearly 50 members, supporters, and family members gathered at a local sports bar before cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, where the home team emerged victorious over the New York Mets with a 4-3 win. The day’s events were sponsored by Lew Robbins of Advantage Funding.
WFLA President Dave Shaw of Network Limousines said that past summer events have included “a little bit of everything,” ranging from the ever-popular baseball games to cruises, and replace the association’s monthly meeting “with a nice break for everyone”—even when the conversation inevitably turns to business.
“It’s always more of a family event, which is great, but there is always some shop talk going on—it never really goes away,” Shaw said.
Florida—including the association’s own Hillsborough County—has seen its share of TNC troubles recently. On July 15, the WFLA held its monthly meeting at Oldsmar’s Flamestone Grill, where the disruptive companies dominated the gathering’s discussion.
“At any of these meetings, all everyone is talking about is the transportation network companies—that’s our headache right now,” Shaw said. “We talked about how we’re going to proceed in the following year. We have an early session in Tallahassee, so we’re going to band together with the rest of the associations in the state. A lot of people are getting pretty frustrated with government.”
That frustration showed when the discussion turned to the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Commission (HCPTC), as its Executive Director Kyle Cockream spoke at the meeting to provide an update about what the commission is doing for the legally operating, fee-paying transportation companies whose funds support the regulatory commission.
Members of the WFLA enjoyed a day at Tropicana Field to take in a Tampa Bay Rays game
“Our transportation commission doesn’t get any county money, doesn’t get any state money—it’s funded by the fees that we pay,” said Shaw. “So when people see that TNCs are coming in and operating illegally and not paying the commission, our operators are thinking, ‘Why should we pay if they’re not paying?’ I understand why they’re upset, but Kyle’s got to follow guidelines. He’s pretty tough and we’ve been very closely with him.”
Shaw added that Cockream, a 35-year veteran of Hillsborough County’s sheriff department, has been diligently working to restore the HCPTC’s reputation while seeking regulation for the TNCs operating in the area. The HCPTC executive director has also “put a recommendation into the commission to deduct 50 percent of our permit fees this year until the TNC issue gets solved,” according the Shaw.
Unfortunately, Senator Jeff Brandes has indicated that he wants to shut down the HCPTC in the wake of its crackdown on fining and ticketing TNC drivers who are not complying with county regulations. Even with WFLA members’ current frustrations, Shaw says that the association opposes a dissolution of HCPTC.
“There is the possibility that the HCPTC could disband but we’re totally against it,” he says. “I think there are enough votes in the delegation to back that down.”
The next WFLA membership meeting is scheduled for September 16. Members of the WFLA also are planning to voice their opinions about TNCs at the next Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board Meeting on September 3 in the authority’s board room at the Tampa International Airport.
Visit wflatampa.com for more information.
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NELA President Mike Callahan (center) of Able Limousine stands with the tournament’s winning foursome, which comprises members from the Able team
Marlborough, Mass. — On August 18, The New England Livery Association (NELA) once again took to the Marlborough Country Club for its 16th Annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament. Nearly 80 golfers turned out for some friendly competition on a blisteringly hot day—though the soaring temperatures and stifling humidity couldn’t put a damper on the generous spirit that the event fosters.
The yearly golf outing may have seen a decline in attendance from last year’s, but industry participation came from as far west as California and as south as Virginia, with members from the Chosen Payments team and Glenn Stafford of Love Limousine among those who traveled to New England to be a part of the fundraising tradition. Along with a committee of volunteers, a number of sponsors also contributed to the tournament, including Chosen Payments, Lancer Insurance, and Mercedes-Benz of Shrewsbury.
Bearing the name of a NELA founding member, the annual event also honors one of Colorarullo’s sons by donating a portion of the day’s funds to CHIPS House, the facility where he has been residing since a motorcycle accident left him with a brain injury. While proceeds from the tournament also benefit NELA itself, the association decided that One Mission, a foundation that assists families of pediatric cancer patients, would be among the day’s beneficiaries, too.
While not all of the big-ticket prizes were snapped up this year, Ricky Bates of Dav El/BostonCoach boasted the day’s longest drive and one of Able Limousine’s three foursomes emerged from this year’s tournament with the best score.
Next up for NELA is its fall quarterly meeting, which will be held September 9.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
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Marlton, N.J. — We’re just 60 days away from the event of the fall: The Chauffeur Driven Show in Miami! With a show floor that is now 95 percent sold out, we have a lot in store this October 11-14.
While the majority of our event takes place at our exquisite host property, the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, there is plenty going on during show floor hours Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It’s located just minutes from the hotel—hop on one of our provided shuttles or stretch your legs a bit for a quick 10-minute walk.
Our micro-sessions are a returning favorite. While our workshops back at the Loews are lengthier and more comprehensive, our micro-sessions are quick bursts of knowledge that are meant to be easy to digest, but always interesting and impactful. Choose from topics like “Effectively Dealing with Bad Online Reviews" and "Controlling Fuel Theft.” View the full schedule at chauffeurdrivenshow.com/cd-show-info/micro-sessions.html. The micro-sessions, sponsored by Reston Limousine, will be 15-20 minutes each, and all will be held on Monday and Tuesday.
But it’s not over! For the first time this year, we will hold bonus education right on the show floor on Wednesday. Reflecting the current fleet diversity that has drastically changed our industry, we’ve created two sessions that will address many of your most pressing bus and motorcoach issues. These sessions—“Fleet Diversification: What to Buy and When to Buy It” and “Are You Ready for a DOT Audit?”—will be lively, interactive discussions that will offer immediate ROI and stimulate your entrepreneurial drive.
Don’t forget that we’re also offering lunch (sponsored by Titus Leasing and Turtle Top) on Tuesday and brunch on Wednesday on the show floor. You’ll need some fuel to visit the more than 100 vendors displaying their products and services on our 120,000-square-foot show floor and to take in all of our bonus education!
Overall, our entire educational program has more than 15 hours of education and 13 topics to choose from. Topics include fleet diversification, wage and hour laws, performance management, company culture, growing your business, TNCs, and more. Our speakers are all experts both within and beyond our industry who will engage and motivate you. All of our workshops are interactive, so be sure to come with questions. View the full schedule of sessions at chauffeurdrivenshow.com/cd-show-info/workshop-seminar-schedule.html.
There are only 10 days left until our early-bird pricing expires. Register by 8/21/15 and save $50. Register online at chauffeurdrivenshow.com/register or call 856.334.1988 if you have any questions.
Visit chauffeurdrivenshow.com for more information.
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