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Orlando — At last month’s Global Business Travel Association Convention, the National Limousine Association (NLA) and Deem formalized a strategic technology and marketing alliance to develop and deploy a groundbreaking cloud network and mobile application that will provide advanced reservations and real-time ride-hailing capabilities for the chauffeured ground transportation industry. The announcement was made jointly by NLA President Gary Buffo of Pure Luxury Transportation and Deem Founder and CEO Patrick Grady.
The NLA and Commerce-as-a-Service company Deem forged the strategic technology and marketing alliance for the purpose of developing and deploying a cloud network and mobile application that will: optimize operations and maximize fleet utilization for chauffeured transportation operators; provide advance reservations and ride-hailing services for corporations and customers alike; and substantially enhance data security and customer care, safety and privacy. Additionally, the co-branded mobile application will be easily configured to reflect each NLA member operator's brand, consumer and corporate rates and policies and preferences, as well as offer the services of another NLA member operator when the user's primary operator of choice is fully booked.
"In an increasingly mobile-first society, it is abundantly clear it is time for a mobile application that combines the convenience of ride-hailing applications with the unequaled Duty-of-Care, incomparable service, and unrivaled safety standards offered by NLA members," Buffo said. "We chose to collaborate with Deem because of its established reputation for innovation and reliability and its unique combination of cloud and mobile commerce capabilities, corporate travel and ground expertise, and significant intellectual property in ground and mobile GPS technologies. Deem is a sound choice with whom to partner and to develop and deploy the NLA's technology solution and, in so doing, revolutionize and transform the chauffeured ground transportation industry."
"Our marketing and technology alliance with the NLA aligns perfectly with Deem's mission of helping businesses to lower costs, increase revenue, and deepen customer loyalty so that they can invest more fully in their people, customers, and communities," Grady added. "The NLA has set the definitive standards in terms of quality, service, and safety in the chauffeured ground transportation industry, and their members comprise the finest operators throughout the world. Together, Deem and the NLA will provide thousands of ground transportation operators with a uniquely configurable and reliable cloud network and mobile application for use by their corporate and private customers."
Visit limo.org for more information about the NLA. Visit deem.com for more information about Deem.
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LANJ President Jeffrey Shanker
Princeton, N.J. — At the beginning of the month, Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) President Jeff Shanker of A-1 Limousine was featured on an installment of New Jersey Capitol Report. The show, which explores New Jersey’s various social and political issues, airs on NJTV, the state’s public television network.
The show’s moderators, Steve Adubato and Rafael Pi Roman, interviewed Shanker in regard to traditional operators’ biggest issues with TNCs, the differences and similarities between TNCs and the taxicab and limousine industries, independent contractors, insurance and who’s responsible when a TNC driver gets into an accident in a personal vehicle, and the importance of public safety.
A representative from Uber had previously been on the show, which Shanker said lent an air of debate to his interview, allowing him to explain both chauffeured ground transportation’s and the association’s stance on TNCs in the context of seeking—but not opposing—fair competition, rather than reiterating a previously outlined argument.
“They weren’t looking for me to give a speech; they were looking to almost debate the public policy as a whole by asking some pointed questions to make sure that our facts were correct and that our philosophy was that of a competitive nature,” Shanker said.
Shanker added that he appreciated the opportunity to present the industry’s point of view, and has “received nothing but positive feedback” since his interview aired—which, thanks to the help of social media, has already reached a far-ranging audience.
“We’re very happy to try to get our message out to the populous,” he said. “By having the opportunity to present our side of the story to the media and have it broadcast throughout New Jersey and also to social media by putting it on Facebook, we’re hoping we’ll help bring to light that we’re not trying to thwart competition, we’re just asking for competition on a level playing field. But with that, the major push is toward public safety. Our industry has been regulated almost since the turn of the last century: These regulations were put in place not to stop business but to protect the public.”
The interview can be seen here.
With further action regarding AB-3765 “pushed back indefinitely,” LANJ has been continuing its grassroots efforts to meet one-on-one with elected officials, as well as focusing inward by pushing forward with its membership drive. With the association’s Social Media and Membership committees both working hard to the association’s benefit, Shanker said that Executive Director Patty Nelson, Treasurer John Epstein of Royal Coachmen Worldwide, and directors Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales and Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments all deserve “a lot of kudos.”
The next LANJ meeting is scheduled for September 16. A representative from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey will be on hand to discuss what’s happening at the Newark airport and there will be a presentation on the online chauffeur education course Safety Training Operators Program, or STOP.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
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Nearly 150 members and supporters of LILA attended its annual BBQ at Charlie’s Bar and Marina
Lindenhurst, N.Y. — Nearly 150 people turned out when the Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) held its annual BBQ July 28 at Charlie’s Bar and Marina. The summertime social outing provided an opportunity for operators, vendors, and family to spend an evening mingling on the water, as the venue overlooks South Oyster Bay.
CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela and Editor Madeleine Maccar both attended the event. Jagiela provided insights into the industry while Maccar spoke about Chauffeur Driven’s October Miami Show. They also raffled off a pass to the show, which was won by Eduardo Plumas of Personal Preference Chauffeur & Limousine Service.
LILA President Robert Cunningham of Platinum Limousines said that the event started four years ago at a different location, eventually moving to Charlie’s both for its privacy and because LILA Director Charlie Gandolfo of Dynasty Limousine owns the private waterfront establishment.
L to R: CD Editor Madeleine Maccar, LILA President Robert Cunningham of Platinum Limousines, and CD’s Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela
“We’ve found that summer wasn’t really a popular time of the year for meetings so we figured we’d spice it up a little bit with a free, informal event,” Cunningham said.
While the association is planning another warm-weather favorite—its fishing trip, which saw a re-emergence last summer after skipping a few years—the next formal meeting will be held September 29 and already has a guest speaker on the schedule.
“For our next meeting, I’ve spoken to the president of the Long Island Wine Council, who will be attending our next meeting,” Cunningham said. “The limousine industry isn’t going anywhere, wineries are not going anywhere, and I want to work together with them.”
Visit nslali.com for more information.
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