- Details
- Category: Industry News
Chauffeur Driven Editor Madeleine Maccar sat in on Wisconsin Limousine Association’s (WLA) monthly conference call on February 18, where several members discussed DOT activity, TNC updates, and association-specific news.
After everyone in attendance had a chance to chat and catch up, the meeting kicked off with Secretary and Treasurer Karen Lotts of A Knight Rider Limousine presenting the treasurer’s report.
While WLA President Mike Hartmann of Stardust Limousine reported that the association has been discussing TNCs for a while and that they haven’t “really haven’t affected anybody that I know of” from the chauffeured transportation side of regulated livery services, other members said that TNCs are beginning to have an impact on the taxicab industry. They cited a news report the week before, which addressed how taxi operators in the Green Bay area are starting to complain about the slow encroachment of Uber.
“It’s on everybody’s mind,” Hartmann said. “They started out in Milwaukee, and maybe four or five months ago, started up in Green Bay. We just want them all operating with insurance so everyone’s safe.”
Hartmann also said that Wisconsin’s DOT has become more active in the past year or two, having approached WLA members to help identify problems that the state’s operators have been noticing or dealing with.
An ongoing issue is the 5 percent state fee that the operators have to pay on certain trips, which is a fee that the WLA has attempted to get rid of in the past and is thinking about resurrecting that fight again. Hartmann explained that Wisconsin companies will frequently upgrade a client’s requested Town Car if inclement weather necessitates an SUV, which has them “playing in a gray area:” SUVs and vehicles accommodating up to 10 passengers require payment of the state fee while something like a Town Car does not—which are variables that Hartmann calls “kind of a bookworking nightmare.”
“I’d just prefer to see that fee gone because we’re at a disadvantage if taxicab companies don’t have to report that fee but we do—and more than likely, Uber isn’t reporting that 5 percent fee, so, again, we’re at a 5 percent disadvantage,” he said.
The WLA’s next monthly conference call will be March 18.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
[CD0215]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Marlton, N.J. — When we decided to relocate the Chauffeur Driven Show from its longtime home in Atlantic City, it was to keep our events fresh, our audience happy, and our future bright.
In the spirit of hosting a show that heads to a rotating roster of cities, we’ll be venturing to world-class locales each year. Plans for our first trade show to be held at a premier destination spot continue to fall into place, and we couldn’t be more excited about heading to Loews Miami Beach Hotel and the nearby Miami Beach Convention Center this October 11-14. And our 2016 show will take downtown election-season Washington, D.C., by storm when we host our fourth annual trade show—currently scheduled for October 9-12, 2016—at the luxuriously appointed Renaissance Hotel, which is adjacent to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center where our trade show floor will be located.
The response to moving from Atlantic City to South Beach has been overwhelmingly positive—even more than we could have expected—and we want to continue providing our show attendees with events that best serve their needs and interests. That’s why we’re now looking for your input regarding where and when we hold our future shows.
We’ve prepared a short multiple-choice survey to find out where operators’ preferences lie, which you can find and fill out here.
Do you prefer a late-September show to a mid-October one? Is it easier for you to step away from your company in the beginning or the middle of the week? In what three cities would you most like to see our shows land in the future? This is your opportunity to have an impact on where our shows are held in the future.
Because no two operators’ needs are the same, we’ve given you plenty of space to either customize or elaborate on your answers. Tell us as much as you want about your responses, or provide an alternative option that best reflects your perfect solution. We do want to know where you’d like to see 2017 and beyond take us—and you!—so please provide prompt responses.
And if you need a little inspiration or just want to revisit the highlights of our previous events, head on over to chauffeurdrivenshow.com for all the information on our past shows—and be sure to check out the newly launched page for our first-ever Executive Retreat, which will kick off in Nashville this June 22-24.
[CD0215]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Vern Kauffman - Chief Operating Officer
Birmingham, Ala. — McSweeney Designs announced today that, Vern Kauffman, has joined the management team to serve as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for all divisions of the company going forward. In this newly created position, Vern Kauffman, will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and spearheading companywide quality assurance and quality control initiatives. Additionally, Kauffman, will manage direct reports for all aspects of manufacturing, production, procurement, process management, OEM relations, Safety Regulations and Compliance, as well as assisting in new product development and future brand extensions.
Most recently, prior to joining McSweeney Designs, Kauffman served as Chief Operating Officer for Meridian Specialty Vehicles, a Las Vegas, NV based shuttle and livery vehicle upfitter. In that position, Kauffman was charged to oversee all aspects of Meridian’s product development, production and manufacturing, sales and marketing, administrative processes, as well as corporate strategic planning.
Prior to his experience with Meridian, Kauffman was the founder and chief executive officer of the industry leading 2nd stage automotive customization company L.A. West, Inc based in LaGrange, IN. Under Kauffman’s tenure L.A. West, Inc was widely regarded throughout the automotive industry as a purveyor of top quality, personalized custom vehicle solutions. As a result of Kauffman’s innovative product development, brand building, and commitment to quality craftsmanship L.A. West, Inc became one of only 5 companies to be awarded Authorized Upfitter status for each of the “Big Three” (Ford, GM, Dodge) OEM Automotive Manufacturers. Kauffman led the company to consistent profitability on annual revenues exceeding $70 million, ultimately selling the company to a VC firm in 2005.
In response to opportunities that lie ahead for McSweeney Designs, Kauffman noted “Having known the McSweeney family for nearly 20 years, along with the passion they have for exclusive automotive designs, joining the management team at McSweeney Designs is a real honor for me. I am excited about the growth potential within this organization, and look forward to being an integral part of that growth.”
“Vern’s passion for the industry, combined with his phenomenal track record of creating value for customers and capturing value for investors make him the perfect addition to round out our management culture here at McSweeney Designs.” said Jeffrey C. Hunter, McSweeney’s XO Chief Executive Officer. Hunter went on to state “Our entire team is excited to get to serve along side him to scale our business and brand; and we are eager to begin unveiling some of the ground breaking new vehicle designs which Vern will be instrumental in helping us bring on line for the upscale luxury and livery segments in Q2 and Q3 of 2015 and beyond.”
Michael McSweeney, Managing Director of the combined McSweeney Holdings portfolio, expressed “Continuing to build the best team is the critical success factor of our growth planning, and we are thrilled to have Vern join the team. He will play a key role in the growth of McSweeney Designs, and our efforts to continue diversifying the McSweeney Holdings portfolio of specialty vehicle offerings.”
About McSweeney Designs:
McSweeney Designs is a definitive world leader in hand crafting lifestyle enhanced luxury design and haute couture automotive excellence for people in the know. For over 35 years now their world class design and engineering team has been dreaming up and bringing to life some of the most innovative and highly sought after vehicles on the planet. Having honed their skills by hand tailoring private commission vehicles for clients ranging from heads of state to titans of industry as well as high profile custom automotive enthusiasts, McSweeney Designs has now extended their current range of vehicle portfolio offerings to include: up-armored dignitary transportation, executive luxury coaches and mobile business lounges based primarily on the Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes Benz Sprinter platforms. For more information please contact: jch@mcsweeneydesigns.com or visit their website at: www.mcsweeneydesigns.com.
[CD0215]