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Costa Mesa, Calif. — When the Greater California Livery Association’s (GCLA) 2014 Expo and Trade Show comes to the Promenade Event Centre & Gardens September 23, it will bring with it speakers, hands-on displays, and ample networking opportunities.
The one-day expo and trade show will feature general-service and automotive vendors alike, with the Next Generation Livery Vehicle Display and Coach Builders Display showcasing both dealers’ and OEM manufacturers’ newest offerings.
Guest speaker Dawson Rutter, president of Commonwealth Worldwide, and keynote speaker Cheryl Berkman, the president of Music Express, will wrap up the evening’s events.
Admission will be $50 for members and $65 for non-members who register early, $60 for members and $75 for non-members who register on or before September 22, and $70 for members and $85 for non-members at the door.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
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Carol Stream, Ill. — Chauffeur Appreciation Day is coming to the Windy City on October 14, thanks to the Illinois Limousine Association (ILA).
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Catherine Chevalier Woods—roughly 10 minutes east of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport—the ILA will host its first-ever thank-you event for chauffeurs in the forest preserve’s picnic pavilion. In addition to the free lunches and drinks available to the area’s chauffeurs, there will also be goodie bags and vendors.
According to the association’s executive director Barbara Simkus, the event was the brainchild of new ILA president, Tracy Raimer of Your Private Limo.
“It was actually our president, Tracy, who had heard about how they do it on the East Coast. She thought, ‘Well, why can’t we do that?’,” Simkus says, referring to driver-appreciation events like those held annually by the New England Livery Association. “The chauffeurs have to put up with a lot, and this is a thank-you for what they do for all the companies in the area.”
The idea took root about a month ago, but the ILA has already drummed up quite a bit of support from the industry, with the likes of Battisti Customs, Midwest Automotive Designs, and Second City Leasing already committed to serving as vendors for the event.
While Chauffeur Appreciation Day is still a work in progress, the ILA is already hoping that their inaugural event is a well-attended success that becomes an annual celebration.
“Hopefully, it will turn out well and we’ll get a lot of chauffeurs to come and enjoy lunch and meet everybody, including the owners and the people who are with the Illinois Limousine Association,” Simkus says.
Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information.
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Maywood, N.J. — When Dori Avishay, CEO of Alpine Limousine Service, made the move to update part of his 85-vehicle fleet, he decided on the ultra-luxurious BMW 740 Li xDrive, the top-of-the-line sedan from the German automaker. Replacing some of Alpine’s older Lincoln Town Cars and MKTs that served the company well, he wanted vehicles that had a little extra elegance and styling that matched his level of service.
“For my type of upscale clients, the BMW was an exotic, luxury vehicle that they could appreciate,” he says about his corporate and VIP clientele. “With these cars, you don’t feel the road or the potholes like you would with other sedans. They are safe, luxurious, and classic; they’re a good car to operate.” He purchased 15 and they have been a part of his fleet for about a month now.
The 740 Li is the extended wheelbase version of the 7 Series, and features 44.3” of leg room in the rear for the ultimate in comfort—the best of all of its sedans. Alpine’s vehicles are also xDrive, BMW’s version of all-wheel drive, which Avishay says will come in handy during the snowy Northeast winters. The cargo space is on par with most of the industry sedans at 17.7 cubic feet, while the fuel efficiency is 19 (city) and 28 (highway). BMW also offers an extended service plan, which brings the warranty to 3 years or 150,000 miles.
Avishay also says that using the BMWs for affiliate work has been a boost to Alpine because customers and affiliates alike love the vehicles—mostly because they aren’t expecting such a lavish sedan. He says that he’s been able to maintain his rates, even though purchasing 15 vehicles was a sizable investment. He worked with BMW Key Account Manager Marco Schneider to find a price point that made the additional vehicles affordable, including special fleet rates and an additional incentive for making a volume purchase. Based on the positive response he’s received so far, he definitely plans on adding more in the future.
“For me, safety is the number one most important thing for my business,” he says. “We inspect vehicles weekly in our in-house garage, even if they are only two months old. I’m a safety freak. These cars are safe, luxurious, and accommodating, and that’s what I want for my clients.”
Visit alpinelimonyc.com for more information about Alpine Limousine Service. For more information about the entire BMW lineup, contact Marco Schneider via email at Marco.R.Schneider@bmwna.com or phone at 201.307.4465. For special livery pricing and other information, click here: http://bit.ly/1iu0MCa.
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