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Matt Daus of Windels Marx
They’ve made the list again! City & State, a publication dedicated to the politics and policies of those who move New York, recently named Ira Goldstein (#75) of The Black Car Fund (BCF) and Matt Daus (#77) of Windels Marx and the International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) to its Transportation Power 100 list. They were also honored in 2022.
The list highlights those who are shaping current and future policies surrounding transportation in the Empire State, which includes everything from black cars to taxis to scooters. With money flowing thanks to the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed by Congress in 2021, the city has been working on its to-do list since. Among those major projects are the Gateway Tunnel (an important rail tunnel for New Jersey-New York traffic) and the long-awaited Second Avenue subway line.
Ira Goldstein of The Black Car Fund
Goldstein is the longtime executive director of BCF, which oversees workers’ compensation and offers safety programs for more than 70,000 independent drivers in the New York metropolitan area. Under his leadership, Goldstein has implemented programs to streamline workers’ compensation, increase driver safety, and expand no-cost health and wellness benefits to drivers. BCF also offers accident support and legal assistance to its members, and offers critical driver training programs.
Daus is the founder and chair of Windels Marx’s Transportation Practice Group and was the former commissioner and chairman of the Taxi & Limousine Commission. Since 2009, he has served as president of IATR, a nonprofit educational and advocacy organization composed of government transportation commissioners and regulators from around the world. Daus is a regular in the pages of Chauffeur Driven as a contributing writer, as well as a speaker at CD/NLA events. IATR will hold its annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the end of this month.
The entire list can be found here.
Congrats to all those named to the list!
[09.18.23]
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Despite summer weather still present in much of the country, the Illinois Limousine and Bus Association (ILLBA) was in full winter season spirit during their latest Coffee With ILLBA webinar on Tuesday, September 12. The main topic of the virtual meeting was How to Build, Price, and Market Holiday Light Tours, presented by Tim Wiegman of Boulevard Limousine. Thirty operators from across the country were present for the webinar.
ILLBA President Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus kicked off the meeting by welcoming the operators in attendance. She then introduced the ILLBA Board of Directors before introducing the guest speaker.
ILLBA President Tracy Raimer
Wiegman, who is based in Kansas City (a city nationally recognized for their Christmas lights), has seen a great deal of success with the light tours for more than 15 years. However, operators may be asking, “why are we talking about the Christmas season in September?” Well, according to Wiegman, now is the time to start planning and marketing your holiday light tours, as he actually has booking requests as early as June.
When it comes to the question of what vehicles to use for the light tours, Wiegman has a simple response: “All of them.” Sprinters and shuttles offer ideal raised seating with low-tint windows, while stretch limousines are extremely popular with families, especially children. Sedans are ideal for couples, and SUVs are perfect for small groups. Operators with trolleys may want to decorate their vehicle for a classic holiday vibe.
Boulevard Limousine President Tim Wiegman
Regarding decorations, Wiegman advised that they should be easily removed from the vehicle, as you never know when you’ll need to do a quick airport run. Similarly, the chauffeur’s dress code should be taken into account. While holiday sweaters and hats are festive and fun, just be aware that you may have a last-minute run with a VIP.
When setting up pricing for the tour, Wiegman said that operators should consider the length of the light tour, days for the week, whether it’s a private or ticketed event, and what’s provided to the clients (e.g., cocoa, cookies, etc.). He suggested limiting tours to two hours in order to run more than one light tour per night, thereby getting “high utilization” from the vehicle. Also, operators are encouraged to take advantage of dynamic pricing, and charge more on weekends and in the days approaching Christmas.
When it comes to both building a route and marketing your light tour, Wiegman says that Facebook groups offer enormous opportunities. Local pages not only key you into the best decorated houses, but also let you promote your service at no cost. SEO is the biggest marketing driver, according to Wiegman, so be sure your website tags key words within your market.
James Limousine Randy Allen
Another operator on the webinar, Randy Allen of James Limousine, has seen similar success with “tacky light tours” in the Richmond, Va., area. He pointed out that safety is a tremendous consideration with the tours given the many distractions the drivers face, including passenger interaction, pedestrians, traffic, and holiday music in the car. To help reinforce safety standards, Allen holds a safety meeting prior to the tour season. Also, Allen added that it’s important to fit the chauffeur’s personality with the tour. While some chauffeurs are ideal for VIP work and airport runs, they may not have the gregarious personality that is necessary for the Christmas light tours.
Following Wiegman’s slide presentation, ILLBA Executive Director/Secretary Paula DeBiasi of Chicago CoachWorks briefly discussed issues with the staging area at O’Hare airport. Evidently Uber Black drivers are parking improperly, leading to congestion. She and Raimer encouraged operators to report all bad actors to airport officials. DeBiasi also stated that the association is working on two upcoming meetings that will cover AI and building websites.
The September Coffee With ILLBA meeting was recorded, and is available to all operators on the association’s YouTube channel. It can be accessed by clicking here. A copy of Wiegman’s informative slide show can be downloaded here.
Visit illba.org for more information.
[09.18.22]
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When CD and the NLA bring their show to town, you can bet that you’ll find operators networking and having fun on a local golf course. So, when we head to Orlando this October 22-25, why not hit the links for a good cause? CD and the NLA are thrilled to announce the return of their Charity Golf Outing in honor of Tom Mazza on Wednesday, October 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Falcon’s Fire Golf Club. Located just minutes away from the Gaylord Palms, these links are recognized both regionally and nationally as one of the finest golf courses. A beloved industry consultant, Mazza was former executive director of the NLA, and a dear friend to the NLA and CD. All money raised at the outing will be donated to a cause that was important to him (further details will be announced soon).
Falcon’s Fire Golf Club
With a 10:00 a.m. shotgun start, the outing includes a light breakfast and lunch, as well as prizes for closest to the pin, longest drive, and more. Advance registration is $169 per person, and you can sign up individually or as a foursome—but note that space is limited to only 48 golfers. Club rentals are also available. Click here to register.
CD/NLA Show Charity Golf Outing returns to Orlando 2023
If you would like to participate in other ways, we are also seeking volunteers and have a limited number of affordable sponsorships available. Come join us for a beautiful and fun day on the course while helping to raise money for an extremely worthy cause. Click to see available sponsorship opportunities.
While you’re undoubtedly looking forward to driving the ball on Falcon’s Fire’s noteworthy greens, the real heart of the CD/NLA Show is the educational component. We’re excited to announce two sessions that offer incredible real-world ROI for your business.
Athena Grimm of BAC Transportation
Speaker Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV
Speaker Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation
First on Tuesday, October 24, at 8:30 a.m., we’re pleased to present another of our interactive Roundtable Sessions—What Is Your Workplace DNA? Join a first-rate group of moderators including Athena Grimm of BAC Transportation, Tiffany Hinton of MOTEV, and Douglas Schwartz of Executive Ground Transportation as they help you discover how problems are effectively addressed and resolved when you elevate your Workplace DNA, which is the unique combination of your company's values, leadership style, communication, work environment, and approach to work-life balance. We invite you to take a brutally honest look at what it’s like to work within your organization’s infrastructure.
Speaker Barry Gross of The Driver Provider
Speaker Danielle Smith of Lancer Insurance
Then, on Wednesday, October 25, at 10:15 a.m., embark on a comprehensive safety voyage with Essential Safety Practices for a Secure Transportation Experience. With speakers Barry Gross of The Driver Provider and Danielle Smith of Lancer Insurance, this seminar provides a deep dive into the crucial practices that form the bedrock of a safe and reliable transportation operation. Our safety session brings together an array of vital topics that ensure the well-being of both your passengers and team members.
Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow
“Safety starts before you leave your house in the morning. It covers recruiting and hiring to training chauffeurs and running a safe and organized office and garage. This session will walk you through some critical and important steps to owning and running a successful and safe business,” says CD/NLA Education Committee Co-chair Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide.
Click here to see the full schedule of sessions, roundtables, and dedicated networking events.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[09.13.23]