- Details
- Category: Industry News
We’re thrilled to bring the 2023 CD/NLA Show to Orlando’s spectacular Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center this October 22-25. The show, made possible by all our generous sponsors including Title Sponsor Volvo, will give attendees a one-of-a-kind resort experience that places everything in a single space. In the newly expanded and renovated resort, you’re just steps away from our meeting rooms and exhibit space in the convention center, not to mention tons of fine dining at the property’s nine restaurants and sports bars.
Registration for the event is now open, and we’re currently offering an exclusive Early Bird Rate of only $449 through September 8. What’s more, NLA members can save an additional $75 off the registration price. Also, we’ve secured a block of rooms at the room rate of $249/night—including resort fees. Our room blocks always sell out, so be sure to book early to secure your room. Don’t miss out!
The CD/NLA Show is designed to arm operators with incredible ROI opportunities to learn, network, and have a bit of fun for one low price. Your pass to the show includes a staggering 12 educational sessions, covering topics that will appeal to owners of all sizes and markets; dedicated networking events like our Operator Mentoring Program, Women in the Industry event, and Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum; open-bar after-hours parties on Sunday and Monday, three breakfast and two lunches; and so much more.
As for our education offerings, we’re excited to share that members of our CD/NLA Show Education Committee—who are hard-working business owners just like you—have finalized more than half of the topics for our dynamic slate of seminars, workshops, and roundtables. Some of those topics include paying back EIDL and other loans, embracing/implementing and making money with EVs, succession planning for operators at every stage, a small operator session crafted and presented by small operators, an interactive DEI roundtable, a 101-level session on budgeting and setting up your financials, and the importance of consistent marketing. We are also doing reboot of the AI/ChatGPT session that we presented in Nashville with plenty of new info, updates, and advancements. Whether you’re an operator with one car or 100, we’re confident that you will find some immediate, useful takeaway from our sessions. As we firm up the last few details in the coming weeks, you’ll want to check out our website to keep updated of our agenda. To see our full schedule of events and sessions, just click here.
Special thanks to all our sponsors for their generous support of the CD/NLA Fall Show. In addition to Title Sponsor Volvo (who is also sponsoring our popular Affiliate Forum), we’d like to thank Supporting Sponsor MCI; Sunday Night Party Sponsor TEMSA; Monday Night Party Sponsors ANB Trans, Centennial Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, and Crown Worldwide Transportation; Pocket Program Sponsor Premier Transportation; Signage Sponsor BMW; Coffee Sponsor Buffalo Limousine; Lanyard Sponsor Lancer Insurance; Affiliate Sponsors American Executive Transportation and Boston Luxor Limo; NLA Member Meeting Sponsor National Interstate Insurance; and Mobile App Sponsor North Point Global Transportation Services. If you’re looking to sponsor or exhibit in Orlando, including Affiliate Tables, please contact CD Director of Events Jess Pavlow (jess@chauffeurdriven.com) directly.
Whether you’re flying solo or extending your Orlando trip a few extra days for a much-needed vacay with the family, we know you’ll love what we have in store for you for our four-day event. We hope to see you in the Sunshine State this October!
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
[07.18.23]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Several surveys are finding that most small business owners (SBOs) across the country are feeling more hopeful about the economy and their long-term health in the coming year, despite inflation remaining a top issue.
The Small Business Index (SBI), which is conducted quarterly by MetLife and the US Chamber of Commerce, found that SBOs were more confident than they were last quarter about the future (Q1 SBI score of 60.0 verses SBI score of 63.1 in Q2). The SBI score has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels; the SBI score in Q4 2019 was 71.7 with subsequent quarters clocking in a low of 39.5 in Q1 2020 to a high of 66.8 in Q2 2022. Nearly two-thirds report that they are comfortable with their current cash flow, which has remained steady since Q3 2022. Further, 71 percent expect that their revenue will increase in 2024, which is the highest recorded of the SBI since its inception in 2017.
Of the challenges cited, inflation remains the biggest impediment for the sixth straight quarter. Access to capital and rising interest rates are also on the list, with as much as 50 percent of SBOs saying that rising rates have put a damper on their plans to grow. Lending institutions have also become stricter with terms, and 91 percent agree that small businesses are the most vulnerable to rising interest rates.
Similarly, TD Bank’s most recent Small Business Survey found that SBOs cited inflation as their primary concern followed by employee retention and management (24 percent), product shortages (21 percent), and keeping up with the competition (20 percent). But positively, eight in 10 said that they feel optimistic about their business’ performance in the coming year, with 20 percent feeling concern about their survival—primarily driven by interest rates.
According to the survey’s summary, SBOs are taking several actions to ensure their health in the coming months including “setting their sights on reinforcing the financial strength of their business, beating out the competition, and tackling talent retention … which will be key to achieving long-term business goals amid challenging economic conditions.”
The full survey results can be found here and here.
[07.11.23]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
The Transportation Alliance (TTA) has announced that Mobilize 2023—their 105th annual convention and expo—will be held September 19-23 at Sheraton Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. With CEO Al LaGasse retiring after 46 years of working tirelessly to bring TTA’s vision and mission to realization, the association plans on sending him into his well-earned retirement with a bang.
The Transportation Alliance CEO Al LaGasse
Join the TTA as they commemorate the CEO’s retirement with a Roast of Al LaGasse on Thursday, September 21. The longtime CEO has been instrumental in advocating for the industry during many of its pivotal moments, including several recessions and boom periods, 9/11, and the rise of competition like rideshares. This promises to be an unforgettable (and hilarious) way to say good-bye to one of the industry’s longest serving champions.
Also on the agenda for the event are two new interactive Captains of Industry sessions where industry leaders will review how they approach company valuations, acquisitions, and mergers, and how they implemented up-front fares and other service innovations. The TTA also has announced 15 vital session topics for transportation company owners and managers. Sessions are divided into three tracks: operations, government/regulations, and technology/equipment. Furthermore, attendees can expect an expanded social program and the essential expo of our industry’s leading vendors.
For a full agenda for Mobilize 2023, click here for the full lineup.
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
[07.11.23]