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Updated 08.15.23
Keep yourself informed and connected to other members of the industry by attending these important meetings. You can also view meetings for the rest of the year on Chauffeur Driven’s Industry Events page.
August
POSTPONED 8/8 New England Livery Association Annual Golf Event
8/8 Marlborough Country Club in Marlborough, Mass.
nelivery.org
Global Business Travel Association Convention 2023
8/13-8/15 Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas, Texas
convention.gbta.org
Colorado Limousine Association Annual Membership Meeting
8/15 at 10:30 a.m. Residence Inn Gateway Park in Aurora (RSVP required)
cololimo.org
North Carolina Motorcoach Association-Virginia Motorcoach Association-Motorcoach Association of South Carolina Regional Meeting
8/22-8/25 Harrah's Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, N.C. (RSVP required)
Greater Atlanta Limousine Association Member Luncheon
8/29 location TBD
galalimo.org
September
Greater California Livery Association Luxury Transportation Expo
9/5-9/6 Portofino Resort in Los Angeles
gcla.org
Limousine, Bus, Taxi Operators of Upstate New York Summer Meeting
9/6 at 5:00 p.m. Sahlen Field in Buffalo
limocompanies@yahoo.com to RSVP and for more info
National Association of Motorcoach Operators Annual Conference
9/10-9/14 Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J.
namo-coaches.org
Maryland Limousine Association Meeting
9/19 at 12:00 p.m. Jimmy's Famous Seafood in Baltimore
mdlimoassoc.org
New England Livery Association Quarterly Meeting
9/19 location TBA
nelivery.org
The Transportation Alliance Mobilize 2023 Conference
9/19-9/23 Sheraton Myrtle Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
thetransportationalliance.org
Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association Meeting
9/20 Spasso's in Media
prlainc.com
Maryland Motorcoach Association Group Leader Travel Showcase
9/26 Eden Resort & Suites in Lancaster, Pa.
marylandmotorcoach.org
International Association of Transportation Regulators Annual Conference
9/27-9/30 W Hotel in Scottsdale, Ariz.
iatr.global
Would you like to add your event to our annual calendar? Let us know! Email susan@chauffeurdriven.com or rob@chauffeurdriven.com to be included in our calendar.
[07.25.23]
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Motorcoach and specialty equipment provider ABC Companies has partnered with Proterra, a leading innovator in commercial vehicle electrification technology, to open the largest electric motorcoach charging facility in North America this month. The facility is in Newark, California.
The Van Hool TDX25E motorcoach is distributed through ABC
The facility, located on a 3.5-acre campus, is equipped to charge up to 40 electric motorcoaches with 20 dual-cable EV charging dispensers and can support up to 1.4 megawatts of EV charging power, according to a press release from ABC Companies, which also distributes Proterra-powered Van Hool electric motorcoaches. Additionally, the facility offers service, delivery, training, and support for these vehicles.
The chargers are powered through Proterra technology
"As the largest passenger motorcoach and minibus dealer in North America, we are going beyond selling and supporting these vehicles, as we educate, demonstrate, and invest in zero emissions commercial transportation, to accelerate EV adoption. In under two years, over 20 percent of our motorcoach sales are now battery-electric vehicles. However, the rapid growth in our commercial EV sales requires a corresponding charging infrastructure capable of handling the size and power requirements of these vehicles. Therefore, ABC has chosen to invest strategically to support the vehicles already in operation. Through partnerships with industry leaders, we proudly complete our EV Ecosystem, supporting and sustaining e-mobility, while serving our customers and their communities" says ABC Companies CEO Roman Cornell.
The facility has space for up to 40 motorcoaches
Additionally, ABC and Proterra worked with local utility provider PG&E to ensure that the facility would be able to handle the energy demand. The state and the utility provider have long been champions of cleaner forms of energy to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas. PG&E’s EV Fleet program is accelerating EV adoption for commercial customers, helping medium- and heavy-duty fleet customers easily and cost-effectively install charging infrastructure via comprehensive construction support and financial incentives, according to ABC.
“Proterra is driven by sustainability and innovation,” says Proterra’s Chief Business Officer Chris Bailey,. “From batteries and vehicles to chargers and fleet management software, our unique technology ecosystem enables our partners to deliver high-performing commercial EVs and charging solutions to power them. With over a decade of experience within the electrification industry, our team knows the only successful way for fleet operators to scale their commercial fleets is through strategic planning and collaboration. The close collaboration among Proterra, ABC Companies, and PG&E’s EV Fleet Program stakeholders was key to the launch of this innovative charging facility.”
Visit abc-companies.com for more information about ABC Companies’ lineup of electric vehicles. Visit proterra.com for more information about Proterra’s battery technology.
[07.25.23]
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- Category: Industry News
MLA Secretary Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady and CD Editor Rob Smentek
On Tuesday, July 18, the Maryland Limousine Association held its summer membership meeting at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore. The lunch event attracted more than 25 members, vendors, and guests, including CD Editor Rob Smentek.
MLA President Len Joseph of On the Town Limousines kicked things off promptly at noon, welcoming the attendees and introducing guest speakers Robert King of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Mike Blackburn of AddOns/LimoAnywhere. Joseph also took a moment to acknowledge MLA Secretary and Membership Chair Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady for her hard work in planning the meetings for the association.
Japneet Singh of Executive CLS
During a short but information-packed presentation, King brought attention to the fact that Maryland currently reported 301 traffic fatalities to date in 2023, calling it a “silent epidemic.” He then provided some overview of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that was passed in 2022, and initiatives that will affect the ground transportation industry. Fielding questions from the MLA members, King then discussed weigh station regulations, rules pertaining to crossing state lines, and unified carrier registration.
MLA President Len Joseph of On the Town Limousines (left) with Robert King of the FMCSA
Next, Blackburn spoke about the recent AddOns/LimoAnywhere merger as well as the redevelopment of the platform. He also discussed the many benefits of AddOns, and how the company can offer chargeback protection from the “epidemic of friendly fraud” that operators are currently facing. Prompted by a member’s question, Blackburn then talked about LimoAnywhere’s LQC options, calling them a “game changer.”
Mike Blackburn of AddOns/LimoAnywhere
Before lunch was served, Joseph discussed the recent joint MLA/Virginia Limousine Association meeting that was held on June 28. At the event, a six-person committee was formed to address the Clean Hands Code that requires operators to pay $750 per car to perform point-to-point transportation in Washington, D.C. Committee member Japneet Singh of Executive CLS was given the floor to discuss the committee’s lobbying plans.
Finally, Alex Church from Transportation Insurance Brokers and Holly McCulloh of Hilb Group Insurance provided an insurance update. Church confirmed that, unfortunately, rates are continuing to increase, while McCulloh encouraged operators to use analytics to help keep costs lower.
The next MLA meeting will be held at noon on September 19 at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
[07.20.23]