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The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) hosted its “2023 Kick-Off Meeting” on February 15 at the Hampton Inn in Woodbridge. More than 50 members and guests from across the tri-state area were in attendance for the luncheon meeting, including CD Editor Rob Smentek. LANJ welcomed Ken Lucci of Driving Transactions, who presented a two-part educational lecture.
LANJ’s first 2023 meeting attracted more than 50 members and guests
After welcoming new faces and old friends, LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services got things started by delivering the LANJ Report, a roundup of association news. First on the docket was a rundown on what’s being done to fight the proposed congestion pricing in New York City. LANJ is working closely with its lobbyist and N.Y. stakeholders to oppose this plan, which will likely begin in 2025. Next, Sharenow informed members that the N.J. State Police have a new bus inspection team that is performing inspections on bus operators. He said that the troopers have been cooperative and friendly during their “level 3” inspections (i.e., largely paperwork).
Shady Azer of Gem Worldwide Ground Transportation (left) and LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services
Sharenow then took a few minutes to discuss the upcoming CD/NLA Show in Las Vegas on March 5-8, with a particular focus on the educational content (as he serves as Co-chair of the CD/NLA Educational Committee). He then congratulated Chauffeur Driven on the recent publication of the 10th anniversary issue, which was met with a round of applause from attendees.
Guest speaker Ken Lucci of Driving Transactions
Next, the LANJ Membership Committee was thanked for their hard work with getting membership back on track. Sharenow was pleased to announce that operators and vendors are rejoining, and new members—both local and affiliate—are joining the association.
The LANJ Report was concluded with the announcement of the 2023 Board of Directors, which was unanimously approved by membership.
L to R: Vince Pipitone of Secure Trans Connection, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales, and Randall Willms of Minuteman Limousine & Car Service
President: Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services
First Vice President: Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide Ground Transportation
Second Vice President: Mike Rose of My Limousine Service
Secretary: Karen Gajda of Country Club Transportation
Treasurer: Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet Livery Sales
PAC Chair: Pete Corelli of Lakeview Custom Coach
Directors: Anthony Azara of Avalon Chauffeured Services, Jeffrey Cartagena of Leros Point to Point/Royal Coachman Worldwide, Johnny Donohoe of Sterling Limousine, Jay Erlich of Europe Limousine Service, Michael Fogarty of RMA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, Mike Marroccoli of EPIC insurance Brokers & Consultants, John Maziarz of Arrive in Style Transportation, Jason Messinger of BBZ Limousine & Livery Services, Tim Rose of Dolphin Transportation, David Seelinger of EmpireCLS, and Chris Weiss of Chauffeur Driven
LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Chauffeured Services
Lucci then took center stage for his engaging two-part session, Creating Winning Pricing Strategies By Knowing Your Costs/Selling Value Instead of Price. In both halves, he emphasized that selling based on price is not good for the luxury ground transportation industry. Instead, operators should be instituting a value-based marketing strategy, which is when “you can tangibly justify a higher price.” Lucci also touched upon the importance of dynamic pricing, which is “underused” in our industry. While he sayt there may be some resistance to fluctuating rates among corporate clientele, there are ways to institute demand pricing, such as surcharges, add-ons, green-outs, and by-vehicle pricing. Lucci’s accompanying PowerPoint presentations will be made available to LANJ members via email blast.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
[02.21.23]
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ABA President & CEO Peter Pantuso
Peter Pantuso, the longtime president and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA) and president of its research arm, the ABA Foundation, has shared his intention to retire from his position in September 2024. The announcement was made on the association’s website last week.
According to the announcement, Pantuso joined ABA in 1996 as president and CEO, presiding over some of the toughest periods in history for the industry, including 9/11 and the 2008 recession. Among his listed accomplishments: ABA’s membership nearly tripled in size and its annual convention, ABA’s Marketplace, grew to be the leading domestic packaged travel event in the industry during his tenure. He also created the Bus Industry Safety Council and the Bus Maintenance and Repair Council to highlight and promote the highest ethical standards in the bus industry and to increase industry safety, and was instrumental in forming the African American Motorcoach Council, Women in Buses Council, Hispanic Motorcoach Council, Entertainer Motorcoach Council, and the School Bus Council. Pantuso also founded the ABA Foundation, which parses and publishes research and data on the industry and grants scholarships “to promote academic excellence and diversity” in the industry.
“I am honored and grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve ABA and its members. It has been the members’ support, and their trust and belief in me and our staff that has allowed the Association to grow and become the leading organization it is today,” he said, adding, “I am tremendously pleased with the way we have reached out to the industry and developed programs and services during my tenure to enhance our members’ respective business operational, sales, and marketing needs regardless of which segment of the motorcoach, tour or packaged travel industry they were part of. This could not have been accomplished without the dedicated industry leaders and the talented team of professionals on the ABA staff.”
ABA says it will appoint a board-level committee and work with a hiring firm to begin the process of finding his successor. Pantuso adds that he will put “110 percent effort” into leading the association and ultimately guiding the next president and CEO during the transition.
Visit buses.org for more information.
[02.20.23]
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Transportation Advisors, a leading provider of transportation compliance and safety solutions, announces MYDOTDOCS, a comprehensive software program designed to streamline compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations.
According to a company press release, MYDOTDOCS is a revolutionary software program that automates and simplifies the compliance process for transportation companies. The program features a user-friendly interface to manage compliance documentation, reducing the risk of errors and penalties, which is easily accessible to DOT inspectors.
Transportation Advisors President Tom Holden
Transportation companies are required by law to maintain a range of documentation, including driver logs, driver fitness files (DQ), drug and alcohol test results, vehicle maintenance records, and inspection reports. MYDOTDOCS automates this process for companies of all sizes, reducing the risk of non-compliance and ensuring that these organizations are prepared for inspections.
"Our goal with MYDOTDOCS is to simplify the compliance process for transportation companies," said Tom Holden, president of Transportation Advisors and creator of the new program based on his more than 20 years in the industry. "We understand the challenges companies face in managing their compliance documentation, and we believe that MYDOTDOCS is the solution they have been waiting for."
MYDOTDOCS also features real-time alerts that notify when documents are due for renewal or inspection to help companies stay on top of their compliance requirements and avoid costly penalties.
Transportation Advisors provides transportation compliance and safety solutions to companies of all sizes. MYDOTDOCS is the latest addition to the company's suite of services, which Holden says is already receiving high praise from early adopters.
“Transportation Advisors has ensured that my company is in compliance and has given me peace of mind and confidence in knowing they’ve got my back. Their team inundates me with reminders and calls to ensure that my team pays attention to key indicators to maintain a safe operation. As a result, I can focus my attention on growing the business. Without their continued involvement and support, I do not know how I could operate successfully and safely,” said DTS Worldwide Transportation VP of Operators Willie Cook.
Visit theadvisors.org more for information.
[02.16.23]