Industry News - Chauffeur Driven Magazine

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2021, October 26

Davey Coach Sales—a leading dealer and lease fleet provider of new and used midsize shuttle bus and specialty transportation vehicles representing 15 bus manufacturers—has added new members to the Davey Coach team. After establishing a permanent location in California as part of the company’s growth plans, Davey Coach President Mark Stenseth has announced the following new appointments to its Colorado operations.

They include:

Director of Fixed Operations Michael Maddox has more than 20 years of progressive operational success in both commercial truck leasing and the passenger bus industry, and his leadership and process-driven background will help guide the company’s growth plans.

Transportation Consultant Ben Olszewski brings several years of experience and knowledge through service and aftermarket automotive and bus management. His extensive technical knowledge combined with his customer relations skills provide a foundation for success.

Transportation Coordinator Clayton Weldon’s history of dealership support and multi-location logistics has prepared him well for his new role as organization and logistical support are the keys to any well-running bus sales and leasing operation.

“Davey Coach is excited to have added such excellent talent, and we look forward to seeing the team work together to support our customers and build long-term relationships that serve the small- and medium-size bus market,” said Stenseth in the company’s announcment.

Visit daveycoach.com for more information.

[10.26.21]

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2021, October 26

GBTA

Optimistic signs of return and tangible recovery in the business travel sector could be seen over the past month, according to the latest poll from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). More than half (52 percent) of industry respondents reported more optimism compared to the association’s September poll. October also saw an increase to 66 percent of those polled who said their companies are allowing non-essential domestic business travel and, in a high for the year, 42 percent international travel, while more than half of suppliers (55 percent) say their bookings from corporate customers increased from last month.

Three in four (74 percent) indicated support for the opening of US borders, slated for November 8, with the required protocols, with seven in 10 expecting an increase in international business travel over the next six months as a result. GBTA members and stakeholders strongly agree that reduced infection rates and increased vaccinations will accelerate business travel at their company, with 59 percent indicating increased vaccination rates around the world would be a top driver.

GBTA GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang

“There’s still a road ahead for recovery but we’re delighted to see the opening up of borders and a return to non-essential business travel. While we have seen ever-increasing domestic and short-haul travel, a more accelerated recovery has been hindered by the lack of international trans-Atlantic travel. The opening of the much-anticipated Europe and UK to US travel corridors, as well as the opening of land borders to Canada and Mexico, will give a much-needed boost to the business travel ecosystem and global economy,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang. “Safety and duty of care continue to be of upmost importance to our members, who overwhelmingly support vaccine programs as well as smart travel policies to ensure a safe return to business travel, meetings and events.”

Poll highlights:

SUPPORT AND EXPECTATIONS FOR US BORDER OPENINGS. Support is strong for the US policy to open borders with new requirements for international visitors to enter the US, including proof of vaccinations status, and proof of a negative COVID test result within three days of travel departure. Three in four US-based GBTA members and stakeholders strongly support (50 percent) or support (24 percent) the policy and one in five (17 percent) are neutral of the policy. Seven in 10 (73 percent) respondents believe the US policy will greatly or moderately increase international business travel to the US in the next six months. One in four (26 percent) believe the policy will only slightly increase international business travel to the US.
OPTIMISM COMING BACK. More than half of supplier and travel management company staff (52 percent) report they feel more optimistic compared to a month ago (22 percent in the September poll) for the industry’s path to recovery. Only one in ten (10 percent) say they feel more pessimistic compared to a month ago (27 percent).
GREENLIGHTING BUSINESS TRAVEL. The October poll saw an increase to 66 percent reporting their companies usually or sometimes allow non-essential domestic business travel, up from 61 percent in September. Non-essential international business travel followed a similar trend, up to 42 percent (from 34 percent in September).
ROAD WARRIORS ARE READY. Among those who stated they have traveled less or much less for business than they did pre-pandemic, seven in ten (70 percent) say they miss traveling for business and are eager to travel for business more in the future. One in five (21 percent) do not miss traveling for business and wouldn’t mind traveling less in the future and 10 percent are unsure. Respondents based in Europe (31 percent) are more likely to not miss business travel compared to those in North America (19 percent).
VACCINES? Respondents based in Europe (73 percent) are more likely than respondents based in North America (58 percent) to say they do not require vaccinations to travel for business and/or meet clients or customers face to face. Likewise, respondents based in Europe (85 percent) are more likely than those based in North America (59 percent) to say they do not require vaccinations to travel to return to the office and work from the office.
SOME OFFICES OPEN, FLEXIBLE WORKING THE NORM. Two-thirds of respondents (67 percent) still have significant flexibility to work from home. This includes those who say their company’s offices largely have not re-opened (31 percent) or have permanently closed (2 percent), and those who say their offices have re-opened but employees can choose to work from the office or from home (34 percent).

The October poll is the 24^th in a series tracking the pulse of GBTA’s membership of global travel buyers, suppliers, and other stakeholders on how the business travel industry overall is navigating the return to travel, post pandemic. You can view more details and additional key highlights as well as previous poll results here.

[10.26.21]

Details: Category: Industry News; Published: 2021, October 26

The results are in! The National Limousine Association (NLA) has released its slate of candidates who are vying for a seat on the association’s board across the country and globally. According to the NLA, eligible voting members will receive their unique voting credentials via email in early November.

The candidates are (click on the candidate’s name for more information):

At-Large (one open seat)

Central (one open seat)

Northeast (one open seat)

West (one open seat)

Canada (one open seat)

Joe Ironi of Global Alliance Worldwide Chauffeured Services

International (one open seat)

The association is also holding a Debate Day livestream for members to get to know the candidates and their platforms on October 27, hosted by Bill Faeth of Limo U. The hourly debates will be segmented by region, and members are invited to submit questions to bill@limogrowth.com or during the livestream (click here to join the event or become a member of the Limo Growth Facebook group).

Debate Day Schedule:
Northeast: 11am ET
Central: 12pm ET
West: 1pm ET
At-Large: 2pm ET
Canada and International: 3pm ET

Visit limo.org or facebook.com/nla1985 for more information.

[10.26.21]