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Life is better at the beach, as Californians say, and those words rang true for more than 200 transportation professionals who attended the Greater California Livery Association’s (GCLA’s) two-day Expo in Redondo Beach August 30-31.
The Expo was designed to be an association fundraiser and an outreach program for members and non-members, and included networking events, educational sessions, and exhibits.
The event featured an all-star lineup of industry luminaries and was supported by 30 event sponsors and exhibitors (see the full list here). Educational sessions included digital sales training, pricing strategies, sustainability learning, motorcoach recovery strategies, a motivational keynote, and a 2022 Super Bowl Planning Session (Los Angeles).
Patrick O’Brien of O'Brien Law and GCLA Member at Counsel (at mic) speaking at the event
NLA President Robert Alexander of RMA Worldwide also attended the event, where he shared updates about the NLA and the upcoming CD/NLA Show in October in Dallas. He also hosted a presentation called Pricing Strategies You Need to Implement Today.
“The GCLA Expo was a first-class event in every way,” said Derrick Stafford of Elegant Image Limousine.
Platinum Sponsorship Ford/Lincoln partnered with South Bay Ford to debut the new 2022 Aviator. BMW also showcased its 2022 new fleet vehicles, while GMC/Motor City brought a 2022 Yukon Denali and Cadillac, working with Acton/SoCal Penske, displayed its Escalade ESV.
GCLA Fundraising Team hosted a Sports Trivia Night, which attracted more than 70 people and raised an extra $2,000 for the GCLA Advocacy Fund. The association gave special thanks to Tammy Carlyle of Action Worldwide, Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments, and Jim Luff of Chosen Payments for their hard work.
“This event was a much-needed shot in the arm for California operators. It was exceptional and I was thrilled to be a part of it!” said Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[09.08.21]
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The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is the latest vehicle to capture the coveted Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award, joining its cousins the 2021 Corsair and Aviator, Lincoln announced last month.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
The testing included 2021 models of many major industry carmakers, although not all vehicles are tested. For example, there is no current-year data for the Chevy Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator, and high-end specialty vehicles such as Porsche are not included.
2021 Cadillac XT6
The criteria for 2021 Top Safety Picks include ‘good’ ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests. It also needs an advanced or superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention and a good or acceptable headlight rating (or standard to qualify as Top Safety Pick+).
Several other industry favorites also made the list: Cadillac XT6; BMW 3 Series; Mercedes-Benz C-Class, E-Class, GLC, and GLE; the entire Volvo lineup including S60, S90, and XC90; Genesis G70, G80, G90, and GV80; and Tesla Model 3.
You can see the full list of IIHS Safety Picks for 2021 here.
[09.07.21]
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Nikko Assolin enjoying one of his favorite vices: a fine cigar
Nikko’s Worldwide Limousine founder Nikko Assolin died on September 1, 2021, due to complications from COVID. He was 79.
An industry icon—equally known for his business savvy and personal style—Assolin founded Nikko’s Luxury Limousines in 1982 with his late wife Linda (1951-2014) after he had been in the hotel business for 15 years, including time spent as VP operations of Holiday Inn. By 1986, the company had 15 stretches, and in 1995, as Houston’s nightlife was in decline, Nikko bought a corporate-based transportation company, which has since been the framework for Nikko’s Worldwide. Today the company has offices in Houston and Austin, and is considered one of the most respected operations in Texas.
Nikko (bottom right) with friends at an industry event
“My father is well-known and loved by everyone I meet in the industry,” said son Matt Assolin, in a profile for Chauffeur Driven. “There have been times I couldn’t make an event, so we’d send Nikko and all I hear from my friends is that he was the center of attention.”
In recent years, with Matt taking over much of the workload at the company, Nikko enjoyed dinner with friends and spending time with the next generation of Assolins. He remained a well-loved fixture at industry events, always willing to share a fine cigar with friends and colleagues.
Matt and Nikko (right) Assolin of Nikko’s Worldwide Chauffeured Services pictured in a Chauffeur Driven profile (February 2017)
Details concerning a Celebration of Life are forthcoming.
He is survived by his son Matt, daughter-in-law Xochitl, and two grandchildren.
The staff at Chauffeur Driven sends our condolences to the entire Assolin family on their loss.
Some condolences via Facebook:
“[Nikko] lived life to the fullest. He had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed having a good time. I’ll miss seeing him at the shows.” – Jeff Nyikos, CEO of Leros Point to Point/Royal Coachman
“Nikko was a great guy and was very helpful to me when I first started in the limo industry ... great to talk to and very knowledgeable. A true Houston icon in the industry.” – Renzo Ormsbee, Founder of Elite Worldwide Transportation
[09.07.21]