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- Category: Industry News
L to R: NELA Vice President Tina Benson of L.A. Limousines, Karrine Tessier of Great Bay Limo, and President Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine
On Tuesday, December 3, the New England Livery Association (NELA) held its annual holiday quarterly meeting at Andover Country Club in Andover, Mass. The event attracted 80 members and guests for dinner, entertainment, and the opportunity to support a local charity, Home for Little Wanderers.
The event kicked off with a lively cocktail hour and dinner, music by renowned Boston-area DJ, Nick Lamberti, and private reading courtesy of renowned medium Myra Jean. Throughout the evening attendees had the chance to experience the gift of insight, during personal meetings with Myra Jean.
L to R: CTANJ President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, Kevin Cronin of Above All/Maine Limousine, and Larry White of Maine Limousine
NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management kicked off the podium time by thanking the meeting’s sponsors. The event’s platinum sponsors were Lancer Insurance & Research Underwriters, Volvo Cars of Exeter, Advantage Remarketing Solutions, and Grech Motors. Gold sponsors were Acton Fleet and Dav El/BostonCoach while Hashtag Biz Solutions served as the evening’s entertainment sponsor. The cocktail hour was sponsored by Above All Transportation, Complete Fleet, Dolphin Transportation Specialists, Great Bay Limousine, Freedom Assets, Love Limousine, Model1 Commercial Vehicles, My Limousine Service, MWCS Worldwide Transportation Service, and Pat’s Car Service. Raffle sponsors included ACL Transportation, Chauffeur Driven, EBizCharge, Gem Worldwide Ground Transportation, Great Bay Limousine, RMA Worldwide, and Cabot Coach Builders. Szilagyi also thanked Pat Enxing of Pat’s Car Service for making it possible for the event to be held in the truly upscale Andover Country Club, as well as serving as an additional sponsor for the evening.
L to R: NELA Director James King of Waverly Insurance, Director Keith Ali of Dav El/BostonCoach, Alexa Rosenberger of Lexian Management, and Executive Director Rick Szilagyi of Lexian Management
Szilagyi also introduced Alexa Rosenberger, who recently joined Lexian Management, citing her background in in marine science and community-driven conservation, and 15 years of experience in administration, communications, teaching and managing various volunteer groups.
NELA President Brett Barenholtz, of Above All/Maine Limousine Service, who also serves as NLA president, welcomed everyone, and thanked the committee members who produced the evening’s event, including Alicia Hayes of American Classic Limousine, Larry White of Maine Limousine, Brittni Kirk of All Points Limousine, Tina Benson of L.A. Limousine, Keith Ali of Dav El/BostonCoach, Jim King of Waverly Insurance, and Enxing. Barenholtz continued by having the entire NELA board stand to be recognized. Barenholtz also thanked Szilagyi and all the evening’s sponsors, not to mention Chauffeured Transportation Association of New Jersey (CTANJ) President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service for not only being present but also sponsoring the event. Barenholtz then thanked Ken Lucci of Driving Transactions, and cited the importance of the information Lucci would be sharing with the group later in the evening.
L to R: Brett Barenholtz of Above All/Maine Limousine, David Eckstein of Valera Global, Mark Kini of Boston Chauffeur, and Jonathan Bresler of Pro Limo
After providing a New England-centric state of the industry and NLA update, Barenholtz gave the floor to Lucci, who gave a brief overview of the financial challenges and the solutions for success during the current climate of our industry. Lucci shared information from his company’s educational workshop, Pricing to Profit and Prosper, and how his company works with two groups of clients: transportation company owners to perform comprehensive financial reviews, KPI analyses, and enterprise valuations; and commercial lenders that finance fleets.
L to R: Darren Martin of Advantage Remarketing Solutions, Olga Gonzales of Joshua’s Limousine, Ken Lucci of Driving Transactions, Matthew Lemoine of Joshua’s Limousine, and Eric Coolbaugh of Advantage Remarketing Solutions
Later, Szilagyi stated that Lucci’s presentation was a prelude to his upcoming visit during the March 2025 NELA quarterly meeting, and most importantly, upcoming hands-on sessions.
Entertainment continued, last-minute raffle tickets were purchased, and dozens of gifts were collected during the toy-drive for Home for Little Wanderers. Raffle prize winners were announced, and then NELA’s resident auctioneer, Brett Barenholtz, managed the auction of a CD/NLA Vegas Show pass for operators. Daniel Perez of DPV Transportation and Jonathan Bresler of Pro Limo engaged in spirited bidding. Bresler, after winning twice, donated his winning bids, and turned the pass back for re-auctioning. The final winner of the pass was Karrine Tessier of Great Bay Limo.
Throughout the night everyone networked and connected with old and new friends before we break for the holiday season. The venue was full of holiday decorations and cheer.
Visit nelivery.org for more information.
[12.09.24]
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- Category: Industry News
Jobs rebounded in November after the East Coast hurricanes and the disappointing report last month from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but there are signs that the hiring market is still cooling after a white-hot streak. That cooling trend is being felt on Main Street, according to the latest jobs survey from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg
The most recent jobs report from NFIB found that 36 percent (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners had job openings they could not fill in November, up one point from October. Labor costs reported as the single most important problem for business owners rose three points to 11 percent, only two points below the highest reading of 13 percent reached in December 2021, according to the report. No surprise: Job openings were highest in several industries, including transportation.
“As the overall job market softens, hiring among small businesses remains a struggle,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg in the report. “Main Street owners continue to feel pressure to raise compensation at historically high levels to attract and retain workers.”
To attract workers, a net 32 percent of small business owners reported raising compensation in November, up one point from October with a net 28 percent planning to boost salaries during the three months ahead.
The full report can be found here.
Visit nfib.com for more information.
[12.09.24]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
As we approach the holiday season, regional industry associations are busy as Santa’s elves in preparation for their annual holiday parties. Below is a list of holiday events around the country that are coming in the weeks ahead. We look forward to providing coverage and photos of these parties in our coming e-newsletters.
In the meantime, if your association or business is participating in a seasonal toy drive or other charitable event, please contact Editor Rob Smentek.
12/3
Colorado Limousine Association Holiday Party
Cinzzetti's in Northglenn
6:00 p.m.
cololimo.org
New England Livery Association Quarterly/Holiday Meeting
Andover Country Club in Andover, Mass.
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
nelivery.org
Greater California Livery Association Awards Ceremony/Holiday Gala
Nixon Library in Yorba Linda
6:00 p.m.
gcla.org
12/4
Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association Party/Meeting
Maggiano’s in King of Prussia
6:30 p.m.
prlainc.org
12/10
Maryland Motorcoach Association Holiday Party/Cruise
Spirit Cruise Lines in Baltimore
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
marylandmotorcoach.org
Virginia Limousine Association Holiday Party
Ristorante Renato in Fredericksburg
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
virginialimousineassociation.org
12/12
Chauffeured Transportation Association of New Jersey (formerly LANJ) Holiday Party
Fernandes Night Club in Newark
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
RSVP to patricia.nelson@CTANJ.org
lanj.org
National Limousine Association Holiday Mixer
Online at 4:00 p.m. ET
RSVP here
limo.org
12/17
Maryland Livery Association Holiday Party
Turf Valley Resort in Endicott City
6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
mdlimoassoc.org
1/21
Illinois Limousine & Bus Association Ring in the New Year
Carlucci in Rosemont
4:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
illba.org
[11.25.24]