HALCA Members Gather After Super Bowl

HALCA President Ismail Abed of LaBresse Limousines Houston — After enjoying a surge in business and smiles all around post-Super Bowl, Houston Area Livery & Charter Association (HALCA) started the year with a meeting February 21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Newly elected President Ismail Abed of LaBresse Limousines presided over the meeting.

A major topic of conversation was the association’s goal to increase membership this year. “We hope to build a stronger voice for our association,” said Abed. “We’ll be reaching out to other major cities in Texas in order to work together and help each other with common issues and problems. We hope to build a network among these operators.”

Abed started with HALCA in 1988 and has seen the membership increase to its now-present 75 operators. To help foster new growth, the association offered small educational meetings as well as Q&A sessions last year. Guests were invited to attend the open meetings throughout the year, and this also helped to increase interest in membership.

Another agenda item was the recent WAV deadline on January 12. After some tough questions and back and forth with City of Houston, the board was able to offer clarification for the membership. “We went through the turmoil of confusing information about requirements, approved vehicles, and the prices these approved companies could charge,” reported board member Jon Ouazdi of TransGates Limousine. The WAV-approved companies are currently noted on the HALCA’s website.

Local operators are now gearing up for rodeo season in Houston and will have their next meeting later in the spring.

Visit the houstonlimos.info for more information.

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