MLOA Packs Big News, RFP Education into Meeting

L to R: MLOA First Vice President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine, Jim Luff of Chosen Payments, MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation, MLOA Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine, Sarah McKee of Chosen Payments, and MLOA Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet with the rebate check Chosen Payments presented to the MLOA board National Harbor, Md. — Nearly 60 members, supporters, and industry friends attended the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) meeting held October 9 at the 2018 CD Show.

It was the association’s first in-person gathering since Barbara Oliver was hired as its executive director, and she was welcomed with thunderous applause as she began the meeting.

President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation then gave a brief history of the nearly eight-year-old organization, explaining how the MLOA was born of “a lack of education for smaller and minority operators” and that its growth is thanks to its dedicated members.

“The 27 attendees of our first meeting more than seven years ago formed the nucleus of the association,” he explained. “We prioritized fellowship, have offered countless webinars and educational opportunities, and last year’s presentation from Delta yielded a half-million-dollar deal for one of our members. You’re all bringing life to the MLOA!”

Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet and Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine gave their respective reports—though Tymus said that big news would render his “membership report totally obsolete.”

“You’ll be shaking my hand later,” he said.

Craig Hall of Ford-Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles and Brian Patnoe of Mercedes-Benz both spoke as new sponsors and expressed their intent on helping the association thrive.

“You have a special organization and we want to be here as a supporter,” said Hall, whose company was also a Title Sponsor of the CD Show.

L to R: MLOA Second Vice President Reggie Tymus of Capital City Limousine, Karen Swain of Excelous, MLOA President Maurice Brewster of Mosaic Global Transportation, MLOA Executive Director Barbara Oliver, Vic Boulton of Excelous, MLOA First Vice President Darrell Anderson of A-National Limousine, and MLOA Treasurer Travis Latham of Fellowship Fleet After Sarah McKee and Jim Luff of Chosen Payments presented the MLOA’s $2,097.74 rebate check to the board, Brewster made the good-news announcement that Tymus had promised: MLOA membership is now completely free.

“Our sponsorships allow us to say that our membership is free!” Brewster exclaimed over a room of desktop drumrolls that quickly turned to applause. “Instead of paying the $295 fee, you don’t have to pay a cent. There is power in numbers, and this is one of the perks of a robust membership and the support of our generous sponsors.”

Several members immediately stepped up after the announcement to make donations to the association.

Oliver then welcomed the day’s esteemed guests, Vic Boulton and Karen Swain of the Atlanta-based consulting firm Excelous. Swain offered an extensive presentation on the best methods, tips, and strategies for crafting an RFP that does justice to the services an operator’s company can provide.

“There is a process to proposal writing,” she advised the audience. “Before you respond with an RFP, you have to understand what the job entails and demands. You cannot ignore the specifications of an RFP contract and construction: It WILL disqualify you. Read the minimum qualifications first!”

Swain further outlined the anatomy of an RFP, offered up advice like requesting a review of your RFP from the procurement officer the next time your proposal isn’t selected so you can learn what corrections to make, and how simply copying and pasting from previous RFPs or other sources from within your company is frowned upon.

And while the meeting officially ended after its prescribed hour and 15 minutes, both Swain and Boulton stayed well beyond that to lend additional insights to those looking for a crash course in RFPs.

The next MLOA meeting will be its bimonthly general conference call for all members November 28.

Visit mlooa.org for more information.

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