The CD/NLA Fall Show is next month, and if you haven’t registered, the deadline to save some serious dollars is rapidly approaching. If you’re planning on joining us at the fab Gaylord National on October 25-27, be aware that our Early Bird Rate expires Thursday (9/10), which means this is your last opportunity to get a full show pass for just $525. Of course, NLA members will save an additional $76, getting the show experience for only $449. Click here to register today.
We have a lot planned for our stay in National Harbor, and your show pass includes three days of education, along with a pair of breakfasts and lunches—not to mention two incredible after-hours evening events with open bar. And, like all CD/NLA events, the networking opportunities are immense. Not only are you able to meet with colleagues face-to-face at the aforementioned meals and parties, but we have dedicated networking events designed for operators to make new connections and gain fresh partnerships.
Case in point is our Women in the Industry breakfast, hosted by the NLA/CD Women’s Leadership Council (WLC). Kicking off Tuesday at 8:30 a.m., we’ll start the day in style with a celebration of the ladies of the luxury transportation industry. While food is served, the WLC is pleased to announce three new awards as part of their Driven to Empower program, which recognizes women within the chauffeured transportation industry who are making a meaningful difference through leadership, service, innovation, mentorship, and professional excellence. The awards are peer-nominated and designed to highlight individuals whose contributions positively impact their companies, colleagues, communities, and the industry as a whole.
The awards include:
- Visionary Leadership Award: Recognizes an established leader whose influence has shaped her company, the industry, and those around her through leadership, innovation, mentorship, integrity, and service.
- Emerging Leader Award: Recognizes an individual whose leadership presence, professional growth, and increasing influence are helping shape the future of their company and the chauffeured transportation industry. Nominees may be newer to leadership roles, growing a business, expanding their industry involvement, or demonstrating exceptional momentum in their career and contributions.
- Heart of the Industry Award: Recognizes a staff member or behind-the-scenes professional who consistently goes above and beyond to support others, strengthen their team, and positively represents the industry through dedication, professionalism, and service.
The award nominations will open at the Fall Show and close on December 3, 2026, with a ceremony to be held at the 2027 CD/NLA Vegas Show.
“These awards are long overdue,” says WLC Co-chair Michelle Miller of Elite Coach Transportation. “We all know women in this industry who have made a difference—some who have been doing it for decades and others who may be newer to the industry but are already making an impact. They are owners, operators, managers, chauffeurs, salespeople, mentors, behind-the-scenes problem solvers, and women who are always willing to help someone else succeed. This will be our chance to talk about the new awards, how the nomination process will work, and most importantly, start thinking about who those women are that deserve to be recognized in Vegas.”
In addition to the awards announcement, the Women in the Industry breakfast will also feature a period of structured networking. Similar to the popular First-Timers’ Event held annually in Vegas, this program will see moderated groups of operators collaborating on an industry-related question before moving to a new group of faces. This promises to be a fun and enriching activity to start the day. To register for the Women in the Industry Breakfast, simply click here.
“We want networking to happen throughout the entire 75 minutes of this event. Sit with someone you don’t know. Introduce yourself to someone you have seen at the shows but have never actually met. Exchange information, talk about your business, ask questions, and make some new connections. One of the greatest things about this industry is the relationships we build along the way, and sometimes all it takes is one introduction or one conversation to create a friendship, a business relationship, or even a mentor,” says Miller.
Visit cdnlashow.com for more information.
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