Newly installed TTA President Tom Arrighi during his acceptance speech
Las Vegas — In an action-packed three days in Bally’s Las Vegas, The Transportation Alliance elected its newest president, bestowed top awards on fleet executives, and hosted educational sessions, fun networking events, and an industry trade show at Mobilize 2019, the group’s annual convention and expo.
Tom Arrighi, President of A&A Metro Transportation of Bridgewater, Ma., was sworn in as the association’s 2019-2020 president. In his acceptance speech, Arrighi pledged to ensure that the association remains focused on diversification, expansion, and advocacy as an industry voice in Washington, D.C.
Attendees also celebrated several well-deserved honors recognizing industry leaders, including:
Executive of the Year Dave Gauer (left) with TTA’s Immediate Past President Terry O’Toole
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Joseph, former CEO of Transdev North America
• Executive of the Year: Dave Gauer, CEO of VIP Taxi in Phoenix, AZ
• Honorary Directors: Jim Bell, former CEO of Diamond Taxicab Dispatch service, Toronto, Canada; and Geoffrey Riesel, former CEO of Radio Taxis Group, London, England
The 30,000 square foot trade show floor allowed fleet executives to peruse the latest industry equipment and services, from vehicles to software to insurance, and more.
On the educational side of the event, the show’s ever-popular Learning Labs did not disappoint. With three separate tracks of educational sessions—Innovation & Technology, Diversification & Market Trends, and Operational Execllence—attendees could choose among nine different discussions on topics including call center infrastructure, tactics for reducing fleet downtime, microtransit business opportunities, new business advice for the procurement of NEMT work, and more.
Past TTA President Dwight Kines (left) and President Tom Arrighi (right) with Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Mark Joseph (center)
As part of the convention, the association’s sister organization—the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Foundation—unveiled two new driver recruiting and retention videos available for free to any member. The videos are now available on the association’s website in the Members Resource Center section.
The association now looks ahead to its next major event: it’s Spring Conference & Expo that will be held March 18-20 in Boston at the Westin Copley Place. More details will be coming soon.
Visit thetransportationalliance.org for more information.
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