The Florida Limousine Association (FLA) is excited to announce it has reformed to encompass the West Florida Limousine Association (WFLA) and Greater Orlando Limousine Association (GOLA) in the spirit of uniting for one statewide voice.
This summer, leaders from the three organizations agreed to a merger under the Florida Limousine Association (FLA) brand. They retained the management services of Sara Eastwood-Richardson, former LCT publisher, LCT Show chair, and NLA corporate liaison. She founded RAS International in 2019, a company dedicated to working with nonprofit organizations.
The newly unified association also voted in a new board of directors, which will represent districts of the state. The five regions under the FLA umbrella will work together for the entire state, but will also have local chapter special meetings and events. The FLA's new headquarters includes three dedicated staff members.
“A good association is like the scaffolding that supports the companies that belong to it, so the FLA is extremely excited that Sara Eastwood-Richardson is our new executive director. There is a new excitement and a renewed energy that Sara has brought to the organization. We expect membership to reach an all-time high under her leadership. Great things are growing in Florida,” says FLA President Rick Versace of A1A Global Ground.
The FLA is now focusing on fundraising after suspending membership dues during the pandemic. According to Eastwood-Richardson, money earned will seed a defense fund for lobbying and legal work, including the pursuit of a universal permit (most valuable to the southern region). FLA will also focus on tort reform to address the insurance crisis operators are facing.
“When the WFLA was approached, we thought pooling the membership statewide so we could hire a dedicated executive director was a great idea! Operating a limousine company and making the time commitment as a board member to run an association was a lot. Sara is a rock star of associations; just look at what she has done with the GCLA. Having Sara and her team will allow us to better focus on industry issues, organize educational meetings, create charity events, and deliver tremendous value to the membership,” says FLA Board Member Thomas Halsnik of Walsh Chauffeured Transportation. Halsnik was formerly the secretary of the WFLA.
The FLA’s first fundraiser will be held on December 8 at the JW Marriott Grand Lakes in Orlando. The day will kick off with the board’s 2023 strategic planning meeting (members are free to join), followed by a Sponsor Appreciation Reception and Holiday Gala complete with dinner, awards, and live entertainment. More details and registration information is available here.
The association is also releasing its new e-newsletter and revamped website soon. Click here to join the association; memberships are good through December 2023.
Visit floridalimousine.com for more information, or contact Eastwood-Richardson at sara@ras-int.org or 253.314.7568.
[09.12.22]