The recently rebranded Maryland Livery Association (MLA) met on June 18 for their bimonthly membership meeting. Held at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Residences in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, the meeting attracted 30 members and guests including CD President Chris Weiss and Editor Rob Smentek. In addition to announcing the organization’s new name (changed from Maryland Limousine Association), the Board of Directors also unveiled a new logo.
L to R: Director Quentin Bassey of RSTQ Transportation, President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines, Treasurer Michael Greene of A Platinum Plus Limousine, CD President Chris Weiss, Secretary Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady, Vice President Gary Day of American Limousines, and Director Japneet Suri of Executive CLS
MLA President Len Joseph of On The Town Limousines began the meeting by welcoming attendees.
“I’m extremely happy with where we’re going with the association,” said Joseph, who then called for members to get involved in the legislative, fundraising, and membership committees. He also reported that he had been to the recent Virginia Limousine Association (VLA) meeting and shared that any vehicle servicing D.C. airports with nine passengers or more must get a free permitting sticker from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Joseph and Director Japneet Suri of Executive CLS then introduced the afternoon’s first guest speaker, new MLA Vendor Member Harry Dhillon of Hashtag Biz Solutions, who appeared via video conferencing. Dhillon provided an overview of Hashtag’s services, which include staffing, answering services, and digital marketing. He dictated the company’s core values, which includes 24/7 services for their client base.
L to R: Harrison Akasiaka of Elite Moves, William Kerr, Jodie Lethgoe of Career Driver, Carol Grant of HighPoint Solutions, and Len Joseph
The meeting’s next speaker was Jodie Lethgoe from Career Driver, who gave a presentation entitled Ride to Recruitment, in which she detailed a four-level funnel model for employee recruitment.
Next, Weiss was invited to speak about upcoming CD/NLA events, specifically the upcoming Fall Show at the Gaylord National on October 13-16, just outside of D.C. (which, of course, is local to the MLA and its members). He then introduced Carol Grant of credit card processor HighPoint Solutions, who became the association’s newest vendor member.
L to R: Len Joseph, Joanna Fridinger, CD Editor Rob Smentek, and Michael Greene
VLA President William Kerr of Camryn Limousine was then introduced. He said that it’s an “exciting time” for the two associations, who are looking to work closely on legislative and regulatory issues they both face. Kerr invited MLA members to attend the VLA’s upcoming fishing trip/meeting on August 27 in Virginia Beach.
Before concluding, Secretary Joanna Fridinger of The Limo Lady revealed that plans are underway for a new association website.
The next MLA meeting is scheduled for August 20 at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood in Baltimore.
Visit mdlimoassoc.org for more information.
[06.24.24]