CD President Chris Weiss (left) with CD/NLA Show pass winner Randall Willms of Minuteman Limousine and Car Service 
L to R: Dino Olivares of Complete Fleet, Davit Kitiashvili of A2B Corporate Sedan, Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet, and George Ioseliani of A2B Corporate Sedan
The holiday spirit was in the air—and meat was on the plate—at the holiday dinner meeting of the Chauffeured Transportation Association of New Jersey (CTANJ). Held December 12 at the Fernandes Night Club in Newark, more than 90 members from across the tristate area were in attendance, as well as vendors and guests from across the country. In addition to offering a tremendous Brazilian Rodizio steak dinner, in which decadent cuts of meat were sliced and served table side, the event also served as a Toys for Toys collection. Dozens and dozens of toys filled three giant boxes for the Marine Corps-sponsored charity.
Networking was on full tilt at the dinner, as the open-bar cocktail hour, sponsored by Buffalo Limousine, Complete Fleet Livery Sales, Fleetwood Worldwide World Class Chauffeured Services, and Leros Transportation Group, gave members an opportunity to catch up and share some seasonal cheer. A DJ was on hand to spin holiday and popular favorites. What would a party in NJ be without a little Springsteen?
Lou Gastaldi from Garden State A-1 Car & Limousine Service (left) with CD Editor Rob Smentek 
Three boxes of toys were collected for Toys for Tots
While an enormous array of appetizers and salads were being offered, CTANJ President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service addressed the attendees. He first introduced the board members in attendance, who were met with a round of applause. Rose also thanked the evening’s long list of sponsors, which included Dinner Sponsors Country Club Transportation, EmpireCLS, Gem Worldwide, and Stafford/Love Limousine as well as Appetizer Sponsors Ace Limousine & Airport Service, Chauffeur Driven, Create-A-Card, Dolphin Transportation Specialists, Executive Luxury Service, Key Transportation, Long Island Limousine Association, Metropolis Passenger Logistics, Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, PAX Training, RMA Worldwide, Special 1 Media, Sterling Limousine & Transportation Services, T-Mobile, and Vander Plaat Executive Limousine Service. Executive Director Patricia Nelson also got some well-deserved recognition from Rose, as he thanked her for all she does for the association. CTANJ Vice President Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide and Treasurer Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet also took a moment to thank sponsors and offer some appreciation to Rose, who is completing his first successful year as CTANJ president.
L to R: Carl Restivo of Advantage Remarketing Solutions, CTANJ Vice President Joe Gulino of Gem Worldwide, Ray Gallagher of RMA Worldwide, CTANJ President Mike Rose of My Limousine Service, and David Eckstein of Valera Global 
More than 90 members and guests were in attendance 
L to R: Josh Schneeweiss of Advanced Limousine & Worldwide Car Service, Chris Weiss, Steve Horowitz of EmpireCLS, and Rich Doherty of EmpireCLS
After dinner was served, Trabb acted as auctioneer as a CD/NLA Vegas Show pass was on the proverbial auction block. After some heated bidding, the winner was Randall Willms of Minuteman Limousine and Car Service, who will be joining hundreds of operators from around the world when the show returns to the Paris Hotel & Casino from February 23-26.
Visit ctanj.org for more information.
[12.17.24]