About LCT Blog

Welcome to LCT Blog, LCT Magazine's blog devoted to "stretching chauffeured transportation." The LCT team appreciates you clicking in, and hopes you'll find some useful and entertaining information. Read more

Contributors

Martin Romjue

Martin Romjue joined LCT Magazine as editor on Jan. 2, 2008. He most recently worked as a business editor for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, and previously reported at newspapers in Virginia, Florida, and California. Read more

Jim Luff

Jim Luff is an operator from Bakersfield, CA who wears a few different hats. Jim began his career in the industry as a private chauffeur in 1990. In 1993 he found a permanent home at The Limousine Scene as the general manager, later becoming a partner. Read more

Michael Campos

Michael Campos joined LCT Magazine as assistant editor on January 3, 2011. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s English/Creative Writing program. Michael attended his first International LCT Show in February 2011, where he met and interacted with operators and vendors. He will be helping LCT further develop its digital media content. Read more

BEST OF. . . February/March 2011 LCT Magazine

SHOWBOUND: The latest issue of LCT Magazine will appear in time for its Feb. 14 debut on the vendor exhibit floor of the 2011 INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW. There’ll be plenty of extra copies, so you’ll have a last-minute Valentine’s gift alternative if you need one. . . .
 
. . . This issue is loosely themed around “Best Of,” to include the annual profiles of Operator of the Year contestants who share their success tips and a Best Ideas section of ways to better run your businesses. Now that’s a lot to love.
 
ON THE COVER: But the real big story this month is LCT’s exclusive, extensive interview with Krystal Enterprises CEO Ed Grech — one of the limousine industry originals who built the largest and most successful global limousine manufacturer from scratch. In December, Grech sat down with Publisher Sara Eastwood-McLean, LCT art director Ron Rennells, and me for a plant tour and a candid office interview. Grech discloses the real story behind KRYSTAL'S STRATEGIC BANKRUPTCY, which the company concluded on Jan. 24. And he details the company’s foray into Mexico and alliance with a China-based investment company. Look for excerpts next week on LCTmag.com.    
 
NOW ON LCTMAG.COM: Three magazine features from the latest issue posted today: BEST OPERATOR IDEAS SAMPLER, which lists finance and personnel tips; SUCCESSFUL SALES STRATEGIES on how to better learn what you’re selling and how to do it; and our annual BUS INDUSTRY UPDATE, indicating that the motorcoach sector is on the rebound as well.
 
ON TO THE SHOW: We’re excited about what is shaping up to be a comeback year for the INTERNATIONAL LCT SHOW; registrations and show floor vendor spaces are UP. There’ll be plenty of opportunities to network and learn, and simply have a good time. Good business moods are long overdue after the last few years.
 
GOLDEN GALA: Don’t forget the annual industry awards celebration, set for Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. Winners of the LCT Operator of the Year, Marketing, and Association awards will be feted in a “Go For The Gold” themed reception, dinner, and presentation. Tip: We actually have a statistical tie for the winner in one of the OOY size categories — so we’ll have FIVE, not four, OOY winners this year.
 
WEST IS BEST: At least it seems so this winter. We certainly hope the climate changes in time for all of our industry East-Of-The-Rockies friends and attendees to get out of the snowbelts sans travel hassles. Las Vegas should at least be above freezing and snow-free; for the Los Angeles-based LCT and Show staffs it’ll actually be cooler. . . Should we bring extra jackets and sweaters? Can we ditch the winter sunscreen?
 
See you at the Show. Warmly — Martin Romjue, LCT editor
Print | posted on Thursday, February 03, 2011 4:57 PM
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