MARTIN ROMJUE: The two key sponsors at a Greater California Livery Association meeting show the way forward on supporting limo industry causes and generating good business.
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SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: Any industry of any size will have members with differences of opinion and outlook, but once in a while I'll hear a
smoking little whopper that needs clarifying. In most cases, the incorrect statement reflects a viewpoint with wider currency that the sole person mentioning it. Let's look at the notion that
"the NLA does not benefit small operators." You can refute that on numbers alone; the
National Limousine Association as of today has 1,942 members. Most of them are small- to medium-sized limo companies, so if the NLA didn't benefit small operators, its membership would be down in the low hundreds. The facts are that the NLA helps operators of all fleet sizes, starting with offers of all kinds of discounts and reduced rates on key products and services. The educational tracks at the
International LCT Show, led by the NLA, for years have offered ample seminars relevant to operators with 10 vehicles or less. NLA leaders and lobbyists advocate on behalf of legislative and regulatory matters affecting everyone, even if a small operator doesn't fully realize it. Political conflicts over business models, employee classifications, overtime wages on gratuities, inter- and intra-state ground transportation regulations -- those pretty much cover anyone with a license and a Lincoln. So the next time you hear the canard
"the NLA does not benefit small operators," its likely being uttered for much less worthy reasons exclusive of stating a fact.
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
LCT EDITOR'S COLUMN: Limo operators frustrated with the economy and regulations during the last few years can support real change through the many industry groups trying to improve the business climate.
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MARTIN ROMJUE: I recently heard one of the best political primers to date of what operators and small business owners need to be aware of this election year.
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GROUND TRANSPORTATION DRAMA: San Francisco is one of the most desirable and scenic cities in the world, and its airport terminals stand out for their 21st Century amenities, internal design and traveler conveniences. But the San Francisco International Airport is one of the worst places to do business for ground transportation companies, as limousine operators fighting extremist green rules and illegal solicitors at SFO are well aware. Now a report shows the SFO shuttle situation is a confusing mess. Aside from underscoring the advantages of chauffeured transportation compared to the shuttle-cattle cart option, the story proves that the fog extends well beyond the runaways to SFO's transportation management. -- Martin Romjue, LCT Magazine
GETTING NOTICED: Operator Douglas Schwartz of EXECUTIVE LIMOUSINE in Bellmore, N.Y., and the president of the LONG ISLAND LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION, landed in the business section of the New York Times today in a column about Small Business. The topic is about Internet advertising and social media, and how Schwartz has adapted to and invested his ad dollars in them for better returns. The column also EVALUATES AND ASKS FOR FEEDBACK on Schwartz's web site. A follow up column next week will highlight constructive criticism of the Executive web site. Call it a two-fer: Good exposure and a chance to get expert advice on doing better.
Separately, the LILA WEB SITE deserves praise for its simple, news-oriented format, which is a useful service for operator-members. Best of all: It's not too busy and gets to the point. -- M.R.
PERFECT STORM: California operators to fight SFO green vehicle policy; scientist claims global cooling; CA global warming bill would drive business out of state; and it's a cold wet May in Europe.
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TO CATCH A LIMO: Bureaucrats at the San Francisco International Airport seem hellbent on enforcing
STRICT GREEN VEHICLE REGULATIONS, which will be the subject of a major
GCLA TOWN HALL MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT. But, aren't there much more pressing things on the table, such as the
ILLEGAL OPERATORS LURKING on airport property? Any SFO green vehicle policy will be rendered meaningless if illegal operators, who don't follow any rules anyway, keep accessing the airport. So let's get this straight: SFO wants to criminalize non-green vehicles used by LEGAL operators, but yet it and the California Public Utilities Commission so far cannot effectively crackdown on ILLEGAL ones who avoid licenses, insurance, and safety checks. Maybe a solution here would be that no green vehicle policies can be adopted at any airports until state and airport authorities meet measurable, defined goals in reducing illegal operator activity. -- M.R.
GREATER CALIFORNIA LIVERY ASSOCIATION: The industry group representing the state with the most operators has completed its list of officers, directors, and vendor directors for 2010. . . a WHO'S WHO of the Golden State's chauffeured transportation scene. . .
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CHRISTMAS REPORT: The Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association offers a heartwarming account of how operators and their families and employees rallied for the association's annual Limo By Santa event on Dec. 14 at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. Participating PRLA members were Aries Limousine, Global Limousine Service, Private Coach Limousine Service, and Profile Transportation Service. . .
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HOLIDAY CLOSER: The Greater California Livery Association gathered for its last function of the year Monday night, celebrating the approach of 2010 much more than the passage of a rough 2009. . .
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TWO ASSOCIATION PRESIDENTS are making a delicious wager on the Phillies Vs. the Yankees. . .
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DD: Distracted Driving is now the new "Drunk Driving" awareness juggernaut, as it moves to the forefront of issues facing chauffeured transportation with the New York TLC's floater proposal to ban use of cell phones among chauffeurs and cabbies. See some valid arguments below AGAINST such a crippling regulation.
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LINDA JAGIELA: Last week, Commissioner Matthew Daus gave a favorable ruling to the Avis/We DriveU model in New York City. Although the New York/New Jersey Port Authority had already ruled against the Avis model, Commissioner Daus and his legal team found that the Avis model did not violate any city laws.
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OPERATORS & REGULATORS: In one of the most helpful moves made by the NLA in recent history, NLA attorneys spell out everything you need to know about compliance with labor laws specific to the industry, including the hot topic of "employee vs. independent contractor.”
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TRUTH IN LABELING: Most limousine companies automatically add 18-20% “gratuity” to their bills. Is this really a gratuity or is it a service charge?
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KENTUCKY LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION: The KLA has spent the last few months putting together a simple statement about itself, purpose, goals, and positions.
POSITION PAPER HERE. Helpful to members and legislators alike, such papers can help any industry organization focus clearly on specifics. Note the KLA's official opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act; such clear, bold statements against harmful measures are needed in the anti-business, anti-free market climate developing in many state capitals and in Washington, D.C. as desperately grabby politicians ignore busniess constituents at their peril. -- M.R.
LINDA MOORE: Yesterday, I spent the day walking the hallowed halls of the Pennsylvania state capital in Harrisburg with the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association. I am always jazzed after a day of lobbying and I want to share my thoughts with you about the experience.
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REGULATORY SPOTLIGHT: LCT’s Jim Luff posted the first installment this week of an ongoing series of updates on a regulatory conflict in the Tampa Bay area that gets to the nub of what many operators face: Costly and inconsistent regulations, rules, vehicle definitions, and fees by meddlesome municipal bureaucracies that needlessly complicate business for operators.
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BUSTING GYPSIES: Recent enforcement efforts against illegal operators in Atlanta have caught up a few legitimate operators in the crackdown.
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IN THE SHADOWS: During the past few weeks we have been working on our Big Black Book which is our August issue. I have had the opportunity to discuss with operators what issues are affecting their geographic area. . .
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LINDA MOORE: As many of you know, I spent a good portion of last week at the NLA Day on the Hill in Washington D.C. I walked across the Capitol many times, going from the House side to the Senate side and back. On one trek across, I saw a young couple taking photos on the Capitol steps. The young man who appeared to be in his 20s wore a T-shirt that said “New F*#$%^G York.”
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DAY ON THE HILL: Eli Darland, owner of Seattle-based Rare Form Limousine, offers THIS EXCERPT on Tuesday's event, the annual industry lobbying effort on Capitol Hill. Darland, whose 4-vehicle company was featured in the October 2008 issue of LCT Magazine, is one limo entrepreneur who really "GETS IT": He blogs, maintains an innovative website, participates in the industry, offers creative package deals, equips his limos with high end entertainment-systems, and builds on his connections as a former night club promoter. He also actively engaged with speakers at the 2008 LCT Leadership Summit in Miami Beach. That's called leading by example. -- M.R.
LCT EAST COAST EDITOR Linda Moore has been busy this week attending a quarterly NLA board meeting and annual Capitol Hill lobbying event. Inspired by the experience, here is Linda's first dispatch. More to come on LCT's Driving Force e-newsletter and July print edition.
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GCLA UPDATE: The richest, most populous state with the most chauffeured activity in the world appears headed into an economic Dark Age. The effects on operators are tragic and unnecessary. GCLA leaders sum up the situation. . .
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PHILLY OPS prove that there are still serious forms of political activism that actually aim to improve the situations of business owners, i.e. limo operators. LCT covers the "March On Harrisburg". . .
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SMACKDOWN: Former South Florida operator and Florida Limousine Association member Linda Moore takes former colleagues and FLA members to task for the latest intra-association bickering over elections, influence, and agendas. But she reserves her strongest firepower for those operators who whine but never find the time to volunteer or participate.
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MOVING FORWARD: We would never be so bold as to predict a bottoming out for the industry, but the GCLA's May meeting proved there is a consistent pulse. . .
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ECONOMIC PILLAR SUFFERS: The following letter today by Jonna Sabroff, executive vice president of the Greater California Livery Associaiton, sums up the high stakes for chauffeured transportation in this economy and how its fortunes are so closely linked to the business travel sector, which has been decimated by fearful corporate cutbacks and politicized populist rage.
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EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT: Today's Wall Street Journal presents a
strong argument against union card-check legislation -- a major threat to American businesses and one of the leading concerns in the chauffeured transportation industry -- from an unlikely source. If a senior radical politician who lost in a major landslide election opposes the EFCA, maybe it can be stymied for good, or at least until a more favorable business climate emerges. -- M.R.
JUST FYI: The Limousine Association of Houston circulated the below memo today on how operators should handle swine flu precautions.
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RANDOM PHOTOS & FACTS: LCT offers a few items and shots from the April 21 Greater California Livery Association's Expo near Los Angeles International Airport.
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KEEPING POLITICAL SCORE: As the business travel and chauffeured transportation sectors suffer the Big Chill, it helps to make sure your political memory stays sharp, members of the Greater California Livery Association were told this week
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ANNUAL EXPO: The Greater California Livery Association held its annual Expo last night at the landmark Proud Bird restaurant just off the southern most runway path of LAX: NLA board member and Windy City Limousine owner George Jacobs delieverd an optimistic keynote with tips on getting new business; GCLA first VP Jonna Sabroff issued a call to accountability for politicians decimating the business travel sector; and operators and vendors offered up some anecdotes from the front lines. More coverage and photos to come Thursday.
Jacobs, who has worked in the industry since 1979 and served several terms as NLA President, said of the GCLA: "This is the best association in the country without a doubt." The GCLA recently received the 2009 LCT Association Award of Excellence; it retains its own lobbying team; successfully represents operators from markedly disparate areas of the state; has been out front on efforts to roll back the political intimidation of the business travel sector; and deals with one of the most aggressive regulatory and tax climates in the nation. California also ranks as the state with the highest number of operators. -- M.R.
LINDA MOORE ASKS: Why aren't you part of an association AND the NLA?
LINDA EXPLAINS: Why you should belong. Bottom line: You hurt your business if you don't.
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LESSONS FOR OPERATORS: This WSJ account of how the business community stood strong and unified against the anti-democratic card check legislation is a better example of "Yes We Can" than anything politicians in DC can muster. The chauffeured transportation industry would do well to draw from this example as it battles rampant regulations, a decimated business travel climate, and Avis WeDriveU. Regadless of prevailing political winds, unity coalesced through NLA and local association involvement, as well as LCT Magazine events, can net results favorable to operator survival and service growth. -- M.R.
REGULATORY HEAVY HYBRID HANDS: This doesn't look took pleasant for the NYC taxi industry; it certainly must not happen to luxury limousine operators in NYC. Stay up to date and get on board with LBOA, an active, vigilant industry association looking out for you.
OPERATORS NEEDED: The Luxury-Base Operators Association will be meeting with Taxi & Limousine Commission officials next week to go over proposed rules affecting chauffeured transportation for New York City. . .
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S.O.S. FOR THE PALATE: What happens when the Chauffeured Sage of Boston stages a food fight at an authentic Italian restaurant in Nancy Pelosi’s “Cali-fone-ia” district?
Last night, between bites of grilled salmone, chicken cacciatore, antipasti, insalate, and spumoni, the Greater California Livery Association got a taste. . .
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GCLA WANTS TO KNOW: The biz travel chill coming out of Washington, D.C. could potentially decimate the business travel, hospitality, and ground transportation industries, including luxury limousine operators. GCLA members have received the following e-mail that should go out to all operators nationwide. . .
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MOMENTUM BUILDS AGAINST BAD TRAVEL RULES: The list of professonal travel, hospitality, meeting, and transportation service organizations rallying against flawed business travel legislation is reaching critical mass. Such cooperation and backbone prove that businesses can effectively move against ill-conceived governmental interference in the job-creating marketplaces. Check out below list. . .
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THE GREATER CALIFORNIA LIVERY ASSOCATION is adding its influential voice to the rising opposition against a destructive anti-business-travel bill sponsored by Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. See latest online news item and a letter from GCLA President Alan Shanedling. . .
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NO FEAR: Another example of how the business travel and hospitality industries are countering the aggressive anti-business drivel coming out of D.C.. . . Response from LA Inc. below. . .
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OPERATOR VIEW: Jonna Sabroff, the first vice president of the Greater California Livery Association and owner of ITS of Los Angeles, offered this firsthand assessment of industry challenges and the importance of associations in stabilizing the industry. . .
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KEEPING CURRENT: The following message from GCLA board member Mark Stewart shows how limousine associations nationwide should be responding to the recession and revenue hits among operators: Organize operators; keep them informed; offer them survival strategies; focus goals on fighting bad regulations and politics. . .
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CONGRATULATIONS!: Business magazines and associations typically present awards to industry leaders. (Does this sound familiar to you?) The Association of Destination Management Executives just unveiled its '09 winners. Read on for their names, and ideas on how to turn this into a marketing opportunity.
-- Jon LeSage
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EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT? Call it the LAZY LABOR THEFT ACT. As if porky so-called stimulus, higher taxes, crippled corporations, and anti-capitalism weren't enough. Now the labor minions of the Democratic Party appear to be readying some of the most destructive anti-business legislation since the Depression-era Smoot-Hawley Tarriff of the 1930s. . .
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BUS BONANZA: I had a Q&A interview with Eron Shosteck, the American Bus Association's senior VP of communications, marketing, and media relations. More details below. . .
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KENTUCKY LIMOUSINE ASSOCIATION: Carey Fieldhouse, the president of the KLA and owner of R&R Limousine in Louisville, Ky., told me today about a helpful prom-season idea for operators and associations: A list or directory of all high schools and their prom dates. The KLA had a staff member reach about 70% of all the high schools in Kentucky and get dates and details of their proms. The list was then distributed to operator-members looking for prom season business. One question we have at LCT is: HOW IS THE RECESSION AFFECTING PROM SEASON RESERVATIONS? -- M.R.
EXCELLENCE EXTRAORDINAIRE: I had the privilege of re-presenting the 2009 LCT Association Award of Excellence (Association of the Year) to the board members of the Greater California Livery Association last night before their first meeting of the year. LCT first announced the award during its annual gala in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, with GCLA President Alan Shanedling accepting it then. This was an honor long overdue. A panel of judges from the NLA Liasion Committee selected the GCLA from a group of three finalists that also included the Limousine Association of Houston and the Georgia Limousine Association.
Last night, the award was presented for the benefit of the membership which turned out in force at the Proud Bird restaurant near LAX. The GCLA stands at the cutting edge of industry advocacy in that it represents operators in the state with the most chauffeured transportation activity, and a state with a government that serves up operators with some of the most formidable regulatory and legislative hassles in the nation. California is often labeled a trrendsetter, and that certainly is the case with the GCLA; its success sets a model standard for other industry associations nationwide in advancing regulatory fairness and warding off crippling taxes, fees, and bureaucratic policies. Congratulations to the GCLA as the chauffeured transportation industry faces one of the toughest years in decades in a state with one of the most incompetent and wasteful governments. -- M.R.
LIMOS GOOD, NOT BAD: Yet another politician has been heavily criticized for taking limo rides. Former senator Tom Daschle was supposed to be the new secretary of health, and played a major role in Obama's campaign.
He's been accused of failing to pay more than $100,000 in taxes for a donated limousine. The pressure was so intensive that he stepped back and turned down the offer. How many times have you read news stories like this one, where limo rides are considered an obvious source of payoffs and corruption. (Newspaper editors are winking at readers when the word "limousine" is mentioned prominently.) This makes me wonder: is there anything the National Limousine Association can do to refute such criticism? Could there be a new program offering reduced fare rides to well known political leaders in our nation's capital? A "clean up" program demonstrating how limousine rides with NLA members are safe, legal, legitimate, and luxurious? Just a thought... -- J.L.
GREATER CALIFORNIA LIVERY ASSOCIATION: From Tuesday night meeting in Los Angeles: The good news was a lot of operators showed up, and realized the importance of commiserating and connecting. The bad news was summed up by NLA President Richard Kane: "The economy sucks." More below. . .
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BUSCENTRIC: Stay tuned for much more coverage of charter and tour bus news and management topics in LCT Magazine starting in the February issue... and a new LCT blog focusing on the bus business and what's happening with motorcoach and shuttle buses. Having buses in your fleet and marketing them to the right customers is a great way to build business, even during a recession. It's a very important industry sector for LCT to expand its coverage. When you talk to operators active in the bus business, they'll tell you two industry associations are important to know about and consider joining. One is
United Motorcoach Association and the other is
American Bus Association. Their websites are chock full of industry info and resources.
ACTION NOW: The National LImousine Association recommends that its members support the combined request of GM/Ford/Chrysler for federal funds to stave off bankruptcies. The chauffeured transportation industry is a major buyer and user of luxury vehicles built by the Big Three.
Endorsement here.
WORKING & NETWORKING: Read all about J. Howard Frisk, an operator with 32 years in this business and 85 vehicles, based in Springfield, Mo. (also the home of a few coachbuilders). Frisk regularly puts in very long days from early morning well into the evening. If fact, you can
read a timetable from one of his typical days, which started out with a 6:30 a.m. executive breakfast meeting and wrapped up after attending a fundraiser. Frisk
sits on the boards or committees of more than 25 community and industry organizations. All of this may sound quite extreme, but it is actually close to the norm for many operators. To be in this business, you've got to love talking to other business people, and spend much of your life networking and promoting your business.Years later, this man seems to be happy where he is.
Insurance costs are up for limousine operators in New Jersey and other states. The Limousine Associations of New Jersey gave its seal of approval to Livery-sure, an insurance product created by LANJ members Tony Mahon of AJM Insurance Management, Inc. and Brad Post of PA Post. Mahon was originally asked by the association to find an insurance program that could meet the needs of all members. “One of the problems at that point is that we were dealing with a hard market in the insurance industry,” Mahon says. “What was out there was expensive and we wanted to find an insurance program that could somewhat stabilize costs.” The program covers everything: auto liability, physical damage, general liability, property, workers compensation, EPLI, bonding, umbrella, and health and life.
Click here to visit the Livery-sure website. LANJ wants to get the word out to all other state associations and encourages them to set up something similar to help their members get more control over insurance.
Horace Pappillion and Carl Guillory of Citistreets Limousines have designed a new chauffeur lounge near the Houston airport, says Joe Jordan, president of the Limousine Association of Houston. "This is probably the most deluxe chauffeur's lounge in all of the USA. It is better than some first class airport clubs," Jordan says."You should also consider rewarding your best drivers with a full-time membership. There is a discounted rate for member companies of the LAH."
LEARN HOW TO LOBBY: The chauffeured transportation industry is doing more government relations work now than ever. But it's not an easy thing to do at first - getting guidance is necessary. The Maryland Limousine Association is hosting a one-day training session on “how to lobby for your local limousine association”.
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Ontario Association: It was great for LCT editors to meet officers and members of the Ontario Limousine Owners Association, who were in attendance this week at LCT Canada. Some of these people have been well known (Craig McCutcheon and Joe Ironi) and other officers were met for the first time (Casey Jason and Phil Bozzelli).
Click here to visit the association website, see a list of officers and board members, read the Official Limousine rental guide for Ontario, view a list of sponsors, and other info. This is the biggest industry association in Canada, and does a lot of service work for members.
The National Business Travel Association's annual convention and exposition is coming right up: July 27-30 in Los Angeles. We've been told about 30 chauffeured transportation companies will be exhibiting during the trade show and more will be walking the floor. This is a great opportunity for meeting key corporate travel decision makers.
Visit the website to learn more and register, if interested. Speakers include Alan Greenspan, Alec Baldwin, and Craig Ferguson. Sounds quite entertaining.
JUNE GCLA MEETING: One of the leading concerns among operators at the June Greater California Livery Association meeting near LAX is the prevalence of illegal operators in California. One operator along the Central Coast reported counting about 25 illegal limousine and sedan operators in his local phone book.
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MEETINGS, MEETINGS, MEETINGS: Jim Luff on why he spends four hours on the road just to attend GCLA meetings. As he says, "there just is no substitution for face to face development of friendships over a glass of wine."
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When the Pennsylvania PUC raised annual assessments by an average of 360%, the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association had to get very busy, says Philip Jagiela of
Aries Limousine Service and PRLA president.
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Classic limousines, hearses, and ambulances are historically documented and shown off for crowds by the Professional Car Society. And the organization is packed with upcoming events. Did you know that the Alexander & Royalty Funeral Home is hosting its 9th Annual Ice Cream Social and Volunteer Chapter Meet on June 6-7 in Harrodsburg, KY?
Click here to see colorful, historic photos and find out what else is happening in this professional community.
Every limousine industry association should have a website. Most do, but it's important to keep them up-to-date, and a site that visitors would come back and use. The Great Lakes Limousine Association, a Michigan organization serving Detroit and other state markets, has upgraded its website.
Click here to see news, an event calender, GLLA officers, downloadable industry documents, and other useful information.
If you've never done it before, attending the NLA's once-a-year Day on the Hill is a thing of wonder. You get to walk through underground tunnels to meet with members of Congress and their key staffmembers... you get to smell and feel the history of the country's legislative center... you'll feel like you're making a difference informing decision makers about issues of great concern to chauffeured transportation companies. Go the
NLA website for details and a registration form.
Meetings and conventions are a major source for chauffeured transportation companies - just ask Bedford Wynne, director of event services at Wynne Sedan & Limousine Group in Dallas. Wynne is very active in the Dallas chapter of Meeting Professionals International, which has been a source of business for his company. He's also met several mentors and friends through the meetings. Click here to visit the MPI website.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging consumers to check the backgrounds of limousine carriers to verify that they are authorized and properly insured. Most state agencies want transportation companies properly certified - this is a growing trend for the industry.
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MUTUAL BENEFIT: Now that the National Limousine Association has joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it's a very good idea to find out what the organization has to offer the industry.
Click here to visit the website. Read about the Small Business of the Year award winner... President Bush speaking before a summit meeting... and click on the magazine link to read the latest news and management tips from the Chamber of Commerce.
See the NLA consumer website, which is called NLAride.com, for prom and wedding tips that you can pass along to your customers verbally and/or in your print or online client communications. Two sets of prom tips – one for teens, one for parents – are posted. In addition to recommendations for choosing service providers, it offers a search engine for identifying limousine operators – NLA members only – around the world.
The NLA is organizing a a communications program to support operator "green" programs. The goals are to broadcast what the industry is doing to be environmentally responsible, and help livery companies and suppliers find ways to proactively "green" their organizations. The NLA started by surveying members on their environmental practices, and received many replies. The NLA is taking this data and questions asked by members to inform members and the public about NLA's goals on this important issue.
The latest meeting of the National Limousine Association at the ILCT Show this month underscored its success in recruiting new members and strengthening its finances. At a time when the chauffeured transportation industry faces many challenges, the NLAs resources can be a major source of unity and focus for the industry. LCT contributing writer Jim Luff has a report from the NLA meeting. Please click below.
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The countdown has begun to… the International LCT Show, coming up next week. As we editors prepare to attend and cover this action-packed event, several scheduled programs stand out:
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